JP2013022034A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine allowing a player to perform input work of a token with an easy posture.SOLUTION: A slot machine is disposed with an operation panel SL12 in the front face, and includes a token input port member SL23 into which the player can put a token on one side of the operation panel SL12. The token input port member SL23 includes: an input port SL32 capable of receiving the token in a rising state that one of the front and rear surfaces of the token is directed to the front of the slot machine; and a guidance part SL35 capable of guiding the token to the input port SL32 in the rising state. Both the right and left side edges of the guidance part SL35 are provided with token guide parts SL38 abutting on the peripheral edges of the token in the rising state projectingly upward, one token guide part SL38L positioned on the opposite side to the center in the right and left direction of the operation panel SL12 with the guidance part SL35 sandwiched is lowered as compared to the other token guide part SL38R positioned on the center side in the right and left direction of the operation panel SL12.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine having an operation panel disposed on the front surface and a medal insertion slot member into which a player can insert medals on one side of the operation panel.

  In a conventional gaming machine, for example, a slot machine that uses medals as a game medium, it has a symbol display means for displaying a plurality of appropriate symbols and the like, insertion of medals into the slot machine, operation of levers and buttons, etc. Thus, the game is configured to start or stop changing the symbols. In addition, it has been proposed to make it easier to insert medals by devising the peripheral structure of the medal slot. Specifically, a staircase is provided in front of the medal slot in a state where it is lowered toward the medal slot, and the medal is placed upright on the staircase to facilitate continuous insertion of medals. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-240056 A

  By the way, in the slot machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, it is necessary to push the standing medal into the medal insertion slot side, but a device for making it possible to perform the pushing operation of the medal in an easy posture is applied. It has not been.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine in which a player can perform a medal insertion operation with an easy posture.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and according to the present invention, an operation panel is arranged on the front surface, and a player inserts a medal on one side of the operation panel. In gaming machines equipped with possible medal slot members,
The medal slot member is
A slot that can accept a medal in a standing state with either one of the front and back sides facing the front of the gaming machine,
A guiding portion capable of guiding a medal to the insertion port in the standing state;
With
On the left and right side edges of the guide portion, a medal guide portion that abuts on the outer peripheral edge of the standing medal is respectively projected upward.
One medal guide portion located on the opposite side of the center of the operation panel across the guide portion is lower than the other medal guide portion located on the center side of the operation panel in the left-right direction. This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the operation panel includes a start lever that is operated by a player at the start of the game,
The start lever includes a lever shaft extending toward the front of the operation panel, and an operation portion including an extended end portion of the lever shaft,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a long column shape along an axial direction of the lever shaft.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the second aspect, wherein the operation portion has a tapered surface that gradually decreases in diameter as it approaches the operation panel side.

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, the operation panel is disposed on the front surface, and the operation panel is provided with a medal insertion slot member into which a player can insert a medal. The mouth member includes an insertion port that can receive a medal in a standing state with either one of the front and back surfaces facing the front of the gaming machine, and a guide portion that can guide the medal to the insertion port in the standing state. The left and right edges of the guide portion are respectively provided with medal guide portions that contact the outer peripheral edges of the standing medals so as to protrude upward, with the guide portion sandwiched between the center of the operation panel in the left-right direction. Since the one medal guide portion located on the opposite side is lower than the other medal guide portion located on the center side in the left-right direction of the operation panel, the player can move the hand to the side of the medal slot member. Placing a medal Even if carried out, the medal guide portion does not get in the way. Therefore, the player can perform the medal insertion work with an easy posture.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the operation panel includes a start lever that a player operates at the start of a game, and the start lever extends toward the front of the operation panel. And an operation part containing the extended end of the lever shaft, and the operation part has a long column shape along the axial direction of the lever shaft, so that the player can operate the start lever. Occasionally the area touched is large and easy to operate. Further, it is possible to disperse the pressing force received by the operation unit by the player's operation, and it is possible to suppress damage to the operation unit and consequently to the start lever.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the operation portion has a tapered surface that gradually decreases in diameter as it approaches the operation panel side, the player presses the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion toward the player side. The start lever can be configured to operate as Therefore, it becomes difficult for the player to press more than necessary to press the operation portion, and damage to the start lever can be further suppressed.

It is a front view of a slot machine. It is a perspective view of an operation panel. It is explanatory drawing of a medal insertion slot member, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view. (A) is a top view of a medal slot member, (b) is a side view, (c) is an AA sectional view of (b). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the start lever, where (a) is a side view of the slot machine showing the positional relationship between the start lever and the medal storage section, and (b) is a side view of the start lever. It is a block block diagram of the control system centering on a game control apparatus. It is a front view showing a positional relationship between the slot machine and the player. It is a side view showing the positional relationship between the slot machine and the player. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation locus | trajectory from medal insertion to operation of a start lever. It is explanatory drawing of the medal insertion slot member which mounted the medal, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation of a start lever, (a) is explanatory drawing in the conventional case, (b) is explanatory drawing in the case of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the operation panel in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the medal insertion slot member and medal guidance solenoid in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block block diagram which shows the connection of the game control apparatus and medal guidance solenoid in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the guidance part vibration process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the operation panel which provided the guide groove between the medal slot member and the start lever. It is a perspective view of the operation panel which provided the guide groove between the bet button and the start lever. It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram of the control system of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram of the arithmetic processing unit (amuse chip) for games. It is a block diagram around the arithmetic processing unit (amuse chip) for games provided in the game control device. It is explanatory drawing of user work RAM. It is explanatory drawing of a stack area | region. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of power-on of a game control device, a payout control device, and an effect control device. It is a flowchart of the first half of a game control apparatus main process. It is a flowchart of the latter half part of a game control apparatus main process. It is explanatory drawing of a delay process. It is explanatory drawing of the delay process in other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is the timing chart of the state of the communication port with which the game control apparatus at the time of power activation, the payout control apparatus, and the production | presentation control apparatus performs, and the game control apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure in the case of transmitting instruction | command from a game control apparatus to an effect control apparatus and a payout control apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the command signal transmitted to a payout control apparatus and an effect control apparatus from a game control apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the signal transmitted to a payout control apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the signal transmitted to an effect control apparatus. It is a figure explaining the specification of a pachinko gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing of the display content of a fluctuation | variation display apparatus. It is a flowchart of the second half part of the production control device main process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a slot machine as a representative example of a gaming machine that uses a medal to play a game. For convenience of explanation, the player side with respect to the slot machine is referred to as “front” or “front”, and the side opposite the player across the slot machine is referred to as “rear” or “back”.
In the slot machine SL1, a front door (front frame) SL3 is attached to a front side of a housing SL2 whose front surface is open, with one side edge portion (left side edge portion in FIG. 1) being pivotally attached and opened and closed. A variable display device SL6 including three independently rotatable reels SL5 is accommodated in the body SL2. In addition, a plurality of identification information such as symbols and numerals are described on the outer peripheral surface (display portion) of the reel SL5, and the outer peripheral surface of the reel SL5 is opened from the variable display opening SL8 opened in the center portion in the vertical direction of the front door SL3. A plurality of pieces of identification information can be variably displayed. Specifically, each of the reels SL5 is rotated and stopped by a reel motor SL9 (see FIG. 6) to variably display the identification information and execute a variable display game. Further, an effect display device SL11 is provided on the front surface of the front door SL3 above the variable display opening SL8, and an operation panel SL12 operated by the player is arranged below the variable display opening SL8. Between the display opening SL8 and the operation panel SL12, there is provided a centralized display device SL13 for displaying a credit (storage of the number of stored medals inserted into the slot machine SL1) and a game progress state. In the lower part of the front door SL3 located below the operation panel SL12, the decoration panel SL15, the medal payout exit SL16 for paying out medals from the slot machine SL1, and the medals paid out from the medal payout exit SL16 are stored. A medal storage unit (medal tray) SL17, an ashtray SL18, and a speaker SL19 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel SL12 includes a horizontally elongated panel base SL21 whose upper surface and front surface are exposed, and the shaft base end side of the front door SL3 on the upper surface of the panel base SL21 (left side in FIG. 2). ), A bet button SL22 for setting the number of bets in the game is arranged, and a medal slot member SL23 through which a player can insert medals is arranged on the free end side (right side in FIG. 2) of the front door SL3. doing. A medal passage SL24 is formed in the lower part of the medal insertion slot member SL23 to allow the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot member SL23 to flow down. The medal insertion slot member SL23 is inserted in the middle of the medal passage SL24. An inserted medal detection sensor SL25 that can detect a medal is arranged. In addition, on the front end of the front door SL3 (the left side in FIG. 2) on the front surface of the panel base SL21, the player operates to start the rotation of the reel SL5 (variable display of identification information) at the start of the game. And a stop button SL27 for stopping the rotation of the reel SL5 and stopping the variable display of the identification information in accordance with the position of the reel SL5. They are arranged side by side. Further, a return button SL28 for returning the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot member SL23 to the medal payout outlet SL16 is provided at a position closer to the shaft receiving end of the front door SL3 than the start lever SL26 on the front surface of the panel base SL21. Further, a credit release button SL29 for releasing credit is provided at a position closer to the free end of the front door SL3 than the stop button SL27.

Next, the medal slot member SL23 and the start lever SL26 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the medal slot member SL23 is formed by penetrating a horizontally long slot-shaped slot SL32 in the vertical direction, and a medal is inserted into the slot SL32. Receiving is possible in a standing state (hereinafter referred to as a standing upright state) facing the front (player side) of SL1, and the medal flow path SL33 is extended downward from the charging port SL32 (see FIG. 4C). The lower end of the medal flow path SL33 is connected to the entrance of the medal passage SL24, and the medal that has passed through the insertion slot SL32 enters the medal passage SL24 through the medal flow path SL33. Further, a vertically-oriented flat medal stopper SL34 is erected on the rear opening edge of the insertion slot SL32, and when a medal is brought into contact with the medal stopper SL34 with either one of the front and back surfaces overlapping, the medal is inserted into the insertion slot SL32. It is comprised so that it may be located just above. Further, a guiding portion SL35 that allows a medal to be placed in an upright state and guided to the insertion port SL32 at the front opening edge of the insertion port SL32 is directed forward in a curved state in which a central portion in the left-right direction is recessed downward. It is extended. On the guide portion SL35, a plurality of medal support protrusions SL36 extending from the front end side of the guide portion SL35 toward the rear insertion port SL32 are provided, and the height of the medal support protrusion SL36 is increased. The height (height from the guiding portion SL35) is gradually set higher as it approaches the rear inlet SL32 side (see FIG. 3A).

  Further, on both left and right edges of the guiding portion SL35, medal guide portions SL38 that abut on the outer peripheral edge of the inserted upright medal are projected upward, and the upper edge portions of both medal guide portions SL38 are arranged on the operation panel SL12. Is inclined upward from the front side to the rear side (see FIG. 4B). Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the right medal guide portion SL38R located on the free end side (right side in FIG. 3 (b)) of the front door SL3 is connected to the stop button SL27 side (in FIG. 3 (b)). , Left side) and lower than the left medal guide portion SL38L. In other words, one medal guide portion SL38R located on the opposite side to the center in the left-right direction of the operation panel SL12 across the guide portion SL35 is replaced with the other medal guide portion SL38L located on the center side in the left-right direction of the operation panel SL12. Set lower than. Then, the height difference between the left medal guide portion SL38L and the right medal guide portion SL38R is gradually increased from the front side to the rear side of the medal insertion port member SL23, and at the rear end portion of the medal guide portion SL38, the right medal guide portion. SL38R is shifted downward by a maximum height difference t from the left medal guide portion SL38L.

  Further, the insertion auxiliary space portion having the same front-rear width as the insertion port SL32 is located beside the insertion port SL32 (right side in FIG. 4A), in other words, between the right medal guide portion SL38R and the medal stopper SL34. SL41 is formed by cutting out in the left-right direction, and is configured such that a medal in a standing upright state superimposed on medal stopper SL34 can enter into the loading auxiliary space SL41. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the lower edge portion of the insertion auxiliary space portion SL41 is inclined downward toward the insertion port SL32 side (the medal flow path SL33 side), and the outer peripheral edge is below the insertion auxiliary space portion SL41. The medal placed on the edge is configured to roll toward the insertion slot SL32. The slide guide portion SL42 that is recessed toward the guide portion SL35 is provided on the side surface portion on the opposite side of the guide portion SL35 across the upper edge of the right medal guide portion SL38R, in other words, in the front-rear direction of the operation panel SL12. It extends along the direction from the leading edge side of the guiding portion SL35 toward the inlet SL32.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the start lever SL26 is an operation portion SL47 material that is positioned slightly behind the medal storage portion SL17 that protrudes most forward in the slot machine SL1. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lever shaft SL46 formed of a round bar is extended toward the front of the operation panel SL12, and the rear portion of the lever shaft SL46 is attached to the inside of the operation panel SL12. The front end is configured to swing up and down. In addition, a columnar operation portion SL47 that is elongated along the axial direction of the lever shaft SL46 is attached to the front end portion (extended end portion) of the lever shaft SL46 so as to include the front end portion of the lever shaft SL46. The center of gravity of the operation portion SL47 is positioned so as to overlap the front end portion of the lever shaft SL46. Specifically, the front half of the operation portion SL47 is formed in a hemispherical shape and the latter half is formed in a tapered shape, and the tapered surface gradually decreases in diameter as the outer periphery of the rear half of the operation portion SL47 approaches the rear operation panel SL12. It is comprised so that it may become. Further, a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring is engaged with the lever shaft SL46, and a portion of the lever shaft SL46 that is positioned in front of the shaft attachment portion is constantly biased upward by the biasing force of the biasing member. In this state, the player pushes down the operation portion SL47 against the urging force of the urging member to execute the operation of the start lever SL26.

Next, the game control device SL51 that controls the slot machine SL1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the game control device SL51 as the main control device includes a CPU that controls game control, a ROM that stores a program for game control, and a RAM that is used as a work area during game control, An input / output interface is provided. The inserted medal detection sensor SL25, the start lever switch SL53 for detecting the operation of the start lever SL26, each stop button (reel stop switch) SL27, the reel position detection sensor SL54 for detecting the stop position of each reel SL5, the bet button (MAX) Bet switch) SL22, return button (medal return switch) SL28, payout medal detection sensor SL56 for detecting medals to be paid out to the medal storage unit SL17, special result mode (for example, specific identification information is 3) Probability setting device SL57 capable of setting and changing the probability of the award being given a prize privilege by stopping side by side, etc., reset switch SL58 for resetting slot machine SL1, and detection of opening / closing of front door SL3 Front door open / close detection switch SL Receives various signals from the 9, execution of the game, such as generation of gaming state, a variety of processing. Further, in addition to the production control device SL61 as a sub-control device, a command signal is transmitted to the medal payout unit SL62 for executing the medal payout operation, the reel motor SL9, the external output board SL63, etc. Control. The production control device SL61 transmits a control signal to the central display device SL13, the production display device SL11, etc. based on the production command received from the game control device SL51, and executes display of information related to the game, display of game production, and the like. To control.

  Next, the operation for the player to insert medals and the operation for operating the start lever SL26 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the player maintains the posture in which the left hand holding the cigarette is placed on the ashtray SL18 and performs the operation only with the right hand. In addition, after the medal insertion (operation 1 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) is executed, a push-down operation of the start lever SL26 (operation 2 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9) is executed.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the player places a plurality of medals on the guiding portion SL35 of the medal insertion slot member SL23 in an inserted upright state, overlaps them along the front-rear direction of the slot machine SL1, and fists his right hand. In this state, it is placed on the right side (right side medal guide portion SL38R side) of the medal insertion slot member SL23, and these medals are sandwiched between the thumb of the right hand and the medal stopper SL34. Further, the bent index finger of the right hand (specifically, the fingertip of the index finger with the nail facing the lower operation panel SL12) is brought into contact with the slide guide portion SL42. In this state, when the player moves his / her thumb along the left / right direction of the slot machine SL1 and pushes a plurality of medals to the medal stopper SL34 side while swinging left / right between the left and right medal guide portions SL38, the medal stopper The last medal facing the SL 34 (the medal closest to the insertion slot SL32) sufficiently abuts the medal stopper SL34 and moves directly above the insertion slot SL32. When the player slightly weakens the pressing force of the thumb toward the medal stopper SL34 and loosens the medal, the last medal that contacts the medal stopper SL34 falls down and is inserted into the insertion slot SL32. The

  When the last medal is inserted into the insertion slot SL32, the player continues to push the medal on the guiding portion SL35 with the thumb while swinging left and right, and the inserted standing medal is rearward along the guiding portion SL35. Slide to the inlet SL32 side. Then, when the last medal sufficiently comes into contact with the medal stopper SL34 and moves immediately above the insertion slot SL32 and the player loosens the medal again, the last medal is inserted into the insertion slot SL32. In this way, the player can continuously insert a plurality of medals into the insertion slot SL32. At this time, the right medal guide portion SL38R located on the player's right hand side (the hand side that performs the medal insertion operation) is set lower than the left medal guide portion SL38L, so that the player can use the medal insertion port member SL23. Even when the medal insertion operation is performed by placing a hand on the side, the medal guide portion SL38 does not get in the way. Therefore, the player can perform the medal insertion work with an easy posture. Further, the medal slot member SL23 includes a slide guide portion SL42 that guides the player's hand to the slot SL32, so that the hand performing the medal slot operation can be smoothly moved to the slot SL32. Therefore, continuous insertion of medals can be executed smoothly.

  Further, since the insertion auxiliary space SL41 is formed on the side of the insertion slot SL32, the last medal positioned immediately above the insertion slot SL32 can be easily swung in the left-right direction, and the rearmost Can be easily dropped into the insertion slot SL32. Further, since the lower edge portion of the insertion auxiliary space portion SL41 is inclined downward toward the insertion port SL32, even if the medal falls downward in the insertion auxiliary space portion SL41, the medal is inserted into the insertion auxiliary space portion SL41. It can be made to roll on the lower edge part and be guided to the inlet SL32.

  Once the medal has been inserted into the insertion slot SL32, the player moves the right hand away from the medal insertion slot member SL23 and moves it above the start lever SL26. Then, with the right hand, the upper portion of the operation portion SL47 of the start lever SL26 is pressed downward to depress the start lever SL26 to start the game. Here, the conventional start lever will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 (a), in the conventional start lever SL46 ′, the operation portion SL47 ′ has a spherical shape, so that the player can start the start lever SL26. The part touched during the operation of ′ is small and smaller than the player's hand, making it difficult to operate. Further, since the pressing force received by the operation portion SL47 ′ is easily concentrated, the operation portion SL47 ′ is easily damaged. In addition, in order to avoid excessive slamming by the player, it has been proposed that the operation unit SL47 ′ is provided with a decoration imitating the shape of an animal's face so as to give a feeling of petting (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-260867). However, the excessive hitting of the player is not sufficiently prevented, and the operation portion SL47 ′ may be damaged.

  Therefore, for the purpose of suppressing damage to the operation portion of the start lever, in the start lever SL26 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the operation portion SL47 is elongated along the axial direction of the lever shaft SL46. It has a simple column shape. Thereby, the part which a player touches at the time of operation of start lever SL26 becomes large, and is easy to operate. In addition, the pressing force received by the operation unit SL47 by the player's operation can be dispersed, and damage to the operation unit SL47 and consequently damage to the start lever SL26 can be suppressed. Also, since the operation portion is formed with a tapered surface that gradually decreases in diameter as it approaches the operation panel side, the start lever is operated so that the player presses the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion SL47 in the direction toward the player side. The SL 26 can be configured. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the player to press more than necessary and press the operation portion SL47, and damage to the start lever SL26 can be further suppressed. Further, since the operation portion SL47 includes the front end portion of the lever shaft SL46 and the center of gravity of the operation portion SL47 is positioned so as to overlap the front end portion of the lever shaft SL46, the weight of the operation portion SL47 is sufficiently supported by the lever shaft SL46. be able to. Since the front end portion of the start lever SL26 (the front end portion of the operation portion SL47) is set at a position behind the medal storage portion SL17, the start lever SL26 easily collides with a wall or the like when the slot machine SL1 is transported, As a result, the inconvenience that the start lever SL26 is easily damaged can be avoided.

  By the way, in the above embodiment, the player guides the medal to the insertion slot SL32 while swinging the medal with the thumb in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, but differs in that the guiding portion SL35 can be vibrated by a drive source. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the guiding portion SL35 is loosely fitted in the medal slot member SL23 in a state in which the guiding portion SL35 can swing (a state in which the guiding portion SL35 can swing in the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction). A plunger of a medal guidance solenoid SL68 disposed below the medal slot member SL23 is engaged with the lower portion of SL35. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a control signal can be output from the game control device SL51 to the medal guidance solenoid SL68, and the medal guidance solenoid SL68 is driven based on a command from the game control device SL51.

  In the second embodiment including the guiding portion SL35 and the medal guiding solenoid SL68 having such a configuration, a medal is inserted into the insertion slot SL32, passes through the medal flow path SL33, and is inserted while moving in the medal passage SL24. When detected by the detection sensor SL25, the game control device SL51 performs control (medal guiding part vibration processing) for driving the medal guiding solenoid SL68 based on reception of the detection signal from the inserted medal detection sensor SL25. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the inserted medal detection sensor SL25 is turned on (in other words, whether or not it is detected that a medal has been inserted) (S1), and OFF (medal). If it is not detected), the medal guiding unit vibration process is immediately terminated, and if it is ON (medal insertion is detected), the medal guiding solenoid SL68 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). Are repeatedly executed to vibrate the guiding portion SL35 (S2), and the medal guiding portion vibration processing is terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the guidance unit SL35 is vibrated based on the detection of the insertion of medals in this way, when the medals placed on the guidance unit SL35 are continuously inserted into the insertion slot SL32, the player moves on the guidance unit SL35. It is not necessary to guide the medal to the upper side of the insertion slot SL32 by swinging the medal left and right, and the continuous insertion of medals can be performed without delay.

  By the way, in the said embodiment, although the structure which guides a player's hand movement at the time of operation of slot machine SL1 was provided only in medal insertion slot member SL23, this invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a guide groove SL71 is provided between the medal slot member SL23 and the start lever SL26 in the panel base SL21, and after the player inserts a medal, the right hand is placed along the guide groove SL71. By sliding, the right hand can be quickly guided to the start lever SL26, and the slot machine SL1 can be operated smoothly. As shown in FIG. 17, a guide groove SL72 is provided between the bet button SL22 and the start lever SL26 in the panel base SL21, the bet number is set by operating the bet button SL22, and the bet button SL22 is operated. If the hand slides along the guide groove SL72, the hand can be quickly guided to the start lever SL26, and the operation of the slot machine SL1 can be performed smoothly.

  By the way, although operation part SL47 of start lever SL26 in each said embodiment made hemispherical in the front half part and the taper shape in the latter half part, this invention is not limited to this. In short, as long as the columnar shape is long along the axial direction of the lever shaft SL46, the operation portion SL47 may have any shape. Further, although the medal slot member SL23 is provided on the right side of the operation panel SL12, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, a medal slot member is provided on one side of the operation panel, and one medal guide portion located on the opposite side of the operation panel from the center in the left-right direction across the guide portion is connected to the center side in the left-right direction of the operation panel. What is necessary is just to set lower than the other medal guide part located in this. For example, when the medal slot member SL23 is provided on the left side of the operation panel SL12, the left medal guide portion SL38L may be set lower than the right medal guide portion SL38R.

Next, a pachinko gaming machine will be described. For convenience of explanation, the player side with respect to the pachinko gaming machine is referred to as “front” or “front”, and the side opposite the player across the pachinko gaming machine is referred to as “rear” or “back”.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is pivotally attached to a rectangular machine frame (outer frame) 2 with a front frame (inner frame) 3 being openable and closable. A rectangular game board 5 can be stored from the front, and a game area 6 is defined on the surface of the game board 5. Further, on the front side of the front frame 3, a transparent member holding frame 8 having one side (left side in FIG. 18) pivotally attached is provided so as to be openable and closable. The transparent member 9 to be covered is held, and the gaming area 6 can be seen through from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the transparent member 9. Further, an upper plate unit 11 is provided below the transparent member holding frame 8, and a lower plate unit 12 is disposed below the transparent member holding frame 8 at a position shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the upper plate unit 11. Yes. Further, a firing operation unit (a firing operation handle) 14 for operating a launching device (not shown) is provided on one side (the right side in FIG. 18) of the lower dish unit 12. Furthermore, speakers 15 that perform a production operation by generating sound are disposed on the other side of the lower dish unit 12 and on the left and right sides of the upper edge of the transparent member holding frame 8.

  A vertically long card unit (ball rental unit) 20 that is separate from the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided on the side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (front frame 3). The card unit 20 is provided with a banknote recognition device (banknote receiving unit) 21 at the upper part of the front surface, and has a card reader / writer 22 at the lower part of the front surface. The card reader / writer 22 accepts a prepaid card for renting a ball and lends the ball. Valuable value information such as money amount information or ball lending capability information stored in a prepaid card can be read. Further, the card unit 20 includes a part of the control device in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a configuration provided at the lower part of the transparent member holding frame 8 (a ball lending button 23 that is operated when a player borrows a game ball, A discharge button 24 that is operated when a prepaid card is discharged from the card unit 20 and a balance display section 25) that displays the balance of the prepaid card are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the game board 5 includes a rectangular game board main body 27 formed of plywood or plastic, and a plurality of side cases 28 are fixed to the surface of the game board main body 27 so that a game area is provided. 6 is defined, and on the side of the game area 6 (on the left side in FIG. 19), a guide ball is provided with a launch ball guide path 29 that guides the game ball launched from the launch device to one side upper part of the game area 6. 30 is formed into a vertically long arc shape. In addition, an encircling frame (center case) 32 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 6, and a fluctuating display device (display device) 33 is provided behind the enclosing frame 32 and provided on the front surface of the fluctuating display device 33. The special display (special symbol) variable display game (first display) in which a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) identification information is displayed in a variable manner so that the displayed display portion 33a faces the front of the game board 5 from the opening of the surrounding frame 32. The effect display of the special figure fluctuation display game and the second special figure fluctuation display game) can be displayed on the display unit 33a. Note that the display unit 33a of the variable display device 33 may display a conventional display image (a so-called 2D display image) that is two-dimensionally viewed, or using binocular parallax or the like. A so-called 3D display image that is viewed in three dimensions may be displayed.

  In the game area 6, a first start winning opening 36 is arranged below the surrounding frame 32, and the firing guide path is located on the side of the first starting winning opening 36, specifically the first start winning opening 36. On the side opposite to 29, a second start winning opening 37 having a blade-like ordinary electric accessory 37a provided on the left and right is arranged. Then, based on the winning of the game ball at the first start winning opening 36, the variation display device 33 performs the effect display (identification information variation display) of the first special figure variation display game on the display unit 33a, and the second start. Based on the winning of a game ball in the winning opening 37, the variation display device 33 is set to display the effect display (variation display of identification information) of the second special figure variation display game on the display unit 33a. Further, a large winning opening 38 is disposed below the first starting winning opening 36, and side lamps 40 provided with a general winning opening 39 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the large winning opening 38, and the surrounding frame body. A normal start gate 41 is arranged at a location on the side of 32 and above the second start winning opening 37. Further, at the lower end of the gaming area 6 located below the big winning opening 38, an out opening 44 is provided for collecting gaming balls that have flowed down without winning, and the surrounding frame 32 and each starting prize in the gaming area 6 are provided. A plurality of game nails 45 are planted in places other than the mounting portions such as the mouths 36 and 37, the side lamps 40, and the special winning opening 38. A collective display device provided with a general-purpose display 46, a special-purpose display 47, etc. (see FIG. 20) at a position of the side case 28 to the side of the out port 44 (right side in FIG. 19). 48 is arranged, and the collective display device 48 displays a general figure (normal symbol) fluctuation display game, a special figure fluctuation display game, and a game state.

  Next, the control system of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game control device 100 includes a game microcomputer (game calculation processing device 600) 101, an input I / F (Interface) 105, an output I / F (Interface) 106, and an inspection device connection terminal 107.

  The gaming microcomputer 101 includes a CPU 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104.

  The CPU 102 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and controls the game. The ROM 103 stores invariant information (programs, data, etc.) for game control. The RAM 104 is used as a work area during game control.

  The game control device 100 is provided with an inspection device connection terminal 107, and an identification number uniquely set in the gaming microcomputer 101 can be output from the inspection device connection terminal 107. Accordingly, when an inspection device (not shown) is connected to the inspection device connection terminal 107, the inspection device can identify the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The CPU 102 receives various inspection devices (a special start SW 38A for giving a prize to the start winning area 38, a normal start SW 41A for detecting a win to the normal start gate 41, and a count SW (switch) via the input I / F 105. 38A, winning winning SW 39A for detecting winning of the general winning opening 39, overflow SW (switch) 109, out-of-ball SW (switch) 110, and frame opening SW (switch) 111) are detected, and a big hit lottery etc. Various processes are performed.

  The overflow switch 109 detects that a predetermined number or more of game balls are stored in the lower dish unit 12 having a mechanism for storing and discharging game balls. The ball break switch 110 is disposed in a ball storage unit (not shown) disposed on the back side of the front frame 3 and detects that the number of game balls stored in the ball storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The frame opening switch 111 detects that the front frame 3 assembled to the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 so as to be able to open and close is opened.

  In addition, the CPU 102, via the output I / F 106, displays a general-purpose display 46, a special-purpose display 47, a general electric SOL (solenoid) 95, a special winning opening SOL (solenoid) 96, a payout control device 210, and an effect control device. A command signal is transmitted to 150 to control the game in an integrated manner.

  The universal display 46 displays a variable display game that is performed when a game ball wins the universal start gate 41. The special figure display 47 displays a variable display game that is performed when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 36 or the second starting winning opening 37.

  The ordinary electric power SOL 95 opens the ordinary electric accessory 37a provided in the second start winning opening 37, and opens the entrance to the second starting winning opening 37 for a predetermined time.

  The special winning opening SOL96 is changed from a closed state (a state disadvantageous to the player) where the special winning opening 38 does not accept the game ball for a predetermined time to an open state (a state advantageous to the player).

  In addition, the game control device 100 outputs information related to the pachinko gaming machine 1 to an information collection terminal or a game hall internal management device (not shown) installed in the game store via the external information terminal 108.

  The game control device 100 transmits a change start command, a customer waiting demo command, a fanfare command, a probability information command, an error designation command, and the like to the effect control device 150 as an effect control command signal.

  Next, the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 will be described.

  The effect control device (display control device) 75 controls the speaker 15 and the variable display device 33 based on various signals input from the game control device 100, and the light emitting device 145 that performs a game effect by light emission, and the effect operation. A drive source 146 provided to drive a movable object (not shown) that executes the above is controlled. Note that the effect control device 150 also receives a signal from a position detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the movable object.

  The effect control device 150 includes a gaming microcomputer (game arithmetic processing device 600) 151, a driver 155, a sound circuit 156, a VDP 157, and a monitoring circuit 158.

  The gaming microcomputer 151 includes a CPU 152, a ROM 153, and a RAM 154.

  The CPU 152 is a control device that comprehensively controls effect control. The ROM 154 stores invariant information (programs, data, etc.) for effect control. The RAM 154 is used as a work area during production control.

  The driver 155 controls the light emitting device 145 and the drive source 146 according to a command from the CPU 152. The sound circuit 156 generates a sound effect according to a command from the CPU 152 and outputs the sound effect from the speaker 15.

  In response to a command from the CPU 152, the VDP 157 reads font data from a character ROM (not shown), generates image data, and outputs the image data to the variable display device 33. The monitoring circuit 158 has a function of monitoring the operation of the CPU 152 and resetting the CPU 152 when an abnormality (such as program runaway) occurs.

  The payout control device 210 drives a payout motor 220 of a payout device (not shown) provided on the back side of the front frame 3 based on a prize ball command signal from the game control device 100 to pay out a prize ball. It is an apparatus which performs control for making it happen. Also, the payout control device 210 drives the payout motor 220 of the payout device based on the payout command signal transmitted from the game control device 100 based on the loan request signal from the card unit 20 to pay out the rental money. It is an apparatus which performs control for making it happen.

  The payout control device 210 includes a game microcomputer (game operation processing device 600) 211, an input I / F (Interface) 215, an input / output I / F (Interface) 216, and an inspection device connection terminal 217.

  The gaming microcomputer 211 includes a CPU 212, a ROM 213, and a RAM 214.

  The CPU 212 is a control device that comprehensively controls the payout and controls the payout control. The ROM 213 stores invariant information (program, data, etc.) for payout control. The RAM 214 is used as a work area during payout control.

  The CPU 212 receives inputs from the payout ball detection sensor 112, the overflow switch 109, the ball break switch 110, the error release switch 223, the tax rate setting switch 226, and the lending fee setting switch 227 via the input I / F 215.

  The error release switch 223 is operated by the store clerk of the amusement store to cancel the error state when the cause of the error generated by the store clerk of the amusement store is resolved when an error occurs in the payout control device 210. It is a switch.

  The tax rate setting switch 226 is a switch for setting a tax rate of indirect tax imposed on the rental of game balls. The rental fee setting switch 227 is a switch for setting the valuable value of the game balls to be lent.

  Further, the CPU 212 transmits a command signal to the payout motor 220, the launch control device 221, the error number display 222, the tax rate display 224, and the rental charge display 225 via the input / output I / F 216. In addition, the CPU 212 receives various signals from the game control apparatus 100 via the input / output I / F 216.

  The payout motor 220 is a motor that is actually driven to pay out the game ball by the payout device. Specifically, the payout motor 220 pays out the game ball by rotating a sprocket having a predetermined number of ball fitting portions capable of storing one game ball.

  The launch control device 221 controls a launch device for launching a game ball onto the game board 5. The error number display 222 is disposed on the back side of the payout control device 210 and displays the type of error that has occurred in the payout control device 210 so that it can be specified.

  The tax rate indicator 224 is disposed on the back side of the payout control device 210 and displays the tax rate of the indirect tax set by the tax rate setting switch 226. The rental charge indicator 225 is disposed on the back side of the payout control device 210 and displays the valuable value of the game balls to be lent set by the rental charge setting switch 227.

  The game control device 100, the effect control device 150, and the payout control device 210 are connected to the power supply device 160.

  The power supply device 160 includes a backup power supply 161 and a RAM clear switch 162.

  The backup power supply 161 supplies power to the game control device 100, the effect control device 150, and the payout control device 210 even in the event of a power failure (it may not be supplied to the effect control device 150).

  The RAM clear switch 162 is a switch that initializes information stored in the RAM 104 provided in the game control device 100 and the RAM 214 provided in the payout control device 210.

  Further, when the ball lending button 23 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated, the card unit 20 subtracts the valuable value for the gaming ball to be lent from the valuable value stored in the card such as the prepaid card or the membership card. Then, the value of the subtracted valuable value is displayed on the balance display unit 25 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, when the discharge button 24 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated, the card unit 20 discharges the card inserted into the card reader / writer 22.

  The game microcomputer 101 provided in the game control device 100 and the game microcomputer 211 provided in the payout control device 210 are connected by SIO connection and encrypted signal connection.

  An unencrypted signal (plaintext data) that is not encrypted is communicated in the SIO connection, and an encrypted signal (encrypted data) that is encrypted is communicated in the encrypted signal connection.

  The game microcomputer 101 provided in the game control device 100 and the game microcomputer 211 provided in the payout control device 210 include ports for SIO connection and encrypted signal connection.

  Next, the gaming microcomputer 101 provided in the gaming control device 100 and the gaming microcomputer 211 provided in the payout control device 210 (hereinafter collectively referred to as gaming arithmetic processing device 600) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a game arithmetic processing device (amuse chip) 600 of the present embodiment.

  The game processing unit 600 is manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip, and is divided into a game area unit 600A for performing game control and an information area unit 600B for managing information.

  First, the game area 600A is a collective term for a CPU core 601 (corresponding to the CPU 102 or CPU 212 in FIG. 22), a user program ROM 602 (corresponding to the ROM 103 or ROM 213 in FIG. 22), and an HW parameter ROM 603 (user program ROM 602 and HW parameter ROM 603). ROM (non-volatile storage means), user work RAM 604 (corresponding to RAM 104 or RAM 214 in FIG. 22), mirrored RAM 605 (user work RAM 604 and mirrored RAM 605 are collectively referred to as RAM (volatile storage means)), external Bus interface (I / F) 606, bus switching circuit 607, random number generation circuit 608, clock generator 609, reset / interrupt control circuit 610, address decoder 611, output control Road 612, the boot block 613, decoding · ROM write circuit 614, a serial transceiver circuit 615, the encryption reception circuit 616, and configured by a bus 617.

  The CPU core 601 functions as arithmetic processing means for performing arithmetic processing for game control. The user program ROM 602 stores a control program. The control program is a game control program for controlling a game when the game arithmetic processing device 600 is the game microcomputer 101 provided in the game control device 100, and the game arithmetic processing device 600 is a payout control device. 210 is a payout control program for paying out game balls in the case of the game microcomputer 211 provided in 210, and in the case where the game arithmetic processing device 600 is the game microcomputer 151 provided in the effect control device 150, This is an effect control program for effect control.

  The HW parameter ROM 603 stores validity confirmation information. The legitimacy confirmation information is information in the case of performing a simple check of legitimacy of the gaming arithmetic processing device 600. For example, a unique ID indicating a unique identifier of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and a manufacturer code (pachinko gaming machine 1 A unique identifier assigned to each manufacturer), a rank code indicating the rank (1 type, 2 type, etc.) of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a model code set by the manufacturer for the type of the pachinko gaming machine 1 The inspection code indicating the inspection number, the RAM backup code indicating whether or not the RAM is backed up when the power is turned on, the tax rate set by the tax rate setting switch 226, the lending fee set by the lending fee setting switch 227, and the like. Further, the HW parameter ROM 603 stores only one unique ID that is a unique identifier of the inspection apparatus that first transmitted the lending information request.

  When the third party organization or the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 1 writes the program in the user program ROM 602, the validity confirmation information is written in the HW parameter ROM 603.

  When performing a simple check of the gaming arithmetic processing device 600, when the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 is powered on, the arithmetic value calculated by the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 itself and the validity confirmation information (that is, a third party organization, etc.) And a result value set in advance by the above-described (3), the game processing unit 600 can be easily checked.

  The user work RAM 604 is used as a work area (work area) when executing processing based on a program in the game area 600A. Since this user work RAM 604 is supplied with the backup power from the backup power supply 161 (see FIG. 32), the stored data is retained even if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is interrupted. Yes.

  The mirrored RAM 605 duplicates the information stored in the user work area at the fall of the clock and stores the duplicated information (if the CPU core is Z80, the process is executed at the rise of the clock. To prevent it from moving.)

  The external bus interface 606 is an interface such as a memory request signal MREQ, an input / output request signal IORQ, a memory write signal WR, a memory read signal RD, and a mode signal MODE, and the bus switching circuit 607 is a 16-bit address signal A0. ˜A15 and 8-bit data signals D0 to D7.

  For example, if the data signals D0 to D7 are added while the address signals A0 to A15 are sequentially incremented while the MODE signal is at the high level, the writing mode to the user program ROM 602 is set and the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is made. Alternatively, the program can be written by a third party.

  Note that the write mode allows a program to be written, and does not allow a boot program stored in the boot block 613 to be written.

  Further, when the writing of the program to the user program ROM 602 is completed, a writing end code is recorded in a predetermined area of the HW parameter ROM 603 (for example, recorded by physically cutting a predetermined code or a predetermined bit). Thus, when a write end code is recorded in the HW parameter ROM 603, a new program cannot be written in the user program ROM 602.

  The random number generation circuit 608 generates a random number related to whether or not to add a game value (for example, jackpot) in the game execution process (the random number is used for determining a jackpot or determining a symbol at a stop). A mathematical method (for example, a congruent method or an M-sequence method) for generating a uniform random number is used. Note that when the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 is the gaming microcomputer 211 provided in the payout control device 210, the random number generation circuit 608 may not be provided.

  The clock generator 609 generates a timer interrupt signal generated at a predetermined cycle (for example, 4 milliseconds) and a clock signal. The timer interrupt signal and clock signal generated by the clock generator 609 are input to the CPU core 102. When the timer interrupt signal is input, the CPU core 102 executes the timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  When the reset / interrupt control circuit 610 detects an externally input reset signal (RST), the reset / interrupt control circuit 610 transmits the reset signal to each circuit provided in the gaming arithmetic processing device 600. When the occurrence of a predetermined interrupt condition is detected, the CPU core 601 is notified of the occurrence of the interrupt.

  The address decoder 611 decodes the location of the built-in device and the built-in control / status register group by the memory mapped I / O method and the I / O mapped I / O method.

  The output control circuit 612 controls the signal from the address decoder 611, outputs an 8-bit chip select signal (CS0 to CS7) from the external terminal to the outside, and selects a circuit provided inside the game processing unit 600 A function of generating a chip select signal. The boot block 613 stores a boot program and performs processing related to initialization of the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 when the power is turned on.

  The decryption / ROM writing circuit 614 is used in the writing mode to the user program ROM 602 and the HW parameter ROM 603, and passes through the bus switching circuit 607 while the mode signal MODE is at the [H] level. The address signals A0 to A15 and the data signals D0 to D7 are fetched and the information (encrypted program and encrypted unique ID after change) included in the data signals D0 to D7 is decrypted, and then the bus The data is output (written) to the user program ROM 602 and the HW parameter ROM 603 via 617.

  The serial transmission / reception circuit 615 is a circuit for transmitting / receiving plaintext data not encrypted by SIO connection.

  The encrypted transmission / reception circuit 616 is a circuit that transmits / receives encrypted data encrypted by encrypted signal connection. A signal line for encrypted data is connected to the encrypted transmission / reception circuit 616. The encrypted transmission / reception circuit 616 transmits / receives data via a signal line of encrypted data.

  The bus 617 includes a data bus (data bus 660 in FIG. 22), an address bus (address bus 650 in FIG. 22), and a control bus, and extends to the information area 600B.

  Next, an information area unit 600B for managing information in the game processing unit 600 includes an HPG program ROM 618, an ID property memory 619, a bus monitor circuit 620, an HPG work RAM 621, a control circuit 622, an external communication control circuit 623, and a bus 624. , And a part of the bus 617 extending from the game area 600A.

  The HPG program ROM 618 stores an HPG program for performing various inspection operations.

  In the ID property memory 619, the information stored in the HW parameter ROM 603 can be immediately output to the inspection device (not shown) based on the request received from the inspection device (not shown) via the external communication control circuit 623. The information stored in the HW parameter is duplicated and stored when the computer processing unit 600 is powered on (system reset). The ID property memory 619 can be accessed from both the game area 600A side and the information area 600B side.

  The bus monitor circuit 620 monitors and controls the state of the bus 617 on the game area 600A side from the information area 600B side. The control here refers to timing control when the contents of the HW parameter ROM 603 are copied to the ID property memory 619, or when the program stored in the user program ROM 602 is output to the outside (the bus 617 on the game area 600A side is connected). Timing control at the time of opening and reading a program from the user program ROM 602 and outputting it to the outside from the information area 600B side. The program is output after being encrypted by the external communication control circuit 623.

  The HPG work RAM 621 is used as a work area (work area) when executing processing based on a program in the information area unit 600B.

  The control circuit 622 controls the information area 600B side and has a buffer memory. For example, the control circuit 622 monitors the operation of the CPU core 102 via the bus monitor circuit 620 and copies the contents stored in the user work RAM 604 of the game area unit 600A to the mirrored RAM 605 during non-operation.

  Further, the contents of the ID property memory 619 of the information area unit 600B are transferred to the outside in response to a request from an inspection apparatus (not shown), or the program in the user program ROM 602 is received via the bus monitor circuit 620 in response to a program request. To the outside. The memory of the control circuit 622 is used for timing adjustment at the time of transfer.

  The external communication control circuit 623 communicates with an inspection device (not shown). For example, information (for example, a unique ID, a program, an actual payout) stored in the game processing device 600 based on a command from the outside. The number is encrypted, and then transferred to the outside.

  In the game processing unit 600, the game area unit 600A and the information area unit 600B operate independently via the bus monitor circuit 620. That is, the information area 600B side can operate regardless of the operation of the CPU core 102 in the game area 600A (regardless of the program execution).

  Although not shown in FIG. 21, the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 includes a security circuit 630 and a RAM access restriction circuit 640 described later in FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a game arithmetic processing device (amuse chip) 600 provided in the game control device 100 of this embodiment and its surroundings.

  The gaming arithmetic processing device 600 includes a security circuit 630, a CPU core 102 (601 in FIG. 21), a RAM access restriction circuit 640, a user work RAM 104 (604 in FIG. 21), a bus switching circuit 607, an address decoder 611, and an output control circuit. 612 and a user program ROM 103 (603 in FIG. 21).

  Note that these circuits and the like included in the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 are connected via an address bus 650 and a data bus 660.

  Further, the game control device 100 includes an effect control communication port 670 connected to the effect control device 150 and a payout control communication port 680 connected to the payout control device 210 outside the game arithmetic processing device 600. .

  Hereinafter, the effect control communication port 670 and the payout control communication port 680 are collectively referred to as communication ports 670 and 680. The communication ports 670 and 680 function as communication ports (command output means) in the present embodiment, and are included in the output I / F 106 shown in FIG.

  The communication ports 670 and 680 are connected to the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 via a data bus 690 external to the gaming arithmetic processing device 600.

  The data buses 660 and 690 are configured by 8-bit signal lines D0 to D7.

  When power is applied to the gaming arithmetic processing device 600, a reset signal (start-up signal) is input from the power supply device 160 via the RST terminal (FIG. 21), and the reset interrupt control circuit 610 (FIG. 21) Operate.

  When this reset signal is input, the security circuit 630 executes security check processing using the validity confirmation information stored in the HW parameter ROM 602. This security check process is a process for determining the validity of the program stored in the user program ROM 103.

  While this security check process is being executed, the security circuit 630 continuously outputs a reset signal to the reset terminal (RES (negative logic)) of the CPU core 102, thereby waiting for the CPU core 102 to start up. .

  The CPU core 102 includes the aforementioned reset terminal (RES (negative logic)), a write command output terminal (WR (negative logic)), and a read command output terminal (RD (negative logic)). The reset terminal is connected to the security circuit 630, and when a reset signal is input to the gaming arithmetic processing device 600, as described above, the reset to the CPU core 102 is performed during the security check process. A signal is input to the reset terminal.

  When a reset signal is input to the reset terminal of the CPU core 102, the CPU core 102 initializes a register (REG) provided in the CPU core 102.

  When the CPU core 102 outputs a write command for instructing the user work RAM 104 to write data, a low level signal having a voltage lower than a predetermined value is output from the write command output terminal of the CPU core 1021. Is done.

  Similarly, when the CPU core 102 outputs a read command for instructing data read from the user work RAM 104, a low level signal having a voltage lower than a predetermined value is output from the read command output terminal of the CPU core 102. The

  That is, the normal voltage is maintained at a high level at the write command output terminal and the read command output terminal, and the voltage is at a low level only when reading / writing to the user work RAM 104 is performed.

First, reading of data from the user work RAM 104 will be described.
When a read command is input from the CPU core 102 to a read command input terminal (RD (negative logic)) of the user work RAM 104, read data is output to the CPU core 102 via the address bus 650 and the data bus 660.

  At this time, the address of the user work RAM 104 is output from the CPU core 102 to the address bus 650, and a selection signal is input from the address decoder 611 to a chip selection terminal (corresponding to a so-called CS terminal, not shown) of the user work RAM 104. As a result, the user work RAM 104 is selected.

  Next, the selected user work RAM 104 outputs the data in the storage area designated by the address bus 650 to the data bus 660. Next, the CPU core 102 takes in the data output to the data bus 660. By such a procedure, the CPU core 102 reads data from the user work RAM 104.

  Next, data writing to the user work RAM 104 will be described.

  The write command output terminal provided in the CPU core 102 is connected to one input terminal of the two input terminals provided in the OR gate circuit 642 of the RAM access restriction circuit 640.

  The other input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642 is connected to the output terminal (Q (negative logic)) of the flip-flop circuit 641 of the RAM access restriction circuit 640, and the output terminal of the OR gate circuit 642 is the write of the user work RAM 104. It is connected to the command input terminal (WR (negative logic)).

  When a low level signal having a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined value is input to the write command input terminal of the user work RAM 104, writing to the user work RAM 104 is permitted.

  Therefore, writing to the user work RAM 104 is not permitted unless low level signals are input to the two input terminals of the OR gate circuit 642, respectively. In other words, when a high level signal is input to at least one input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642, writing to the user work RAM 104 is restricted (prohibited).

  Here, the flip-flop circuit 641 of the RAM access restriction circuit 640 will be described.

  The flip-flop circuit 641 uses, for example, a logic IC whose model number is 74HC74. The flip-flop circuit 641 is a D-type flip-flop circuit. As input terminals, a data terminal (D), a clear terminal (CLR (negative logic)), a clock terminal (CK (positive logic)), and a preset terminal ( PR (negative logic)) and output terminals (Q (positive logic), Q (negative logic)).

  One predetermined signal line (for example, D0) among the signal lines D0 to D7 constituting the data bus 660 is connected to the data terminal.

  A reset signal line is connected to the clear terminal from the power supply device 160, and when the reset signal is input, the clear terminal becomes low level. At this time, the flip-flop circuit 641 outputs a low level signal from the output terminal Q (positive logic) and outputs a high level signal from the output terminal Q (negative logic). The output from the output terminal Q (positive logic) and the output from the output terminal Q (negative logic) are at levels that are mutually inverted.

  The clock terminal is connected to the output control circuit 612 and is normally maintained at a low level.

  The signal level from the output terminal Q (negative logic) provided in the flip-flop circuit 641 can be freely set by the CPU core 102. This setting is realized by the CPU core 102 writing predetermined data in the storage area of the address assigned to the flip-flop circuit 641.

  Specifically, when the CPU core 102 performs processing to write data to the storage area of the address assigned to the flip-flop circuit 641, the address of the flip-flop circuit 641 is output from the CPU core 102 to the address bus 650. The Next, a clock signal is input from the address decoder 611 to the clock terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 via the output control circuit 612, and the voltage level of the clock terminal rises to a high level.

  At this time, the flip-flop circuit 641 captures the signal input to the data terminal, outputs the captured signal from the output terminal Q (positive logic), and outputs the inverted value of the captured signal from the output terminal Q (negative logic). Output.

  Further, in the flip-flop circuit 641, when the output control circuit 612 finishes inputting the clock signal, the voltage level of the clock terminal falls and becomes a low level, and the output terminal Q (positive logic) and the output terminal Q (negative logic). ) Voltage level.

  The preset terminal is connected to a pull-up resistor (not shown), and the voltage level of the preset terminal is always high.

  The output terminal Q (negative logic) outputs a signal to the input terminal of the OR gate circuit 652. Nothing is connected to the output terminal Q (positive logic).

  Next, various operations according to the input state of the flip-flop circuit 641 will be described.

  As described above, the flip-flop circuit 641 reads the voltage level of the data terminal at the rise of the voltage level of the clock terminal, that is, when the input of the clock signal starts, and outputs the inverted value of the read voltage level to the output terminal Q (negative logic). Output from.

  On the other hand, the flip-flop circuit 641 holds the output from the output terminal Q (negative logic) at the fall of the voltage level of the clock terminal, that is, at the end of the input of the clock signal, at the rise of the power level of the clock terminal.

  When a high level signal is output from the output terminal Q (negative logic) to the input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642, either the low level signal or the high level signal is input to the other input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642. Also, a high level signal is output from the output terminal of the OR gate circuit 642.

  Therefore, if a high-level signal is output from the output terminal Q (negative logic) of the flip-flop circuit 641, even if a write command signal is input to the other input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642 (the other Even if a low level signal is input to the input terminal), the low level is not input to the write command input terminal of the user work RAM 104, and a RAM write inhibit state occurs.

  The voltage level input to the data terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 when the clock signal is input to the flip-flop circuit 641 depends on whether the RAM access restriction circuit 640 is in the RAM write prohibition state or the RAM write permission state. Or based on the presence or absence of a reset signal input.

  As described above, the CPU core 102 can control the output control circuit 612 to control the output of the clock signal, and can also control the output of the signal line of the data bus 660, so that the output terminal Q (negative logic) of the flip-flop circuit 641. The signal output from can be controlled by the CPU core 102. In other words, the CPU core 102 can control the write state of the RAM access restriction circuit 640 by controlling the signal level of the data bus 660.

  Further, as described above, when the reset signal is input to the clear terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641, the flip-flop circuit 641 sets the voltage level of the output terminal Q to low, and therefore the output terminal Q (negative logic) The voltage level goes high. Therefore, when a reset signal is input to the flip-flop circuit 641, the RAM access restriction circuit 640 causes a RAM write prohibition state.

  Next, the communication ports 670 and 680 will be described.

  Communication ports 670 and 680 are configured by D-type flip-flop circuits. For example, a logic IC having a model number of 74HC273 is used for the flip-flop circuit, for example.

  This flip-flop circuit includes D0 to D7 terminals (D0_D7 in the figure), a clock terminal (CK), a clear terminal (CLR (negative logic)), and output terminals Q0 to Q7 (Q0_Q7 in the figure).

  DO to D7 terminals are terminals connected to the data bus 690 to acquire data to be transmitted to the effect control device 150 or the payout control device 210 from the data bus 690.

  A reset signal line is connected to the clear terminal from the power supply device 160. When a reset signal is input, the voltage level of the reset terminal becomes a low level. At this time, the communication ports 670 and 680 output low level signals from all of the output terminals Q0 to Q7.

  The signal levels from the output terminals Q0 to Q7 provided in the communication ports 670 and 680 can be freely set by the CPU core 102. This setting is realized by the CPU core 102 writing predetermined data in the storage area of the address assigned to the communication port 670 or the communication port 680.

  Specifically, when the CPU core 102 performs a process of writing data to the storage area of the address assigned to the communication port 670 (or communication port 680), the CPU core 102 transfers the communication port 670 ( Alternatively, the address of the communication port 680) is output.

  Next, a clock signal is input from the address decoder 611 to the clock terminal of the communication port 670 (or communication port 680) via the output control circuit 612, and the voltage level of the clock terminal rises to a high level.

  The communication ports 670 and 680 read data from the data bus 690 via the D0 to D7 terminals and output the read data from the Q0 to Q7 terminals when the voltage level of the clock terminal rises, that is, when the input of the clock signal starts.

  The communication ports 670 and 680 hold the voltage levels of the Q0 to Q7 terminals when the voltage level of the clock terminal falls, that is, when the input of the clock signal is completed.

  As described above, when the output control circuit 612 inputs a clock signal to the communication port 680 connected to the payout control device 210, the communication port 680 reads data from the data bus 690 at the timing when the clock signal is input, The read data is output to the dispensing control device 210.

  As described above, when a reset signal is input to the communication ports 670 and 680, the communication ports 670 and 680 are initialized. Specifically, when a reset signal is input, regardless of the voltage levels of the D0 to D7 terminals, the voltage levels of the Q0 to Q7 terminals are low, and the communication ports 670 and 680 are in the initial state.

  Note that the activation (reset) of the security circuit 630, the RAM access restriction circuit 640, and the communication ports 670 and 680 described above receives a reset signal from the power supply device 160 via the reset interrupt control circuit 610 (FIG. 21). Will be executed if accepted.

  However, the reset signal from the power supply device 160 does not necessarily have to be input to each circuit via the reset interrupt control circuit 610, but to each circuit via a separate signal line that does not pass through the reset interrupt control circuit 610. It may be configured to be input.

  The payout control apparatus 210 does not include the communication ports 670 and 680, but includes a reception port (command input means) (not shown) that receives an output signal from the communication port 680 as shown in FIG. This is different from the game control device 100. Other configurations are the same as those of the game control apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In addition, the effect control device 150 does not include the communication ports 670 and 680, but includes a reception port (command input means) (not shown) that receives an output signal from the communication port 670 as shown in FIG. This is different from the game control device 100.

  Further, the gaming arithmetic processing device 600 does not include the RAM access restriction circuit 640. Other configurations are the same as those of the game control apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  Note that the reception port provided in the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 uses a logic IC whose model number is 74HC244. 74HC244 is a three-state buffer, and signals from the communication ports 670 and 680 of the game control device 100 are connected to the data input side of the three-state buffer, and the data output side of the three-state buffer is connected to the payout control device 210 (or effect). The data bus 690 formed in the control device 150) is connected.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the user work RAM 104 of the present embodiment.

  The user work RAM 104 includes a first power failure recovery area 701, a work area 702, a second power failure recovery area 703, a checksum area 704, a use prohibition area 705, and a stack area 706.

  Addresses “2800H” to “29FFH” are assigned to the user work RAM 104, addresses “2800H” are assigned to the first power failure recovery area 701, and addresses “2801H” to “2917H” are assigned to the work area 702. The address “2918H” is assigned to the second power failure recovery area 703, the address “2919H” is assigned to the checksum area 704, and the addresses “291AH” to “297FH” are assigned to the use prohibition area 705. The stack area 706 is assigned addresses “2980H” to “29FFH”.

  Each area of the user work RAM 104 will be described.

  The first power failure recovery area 701 and the second power failure recovery area 703 store information that is referred to when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started. Stored is information (power cutoff confirmation flag) indicating whether or not the power cutoff processing has been executed correctly when the power switch of the gaming machine 1 is turned off.

  The work area 702 stores variables and the like necessary for game control, and these variables are updated by the game control device main process shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 and the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. The checksum area 704 stores the checksums of the first power failure recovery area 701, the work area 702, the checksum area 704, and the second power failure recovery area 703 of the user work RAM 104 that are calculated when a power failure occurs.

  The use-prohibited area 705 is a storage area that is not used, and the CPU core 102 is reset when the area is accessed.

  The stack area 706 stores saved data when part of the data calculated by the CPU core 102 is temporarily saved. In addition, a return address when an interrupt occurs and a return address when a subroutine or function is called are also stored.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the stack area 706 of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 24, the case where the return address is stored in the stack area 706 will be described.

  First, in a state where no data is stored in the stack area 706, the stack pointer (SP) indicates the area (2A00H) adjacent to the last area (29FFH) of the stack area as the stack pointer initial value.

  Note that the area indicated by the stack pointer initial value is an area that is not included in the stack area (in this embodiment, an area that is not included in the storage area of the user work RAM 104).

  Next, when saved data is stored in the stack area 706, or when a return address is stored in the stack area 706 due to an interrupt or a subroutine call, the area where the data (or address) is stored last is stored by the stack pointer. Will show.

  When the saved data is restored from the stack area 706 or when the return address is extracted (when the interrupt process or the subroutine process ends and the process returns to the caller), the data (indicated by the stack pointer at that time) (Or address) is fetched, and the storage area from which data is to be fetched next is indicated by the stack pointer.

  In this way, the return address stored in the stack area 706 is read first from the return address stored later.

  FIG. 24 shows a state where a new interrupt or subroutine call occurs and the return address is stored as the fourth return address when the stack pointer points to the third return address. Thereafter, the storage area (29F8H) of the fourth return address is indicated by the stack pointer.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart of power-on processing of each device (game control device 100, payout control device 210, and effect control device 150) of the present embodiment.

  Specifically, FIG. 25A is a flowchart of the power-on process of the game control device 100, FIG. 25B is a flowchart of the power-on process of the payout control device 210, and FIG. C) is a flowchart of the power-on process of the effect control device 150.

  The processing will be described from the power-on processing (FIG. 25A) of the game control device 100. This power-on process is not a process executed by the CPU 102 from the beginning, but is a process executed first by various hardware provided in the game control device 100 and later executed by the CPU 102.

  First, a reset signal is transmitted from the power supply device 160 to the game control device 100 (901).

  This reset signal is input from the power supply device 160 to the security circuit 630 (see FIG. 22), the clear terminal (see FIG. 22) of the flip-flop circuit 641 of the RAM access restriction circuit 640, and the clear terminals of the communication ports 670 and 680. The

  Specifically, when the power is turned on, a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V) is applied to these clear terminals for a predetermined time, and a reset signal is input. As a result, the reset signal is not input.

  When the reset signal is input from the power supply device 160, the security circuit 630 continues to output the reset signal to the reset terminal of the CPU core 102 until the security check process described later is completed, and waits for the CPU core 102 to start up. Let

  Since the reset signal is input to the clear terminals of the communication ports 670 and 680, the voltage levels of the D0 to D7 terminals and the Q0 to Q7 terminals of the communication ports 670 and 680 are controlled to be low, and various devices (general power SOL95, The communication ports 670 and 680 and the output I / F 106 are initialized by hardware by setting all the ports of the output I / F 106 connected to the big prize opening SOL96 and the like to 0 (902).

  Next, the RAM access restriction circuit 640 generates a RAM write prohibited state in which writing to the user work RAM 104 is restricted (903).

  Specifically, as described in FIG. 22, since the reset signal is input to the clear terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641, a high-level signal is output from the output terminal Q (negative logic) of the flip-flop circuit 641. It becomes a state.

  As a result, whether a high level signal is input to the other input terminal of the OR gate circuit 642 or a low level signal is input, a high level signal is input to the write command input terminal of the user work RAM 104. As a result, a RAM write prohibition state occurs.

  Next, the security circuit 630 shown in FIG. 22 to which the reset signal is input executes a self-diagnosis process (904). The self-diagnosis process is a process for determining whether or not the security circuit 630 has been initialized.

  If it is determined by the self-diagnosis process that the security circuit 630 has been initialized, the security circuit 630 executes a security check process (905).

  As described with reference to FIG. 22, the security check process uses the validity confirmation information stored in the HW parameter ROM 603 (see FIG. 21) to check the validity of the program stored in the user program ROM 602 (see FIG. 21). This is a process for making a determination.

  When the security check process is executed in the process of step 905, the process proceeds to the main process of the game control apparatus 100. At this time, the security circuit 630 stops the reset signal output to the reset terminal of the CPU core 102, whereby the CPU core 102 is activated. For this reason, the main process of the game control device 100 is executed by the CPU core 102. The main process of the game control apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, power-on processing (FIG. 25B) of the payout control device 210 will be described. As described above, the payout control device 210 is different from the communication ports 670 and 680 in that it includes a receiving port (not shown) (included in the input / output I / F 216 input in FIG. 20). It is the same structure as the game control apparatus 100 shown. The same components as those of the game control apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  First, a reset signal is transmitted from the power supply device 160 to the payout control device 210 (911). Note that the specific description of the process in step 911 is the same as the process in step 901.

  Since the reset signal is input to the payout control device 210, the voltage level of the output port (included in the input / output I / F 216 in FIG. 20) of the payout control device 210 is set to 0, and various devices (the payout motor 220). And the ports of the input / output I / F 216 connected to the launch control device 221 and the like are all set to 0, and the input / output I / F 216 is initialized by hardware (912).

  Next, a RAM write inhibition state in which writing to the RAM 214 is restricted by the RAM access restriction circuit 640 of the payout control device 210 occurs (913). Note that the specific description of the process of step 913 is the same as the process of step 903.

  Next, the security circuit 630 of the payout control device 210 to which the reset signal is input executes self-diagnosis processing (914). Note that the specific description of the process of step 914 is the same as the process of step 904.

  If it is determined by the self-diagnosis process that the security circuit 630 has been initialized, the security circuit 630 executes a security check process (915). Note that the specific description of the process in step 915 is the same as the process in step 905.

  Then, the payout control device 210 executes initialization processing at power-on (916). The initialization process at power-on is a process for initializing the RAM 214 and the like, and is executed by the CPU 212. Further, before the RAM 214 is initialized, the RAM write prohibition state generated in the process of step 913 is canceled, and the RAM 214 becomes a RAM writable state.

  Next, the payout control device 210 allows the game control device 100 to accept data from a reception port (not shown) (connected to the discharge control communication port 670 of the game control device 100 in FIG. 22). A state is generated in which a command from can be received (917).

  Then, the payout control device 210 takes in the data transmitted from the game control device 100 from the reception port (918).

  Regarding the processing of step 918, the configuration of the payout control device 210 is almost the same as the configuration of the game control device 100, and will be described with reference to FIG. 22. This output port (game) is output by the output selection circuit 612 of the payout control device 210. When connected to the discharge control communication port 670 of the control device 100 is selected, the data of Q0 to Q7 output from the discharge control communication port 670 of the game control device 100 is fetched, and the fetched data is paid out. The data is output to the data bus 690 of the device 210.

  Then, the CPU 212 of the payout control device 210 determines whether or not the data fetched by the reception port is an initialization command (919). Here, first, the timing of the rise of the Q7 signal (corresponding to STB described later with reference to FIG. 33A) output from the discharge control communication port 670 is waited for.

  Then, at the timing when the signal of Q7 rises, the signals of Q0 to Q6 (corresponding to DATA described later in FIG. 33A) output from the discharge control communication port 670 are defined in advance as initialization commands. It is determined whether or not (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 34).

  If it is determined in step 919 that the data captured by the communication port is not an initialization command, the process returns to step 918, and the processing in step 918 is executed until the initialization command is captured.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 918 that the data fetched by the reception port is an initialization command, step 918 is performed until all initialization commands necessary for initialization of the dispensing control device 210 are received. After repeating the processes of -919, the initialization process at the start of communication is executed (920), and the process proceeds to the payout control apparatus main process.

  Next, the power-on process (FIG. 25C) of the effect control device 150 will be described.

  As described above, the effect control device 150 includes a reception port (not shown) instead of the communication ports 670 and 680, and the game arithmetic processing device 600 does not include the RAM access restriction circuit 640. Has the same configuration as the game control device 100 shown in FIG. The same components as those of the game control apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  First, a reset signal is transmitted from the power supply device 160 to the effect control device 150 (921). Note that the specific description of the process of step 921 is the same as the process of step 901.

  Since the reset signal is input to the effect control device 150, the reception port of the effect control device 150 is initialized by hardware (922).

  Then, the effect control device 150 executes an initialization process when the power is turned on (923). The initialization process at power-on is a process for initializing the RAM 154 and the like, and is executed by the CPU 152. At this time, the CPU 152 starts the control to return the movable object to the initial position by controlling the drive source 146 while monitoring the signal input from the position detection sensor (not shown).

  Next, the effect control device 150 generates a state in which a command from the game control device 100 can be received by permitting the reception port to take in data (924).

  Then, the effect control device 150 takes in the data transmitted from the game control device 100 from the reception port (925).

  Regarding the processing of step 925, the configuration of the effect control device 150 is almost the same as the configuration of the game control device 100, and will be described with reference to FIG. 22. This output port (game) is output by the output selection circuit 612 of the effect control device 150. When connected to the effect control communication port 680 of the control device 100 is selected, the data of Q0 to Q7 output from the effect control communication port 680 of the game control device 100 is taken in, and the fetched data is effect controlled. The data is output to the data bus 690 of the device 150.

  Then, the CPU 152 of the effect control device 150 determines whether or not the data captured by the reception port is an initialization command (926). Here, first, the timing of the rise of the Q7 signal (corresponding to STB described later with reference to FIG. 33A) output from the effect control communication port 680 is waited for.

  Then, at the timing when the signal of Q7 rises, the signals of Q0 to Q6 (corresponding to DATA described later in FIG. 33A) output from the effect control communication port 680 are defined in advance as an initialization command. Whether or not (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 35) is determined.

  If it is determined in step 926 that the data fetched by the receiving port is not an initialization command, the process returns to step 925, and the processing in step 925 is executed until the initialization command is fetched.

  However, when the data pattern (Q0 to Q7 pattern) taken in by the receiving port is a specification specifying signal to be described later with reference to FIG. 38, the process proceeds to the specification determination process in step 2212 of FIG. However, this will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of step 926 that the data captured by the reception port is an initialization command, step 925 is performed until all initialization commands necessary for initialization of the effect control device 150 are received. After the processes of ˜926 are repeated, an initialization process at the start of communication is executed (927).

Here, based on a command including information (specification specification information at initialization) that specifies the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 among the initialization commands, the effect control device 150 specifies the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Is determined. Then, the CPU 152 of the effect control device 150 stores information (game specification information) as a result of determining the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the RAM 154. Furthermore, the process which changes the position of the above-mentioned movable bodies 60-62 is performed corresponding to the information on the probability state included in the initialization command.
When the initialization process at the start of communication in step 927 is started, that is, when the initialization command is received, the process for returning the movable object started in step 923 to the initial position is not completed. Performs the initialization process at the start of communication after it is confirmed by the signal input from the position detection sensor that the movable object has returned to the initial position.

  When the process of step 927 is completed, the process proceeds to an effect control apparatus main process (described later in FIG. 38).

  Next, game control device main processing executed by the CPU 102 of the game control device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the first half of the game control device main process of the present embodiment, and FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the second half of the game control device main process of the present embodiment.

  First, the game control device 100 prohibits interruption to the CPU 102 (1001).

  Then, the game control apparatus 100 sets a stack pointer at a predetermined address (stack pointer initial value described above with reference to FIG. 24) in the stack area 706 shown in FIG. 24 (1002), and sets an interrupt mode. (1003).

  The interrupt mode allows the CPU 102 to process an interrupt request from a built-in device and to set a position for executing the interrupt request process in a program.

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 takes in the state of the RAM clear SW signal from the input I / F 105 and stores the state of the fetched RAM clear SW signal in the register of the CPU 102 (1004).

  And the game control apparatus 100 performs the delay process which does not use RAM104 (1005). This delay process is a process that waits for a predetermined time, and specifically, is a process that continues to decrement until a predetermined number becomes zero in a storage area where a checksum is not calculated. Details of the delay processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the game control device 100 takes in the state of the RAM clear SW signal again from the input I / F 105 and stores the state of the fetched RAM clear SW signal in the register of the CPU 102 (1006).

  Note that the CPU 102 stores the RAM clear SW signal state in step 1004 and the register clear area that stores the RAM clear SW signal state in step 1004 so that the CPU 102 can compare the states of the two RAM clear signals. The register areas to be used are different areas.

  Next, the game control device 100 sets the RAM write prohibition state generated in the process of step 903 to a RAM writable state (1007).

  Specifically, a clock signal is input from the output control circuit 612 to the clock terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 in accordance with a command from the CPU 102, and the signal level of the signal line connected to the data terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 is set to a high level. To.

  As a result, a high level signal is output from the output terminal Q (positive logic) of the flip-flop circuit 641, and a low level signal is output from the output terminal Q (negative logic). When a low level signal is input, the RAM becomes writable.

  Next, the game control device 100 executes various setting processes using the stack area 706 (1008). This setting process is, for example, a process of setting initial data in various storage areas necessary for game control by calling a subroutine or a function.

  These subroutines and functions are called from a plurality of locations described in the game control program, and contribute to reducing the capacity of the game control program. On the other hand, when a subroutine or function is called, processing for saving the return address in the stack area 706 is required as described above.

  Then, the game control apparatus 100 compares the state of the RAM clear SW signal stored in the register in the process of Step 1004 with the state of the RAM clear SW signal stored in the register in the process of Step 1008, and determines which RAM It is determined whether the state of the clear SW signal also indicates that the RAM clear SW 162 has been operated (1009).

  In the processing of step 1009, since it is determined whether or not the RAM clear SW 162 has been operated based on the state of the RAM clear signal acquired at different timings, erroneous determination due to noise or the like can be prevented.

  If it is determined in step 1009 that the RAM clear SW 162 has been operated, the game control device 100 initializes all storage areas of the user work RAM 104 (1010).

  Then, the game control device 100 transmits an initialization command signal to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 (1011). Here, all initialization command signals (described later in FIG. 34) necessary for initializing the payout control device 210 are transmitted. In addition, all initialization command signals (described later in FIG. 35) necessary for initializing the production control device 150 are transmitted.

  When transmitting the initialization command signal, the initialization command signal is transmitted including information for specifying the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specification specification specification information). The specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are stored in advance in the ROM 103 of the game control device 100.

  When step 1011 is completed, the process proceeds to step 1017 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 1009 that the RAM clear SW 162 has not been operated, the game control device 100 confirms that the power is shut down in the first power failure recovery area 701 and the second power failure recovery area 703 of the user work RAM 104. It is confirmed whether the flag is stored (more precisely, whether the power shutoff confirmation flag is on) (1012).

  Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the power-off process has been executed correctly when the power supply was stopped immediately before (1013).

  Specifically, in the game control device 100, when the power shutdown confirmation flag is stored in both the first power failure recovery area 701 and the second power failure recovery area 703, the power shutdown process is correctly executed. On the other hand, when the power shutdown confirmation flag is not stored in at least one of the first power failure recovery area 701 and the second power failure restoration area 703 (when at least one power interruption confirmation flag is OFF). Determines that the power-off process is not correctly executed.

  If it is determined in step 1013 that the power-off process has been executed correctly, the game control apparatus 100 determines that the first power failure recovery area 701, work area 702, checksum area 704, and 2 Checksum is calculated using the power failure recovery area 703, and it is verified whether or not the calculated checksum matches the checksum stored in the checksum area 704 (1014).

  The checksum stored in the checksum area 704 is checked using the first power failure recovery area 701, work area 702, checksum area 704, and second power failure recovery area 703 of the user work RAM 104 when a power failure is detected. The sum is calculated and stored.

  That is, the process of step 1014 is a process of collating whether the information stored in the user work RAM 104 at the time of power failure detection matches the information stored in the user work RAM 104 at the time of power-on.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the collation result of the processing in step 1014 matches the calculated checksum and the checksum stored in the checksum area 704 (1015).

  If it is determined in step 1015 that the checksum calculated in step 1014 does not match the checksum stored in checksum area 704, that is, the information stored in user work RAM 104 when a power failure is detected If the information stored in the user work RAM 104 at the time of power-on does not match, the game control device 100 proceeds to the process of step 1010, initializes all areas of the user work RAM 104, and in the process of step 1011 An initialization command is transmitted to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1014 that the checksum calculated in step 1014 matches the checksum stored in the checksum area 704 in step 1014, that is, the user work at the time of power failure detection. When the information stored in the RAM 104 matches the information stored in the user work RAM 104 at the time of power-on, the game control device 100 determines the area necessary for starting the game control device 100 (part of the user work RAM 104). Is initialized (1016).

  At this time, the power shutdown confirmation flag is erased in each of the first power failure restoration area 701 and the second power interruption restoration area 703 of the user work RAM 104 (more precisely, the power interruption confirmation flag is turned off in each area).

  Then, the game control device 100 transmits an initialization command to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 (1011).

  When these processes are completed, the initialization process related to the game control device 100 is completed. Next, the processing proceeds to step 1017 shown in FIG.

  Next, after the initialization command is transmitted to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 in the process of Step 1011, the game control device 100 measures CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) for measuring various times and performing timer interrupts. Is started (1017), and a random number circuit for generating random numbers related to game control is initialized (1018). Then, the game control device 100 permits an interrupt to the CPU 102 that is prohibited in the process of Step 1001 (1019).

  Next, the game control device 100 executes an initial value random number update process for updating the initial value random number (1020). The initial value random number is an initial value when a random number counter related to game control (for example, a random number counter acquired at the timing of winning the first start winning port 36 or the second starting winning port 37) reaches an upper limit value. Returning to, it is a random number for determining the initial value.

  Then, the game control device 100 confirms whether or not a power failure detection signal has been input (1021), and determines whether or not the confirmation result in the processing of step 1021 indicates that a power failure detection signal has been input. (1022).

  If it is determined in step 1022 that the power failure detection signal has not been input, no power failure has occurred, and the process returns to step 1020.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1022 that a power failure detection signal has been input, the game control device 100 prohibits interruption to the CPU 102 (1023), and lowers the voltage level of the output port of the output I / F 106. The level is set (1024).

  Next, the game control apparatus 100 stores the power shutdown confirmation flag in the first power failure recovery area 701 and the second power failure restoration area 703 of the user work RAM 104 (more precisely, the power interruption confirmation flag is turned on in each area). (1025), the checksum is calculated using the first power failure recovery area 701, work area 702, checksum area 704, and second power failure recovery area 703 of the user work RAM 104, and the calculated checksum is used as the checksum area. It stores in 704 (1026).

  Next, the game control device 100 puts the user work RAM 104 into the RAM write prohibited state by the RAM access restriction circuit 640 (1027).

  Specifically, a clock signal is input from the output control circuit 612 to the clock terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 in accordance with a command from the CPU 102, and the signal level of the signal line connected to the data terminal of the flip-flop circuit 641 is set to a low level. To.

  As a result, a low level signal is output from the output terminal Q (positive logic) of the flip-flop circuit 641, and a high level signal is output from the output terminal Q (negative logic). When a high level signal is input, the RAM write inhibit state is entered.

  Then, the game control device 100 stands by until the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned off (1028). In addition, since the backup power supply is connected to the game control apparatus 100, even if a power failure occurs, the power supply is not immediately turned off.

  In the present embodiment, in the process of step 1014, the RAM is writable in the process of step 1007 before determining the validity of the user work RAM 104 at the time of power-off and the user work RAM 104 at the time of power-on. The timing for making the RAM writable state may be immediately before the initialization process of the user work RAM 104 in the process of step 1010 or 1016 performed according to the legitimacy of the process of step 1014 at the latest.

  As described above, when the power supply is cut off in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the user work RAM 104 is set to the RAM write-inhibited state after executing the necessary power-off process, and again in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Even when the power supply is restored, the initialization process related to the hardware is executed for a certain period of time without making the user work RAM 104 ready to be written into the RAM, and the step 1010 or 10 performed according to the validity of the process of step 1014 Immediately before the execution of the initialization process of the user work RAM 104 in the process 1016, by finally making the RAM writable state, inadvertent writing of the user work RAM 104 until the initialization of the user work RAM 104 can be prevented.

  Therefore, immediately before the validity determination in the process of step 1014 is performed, the RAM writing is in a prohibited state. Therefore, erroneous writing is performed in the user work RAM 104 after power-on, and an erroneous determination is made in the process of step 1014. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, in order to execute various setting processes using the stack area 706 in the process of step 1008, the RAM write enabled state is set in the process of step 1007 before the validity determination process in the process of step 1014. ing.

  As a result, various setting processes using the stack area 706 that is not the target of the validity determination can be performed before the validity determination is performed, so that various settings of the game control device 100 can be performed at an early stage. Therefore, the game control apparatus 100 can be started up at a high speed, and the stack area 706 can be used to share a processing program, thereby reducing the program capacity.

  In FIG. 26, after initializing the user work RAM 104 in the process of step 1010 or 1016, an initialization command signal is transmitted in the process of step 1015, but step 1008 before executing the validity determination in step 1014. An initialization command signal may be transmitted after execution of the process.

  In this case, since the validity determination in the process of step 1014 is not performed, the initialization command signal is transmitted using the stack area 706 that does not contribute to the validity determination or the register provided in the CPU 102.

  In the process of step 1010 or 1016, the process of step 1016, which is a process for initializing a partial area of the RAM 104, takes longer than the process of step 1010, which is a process for initializing the entire area of the RAM 104. The time for which the initialization command signal is transmitted differs depending on whether the processing of 1010 or the processing of step 1016 is performed.

  By transmitting the initialization command signal before executing the validity determination in the process of step 1014, the initialization command signal can be transmitted earlier than transmitting the initialization command signal in the process of step 1011. In addition, the initialization command signal can be transmitted in a certain time after the power is turned on.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the delay processing of the present embodiment.

  This delay process is executed in step 1005 of FIG. 26, but at the time when the delay process is executed, the RAM write prohibition state is set so that the value of the user work RAM 104 cannot be updated. This is because the checksum stored at the time of the power failure immediately before is checked against the current checksum immediately after the power is turned on.

  For this reason, in the delay processing of the processing of step 1005 shown in FIG. 26, the user work RAM 104 including the storage area where the validity is determined is not used, and other storage areas (determination targets that are not subject to the validity determination are included. The delay processing must be executed using the (external storage area). Therefore, the delay processing of this embodiment is executed using a register (general-purpose register) provided in the CPU core 102.

  Hereinafter, delay processing using a register will be described. Since a Z80 CPU is used as the CPU core 102, description will be made using the registers and assembly language used in the Z80 CPU.

  First, row 1201 corresponds to the first processing of the delay processing, and “0400H” is loaded into the HL register configured as one pair of the H register and L register of the register of the CPU core 102 (see FIG. 22). . Specifically, “04H” is loaded into the H register, and “00H” is loaded into the L register.

  Next, proceeding to line 1203, where the value of the HL register is decremented. When the row 1203 is executed for the first time, the value of the HL register is “03FFH”.

  The process then proceeds to line 1204, where the value stored in the H register is loaded into the A register.

  Then, proceeding to a row 1205, a logical sum of the A register and the L register is calculated. In line 1206, if the logical sum calculated in line 1205 is not zero, the process returns to line 1202. Accordingly, the processing in rows 1203 to 1206 is repeated until both the H register and the L register become “00H”.

  That is, in FIG. 28, “0400H” stored in the H and L registers used as the maintenance timer is decremented until it becomes “0000H”, and the decrement is performed 1024 times in total. During this time, the game control device main process shown in FIG. 26 waits in the process of step 1005, so that the activation of the game control device 100 is delayed.

  Further, during this delay process, the user work RAM 104 is not accessed at all. That is, the delay process can be executed without rewriting the value of the user work RAM 104 including the storage area where the validity is determined.

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a delay process according to a modification of the present embodiment.

  The delay process of FIG. 28 described above is performed without using the storage area of the user work RAM 104 at all. However, in this modification, the correctness determination target is included in the storage area of the user work RAM 104. The storage areas of the first power failure recovery area 701, work area 702, checksum area 704, and second power failure recovery area 703 are not accessed, but processing is performed using the stack area 706 that is not subject to validity determination. Like to do.

  Therefore, if the delay process is executed in step 1005 of FIG. 26 according to the procedure of FIG. 29, it is necessary to set the user work RAM 104 in a RAM writable state before executing step 1005. For example, the process of changing to the RAM writable state in step 1007 in FIG. 26 is executed immediately before the process in step 1005.

  A delay process using the stack area 706 will be described below.

  First, a row 1301 corresponds to the first processing of the delay processing, and information stored in the A register and F register (flag register) of the CPU core 102 is saved in the stack area 706 as an AF register pair. Let

  In row 1302, the information stored in the H and L registers of the CPU core 102 is regarded as an HL register configured as one pair, and is saved in the stack area 706.

  In line 1303, “0400H” is loaded into this HL register. Specifically, “04H” is loaded into the H register, and “00H” is loaded into the L register.

  Next, proceed to line 1305, where the value of the HL register is decremented. When row 1305 is executed for the first time, the value of the HL register is “03FFH”.

  The process then proceeds to line 1306, where the value stored in the H register is loaded into the A register.

  Proceeding to row 1307, the logical sum of the A register and the L register is calculated. In line 1308, if the logical sum calculated in line 1307 is not zero, the process returns to line 1304. Therefore, the processing in rows 1305 to 1308 is repeated until both the H register and the L register become “00H”.

  In line 1308, if the logical sum calculated in line 1307 is zero, the process proceeds to line 1309, and the information stored in the H register saved in the stack area 706 is returned to the H register of the CPU core 102. Then, the information stored in the L register saved in the stack area 706 is returned to the L register of the CPU core 102.

  Then, the process proceeds to line 1310, the information stored in the A register saved in the stack area 706 is returned to the A register of the CPU core 102, and the information stored in the F register saved in the stack area 706 is returned to the CPU core 102. Return to F register.

  As described above, in the delay process of FIG. 29, the information stored in the A register, F register, H register, and L register of the CPU core 102 used in the delay process is changed into the stack area before the delay process is performed. The information stored in the A register, F register, H register, and L register can be prevented from being lost by the delay process.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, in this embodiment, the delay processing is realized by software using a region that does not contribute to the validity determination, that is, does not calculate the checksum, without using hardware. 26), it is possible to accurately determine the correctness of step 1014 shown in FIG. 26, and to realize it at a lower cost than to implement delay processing by hardware.

  28 and 29 are compared, the method of FIG. 29 is more effective when the number of registers that can be used by the CPU core 102 is small. However, it is desirable to prevent as much as possible that the storage areas of the first power failure recovery area 701, work area 702, checksum area 704, and second power failure recovery area 703, which are subject to the validity determination, are rewritten due to noise or the like. If this is the case, it can be said that the method of FIG. 28 in which the user work RAM 104 is in the RAM write-inhibited state throughout the delay process is superior.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process of the present embodiment. This timer interrupt process is executed by the CPU core 102 of the game control apparatus 100.

  When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the game control device main process (see FIGS. 26 and 27) is executed. When a timer interrupt is generated at a predetermined time period (for example, a period of 4 milliseconds) by the CTC activated in the process of step 1017, the timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed by the CPU 102 of the game control device 100.

  However, all of these processes (processes 1412 to 1422) are not necessarily performed every time an interrupt occurs. For example, in the input / output process (S1412), the input signal is monitored every time, but the output process may be executed every other occurrence of an interrupt. That is, instead of completing all the processes in one interrupt process, the interrupt process may be repeatedly executed a plurality of times to complete a series of game control processes.

  In the timer interrupt process of this embodiment, first, the register data is saved (1411).

  Next, input / output processing is executed (1412). The input / output process includes an input process and an output process. In the input processing, chattering is performed on signals input from various sensors (special drawing start SW38A, universal drawing start SW41A, count SW38A, winning port SW39A, overflow SW109, out of ball SW110, frame opening SW111, etc.) via the input I / F 105. This is a process of performing processing such as removal and determining input information.

  The output process is performed based on the parameters set in the special figure game process (1419) and the general figure game process (1420) via the output I / F 106, and the special figure indicator 47, the universal figure indicator 46, Signals for controlling the electric SOL 95 and the special winning opening SOL 96 are output.

  As described above, the input process and the output process do not have to be executed simultaneously by a single timer interrupt.

  Next, command transmission processing for outputting (command) set in the transmission buffer in various processes to the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210 is performed (1413). Specifically, an effect command signal (effect command) related to the special figure variation display game is output to the effect control device 150, or a payout command signal (payout command) is output to the payout control device 124.

  The payout command will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 33, and the effect command will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, a random number update process 1 is performed in which the value of the hit random number counter for determining the hit of the special figure variation display game is incremented by 1 (1414). In addition, in this random number update process 1, 1 is also added to the value of the hit symbol random number counter for determining the stop symbol of the special symbol variable display game, and the random number per universal symbol for determining the hit error of the normal symbol variable display game. .

  Next, the initial value of the random number is updated, and an initial value random number update process for breaking the temporal regularity of the random number is executed (1415). The initial value random number update process 1415 is the same as the initial value random number update process (1020) shown in FIG.

  Then, a random number update process 2 is performed in which the value of the variable display pattern random number counter for updating the random number for determining the variable display pattern in the decorative special map variable display game related to the special map variable display game is incremented by one (1416). .

  Next, in order to monitor whether or not a game ball has won a prize at each prize opening, a prize opening monitoring process is performed (1417). Specifically, it is monitored whether or not a signal is input from the special figure start SW 38A, the normal figure start SW 41A, the count SW 38A, or the winning opening SW 39A (whether or not a signal indicating detection of a game ball is input).

  At this time, if the game ball is detected by the special figure start SW 38A, the special figure random number counter value (random number related to the result mode of the special figure variation display game) is stored in the special figure start prize storage area, and the game by the general figure start SW 41A is played. If a sphere is detected, the usual random number counter value (random number related to the result mode of the usual figure variation display game) is stored in the usual figure start winning storage area.

  Thereafter, an error monitoring process is performed to monitor the clogging of the discharged balls and abnormalities of various switches and sensors (1418).

  Thereafter, a special figure game process (1419) for performing a process related to the special figure fluctuation display game and a general figure game process (1420) for performing a process relating to the general figure fluctuation display game are performed.

  The special figure game process (1419) is extracted based on the winning of the game ball to the first start winning opening 36 or the second starting winning opening 37 detected by the special figure start SW 38A, and is stored in the special symbol start winning memory. It is determined whether or not the special symbol random number counter value (random number relating to the result of the special figure variation display game extracted and stored in the processing of 1417) is hit, and the special figure display device 47 executes the special figure variation display game.

  The special figure start winning memory stores the random number extracted when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 36 or the second starting winning opening 37 in a state where the variable display game cannot be immediately executed. It is stored as a start winning memory.

  Further, a process for displaying the variation of the identification information corresponding to the display on the special figure display 47 is performed. If the extracted random number is a predetermined value, the hit state related to the special symbol is entered, and the variation display of the identification information stops at the hit symbol. Further, when the winning state is reached, the open state where the game ball can be easily received in the special winning opening 38 is obtained.

  The normal symbol game process (1420) is extracted based on the passing of the game ball to the general symbol start gate 41 detected by the general symbol start SW 41A, and is stored in the normal symbol start winning memory (1417). It is determined whether or not the random number related to the result of the universal map change display game extracted and stored in the above process is hit, and the general map display 46 executes the universal map display game. If the common random number counter value is a predetermined value, a hit state related to the normal figure is entered, and a parameter is set for stopping the fluctuation display of the normal symbol in the win state.

  Next, the game control device 100 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and performs a process of editing a signal output to a segment LED (special display display 47 and general display display 46) that displays various information related to the game ( 1421). Specifically, when the special figure fluctuation display game is started, the special symbol winning memory number obtained by subtracting the number of executions of the special figure fluctuation display game started this time is displayed on the special figure memory display unit of the special figure display 47. Edit the parameters for:

  Similarly, when the normal symbol variation display game is started, the normal symbol winning memory number obtained by reducing the number of times of execution of the general symbol variation display game started this time is displayed on the general symbol memory display of the general symbol display 46. Edit the parameters.

  Thereafter, external information editing processing for editing external information for outputting the state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the management computer connected via the inspection apparatus connection terminal 107 is performed (1422). External information includes information related to the progress status of the variable display game, such as whether the symbol has been confirmed, winning, changing the probability, shortening the variable time, starting the variable display game, etc. It is. An error signal indicating that an error has occurred is also included.

  Next, the end of the timer interrupt process is declared (1423).

  Thereafter, a return process (1424) for restoring the temporarily saved register and a process for setting permission of the interrupt that has been prohibited are performed (1425). Then, the timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control apparatus main process (FIGS. 26 and 27). Then, the initial value random number update process and the like (the processes of steps 1020 to 1022 in FIG. 27) are repeated until the next timer interrupt occurs.

  FIG. 31 is a timing chart of processing performed by the game control device 100, the payout control device 210, and the effect control device 150 when the power is turned on, and the states of the communication ports 670 and 680 provided in the game control device 100 according to this embodiment. is there.

  When the reset signal is transmitted to the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670, Q0 to Q provided in each of the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 are processed by the process of step 902 shown in FIG. By setting all the voltage levels of the Q7 terminal to the low level, the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 are changed from the undefined state (1501) to the initial state (1502).

  The initial state of the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 is that the game control device 100 transmits an initialization command in the process of step 1011 shown in FIG. It continues until it is set to the production control communication port 670 (1503).

  On the other hand, when the reset signal is transmitted to the security circuit 630 of the game control apparatus 100, the self-diagnosis process is executed in the process of step 904 shown in FIG. 25, and the security check process is executed in the process of step 905 (1504). After the security check process is executed, the CPU 102 is activated, and the game control apparatus main process (FIGS. 26 and 27) is executed by the CPU 102.

  The CPU 102 fetches the first RAM clear signal (1505) before executing the delay process (1506) and fetches the second RAM clear signal (1507) after executing the delay process. In other words, the first RAM clear signal fetch (1505) and the second RAM clear signal fetch (1507) are executed with a delay process (1506) in between.

  As described above, since the delay process is executed during the RAM clear signal fetching executed at each time point 1505 and 1507, the chattering removal etc. fetched by the first RAM clear signal fetching is performed during the delay process. be able to.

  After waiting in the delay process (1506), the RAM 104 is initialized in steps 1016 and 1010 shown in FIG. 26 (1508). After the initialization command is transmitted in step 1011, normal processing is performed. The game control is performed (1509).

  When normal game control is executed, a payout control command is set in the payout control communication port 680 in order to transmit a payout control command to the payout control device 210 in accordance with the gaming state (1510). Further, during the execution of the normal game control, the effect control command is set in the effect control communication port 670 in order to transmit the effect control command to the effect control device 150 according to the game state (1511).

  While normal game control is being executed, the bit pattern of the specification specifying signal for specifying the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 using the period in which the production control command is not output (the steady output bit in FIG. 36). Pattern 2003) is set in the production control communication port 670.

  On the other hand, when the reset signal is transmitted to the security circuit of the payout control apparatus 210, the security circuit of the payout control apparatus 210 executes a self-diagnosis process in the process of step 914 shown in FIG. Check processing is executed (1512).

  After executing the security check process, the CPU 212 is activated, and the CPU 212 executes the initialization process at power-on in the process of step 916 in FIG. 25 (1513). When the initialization process of the payout control device 210 is executed, the state of the receiving port of the payout control device 210 is set to a state in which an instruction from the game control device 100 can be received (1514).

  When the reset signal is transmitted to the effect control device 150, the effect control device 150 executes the initialization process at the time of power-on in the process of step 923 in FIG. 25 (1515). When the initialization process of the effect control device 150 is executed, the state of the reception port of the effect control device 150 is changed to a state in which an instruction from the game control device 100 can be received (1516).

  The game control apparatus 100 delays the execution start timing of the initialization process of the RAM 104 by executing the delay process. In other words, the timing for transmitting the initialization command to the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210 is delayed by the delay process.

  For this reason, the delay process ensures sufficient time for the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 to maintain the initial state, during which the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 execute the initialization process. Then, it is possible to make the reception port of itself receive a command from the game control device 100.

  Therefore, by providing the delay processing, as shown in FIG. 31, even if the gaming machine has a configuration in which the reset signal is simultaneously transmitted to the game control device 100, the payout control device 210, and the effect control device 150, hardware or the like The timing at which each control device starts to start can be appropriately set without providing the delay circuit configured as described above.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31, first, the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 are maintained in the initial state, and in this state, the receiving ports of the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 are in a command receivable state. Then, it becomes possible to reliably execute transmission of the initialization command to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150.

  If the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on immediately before the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 of the game control device 100 are maintained in the initial state, the payout control device 210 or the effect control device 150 When the reception port is ready to receive a command, the signal levels output from the payout control communication port 680 and the effect control communication port 670 are unstable. The signal level information may be erroneously received as a legitimate signal, which may cause a malfunction.

  Also, if an initialization command is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the payout control device 210 or the effect control device 150 before the receiving port of the payout control device 210 or the effect control device 150 becomes ready for command reception. The payout control device 210 and the production control device 150 cannot receive the initialization command, which may cause a malfunction.

  In particular, as in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a configuration in which a command is transmitted in one direction from the game control device 100 to the payout control device 210, or a command is transmitted in one direction from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150. Such a configuration is very effective because there is no way to check whether the commanded information is correctly transmitted.

  In addition, in FIGS. 26 and 31, an example in which the RAM clear signal is fetched twice is shown, but it may be multiple times. By executing the delay processing between the plurality of times, the time required for chattering removal of the RAM clear signal fetching immediately before the execution of the delay processing can be overlapped with the delay time by the delay processing, so that the processing becomes efficient.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure in the case of transmitting a command from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210.

  In the present embodiment, when the initialization command signal is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210, the normal control signal is sent from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210. A description will be given in comparison with a case where a command (production command signal, payout command signal) is transmitted.

  (A) of FIG. 32 is a flowchart in the case of transmitting an initialization command signal, and corresponds to the initialization command communication process in step 1011 of FIG. (B) of FIG. 32 is a flowchart in the case of transmitting a normal command (effect command signal, payout command signal), and corresponds to the command transmission processing in step 1413 of FIG.

  First, in (a) of FIG. 32, the initialization command signal transmitted first to the production control device 150 is selected (1601A), and the data corresponding to the mode (MODE) portion of the selected initialization command signal is produced. The data is output to the control communication port 670, and the output state is maintained for a predetermined time (1602A). The mode part will be described later.

  Next, the bit corresponding to the strobe (STB) signal of the production control communication port 670 is set to ON and the output state is maintained for a certain time (1603A), and then the bit corresponding to the strobe signal is set to OFF. The output state is maintained for a certain time (1604A).

  Next, data corresponding to the action (ACTION) part of the initialization command signal transmitted to the effect control device 150 is output to the effect control communication port 670, and the output state is maintained for a predetermined time (1605A). The action part will be described later.

  Next, the bit corresponding to the strobe (STB) signal of the effect control communication port 670 is set to ON, the output state is maintained for a certain time (1606A), and then the bit corresponding to the strobe signal is set to OFF. The output state is maintained for a certain time (1607A).

  Next, it waits for a predetermined time d (details will be described later) (1608A), and if there is an initialization command signal to be transmitted next (1609A), it returns to step 1601A and transmits the next initialization command signal. Are repeated (1601A to 1609A).

  If all initialization command signals have been transmitted to the production control device 150 at step 1609A, the process returns to step 1601A to select the initialization command signal to be transmitted first to the payout control device 210. Then, the processing of 1602A to 1609A is repeated.

  However, the initialization command signal to the payout control device 210 is output not to the production control communication port 670 but to the discharge control communication port 680, and the strobe (STB) signal also uses the bit of the discharge control communication port 680.

  After that, when all the initialization command signals have been transmitted to the payout control device 210, the output step 1609A is determined as “YES”, so a specification specifying signal is output to the effect control communication port 670 (1610A).

  Here, the data of the steady output bit pattern 2003 described later in FIG. 36 is output to each bit of Q0 to Q7 of the effect control communication port 670. Since this bit pattern signal (corresponding to “TYPE” described later in FIG. 33) continues until the next command is transmitted from the effect control communication port 670, the signal is constantly transmitted while the effect command signal is not transmitted. (The details will be described later with reference to FIG. 33).

  When the process of step 1610A is completed, the process returns to the caller (the process next to the initialization command communication process of step 1011 in FIG. 27).

  On the other hand, in (b) of FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not it is timing to transmit the effect command signal to the effect control device 150 (1601B), and if it is the transmission timing of the effect command signal, the mode (MODE) of the effect command signal to be transmitted. The data corresponding to the section is output to the production control communication port 670 and the output state is maintained for a certain time (1602B).

  Next, the bit corresponding to the strobe (STB) signal of the effect control communication port 670 is set to ON, the output state is maintained for a certain time (1603B), and then the bit corresponding to the strobe signal is set to OFF. The output state is maintained for a certain time (1604B).

  Next, data corresponding to the action (ACTION) part of the initialization command signal transmitted to the effect control device 150 is output to the effect control communication port 670, and the output state is maintained for a certain time (1605B).

  Next, the bit corresponding to the strobe (STB) signal of the effect control communication port 670 is set to ON, the output state is maintained for a certain time (1606B), and then the bit corresponding to the strobe signal is set to OFF. The output state is maintained for a certain time (1607B), a specification specifying signal is output to the effect control communication port 670 (1608B), and then to the caller (the process subsequent to the command transmission process in step 1413 in FIG. 30). Return.

  Even when a specification specifying signal is output to the production control communication port 670 in step 1608B, the data of the steady output bit pattern 2003, which will be described later with reference to FIG. Output to each bit of Q7.

  As described above, this bit pattern signal (corresponding to “TYPE” described later in FIG. 33) continues until the next command is transmitted from the effect control communication port 670. Is output constantly (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 33).

  On the other hand, if it is not time to transmit the production command signal to the production control device 150 in step 1601B, it is determined whether it is time to send the emission command signal to the discharge control device 150 (1609B), and transmission of the emission command signal is performed. If it is timing, a discharge command signal is transmitted (1610B). At this time, the discharge command signal is output from the discharge control communication port 680 in the same procedure as the procedure of 1602B to 1607B described above.

  In step 1601B, if it is not time to transmit the discharge command signal to the discharge control device 150, and if the discharge command transmission processing in step 1609B is completed, the caller (next to the command transmission processing in step 1413 in FIG. Return to processing.

  FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of command signals transmitted from the game control device 100 of the present embodiment to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150.

  In particular, FIG. 33A is an explanatory diagram of an initialization command signal transmitted from the game control device 100 of the present embodiment to the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the payout command signal and effect command signal which are transmitted to the payout control apparatus 210 and the effect control apparatus 150 from the game control apparatus 100 of a form.

  First, the initialization command signal will be described with reference to FIG. This corresponds to the processing of the procedure according to the flowchart of FIG.

  The initialization command signal includes a mode (MODE) portion and an action (ACTION) portion, and is transmitted in the initialization command communication process of step 1011 shown in FIG.

  The initialization command communication process of step 1011 shown in FIG. 26 includes a plurality of transmission processes for transmitting the mode part and the action part until the initialization command signal transmission is completed, as described above with reference to FIG. It is a loop process that is repeated once. In FIG. 33A, the initialization command signal is transmitted by repeating the transmission process three times.

  The Q0 to Q6 terminals of the communication ports 670 and 680 are used to transmit data of the mode part and the action part, and the Q7 terminal is used to transmit a strobe signal that is a timing signal for reading.

  In each transmission process, the strobe signal is output from the Q7 terminal for a predetermined time, and the mode part and the action part are transmitted from the Q0 to Q6 terminals. When the strobe signal is input from the Q7 terminal, the payout control device 210 or the effect control device 150 to be received takes in the mode part or action part input from the Q0 to Q6 terminals.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 32A, in the initialization command communication process, after executing the transmission process, the software timer delay process for waiting the process for software for a predetermined time (d) is executed, and the transmission process is performed again. Execute.

  On the other hand, when all the data of the initialization command signal is transmitted, the initialization command communication process is exited, and the process returns to the game control apparatus main process shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 33A, a software delay process for the time value d is executed every time an initialization command signal is transmitted. For this reason, the transmission cycle of the initialization command signal is f1, and the time until the transmission of all data of the initialization command signal is completed (the time until the third transmission process is completed) is T. ing.

  When the transmission of all data is completed, the data of the steady output bit pattern 2003 described later in FIG. 36 is output to each bit of Q0 to Q7 of the effect control communication port 670 (corresponding to “TYPE” in the figure). ).

  Since this bit pattern signal continues until the next command is transmitted from the effect control communication port 670, the signal is constantly output while the effect command signal is not transmitted.

  Note that the data of the steady output bit pattern 2003 to be described later with reference to FIG. 36 is “71H”, “72H”, and “73H”, so the bit of Q7 of the effect control communication port 670 is always “0”. Therefore, the STB of the production control communication port 670 does not rise while the “TYPE” data (specification specification signal) is being output.

  Next, a command signal transmitted to the payout control device 210 or the effect control device 150 at the normal time will be described with reference to FIG.

  This normal command signal is transmitted in the command transmission process of step 1413 shown in FIG.

  Transmission of all data of the command signal is completed by command transmission processing by a plurality of timer interruptions, without completion of transmission by command transmission processing by one timer interruption. In other words, the command signal is transmitted across a plurality of timer interruption processes. In FIG. 32 (B), it is assumed that transmission of all data of the command signal is completed by command transmission processing by three timer interruptions.

  The execution period (f2) of each command transmission process is synchronized with the generation period of the timer interrupt and is a period of 4 milliseconds.

  In addition, the normal command signal includes a mode part and an action part, like the initialization command signal. In other words, the normal command signal and the initialization command signal have the same time during which the mode section is output, the time during which the action section is output, and the output time of the strobe signal, that is, the format is the same. It is common.

  Therefore, transmitting the data of the mode part and the action part from the Q0 to Q6 terminals of the communication ports 670 and 680 and outputting the strobe signal from the Q7 terminal is the same as the case of the initialization command signal.

  33A and 33B, when the initialization command signal sets the delay time (d) by the software delay processing of the loop processing, the transmission cycle (f1) of the initialization command signal is the normal command. It is set to be shorter than the signal transmission cycle (f2).

  For this reason, the initialization command signal can be transmitted at a higher speed than the normal command signal, and the time required to complete the transmission of all the data of the initialization command signal is the same as that of one normal command signal. This can be shorter than the time required to complete the data transmission.

  Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when the power is turned on until the payout control device 210 and the effect control device 150 perform control based on the normal command signal.

  When the data transmission between the mode part and the action part is completed, the data of the steady output bit pattern 2003 described later in FIG. 36 is output to each bit of Q0 to Q7 of the effect control communication port 670 (“TYPE” in the figure). ”). Since this bit pattern signal continues until the next command is transmitted from the effect control communication port 670, the signal is constantly output while the effect command signal is not transmitted.

  FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of signals transmitted to the payout control device 210 of the present embodiment.

  Signals transmitted to the payout control device 210 include an initialization command signal and a payout command signal that is a normal command signal, and these signals are transmitted in a common format including a mode portion and an action portion.

  First, the initialization command signal will be described.

  The initialization command signal is composed of a first half initialization command signal and a second half initialization command signal.

  The initialization command signal in the first half has a value of “40H” in the mode portion and any value from “00H to 7FH” in the action portion. The action part of the initialization command signal in the first half is a value corresponding to the authentication code set in the payout control device 210 (any value of “00H to 7FH”). It is assumed that a value corresponding to the authentication code set in the payout control device 210 is set in the RAM 104, for example.

  The output timing of the initialization command signal in the first half is when the game control apparatus 100 is powered on, and specifically, is the processing of step 1011 shown in FIG.

  In the initialization command signal in the latter half, the mode part has a value of “40H” and the action part has any value of “7FH to 00H”. The action part of the initialization command signal in the latter half is a negative logic value (inverted bit) of the value of the action part of the initialization signal in the first half.

  The output timing of the latter half of the initialization command signal is immediately after the output of the first half of the initialization command signal is completed.

  Upon receiving the first half initialization command signal, the payout control device 210 authenticates whether the value of the action part of the received initialization command signal matches the authentication code set in itself.

  When the value of the action part of the received initialization command signal does not match the authentication code set in itself, the payout control device 210 prohibits the control based on the normal command signal. That is, payout of game media based on the payout command signal is prohibited.

  On the other hand, when the value of the action part of the received initialization command signal matches the authentication code set in itself, the payout control device 210 receives the initialization command signal in the latter half and receives the initial It authenticates whether the negative logic value of the action part value of the commutation command signal matches the authentication code set in itself.

  If the value that is the negative logic of the action part of the received initialization command signal in the latter half does not match the authentication code set in itself, the latter initialization command signal has not been correctly received, Since there is a possibility that a disconnection has occurred between the game control device 100 and the payout control device 210, the payout control device 210 reports an error.

  Next, the payout command signal will be described.

  Fifteen payout control command signals are prepared corresponding to the number of game media to be paid out by the payout control device 210.

  The mode part of the payout command signal is “21H to 2FH”. Note that the second digit of the mode portion matches the number of game media whose payout command signal commands payout. The action part of the payout command signal is “5EH to 50H”. This action part is a negative logic of the value of the mode part.

  For example, the mode part of the payout command signal for instructing payout of one game medium is “21H”, and the action part is “5EH”.

  The output timing of the payout command signal is output at the timing when the game balls win the general winning holes 39 and 53, the first starting winning hole 36, the second starting winning hole 37, and the big winning hole 38.

  Further, when the payout control device 210 receives the payout command signal, the payout command signal received when the negative logic value of the mode portion of the received payout command signal does not match the negative logic value of the action portion. Dispensing of the number of game media corresponding to is not permitted.

  FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of signals transmitted to the effect control device 150 of the present embodiment.

  The signals transmitted to the effect control device 150 include an initialization command signal and an effect command signal that is a normal command signal, and are transmitted in a common format including these mode part and action part.

  First, the initialization command signal will be described.

  The initialization command signal includes a power-on notification signal indicating whether or not all areas of the RAM 104 have been initialized, and a command signal for specifying the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (including specification specification information at initialization). Command).

  In addition, a signal for notifying the gaming state (low probability state, high probability state, winning suppression state, winning promotion state) of the pachinko machine 1 at the time of the previous power interruption, or the number of special symbol winning memories at the time of the previous power interruption Is also included in the initialization command signal.

  The mode part of the power-on signal indicating that all areas of the RAM 104 are initialized is “10H”, and the action part is “01H”. The fact that all areas of the RAM 104 have been initialized means that the processing of step 1010 shown in FIG. 26 has been executed.

  On the other hand, the mode part of the power-on signal indicating that all areas of the RAM 104 are not initialized, that is, a part of the area of the RAM 104 is initialized is “10H”, and the action part is “02H”. It is.

  That all areas of the RAM 104 have not been initialized, that is, that a part of the area of the RAM 104 has been initialized means that the processing of step 1014 shown in FIG. 26 has been executed.

  Therefore, when the process of step 1010 shown in FIG. 26 is executed, an initialization command signal having a mode part “10H” and an action part “01H” is transmitted in the process of step 1011. When the process of step 1014 shown in FIG. 26 is executed, an initialization command signal in which the mode part is “10H” and the action part is “02H” is transmitted in the process of step 1011.

  When the effect control device 150 receives a power-on signal indicating that all areas of the RAM 104 have been initialized, the effect control apparatus 150 displays on the variable display device 33 that all areas of the RAM 104 have been initialized.

  In addition, when receiving the power-on signal indicating that not all areas of the RAM 104 have been initialized, the effect control apparatus 150 displays on the variable display device 33 that all areas of the RAM 104 have not been initialized.

  Further, the mode part of the command signal for specifying the specification transmitted at the time of activation is “11H”, and the action part is “01H to 03H”. The action part is one of values “01H to 03H” corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Note that values corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are set in the ROM 103.

  In addition, the signal for notifying the gaming state (low probability state, high probability state, winning suppression state, winning promotion state) has a mode portion of “20H”, and the action portion has a game at the time of the previous power cut-off. A value associated with each state is stored.

  For example, the action part is “01H” in the low probability state, and the action part is “02H” in the high probability state. When receiving the signal for notifying the gaming state, the effect control device 150 performs an effect for notifying the gaming state.

  In addition, the signal for notifying the number of special symbol winning memories is “28H” in the mode portion and any value from “00H to 04H” in the action portion. The action part is a value corresponding to the starting memory number (0 to 4) at the time of the previous power shutdown.

  When receiving the start memory number effect command signal, the effect control device 150 displays the start memory number corresponding to the received start memory number effect command signal on the decoration start memory number display unit (not shown) of the variable display device 33.

  The output timing of the specification specifying signal, the signal notifying the gaming state, and the signal notifying the number of special symbol winning memories is when the power is turned on, and is transmitted in the process of step 1011 shown in FIG.

  Note that the output order of each of these signals and the power-on notification signal may be first or later. Further, when there is other information to be notified from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150 when the power is turned on, it may be transmitted together as an initialization command signal.

  In this way, in this embodiment, even if the types of initialization command signals (power-on notification signal, specification specifying signal, signal notifying the gaming state, and signal notifying the number of special symbol winning memory) increase, Since the initialization command signal is sequentially transmitted through the main processing loop, the time until all the initialization command signals are transmitted is shortened.

  Next, each effect command signal will be described.

  First, the variation start effect command signal for instructing the start of symbol variation in the variation display game executed by the variation display device 33 will be described.

  The mode part of the variation start effect command signal is “30H”, and the action part is any value of “01H to 6FH”. The action part is a value corresponding to the fluctuation time from the start of the symbol fluctuation display to the stop.

  When the effect control device 150 receives the change start effect command signal, the change display device 33 starts the change display of the symbol and starts the change display game.

  The variation start effect command signal is transmitted at a timing when the variation display device 33 starts the variation display of the symbol of the variation display game. Specifically, when the variation display game is completed on the variation display device 33, when there is a start memory, or when the variation display game is not executed on the variation display device 33, the first start winning opening 36 or the second start This is a case where a game ball wins the winning opening 37.

  A stop symbol effect command signal for specifying a stop symbol in the variable display game in the variable display device 33 will be described.

  The mode part of the stop symbol effect command signal is “31H”, and the action part is any value of “01H to 6FH”. The action part is a value corresponding to the stop symbol.

  When receiving the stop symbol effect command signal, the effect control device 150 identifies the stop symbol of the variable display game in the variable display device 33 based on the received stop symbol effect command signal.

  The stop symbol effect command signal is transmitted when starting the variable display of the variable display game on the variable display device 33 and immediately after the transmission of the change start effect command signal is completed.

  A stop notification effect command signal for stopping the symbol whose change time has elapsed and whose change is being displayed will be described.

  The mode part of the stop notification effect command signal is “40H”, and the action part is “01H”.

  When receiving the stop notification effect command signal, the effect control device 150 stops the symbols that are variably displayed on the variability display device 33.

  The stop notification effect command signal is transmitted at the timing when the fluctuation time has elapsed.

  The jackpot related effect command signal transmitted during the occurrence of the special gaming state will be described.

  The mode portion of the jackpot related effect command signal is “48H”, and the action portion is any value of “01H to 6FH”. The action part is a value corresponding to the progress status of the special game state.

  When receiving the jackpot related effect command signal, the effect control device 150 performs an effect related to the special gaming state based on the received jackpot related effect command signal.

  An error-related effect command signal for notifying the occurrence of an error when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

  The mode part of the error-related effect command signal is “50H”, and the action part is any one of “01H to 6FH”. The action part is a value corresponding to the error that has occurred.

  When receiving the error-related effect command signal, the effect control device 150 performs an effect for notifying the error that has occurred based on the error-related effect command signal.

  The error-related effect command signal is transmitted at a timing when the game control device 100 detects an error.

  Note that the above-described signal for notifying the gaming state (mode part = “20H”) is transmitted not only when the power is turned on, but also when the gaming state changes during normal gaming. For example, when a low probability state occurs during a game, a signal of mode portion = “20H” and an action portion = “01H” is transmitted, and when a high probability state occurs during a game, the mode portion = “ 20H "and action part =" 02H "are transmitted.

  In addition, the signal (mode part = “30H”) for notifying the number of special symbol winning memories mentioned above is not only when the power is turned on, but also at the first starting winning opening 36 or the second starting winning opening 37 during the normal game. The command signal is also transmitted when the game ball wins and the starting memory number increases. For example, when a game ball is won in the first start winning opening 36 or the second start winning opening 37 during the game and the start memory number is changed to “3”, the mode portion = “30H” and the action portion = “03H”. Is transmitted.

  Accordingly, the signal for notifying the gaming state and the signal for notifying the number of special symbol winning memories also function as an effect command signal.

  Next, the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the pachinko gaming machine 1 has three types of specifications. Note that the types of specifications are not necessarily limited to three.

  First, the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, various hardware provided in the game board 5 and each control device (the game control device 100 and the effect control device 150) are common to each other, but their operation modes are different from each other. There is a series machine.

  Although these series machines use the common production | presentation control apparatus 150, the content of the image displayed on the fluctuation | variation display apparatus 33 is a little different. In the present embodiment, when the content of the image displayed on the variable display device 33 is different between the same series machines, the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are different.

  In the effect control device 150, necessary data is stored in advance in a control ROM 153 and a character ROM (not shown) so that a specification image can be displayed on all the same series machines.

  The effect control device 150 reads the initialization command signal transmitted from the game control device 100, or reads the specification specifying signal that is constantly output from the effect control communication port 670. The specification is identified, and a game effect corresponding to the specification is executed.

  In the model name column 2001 of FIG. 36, model names associated with each specification are defined. Here, if it is a pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification A”, the model name will be “CRXXX”, if it is a pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification B”, the model name will be “CR △△△” In the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the “specification C”, the model name is “CR ☆☆☆”.

  Initialization ACTION code column 2002 shows the correspondence between the value of the ACTION part (specification specification information at initialization) included in the command of the initialization command signal (notice of gaming machine specifications) and the specifications of pachinko gaming machine 1 Is shown.

  When the effect control device 150 receives from the game control device 100 a command of “11H” by the MODE unit (notice of gaming machine specifications), if the value of the ACTION section included in the command is “01H”, the pachinko gaming machine If the specification of 1 is “specification A” and the value of the ACTION section is “02H”, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “specification B”, and if the value of the ACTION section is “03H”, the pachinko gaming machine The specification of 1 indicates that it is “specification C”.

  A regular output bit pattern column 2003 indicates a correspondence relationship between the specification specifying signal constantly output from the effect control communication port 670 and the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  When the production control device 150 restarted due to the occurrence of an abnormality reads the specification specific signal of the production control communication port 670, if the bit pattern of the read signal is “71H”, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “specification A”. If the bit pattern of the read signal is “72H”, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “Specification B”, and if the bit pattern of the read signal is “73H”, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Indicates “specification C”.

  Note that values such as “71H”, “72H”, and “73H” defined as the specification specifying signal are different from the values of the command signal defined in FIG. This is whether the signal output to the production control communication port 670 is a command signal or a specification specific signal specified in FIG. 35 when the production control device 150 is reset and restarted due to the influence of static electricity or the like. This is for clear identification.

  The symbol design column 2004 defines a symbol design associated with each specification. The symbol is identification information of a variable display game executed by the variable display device 33. The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a white symbol corresponding to a “normal symbol” and a black symbol corresponding to a “probable variation” regardless of the specifications. In order to visually express that the frequency of transition to the probability variation state differs for each specification, the color of the identification information used in the variation display game is varied depending on the specification.

  Here, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification A”, “1”, “3”, “5”, “7” among the symbols used are “probability symbols”, and other symbols are “normal symbols”. " Further, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification B”, “3” and “7” among the symbols used are “probable variation symbols”, and the other symbols are “normal symbols”. Further, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification C”, only “7” of the used symbols is “probable variation”, and the other symbols are “normal symbols”.

  In the appearance character column 2005, a character associated with each specification is defined. The character appears in a variable display game executed by the variable display device 33, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification A”, the flying object shown in the figure becomes a character, and in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification B”, the ship shown in the figure becomes a character and “specification C”. The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG.

  The reach variation time column 2006 defines the reach variation time associated with each specification. In the variable display game executed by the variable display device 33, a reach state is generated in which two symbols are gathered to notify the possibility of a big hit (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 37). Yes. The reach state time is divided into three types, “short reach”, “medium reach”, and “long reach” in order from the shortest time value.

  Here, when each reach of “short reach”, “medium reach”, and “long reach” occurs, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification A”, “20 seconds”, “25 seconds”, “30”, respectively. Reach state corresponding to the time of “second”, and in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification B”, the reach state corresponding to the time of “10 seconds”, “15 seconds”, and “20 seconds” respectively. When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “8”, the reach state corresponding to the time “8 seconds”, “12 seconds”, and “16 seconds” is obtained.

  The jackpot probability column 2007 defines the jackpot probability associated with each specification. The jackpot probability is a probability that the variable display game executed by the variable display device 33 becomes a special result mode for giving a privilege to the player.

  Here, for the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification A”, the big hit probability becomes “1/350”, and for the pachinko gaming machine 1 of “specification B”, the big hit probability becomes “1/250”. In the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the “specification C”, the big hit probability is “1/150”.

  Next, the progress of the variable display game executed by the variable display device 33 will be described. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram of display contents of the variable display device 33 of the present embodiment. FIG. 37 shows the display contents of the variable display device 33 when the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “specification A”.

  As described above, when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 36 or the second start winning opening 37, the variable display game is executed by the variable display device 33. In a state where no game balls have been won in these start winning ports 25 and 30, as shown in FIG. 37 (a), the left symbol 2101, the middle symbol 2102, and the right symbol 2103 are displayed in the display area of the variable display device 33. Is displayed in a stopped state.

  Further, in the display area of the variable display device 33, an area 2104 for displaying the model name, an area 2105 for displaying the number of reserved storages of the variable display game, and an area 2106 for displaying the jackpot probability of the variable display game are formed.

  Here, of the symbol designs described above with reference to FIG. 36, symbols having a design corresponding to “specification A” are displayed on the left symbol 2101, the middle symbol 2102, and the right symbol 2103. In addition, in the area 2104 for displaying the model name and the area 2106 for displaying the jackpot probability, those corresponding to “specification A” are displayed.

  If the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “specification B” or “specification C”, the symbol design of the left symbol 2101, the middle symbol 2102, the right symbol 2103, the area 2104 for displaying the model name, and the jackpot probability The display of the display area 2106 is changed to one corresponding to “specification B” or “specification C”.

  Next, when a game ball wins the first start winning opening 36 or the second start winning opening 37, each of the left symbol 2101, the middle symbol 2102, and the right symbol 2103 is variably displayed in the vertical direction, and the variable display game is executed. Is done. When a certain amount of time has elapsed from the start of the execution of the variable display game, the left symbol 2101 is stopped and then the right symbol 2103 is stopped and displayed.

  At this time, if the left symbol 2101 and the right symbol 2103 are not stopped and displayed with the same symbol, the middle symbol 2102 is immediately stopped and the detachment is confirmed. When the left symbol 2101 and the right symbol 2103 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol, the reach state occurs.

  FIG. 37 (b) shows a state where a reach state has occurred. When the reach state is generated, the middle symbol 2102 is displayed in a vertically varying manner more slowly than usual, and the middle symbol 2102 is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Note that the character 2107 may appear in the display area of the variable display device 33 during the reach state. In this case, among the characters described above with reference to FIG. 36, the character corresponding to “specification A” is selected and displayed.

  Further, this reach state is executed over a time commanded from the game control device 100. Since the game control device 100 transmits a command indicating which of the “short reach”, “medium reach”, and “long reach” described above with reference to FIG. 36, the one corresponding to “specification A” is selected from the variation time at the time of reach described above with reference to FIG. 36 and executed. For example, if execution of “long reach” is instructed from the game control device 100, display is performed so that the reach state time is 30 seconds.

  If the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is “specification B” or “specification C”, the character 2107 is changed to one corresponding to “specification B” or “specification C”, and the time of the reach state is also “ The specification is changed to one corresponding to “Specification B” or “Specification C”.

  Then, a reach state occurs in FIG. 37 (b), and when the middle symbol 2102 is stopped and displayed with the same symbol as the left symbol 2101 (right symbol 2103), it becomes a big hit and a special gaming state occurs. When the middle symbol 2102 is stopped and displayed with a symbol different from the left symbol 2101 (right symbol 2103), it is out of place.

  Here, if each stop symbol (left symbol 2101, middle symbol 2102, right symbol 2103) when a big hit occurs is a “probable variation symbol” with a black color scheme, it will change after the special gaming state ends. A probability fluctuation state (high probability state) in which the big hit probability of the display game is increased by 10 times occurs.

  On the other hand, if each stop symbol when a big hit occurs is a “normal symbol” with a white color scheme, after the special game state ends, the normal state where the jackpot probability of the variable display game does not increase (low probability) State) occurs.

  In addition, depending on each stop symbol when a big hit occurs, the game state after the end of the special gaming state is not limited to setting either a high probability state or a low probability state, but when a big hit occurs Control may be performed so that the game state after the end of the special game state is set to one of the above-described winning suppression state and winning promotion state by each of the stop symbols. With such a configuration, the frequency at which the winning suppression state and the winning promotion state are generated can be made different for each specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart of the latter half of the main process of the production control device according to this embodiment.

  Regarding the control of the effect control device 150, the processing immediately after turning on the power to the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described in FIG. 25C, but the processing after receiving the initialization command signal will be described here. To.

  First, it waits until it receives the effect command signal transmitted from the game control apparatus 100 (2201). When the production command signal is received, the process branches depending on the type of the received signal (2202).

  Note that the timing at which the Q7 (STB) bit of the effect control communication port 680 rises is the timing at which the effect command signal is received, and the values of Q0 to Q6 of the effect control communication port 680 at that time point (See FIG. 33 and the like).

  If the received signal relates to the start or stop of the variable display game, the process branches to step 2203 to start or stop the change of the symbol (identification information) displayed on the display device 33 in the variable display game. (2203).

  Specifically, when the command received in step 2201 is a symbol change start notification (MODE portion in FIG. 35 is “30H”), the change pattern of the change time specified in the ACTION portion is used using a random number. decide.

  In this case, since the types such as “short reach”, “medium reach”, and “long reach” described above in FIG. 36 may be designated, the game specification information stored in the RAM 154 is referred to, and the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are referred to. The variation pattern is determined in correspondence with the reach time corresponding to (specifications A to C in FIG. 36). If it is a predetermined condition at this time, the above-mentioned movable object is moved.

  If the command received in step 2201 is a stop symbol notification (MODE portion in FIG. 35 is “31H”), the final result of the variable display game is made corresponding to the data specified in the ACTION portion. Determine the stop symbol. Also in this case, referring to the game specification information stored in the RAM 154, the stop symbol corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specifications A to C in FIG. 36) is selected.

  Next, according to the variation pattern determined by receiving the symbol variation start command, variation display of the left symbol 2101, the middle symbol 2102, and the right symbol 2103 is performed in the display area of the variation display device 33 (see FIG. 37). During the execution of the variable display game, a character 2107 corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specifications A to C in FIG. 36) appears as necessary (see FIG. 37).

  If the command received in step 2201 is a symbol change stop notification (MODE portion in FIG. 35 is “40H”), the left symbol 2101 and the middle symbol that are variably displayed in the display area of the variable display device 33 are displayed. 2102 and the right symbol 2103 are stopped and displayed.

  Also in this case, the game specification information stored in the RAM 154 is referred to, and the display is stopped with a stop symbol having a design corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specifications A to C in FIG. 36).

  When the command received in step 2201 is a command for notifying the occurrence of a high probability state (or the occurrence of a low probability state) (MODE portion in FIG. 35 is “20H”), the command is made to correspond to the generated probability state. The background display of the left symbol 2101, middle symbol 2102, and right symbol 2103 displayed in the display area of the variable display device 33 is changed to notify the player of the occurrence of a high probability state (or the occurrence of a low probability state). To do.

  When the processing of step 2203 is executed, the process proceeds to step 2201 to receive the next command.

  On the other hand, if the command received in step 2201 relates to the change of the hold memory display, the process branches to step 2204 to change the display of the area 2105 (FIG. 37) for displaying the hold memory number of the variable display device 33. .

  Specifically, when the command received in step 2201 is a notification of the number of reserved memories (MODE section in FIG. 35 is “28H”), the number of reserved memories specified in the ACTION section is displayed. The area 2105 is changed. When the process of step 2204 is executed, the process proceeds to step 2201 to receive the next command.

  On the other hand, if the command received in step 2201 is related to the change in the display related to the big hit, the process branches to step 2205 and the display on the effect at the time of the big hit is started on the variable display device 33. Specifically, when the command received in step 2201 is a jackpot-related notification (the MODE portion in FIG. 35 is “48H”), the variable display device 33 is associated with the information specified by the ACTION portion. Change the display contents. If it is a predetermined condition at this time, the above-mentioned movable object is moved.

  Also in this case, with reference to the game specification information stored in the RAM 154, a big hit effect corresponding to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (specifications A to C in FIG. 36) is performed. If the process of step 2205 is executed, the process proceeds to step 2201 to receive the next command.

  On the other hand, if the command received in step 2201 relates to error notification, the process branches to step 2206, and the display related to error notification is started or ended in the variable display device 33.

  Specifically, if the command received in step 2201 is an error-related notification (MODE section in FIG. 35 is “50H”), the instruction is sent to the variable display device 33 in accordance with the information specified by the ACTION section. To start or end error notification. If the process of step 2206 is executed, the process proceeds to step 2201 to receive the next command.

  In addition, the production control device 150 cannot deny the possibility that the CPU 152 does not operate according to the program and runs away due to the occurrence of noise or the like. In such a case, the CPU 152 is reset by the action of the monitoring circuit 158, and the effect control device 150 is restarted.

  However, even if only the effect control device 150 is restarted due to the influence of noise or the like, if the game control device 100 is not restarted, an initialization command signal (from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150 ( Since the notification of the gaming machine specifications) is not transmitted, the effect control device 150 cannot determine the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, even when only the effect control device 150 is restarted and the game control device 100 is not restarted, the effect control device 150 is connected to the effect control communication port of the game control device 100. It is configured such that the specification specifying signal that is constantly output from 670 is read to determine the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In this way, the processing when only the effect control device 150 is restarted will be described as processing at the time of “failure detection” using FIG.

  First, when the CPU 152 is reset by the monitoring circuit 158 due to the influence of noise or the like (2207), the production control device 150 initializes the output port by hardware (2208), initializes the power on (2209), Processing for generating a command receivable state (2210) and capturing data of a communication port (2211) is performed. These processes are the same as the processes in steps 922 to 925 in FIG.

  At this time, since the bit pattern output from the production control communication port 670 (FIG. 22) is immediately after the power is turned on to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the bit pattern is in an initial state (all bits are 0). As shown in step 926 of FIG. 25, the system waits for the reception of the initialization command signal. However, when the game control device 100 is not restarted, the specification control signal (steadily output) is output from the effect control communication port 670. Data of the bit pattern (column 2003 in FIG. 36) corresponding to the specification specifying signal) is output.

  Therefore, when the data fetched from the production control communication port 670 in step 2211 in FIG. 38 corresponds to a specification specifying signal (a specification specifying signal that is constantly output), the pachinko machine corresponds to the specification specifying signal. The specification of the gaming machine 1 is identified, and data corresponding to the specification is stored in the RAM 154 as game specification information (2212).

  In this case, as described above with reference to FIG. 33, the bit pattern of the specification specifying signal is set to “71H”, “72H”, “73H”, etc., and the bit of Q7 of the effect control communication port 670 is always “0”. is there.

  Therefore, since the STB of the production control communication port 670 does not rise while the specification specific signal is output, the bits Q0 to Q7 of the production control communication port 670 are read and coincide with the bit pattern of the specification specific signal. The specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are identified depending on whether or not they are.

  It should be noted that when step 2211 is executed at the timing when the effect command signal is output to the effect control communication port 670 or when the effect control communication port 670 is in the initial state, the specification specifying signal is output from the effect control communication port 670. May capture different data.

  Therefore, in step 2211, when the initial state data (bits Q 0 to Q 7 is “00H”) is captured for a certain period, the process proceeds to step 926 in FIG. 25 to wait for reception of the initialization command signal. To do.

  In step 2211, when bit pattern data that is neither the initial state nor the specification specifying signal (for example, data corresponding to the effect command signal) is captured, the bit pattern of the effect control communication port 670 is the initial state or specification specifying. What is necessary is just to wait until it becomes one of the signals.

  Even in this case, as described above with reference to FIG. 36, values such as “71H”, “72H”, and “73H” defined as the specification specifying signals are different from the numerical values of the command signal (different from the initial state “00H”). Therefore, it is clearly identified whether or not the signal output to the effect control communication port 670 is a specification specific signal when the effect control device 150 is reset and restarted due to the influence of static electricity or the like. be able to.

  When the process of step 2212 is completed, the process proceeds to step 2201 in order to receive a command from the game control apparatus 100.

  According to the present embodiment, since the specification specifying signal is constantly output to the effect control communication port 670, the specification specifying from the effect control communication port 670 is possible regardless of when the effect control device 150 starts to be activated. It becomes possible to immediately identify the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 by taking in the signal.

  Therefore, when the production control device 150 is restarted, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be identified before receiving the production command signal from the game control device 100. Therefore, even when the production control device 150 is restarted. Thus, it is possible to accurately perform the production process according to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  In addition, immediately after the power is turned on, the production control communication port 670 is in an initial state and held for a predetermined time, and during this time, the production control device 150 is in a command receivable state. It is possible to prevent erroneous data from being transmitted while the effect control communication port 670 is in an unstable state. Then, an initialization command signal is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150, and the effect control device 150 can determine the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on the initialization command signal.

  Accordingly, immediately after the power to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is discriminated by the presentation control device 150 by the initialization command signal without outputting the specification specific signal to the presentation control communication port 670. Can be made.

  In addition, when the communication ports 670 and 680 are in the initial state and are held for a predetermined time, the delay processing is performed without using the storage area of the RAM 104 whose validity is determined when the game control device 100 is turned on. Therefore, the time during which the communication ports 670 and 680 are maintained in the initial state can be extended, and during this extended time period, the subordinate control devices (the effect control device 150 and the payout control device 210) are disconnected from the game control device 100. The command can be received.

  As a result, immediately after the power is turned on, the communication port is in the initial state and held for a predetermined time. During this time, the dependent control device is ready to receive a command, so the communication port is in an unstable state when the dependent control device is started. It is possible to prevent erroneous data from being transmitted. In addition, by performing delay processing for a predetermined time using software, the state in which the communication port is in the initial state is maintained for a predetermined time, so that a configuration that is less expensive than a method using hardware is sufficient. Further, since the delay process is performed without using the validity determination storage area, the correctness determination process can also be performed accurately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the initialization command signal is transmitted by the game control device main processing loop, and the command signal to the subordinate control device at the normal time is transmitted by the timer interrupt processing. The transmission cycle can be made shorter than the normal command signal transmission cycle.

  As a result, the time until all initialization commands are transmitted is shortened, so that it is possible to prevent a delay in starting the entire pachinko gaming machine 1 when the power is turned on.

Here, the prior art in contrast to the present embodiment is shown.
For example, for the purpose of providing a gaming machine that can divert the display control device between series models while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost, a game specification command is sent from the main control means to the display control means when the power is turned on. When transmitted, there is a gaming machine configured to store game specification information corresponding to the game specification command in the game specification storage means in the display control means. And as shown in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2007-267863 etc., when the display control means receives the effect command from the main control means after that, the display control means outputs the effect output from the main control means based on which game specifications A process of recognizing whether it is a command and reading effect data corresponding to the game specifications from the effect data storage means is performed based on the recognition.

  In this gaming machine, when diverting the display control device between the series models, it is not necessary to set a command for performance according to the content of the performance for each game specification, so that an increase in the storage amount of the display control device is suppressed. There is an advantage that can be.

  However, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, problems may frequently occur on the control board of the gaming machine due to the influence of static electricity charged on the gaming ball. At this time, in many cases, the control board resets the CPU and performs initialization to restart the board itself.

  By the way, when the control board of the gaming machine is restarted due to the influence of static electricity, not all the control boards included in the gaming machine are restarted, but only a part of the control boards may be restarted. For example, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned patent document, it is possible that only the display control means is restarted and the main control means is not restarted due to the influence of static electricity.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine of the above-mentioned patent document, when the gaming machine is powered on, the game specification command is transmitted from the main control means to the display control means, so that only the display control means is restarted due to the influence of static electricity. When this is done, a game specification command is not transmitted from the main control means to the display control means. Therefore, in such a case, there was a problem that the display control means cannot determine the game specifications of the gaming machine.

  The gaming machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document discloses the technical content that a game specification command is transmitted from the main control means to the display control means even at the timing when the customer waiting demonstration screen is displayed on the display device. However, even with such a configuration, when only the display control means is restarted due to the influence of static electricity, it is impossible to determine the gaming specifications of the gaming machine until the customer waiting demonstration screen is displayed.

  In this way, if a state occurs in which the display control means cannot determine the game specifications of the gaming machine, it may display a screen with a game specification different from the original gaming machine, which is misunderstood by the player. There was a fear of giving.

  On the other hand, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 provided with a display control device that can be commonly used for a plurality of types of gaming specifications, the display control device is restarted at what timing. The game specifications can be identified early.

  Specifically, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment executes an auxiliary game in the game area 6 based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and gives a bonus to the player according to the result of the auxiliary game. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 capable of generating the special gaming state to be given, a game control device 100 that comprehensively controls the games in the game area 6, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponding to a command from the game control device 100 And an effect control device 150 for controlling the game effects related to the game control device 100. The game control device 100 includes a communication port (effect control communication port 670) for outputting a command to the effect control device 150, and A specification specifying signal output means for outputting a specification specifying signal for specifying the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 from the communication port, and an effect command signal for specifying the contents of the game effect are sent to the communication port. An effect command signal output means for outputting from the game player, and the effect control device 150 takes in the specification specifying signal from the game control device 100, identifies the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and stores it as game specification information Game specification information storage means for performing, and game effect execution means for executing a game effect corresponding to the game specification information stored in the game specification information storage means by taking in the effect command signal from the game control device 100, and And the specification specifying signal output means steadily outputs the specification specifying signal via the communication port when the effect command signal output means does not output the effect command signal. .

According to this, since the specification specific signal is constantly output to the communication port, the specification specific signal is taken in from the communication port and the pachinko game is immediately taken whenever the effect control device 150 starts to start. The specification of the machine 1 can be identified.
Therefore, when the production control device 150 is restarted, the specification of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be identified before receiving the production command signal from the game control device 100. Therefore, even when the production control device 150 is restarted. Thus, it is possible to accurately perform the production process according to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  In addition, the game control device 100 includes an initializing unit that sets the communication port in an initial state in response to a predetermined activation signal, and an initial state maintaining unit that maintains the communication port in the initial state for a predetermined time. An initialization command signal transmission for transmitting an initialization command signal for instructing the effect control device 150 to initialize after the communication port is maintained in the initial state for a predetermined time by the initial state maintaining means. And the initialization command signal includes information capable of specifying the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the production control device 150 maintains the initial state of the communication port. During the time, the command receiving state that can receive the command from the communication port, and the gaming specification information storage means, the communication port is in the initial state, Even when receiving an initialization command signal from the trick controller 100, and to store the game specification information by identifying the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

According to this, immediately after the power is turned on, the communication port is in an initial state and held for a predetermined time. During this time, the effect control device 150 is in a command receivable state, so when the effect control device 150 is activated when the power is turned on. It is possible to prevent erroneous data from being transmitted while the communication port is in an unstable state. Then, an initialization command signal is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 150, and the effect control device 150 can determine the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on the initialization command signal.
Therefore, immediately after the power to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the production control device 150 can determine the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 1 by the initialization command signal without outputting the specification specific signal to the communication port. Can do.

Further, the gaming control device 100 stores arithmetic processing means for performing required arithmetic processing by the game control program, and information updated by the arithmetic processing means, and power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped. Storage means capable of storing and storing the stored information, validity determination means for determining the validity of the information stored and held in the storage means after generation of the activation signal, and the initial state maintaining means Timer counting means for timing a maintenance timer for maintaining the communication port in the initial state for a predetermined time, and the timer timing means is the storage means whose validity is judged by the validity judgment means The maintenance timer is timed without updating the information stored in.
Further, the game control device 100 is provided with a non-judgment storage area that stores updatable information and is not subject to legitimacy judgment by the legitimacy judging means. The maintenance timer is timed using a non-target storage area.
Further, the non-determined storage area is a register provided in the arithmetic processing means.

  According to this, even if no hardware is used, the communication port is maintained in the initial state immediately after the power is turned on, so that the configuration is less expensive than the method using hardware. At this time, the timer timing is performed without using the validity determination storage area, so that the validity determination process can be performed accurately.

  In addition, the game control device 100 updates the information stored in the storage unit and updates the storage unit according to the validity determined by the validity determination unit. And means for initializing the storage, and the update restricting means restricts updating of the storage means by the arithmetic processing means when the activation signal is generated, and the storage means is initialized by the storage means initializing means. In this case, the restriction on updating of the storage means is released.

  According to this, since the write restriction state can be set as necessary until the validity determination is performed, it is possible to prevent inadvertent writing to the storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the prior art shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-224394, etc., at the time of return after the power is turned off, the award medium payout operation can be stopped until the inconvenient state of payout is resolved, In order to prevent troubles between the player and the hall regarding the payout of the award medium, the payout control means is activated prior to the main control means to start payout control when returning from a power failure. In this case, since the initialization switch has not been operated, the payout operation return process is executed, and thereafter, until the payout restart command is received from the main control means, the payout operation is stopped and the game waits in a state where the payout can be resumed. A machine is disclosed.

  In this gaming machine, when the main control means activated later does not detect an error related to payout based on the detection switch from the supply replenishment detection switch or the fullness detection switch, a payout restart command is transmitted from the main control means. Therefore, the payout control means is configured to restart the payout operation with the payout resumption command received as a trigger.

  In this prior art, a delay circuit 90 is provided in the main control means (main control board 39) in order to start the main control means with a delay relative to the payout control means, and the reset signal from the reset signal generating means 77 is received. , The main control means is reached with a delay of time t from reaching the payout control means (payout control board 46) (paragraphs [0051] to [0053] of the prior art document, FIG. (See FIG. 23).

  For this reason, the gaming machine of the prior art requires hardware such as the delay circuit 90, so that there is a problem that the cost becomes high. Also, since the delay circuit 90 is configured by hardware, there is a delay. There was also a problem that the time value could not be changed by the program.

  In this case, if the function corresponding to the delay circuit 90 is realized by software using a CPU provided in the main control means (main control board 39), the problem in terms of cost is solved.

  However, in order to measure the delay time using the CPU, the backup memory 39b of the main control means (main control board 39) must be used. In this case, after the main control means is started, the backup memory 39b Since the delay time is measured after the validity is confirmed and the backup memory 39b becomes usable, there is a problem that the start-up of the entire gaming machine is delayed.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the activation of the entire gaming machine is prevented from being delayed while the cost is reduced by delaying the activation of the game control device from the activation of the dependent control device by software. Since it aims also to provide a gaming machine, it can be applied even when solving the problems of gaming machines as in the prior art.

  In the above embodiment, a slot machine, which is a typical gaming machine, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation panel is arranged on the front surface. Any gaming machine may be used as long as the gaming machine has a medal slot member through which a player can insert medals.

  It should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

SL1 Slot machine SL3 Front door SL6 Variable display device SL11 Production display device SL12 Operation panel SL13 Centralized display device SL16 Medal payout slot SL17 Medal storage portion SL21 Panel base SL22 Bet button SL23 Medal insertion port member SL24 Medal passage SL26 Start lever SL27 Stop button SL28 Return button SL29 Credit release button SL32 Slot SL34 Medal stopper SL35 Guide part SL38 Medal guide part SL38L Left medal guide part SL38R Right medal guide part SL41 Insertion auxiliary space part SL42 Slide guide part SL46 Lever shaft SL47 Operation part

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine that has an operation panel on the front, and a medal slot member on one side of the operation panel that allows a player to insert a medal,
The medal slot member is
A slot that can accept a medal in a standing state with either one of the front and back sides facing the front of the gaming machine,
A guiding portion capable of guiding a medal to the insertion port in the standing state;
With
On the left and right side edges of the guide portion, a medal guide portion that abuts on the outer peripheral edge of the standing medal is respectively projected upward.
One medal guide portion located on the opposite side of the center of the operation panel across the guide portion is lower than the other medal guide portion located on the center side of the operation panel in the left-right direction. A gaming machine characterized by that. The operation panel includes a start lever that the player operates at the start of the game,
The start lever includes a lever shaft extending toward the front of the operation panel, and an operation portion including an extended end portion of the lever shaft,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a long column shape along an axial direction of the lever shaft.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit has a tapered surface that gradually decreases in diameter as it approaches the operation panel side.

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