JP2014221235A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of allowing an initialization operation when power is supplied to be constant.SOLUTION: A game machine having multiple movable presentation devices for performing presentations related to a variable display game with the use of movable objects includes: presentation control means capable of controlling the movable presentation devices; drive sources arranged in accordance with the movable presentation devices; drive control means for applying electric signals to the signal terminals of the respective drive sources and controlling the drive sources; and position detection means for detecting the positions of the movable presentation devices. The presentation control means includes: control signal setting means for setting control signals in the drive control means; output permission means for permitting the output of the electric signals to the signal terminals of the respective drive sources; initial position determination means for determining initial positions in accordance with the positions of the movable presentation devices when the game machine is started; and initialization means for initializing the drive control means when the game machine is started. The initialization means allows control signals to turn off electric signals in the respective drive sources to be set in the drive control means while the output of the electric signals is restricted, and subsequently permits the output of the electric signals.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a movable accessory that is operated by a driving source.

  For the purpose of providing a pachinko machine that can easily control the driving of a stepping motor (drive source), when a command is output from the main control board to the sub-integrated board, the excitation data of the stepping motor is synchronized with the transfer clock. There has been proposed a gaming machine configured to serially output from a sub-integrated board to a lamp driving board to a shift register connected in a daisy chain (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-212297 A

  However, in the gaming machine of the prior art, when the power to the gaming machine is turned on, the output of the shift register is indefinite. It was.

  In particular, in the prior art gaming machine, when detecting the initial position using the detection means (photo sensor), an initial operation for determining the initial position is necessary when the power is turned on. If the stepping motor is operated, the initial operation may be complicated. In particular, since there are individual differences in the initial output of the shift register, the initial operation when the power is turned on is different for each gaming machine, and the work efficiency is low in the shipping work at the time of manufacture. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent the initial operation from becoming complicated due to an unexpected operation of the drive source when the gaming machine is turned on. .

  The present invention executes a variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and provides a special game to a player when the variable display game gives a special result. In a gaming machine having a plurality of movable effect devices that produce effects related to the variable display game with a movable object, the state control means capable of controlling the movable effect device, and corresponding to each movable effect device A drive source that can be driven by applying a predetermined electrical signal to the signal terminal, and a control signal and a drive power source from the effect control means, so that the signal terminal of each drive source Drive control means for controlling the drive source by applying an electric signal to the display, and position detection means for detecting the position of the movable effect device, wherein the effect control means sends a control signal to the drive control means. Control signal setting means for determining, output permission means for allowing an electric signal corresponding to the control signal set in the drive control means to be output to the signal terminal of each drive source, and at the time of starting the gaming machine, An initial position determining means for determining an initial position of the movable effect device in response to detection by the position detecting means; and an initial stage for initializing the drive control means by the control signal setting means and the output permitting means when the gaming machine is activated. And the initialization means sets, in the drive control means, a control signal that turns off the electrical signal output to the signal terminal of each drive source in a state where the output of the electrical signal is restricted. Then, the output of the electrical signal is allowed.

  According to the present invention, the initialization operation at the time of power-on is constant for each gaming machine, so that the inspection work can be performed efficiently.

It is explanatory drawing of the game machine of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the game board of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the center case of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the unification production | presentation apparatus (coalition combination thing) of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state before a unification production apparatus operate | moves. It is a figure explaining the composition of the unification effect device (union thing) of the 1st embodiment of the present invention, the unification effect device operates, and the 1st effect member and the 2nd effect member are hit at the contact part. It is a figure which shows the state which has contact | connected. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game machine of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the presentation control apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the connection state of the presentation control apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a movable control board. It is a block diagram of the movable control board of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by the game control apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the timer interruption process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the change start command table of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the change start command table at the time of a loss, (B) is a change start command table at the time of big hit. It is a figure which shows an example of the jackpot end command table of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (A) is a jackpot end command table at the time of low probability state transition, (B) is jackpot at the time of high probability state transition It is an end command table. It is a figure explaining the expectation corresponding to each command of the 1st embodiment of the present invention, and a united effect of an accessory, (A) is a change start command, (B) is a jackpot end command, (C) is Round update command. It is a figure explaining the structure of the motor and motor position detection sensor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the rotation position of the motor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (A) is the state light-shielded by the light-shielding plate (light-shielding state), (B) is the light-transmitting state (communication state). (Light state), (C) shows a state immediately after light shielding, and (D) shows a state just before light shielding. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the main process by the presentation control apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display interruption process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the union | combination accessory initialization process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the unification effect process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the big hit effect process of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart of the process which initializes the shift register at the time of power activation of the game machine of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart of the initialization process in case the position detection sensor of the motor which drives the united combination of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is a light-shielding state. It is a time chart of the initialization process in case the position detection sensor of the motor which drives the union object of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is a light transmission state, (A) is normal, (B) is a position. This is a case where the detection sensor detects the light shielding state early. It is a time chart at the time of the unification effect processing execution of the 1st embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a case where a uniting time is short, and (B) is a case where a uniting time is long. It is a block diagram of the movable control board of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  A front frame (game frame) 3 of the gaming machine 1 is assembled to the main body frame (outer frame) 2 via a hinge 4 so as to be openable and closable on the front surface of the gaming machine 1. A game board 10 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated on the front side of the front frame 3. Further, a glass frame 18 having a cover glass (transparent member) covering the front surface of the game board 10 is attached to the front frame 3.

  Around the cover glass of the glass frame 18, decoration members 9 a and 9 b that emit decoration light are provided. The decoration members 9a and 9b are provided with a decoration device composed of a lamp, an LED, or the like. By causing the decoration device to emit light in a predetermined light emission mode, the decoration members 9a and 9b emit light in a predetermined light emission mode.

  Speakers 30 that emit sound (for example, sound effects) are provided on the left and right sides of the glass frame 18. An illumination unit 11 is provided above the glass frame 18.

  In the illumination unit 11, a first movable illumination 13 and a second movable illumination 14 are arranged on the left and right. The first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14 include an illumination drive first motor (MOT) 13a and an illumination drive second motor (MOT) 14a in addition to an illumination member such as an LED. It is controlled so as to operate according to the contents of the production.

  An abnormality notification LED 29 for notifying abnormality in the gaming machine 1 is provided on the upper right side of the first movable illumination 13 disposed on the left side. When an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine 1, the abnormality notification LED 29 is turned on or blinks, and a notification sound for notifying the abnormality is output from the speaker 30.

  The open / close panel 20 below the front frame 3 is provided with an upper plate for supplying a game ball to a ball hitting device (not shown), and the fixed panel 22 is provided with a lower plate 23 and an operation unit 24 of the ball hitting device. The lower tray 23 is provided with a lower tray ball removing mechanism 16 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower tray 23. A key 25 for locking the glass frame 18 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 3.

  Further, when the player turns the operation unit 24, the hitting ball launching device launches a game ball supplied from the upper plate 21.

  In addition, the upper edge portion of the upper plate 21 is provided with an effect button 17 for receiving an operation input from the player. When the player operates the effect button 17, the effect content of the special figure variation display game on the display device 53 (see FIG. 2) provided on the game board 10 is selected, and the special figure variation display game on the display device 53 is selected. In addition, it is possible to perform an effect in which the player's operation is intervened.

  When the launched game ball wins the start opening 36 (see FIG. 2) provided in the game board 10, the special figure variation display game starts. In the special figure fluctuation display game, a plurality of pieces of identification information are variably displayed on the display device 53. Then, when the identification information that has been variably displayed is stopped and the result mode of the stopped identification information is a specific result mode, the state of the gaming machine 1 is advantageous to the player (a state where a privilege is granted) Transition to a special gaming state.

  In the upper right portion of the upper plate 21, a ball lending button 26 that is operated when a player borrows a game ball and a discharge button 27 that is operated to discharge a prepaid card from a card unit (not shown) are provided. . Further, a balance display unit 28 for displaying the balance of the prepaid card is provided between the ball lending button 26 and the discharge button 27.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 10 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 fires a game ball in an internal game area 10a (bounces it) to play a game, and a game area 10a is provided on the back side of the cover glass of the glass frame 18. The game board 10 which comprises is installed.

  The game board 10 includes a flat game board main body 10b (made of wood or synthetic resin) serving as a mounting base for various members, and has a game area 10a surrounded by a guide rail 32 on the front surface of the game board main body 10b. ing. A front component 33 is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10 b and outside the guide rail 32. Then, a game ball (hit ball; game medium) is launched from the launching device into the game area 10a surrounded by the guide rail 32 to play a game.

  A center case 51 that forms a window 52 serving as a display area for a special figure variation display game is attached to the approximate center of the game area 10a. Behind the window 52 formed in the center case 51, a display device 53 is arranged as an effect display device capable of executing an effect of a special figure variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner. The display device 53 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that a display portion 53 a whose display contents can be changed is visible from the front side of the game board 10 through the window portion 52 of the center case 51. Note that the display device 53 is not limited to a device including a liquid crystal display, and may include a display such as an EL or a CRT.

  In addition, a reliability notification device 15 that notifies the possibility of jackpot (reliability) is provided on the upper portion of the center case 51. The reliability notification device 15 includes LEDs of a plurality of colors (for example, LEDs of three colors of red, blue, and green) and is controlled to emit light in a color and manner according to the reliability.

  Further, a ball introduction path (warp flow path) 50 through which a game ball can flow down is provided on the left portion of the center case 51, and is opened with the entrance 50a open toward the game area 10a. The ball introduction path 50 communicates with the inside of the center case 51, and the game ball that has flowed from the inlet 50a passes through the back side of the center case 51 and is discharged onto the unit-side stage portion 49b. Further, the game ball that rolls on the unit-side stage portion 49b can flow down onto the base-side stage portion 49a disposed below the unit-side stage portion 49b.

  A plurality of ornaments 47 (47a, 47b) are arranged on the peripheral edge of the center case 51. A decorative lamp 48 is disposed at the lower left portion of the center case 51, and a plurality of decorative pieces 46 are disposed in an upper and lower movable state at the upper portion of the center case 51. The decoration tool 47, the decoration lamp 48, and the decoration piece 46 perform an effect operation according to a command from an effect control device 550 described later. Note that the gaming machine of this embodiment has two types of specifications, a regular version in which the ornament 47 is configured to rotate, and an inexpensive version in which the ornament 47 is not rotated for the purpose of cost reduction. There is. Hereinafter, the regular version of the gaming machine will be described, and the difference between the low price version and the regular version will be described as appropriate. The configuration of the center case 51 of the regular version of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  Further, in the game area 10a, below the center case 51, a start opening 36 for starting a special figure changing display game that can receive (win) a game ball is arranged. Further, on the side of the center case 51 (on the left side), a general map start gate 34 for starting the general map change display game is arranged.

  Further, in the game area 10a, side lamps 45 that perform various decorative displays by light emission are arranged on the lower left and lower right of the center case 51. The side lamp 45 is provided with a general winning opening 44.

  Further, a big winning opening 42 is arranged below the start opening 36, and an out opening for collecting the game balls that have flowed down without winning at the lower edge of the gaming area 10a below the big winning opening 42. 43 is established. The special winning opening 42 includes an attacker-type opening / closing door 42a that can be opened by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side is tilted to the near side. The state of the open / close door 42a is changed from a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) to an open state (a state advantageous for the player) according to the result of the special figure variation display game.

  In addition, in the game area 10a excluding attachment portions such as the center case 51, the start port 36, the side lamp 45, etc., there are a windmill (not shown) as a hitting direction changing member, and many No. nails (not shown) are provided. A vertically arcuate game ball passage 57 is formed between the center case 51 and the front structural member 33 located on the opposite side of the normal start gate 34 with the center case 51 interposed therebetween.

  Further, the game board 10 is provided with a special figure / special figure display 35 for executing a special figure change display game and a normal figure change display game. The general-purpose / special-figure display 35 displays the number of unprocessed times (special figure start memory number) of the special-figure display game and the unprocessed number of general-purpose variable display games (number of general figure start memory). The general-purpose / special-purpose display 35 is provided as a segment LED together with a game state display LED (not shown) representing a game state.

  A gate SW 34a (see FIG. 6) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the general chart start gate 34 is provided in the general chart start gate 34. Then, when the game ball that has been driven into the game area 10a passes through the normal figure start gate 34, the normal figure change display game is started.

  In addition, when the game ball passes through the general chart start gate 34 in a state where the normal map variable display game cannot be started, if the general chart start memory number is less than the upper limit number, the general chart start memory number is incremented by one, One random number indicating whether or not the normal figure change display game is won is stored as a normal figure start memory.

  The state in which the general map change display game cannot be started is, for example, a state in which the general map change display game has already been performed and the normal map change display game has not been completed, Is a state that has been converted to an open state.

  It should be noted that the universal map change display game may display the universal map change display game in a part of the display area of the display device 53. In this case, for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc. are used as identification symbols. This identification symbol is displayed by variably displaying for a predetermined time and then stopped and displayed.

  If the stop display of the normal map change display game has a special result mode, the opening / closing member 36a of the start port 36 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) as a win for the normal map display game. Is done. Thereby, it becomes easy to win a game ball in the start opening 36, and the special figure variation display game can be started easily. The opening / closing member 36a of the start port 36 normally maintains a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) with an interval of about the diameter of the game ball. When the stop display mode is entered (when the normal-game fluctuation display game is won), the game ball is opened in a reverse “C” shape by the solenoid (Fuden SOL 36b, see FIG. 6). It is changed to a state that is easy to flow in (a state that is advantageous to the player).

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a short-time operation state (promotion state) for shortening the variation display time of the special figure variation display game on the display device 53 as a gaming state based on the result aspect of the special figure variation display game. Can be generated. The short-time operation state (accelerated state) is a state in which the opening / closing member 36a of the start port 36 is likely to be in an open state as compared with the normal operation state (suppressed state).

  In the short-time operation state, the execution time of the normal variation display game is controlled to be shorter than the execution time in the normal operation state (for example, 10 seconds is 1 second), and the number of opening of the start port 36 per unit time is It is controlled to increase substantially. Further, in the short-time operation state, when the start port 36 is opened due to the winning of the normal fluctuation display game, the opening time is controlled to be longer than the opening time of the normal operation state (for example, 0 3 seconds is 1.8 seconds). Further, in the short-time operation state, the start port 36 is opened a plurality of times (for example, two times) instead of once for the one-time winning result of the normal map display game. Further, in the short-time operation state, control is performed so that the probability of winning the normal-variation display game is higher than that in the normal operation state. That is, the number of times the opening of the start port 36 is increased as compared to the normal operation state, and it becomes easier for a game ball to win the start port 36 and the special figure variation display game can be started easily.

  In addition, a start port SW 36 d (see FIG. 6) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the start port 36 is provided inside the start port 36. When a game ball is detected by the start port SW36d, a start right for starting a special figure variation display game as an auxiliary game is generated. At this time, the right to start the special figure variation display game is stored as a special figure start memory within a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 4).

  When the special figure fluctuation display game cannot be started immediately, for example, when the special figure fluctuation display game has already been performed and the special figure fluctuation display game has not been completed, or when the special game state has been entered, the start port 36 When the game ball wins, if the special figure start memory number is less than the upper limit number (for example, less than 4), the special figure start memory number is incremented by 1 and extracted at the timing when the game ball wins the start opening 36. One random number is stored as a special figure start memory. When the special figure fluctuation display game is ready to start, the special figure fluctuation display game is started based on the special figure start memory.

  The special figure variation display game as an auxiliary game is executed by the general figure / special figure display device 35 provided on the game board 10, and after a plurality of identification information is variably displayed, a predetermined result mode is stopped and displayed. Done. Further, a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) are displayed in a variable manner on the display device 53 in correspondence with the special figure fluctuation display game. And as a result of the special figure variation display game, when the display mode of the general figure / special map display 35 becomes a special result mode, it becomes a big win and becomes a special game state (so-called big hit state). Correspondingly, the display mode of the display device 53 is also a special result mode (for example, any one of the numbers in the flat order such as “7, 7, 7”). In addition, you may comprise so that a special figure fluctuation display game may be performed only with the display apparatus 53 instead of the general figure and special figure display 35. FIG.

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment can generate a probability variation state (high probability state) as a gaming state after the special gaming state (hit state) ends based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. Yes. This probability variation state (high probability state) is a state in which the probability of a hit result in the special figure variation display game is higher than the normal probability state (low probability state). Note that the probability variation state and the above-described short-time operation state can be generated independently, and both can be generated at the same time, or only one of them can be generated. Since the certain change state and the short-time operation state are more advantageous than usual, they will be referred to as specific game states.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the center case 51 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The center case 51 includes a frame decoration portion 65 disposed as a front surface configuration portion on the front side of the game board main body 10b (game board 10), and a frame base portion 60 disposed as a back surface configuration portion on the back surface side of the game board main body 10b. And are polymerized before and after. The frame decoration portion 65 includes an annular decoration base 66 that is fixed to the surface of the game board main body 10b. On the back side of the decoration base 66, there is provided a decoration panel unit 67 that is substantially the same size as the decoration base 66 and formed in a circular shape, and the frame decoration portion 65 superimposes the decoration base 66 and the decoration panel unit 67 back and forth. Configured.

  Under the decoration base 66, a base side stage portion 49a capable of rolling a game ball in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is disposed on the upper surface, and a decoration lamp is provided between the base side stage portion 49a and the game ball passage 57. 48 is arranged (see FIG. 2). A ball introduction path (warp flow path) 50 through which a game ball can flow down is provided on the opposite side of the decoration lamp 48 across the base side stage portion 49a, and the entrance 50a of the ball introduction path 50 is connected to the decoration base 66. The outlet 50b of the ball introduction path 50 is communicated with the back side of the decorative panel unit 67 described later.

  The decorative panel unit 67 includes a cover panel portion 69 formed of a substantially circular transparent resin plate, and a plurality of decorative tools 47 are arranged on the peripheral edge of the front side of the cover panel portion 69. When the decoration base 66 and the decoration panel unit 67 are overlapped, the decoration tool 47 is set to be disposed along the inner peripheral edge of the decoration base 66 (see FIG. 2). In addition, a reliability notification device 15 is disposed on the upper portion of the cover panel unit 69.

  In addition, a unit-side stage portion 49b capable of rolling a game ball in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is disposed on the upper surface at the lower portion on the back side of the cover panel portion 69. The unit side stage portion 49b is disposed above the base side stage portion 49a of the decorative base 66.

  Further, a sphere inlet 68 is opened at a location where the cover panel 69 overlaps with the outlet 50 b of the sphere introduction path 50, and the sphere introduction path 50 and the unit side stage portion 49 b communicate with each other via the sphere inlet 68. doing. Therefore, when a game ball flowing down the game area 10a flows into the ball introduction path 50, the ball introduction path 50 is configured so that the game ball can be introduced onto the unit side stage portion 49b.

  The frame base 60 includes a frame-like base case 61 that is fixed to the back side of the game board 10 in a state where the front side is open, and is opened inside the base case 61 (in other words, inside the center case 51). The part 62a forms a concave chamber 62 provided on the front side.

  In addition, a rectangular window 52 is opened in the front-rear direction behind the concave chamber 62 in the base case 61, and a display device 53 is attached from the rear of the base case 61 to display the display portion of the display device 53. 53 a faces the front of the center case 51 through the window 52 and the recessed chamber 62.

  In addition, a plurality of decorative pieces 46 that can be moved up and down by a decorative piece drive motor (not shown) are disposed on the front side of the upper edge of the window portion 52, and display portions are provided on the left and right edges of the window portion 52. A united effect device 58 that moves forward 53a and performs an effect operation is provided.

  Then, when the frame decoration portion 65 is overlapped in front of the frame base portion 60, the opening 62a and the window portion 52 of the concave chamber 62 are covered with the cover panel portion 69 from the front, and the display portion 53a of the display device 53 is covered with the frame decoration portion. It is configured to face the front of the center case 51 from the inside of 65 (where the cover panel portion 69 is exposed).

  4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the united effect production apparatus (union combination) 58 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The combined effect device 58 is configured to include the first effect unit 63 and the second effect unit 64 at positions separated from each other, and the first effect unit 63 and the second effect unit 64 are operated in conjunction with each other to execute an effect operation. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state before the united effect device 58 is operated, and FIG. 5 is a result of operation of the first unit 63 and the second unit 64 as a result of the operation of the united device 58 and contact. It is a figure which shows the state contact | abutted in a part (1st contact part 121 and 2nd contact part 122).

  The first effect unit 63 is disposed on the left side of the center case 51, that is, on the left side of the peripheral edge of the window portion 52 of the base case 61. Further, the second effect unit 64 is disposed on the right side of the center case 51. When viewed from the front of the center case 51, the concave chamber 62 and the window 52 are arranged so as to face between the first effect unit 63 and the second effect unit 64.

  The first effect unit 63 includes a first effect member 70 that can move forward of the display unit 53a, and an accessory driving first motor (MOT) that serves as a first effect drive source that generates the driving force of the first effect member 70. ) 71, and a first effect transmission mechanism (first main arm member 73 and first sub arm member 74) that transmits the driving force (rotational power) generated from the accessory driving first motor 71 to the first effect member 70; Is provided.

  Further, an output shaft (first output shaft) 71a of the accessory driving first motor 71 extends in the front-rear direction of the center case 51, and the first drive gear 76 is pivotally attached to the first output shaft 71a. doing.

  The first main arm member 73 is formed with a first main arm gear 77 that meshes with the first drive gear 76, and is pivotally mounted above the first drive gear 76. The first sub arm member 74 is formed with a first sub arm gear 78 that meshes with the first drive gear 76, and is pivotally attached to the lower side of the first drive gear 76. The first main arm member 73 and the first sub arm member 74 are axially attached to the first effect member 70 at positions where the end portions opposite to the end portions axially attached to the base case 61 are different from each other. 70 is supported.

  When the first effect unit 63 drives the accessory driving first motor 71 and rotates the first driving gear 76 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the center case 51, the driving force of the accessory driving first motor 71 ( Torque) is transmitted to the first main arm member 73 via the first drive gear 76 and the first main arm gear 77, and the first main arm member 73 is counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the center case 51 by this drive force. Rotate in the direction. Further, the driving force of the accessory driving first motor 71 is transmitted to the first sub-arm member 74 via the first driving gear 76 and the first sub-arm gear 78, and the first sub-arm member 74 is transmitted to the first sub-arm member 74 by this driving force. The first main arm member 73 rotates in the same counterclockwise direction. As a result, the first effect member 70 rises while being supported by the first main arm member 73 and the first sub arm member 74.

  Then, when the first main arm member 73 and the first sub arm member 74 are extended upward by the driving force of the accessory driving first motor 71 and set in the vertical posture, as shown in FIG. The first effect stop state in which 70 is moved away from the front of the display portion 53a is entered, the first effect member 70 is located on the side of the window portion 52, and behind the frame decoration portion 65 and behind the game board main body 10b. (See FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when the accessory driving first motor 71 is driven from the first effect stop state and the first driving gear 76 is turned counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the center case 51, the driving of the accessory driving first motor 71 is performed. A force (rotation force) is transmitted to the first main arm member 73 via the first drive gear 76 and the first main arm gear 77, and the first main arm member 73 is viewed from the front of the center case 51 by this drive force. Rotate clockwise.

  Further, the driving force of the accessory driving first motor 71 is transmitted to the first sub-arm member 74 via the first driving gear 76 and the first sub-arm gear 78, and the first sub-arm member 74 is transmitted to the first sub-arm member 74 by this driving force. It rotates in the same clockwise direction as the one main arm member 73. As a result, the first effect member 70 is lowered while being supported by the first main arm member 73 and the first sub arm member 74.

  Then, when the first main arm member 73 and the first sub arm member 74 are extended to the front side of the display portion 53a by the driving force of the accessory driving first motor 71 and set in the horizontal posture, as shown in FIG. The first effect member 70 is positioned in front of the display unit 53a, and the first effect execution state is reached, and the first effect member 70 is located in the central portion of the display unit 53a in the space between the display unit 53a and the cover panel unit 69. Located in front.

  The second effect unit 64 includes a second effect member 80 that can move to the front of the display unit 53a, and an accessory driving second motor (MOT) as a second effect drive source that generates the drive force of the second effect member 80. ) 81, and a second effect transmission mechanism (second main arm member 83 and second sub arm member 84) that transmits the driving force (rotational power) generated from the accessory driving second motor 81 to the second effect member 80. Is provided.

  Further, the accessory driving second motor 81 has an output shaft (second output shaft) 81a extending in the front-rear direction of the center case 51, and the second output shaft 81a is pivotally mounted so that the second drive gear 86 can be rotated together. doing.

  The second main arm member 83 is formed with a second main arm gear 87 that meshes with the second drive gear 86, and is pivotally attached to a position closer to the first effect unit 63 than the second drive gear 86. The second sub arm member 84 is formed with a second sub arm gear 88 that meshes with the second drive gear 86, and is pivotally attached to the lower side of the second drive gear 86. The second main arm member 83 and the second sub arm member 84 are pivotally attached to the second effect member 80 at positions where the end portions opposite to the end portions that are axially attached to the base case 61 are different from each other. 80 is supported.

  When the second effect unit 64 drives the accessory driving second motor 81 and rotates the second driving gear 86 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the center case 51, the driving force of the accessory driving second motor 81 ( Torque) is transmitted to the second main arm member 83 via the second drive gear 86 and the second main arm gear 87, and the second main arm member 83 is counterclockwise when viewed from the front of the center case 51 by this drive force. Rotate in the direction. Further, the driving force of the accessory driving second motor 81 is transmitted to the second sub arm member 84 via the second driving gear 86 and the second sub arm gear 88, and the second sub arm member 84 is transmitted to the second sub arm member 84 by this driving force. The second main arm member 83 rotates in the same counterclockwise direction. As a result, the second effect member 80 is lowered while being supported by the second main arm member 83 and the second sub arm member 84.

  Then, the second main arm member 83 and the second sub arm member 84 are rotated by the driving force of the accessory driving second motor 81 to cause the second effect member 80 to reach the bottom dead center, and the second main arm member continues. 83 and the second sub arm member 84 are rotated to extend obliquely downward and set in a vertical posture, and when the second effect member 80 is slightly raised from the bottom dead center, as shown in FIG. The second effect member 80 is placed in a second effect stop state in which the effect member 80 is positioned away from the front of the display portion 53a, and the second effect member 80 is hidden behind the frame decoration portion 65 and behind the game board main body 10b (see FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, when the accessory driving second motor 81 is driven from the second effect stop state and the second driving gear 86 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the center case 51, the driving of the accessory driving second motor 81 is performed. A force (rotation force) is transmitted to the second main arm member 83 via the second drive gear 86 and the second main arm gear 87, and the second main arm member 83 is viewed from the front of the center case 51 by this drive force. Rotate clockwise.

  Further, the driving force of the accessory driving second motor 81 is transmitted to the second sub arm member 84 via the second driving gear 86 and the second sub arm gear 88, and the second sub arm member 84 is transmitted to the second sub arm member 84 by this driving force. It rotates in the same clockwise direction as the two main arm members 83. As a result, the second effect member 80 rises while being supported by the second main arm member 83 and the second sub arm member 84.

  Then, when the second main arm member 83 and the second sub arm member 84 are extended to the front of the display portion 53a by the driving force of the accessory driving second motor 81 and set in the horizontal posture, as shown in FIG. The second effect member 80 is positioned in front of the display unit 53a, and the second effect execution state is reached. The second effect member 80 is located at the center of the display unit 53a in the space between the display unit 53a and the cover panel unit 69. Located in front.

  When the first effect member 70 is in the first effect execution state and the second effect member 80 is in the second effect execution state, the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 70 are in the first contact portion 121 and the second contact portion 122. A transition is made to the united state in which the effect member 80 abuts. Further, at least one of the first contact portion 121 and the second contact portion 122 is provided with a magnet. The first contact portion 121 and the second contact portion 122 are bonded by this magnet, and the combined state is maintained even if power is not supplied to the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81. It becomes possible to do. At this time, when the supply of drive power is stopped during the combined performance, the contact portion may move downward due to gravity.

  It should be noted that even when the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81 are in the non-excited state, the first abutting portion 121 and the second abutting portion 122 can be contacted. As long as it is a contact holding means (attracting member), it may be a member other than a magnet, and the friction of the surface of the contact portion is increased and locked, or the contact portion is evacuated using a suction cup or the like. You may make it latch.

  In addition, the movement of each production | presentation member from a 1st production stop state to a 1st production execution state, a 2nd production stop state from a 2nd production execution state is a movement of a contact direction, and a 1st production execution state is a 1st production stop state. The movement from the second effect execution state to the second effect stop state is defined as the movement in the separation direction. In addition, the state where the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are not in contact with each other is defined as a separated state.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The gaming machine 1 includes a game control device 500 that comprehensively controls the game, an effect control device 550 that controls the display device 53 and the speaker 30 to perform various effects, and a payout motor ( A payout control device 580 for controlling (not shown) is provided.

  First, the configuration of the game control device 500 will be described. The production control device 550 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game control device 500 includes a game microcomputer 501, an input I / F (Interface) 505, an output I / F (Interface) 506, and an external communication terminal 507.

  The gaming microcomputer 501 includes a CPU 502, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 503, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 504.

  The CPU 502 is a main control device that controls the game in an integrated manner, and controls the game. The ROM 503 stores invariant information (programs, data, etc.) for game control. The RAM 504 is used as a work area during game control.

  The external communication terminal 507 connects the game control device 500 to an external device such as an inspection device that inspects the setting information of the game control device 500.

  The CPU 502 receives various input devices (start opening SW36d, general winning openings SW44a to 44n, gate SW34a, count SW42d, glass frame opening SW18a, front frame opening SW3a, ball break SW54, vibration sensor 55, and the like via the input I / F 505. In response to the detection signal from the magnetic sensor 56), various processes such as a big hit lottery are performed.

  The start port SW36d is a switch that detects that a game ball has won the start port 36. The general winning ports SW 44 a to 44 n are switches that detect that a game ball has won the general winning port 44.

  The gate SW 34a is a switch that detects that a game ball has passed through the usual start gate 34. The count SW 42d is a switch that detects that a game ball has won a prize winning opening 42.

  The glass frame opening SW 18a is a switch that detects that the glass frame 18 has been opened. The front frame opening SW 3a is a switch for detecting that the front frame 3 is opened.

  The ball cut SW 54 is a switch that detects that the number of game balls stored in the upper tank of the gaming machine 1 and used for payout has become a predetermined number or less.

  The vibration sensor 55 is a sensor that detects vibration applied to the gaming machine 1 and detects an illegal act such as vibrating the gaming machine 1. The magnetic sensor 56 is provided in the vicinity of the second start winning opening, the general winning opening 44, the large winning opening 42, and the normal start gate 34 of the start opening 36, and is a sensor for detecting magnetic force. In other words, the magnetic sensor 56 detects fraud by detecting the magnetic force to bring the magnet close to the vicinity of each winning opening and guiding the game ball launched into the gaming area 10a to each winning opening.

  In addition, the CPU 502 transmits a command signal to the ordinary / special-purpose display 35, the ordinary electric power SOL 36b, the special winning opening SOL 42b, the payout control device 580, and the effect control device 550 via the output I / F 506, thereby playing Overall control.

  As described above, the special figure change display game and the universal figure change display game are executed on the special figure / special figure display unit 35. Furthermore, the number of unprocessed times (special figure start memory number) of the special figure change display game and the number of unprocessed times (standard figure start memory number) of the normal figure change display game are displayed. A general chart start memory including a random number indicating whether or not the special figure fluctuation display game is won and a special figure start memory including a random number indicating whether or not the special figure fluctuation display game is a win are stored.

  The general electric power SOL 36b opens the opening / closing member 36a when the stop display of the general-purpose variable display game becomes a special result mode, thereby making it easy for the game ball to win the start opening 36.

  The special winning opening SOL42b opens the open / close door 42a of the special winning opening 42 when the result of the special figure change display game becomes a special result mode and becomes a special gaming state (a big hit state), and a game ball Is converted to a state where it is easy to win.

  The game control device 500 outputs game machine data from the external information terminal 508 to a game hall management device (not shown) via an information collection terminal device (not shown). The gaming hall management device is a computer that collects and manages gaming data of the gaming machines 1 installed in the gaming hall.

  The payout control device 580 receives, from the game control device 500, a payout command for the number of game balls corresponding to the winning port when the game ball wins the general winning port 44 or the big winning port 42. Further, even when the ball lending button 26 is operated, a payout command for paying out a predetermined number of game balls is received from the game control device 500. The payout control device 580 controls a payout motor (not shown) based on the received payout command, and pays out the number of game balls specified in the payout command.

  The game control device 500 uses a change start command, a customer waiting demo command, a fanfare command, a probability information command, an error designation command, and the like as game data indicating the game situation via the output I / F 506, and the effect control device 550. Send to.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the effect control device 550 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The effect control device 550 determines the contents of the effect based on the game data input from the game control device 500, controls the display device 53, and controls various effect devices provided in the game board 10 and the front frame 3. To do. The effect device includes a light effect device that produces an effect using a light emitting device such as an LED, and a movable effect device that produces an effect using a drive source such as a motor or a solenoid.

  The production control device 550 includes a CPU 551, a control ROM 552, a RAM 553, an image ROM 554, a sound ROM 555, a VDP 556, a sound LSI 557, an input I / F 558b, an output I / F 558a, a power-on detection circuit 559, a master IC 570a, a NOR gate circuit 561, and a monitoring timer. A circuit 562 is provided. Further, the effect control device 550 includes a connection terminal (CN) 90a connected to the decoration control device 610 via the relay board 600, a connection terminal 90b connected to the movable control board 620, and a (motor) position detection sensor ( (Position detecting means) 92, a connection terminal 90 c connected to the speaker 30, and a connection terminal 90 e connected to the effect button 17.

  The CPU 551 receives the command signal transmitted from the game control device 500 as an interrupt signal (INT) as a communication interrupt, and controls various effects based on the input command signal. The CPU 551 receives an interrupt signal (INT) as a master interrupt from the master IC 570a, and also receives an interrupt signal (INT) as an image update interrupt from the VDP 556.

  Further, the CPU 551 receives an interrupt signal (INT) as a timeout interrupt also from the monitoring timer circuit 562. The monitoring timer circuit 562 includes a plurality of types of monitoring timers, and outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 551 when the monitoring timer value set by the CPU 551 is up. When the CPU 551 receives an input of an interrupt signal, the CPU 551 interrupts the process being executed and executes a process corresponding to the input interrupt signal.

  The control ROM 552 stores invariant information (program, data, etc.) for effect control. The RAM 553 is used as a work area during production control.

  The image ROM 554 is connected to the VDP 556 and stores image data displayed on the display device 53. The VDP 556 is a processor that controls image output to the display device 53.

  In addition, the VDP 556 includes a synchronization signal generation unit that generates a synchronization signal that is synchronized with a cycle (16.6 milliseconds cycle) of updating an image displayed on the display device 53. Every time the synchronization signal is generated, the synchronization signal generation means inputs the generated synchronization signal to the CPU 551 as an interrupt signal.

  The sound ROM 555 is connected to the sound LSI 557 and stores sound data of sound effects output from the speaker 30 provided in the front frame 3. The sound LSI 557 includes a circuit for outputting sound effects from the speaker 30.

  The input I / F 558b is an interface that accepts information input from the outside via the filter 565b. Specifically, each signal detected by a position detection sensor (position detection means) 92 provided in the game board 10 or an input of a signal indicating that the effect button 17 provided in the front frame 3 has been operated is received. Accepts input such as motor position information.

  The power-on detection circuit 559 generates a reset signal that initializes the registers of the master IC 570 a to the default state (all 0) when the power is turned on to the effect control device 550 and outputs the reset signal to the NOR gate circuit 561.

  Further, the CPU 551 outputs a reset signal to the output I / F 558a via the bus 563 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The output I / F 558a outputs the input reset signal to the NOR gate circuit 561, and further outputs the reset signal from the NOR gate circuit 561 to the master IC 570a. The predetermined condition is, for example, when the error flag is “ON” in all the decoration control devices 610.

  The output I / F 558a outputs a control signal (DAT, CLK, LAT, EN) to the movable control board 620, and an effect device (movable body driven by a motor or solenoid) provided in the game board 10 or the front frame 3. To work. In FIG. 7, there is a dotted line indicating that the EN signal is input to the motor power supply circuit 566, but the EN signal of the first embodiment is not input to the motor power supply circuit 566 and is movable. It is assumed that the configuration is transmitted only to the control board 620. The output I / F 558a serves as a control signal output unit for the movable control board 620.

  Note that the reset signal input from the power-on detection circuit 559 to the NOR gate circuit 561 and the reset signal input from the CPU 551 to the NOR gate circuit 561 via the output I / F 558a are in a LOW level state in any case. It functions as a signal to command reset at Therefore, if at least one of the power-on detection circuit 559 and the CPU 551 outputs a reset signal to the NOR gate circuit 561, the reset signal is input to the master IC 570a via the NOR gate circuit 561.

  The motor power supply circuit 566 is connected to the movable control board 620 via the connection terminal 90b, and supplies DC32V power. The movable control board 620 is drive control means for controlling whether the power supplied from the motor power circuit 566 is supplied to or cut off from a drive source such as a motor. Note that the motor power supply circuit 566 of the first embodiment supplies power to the movable control board 620 regardless of the state of the EN signal.

  The relay board 600 relays the control signal output from the connection terminal 90a to the decoration control device 610. A control signal for the light emitter is output from the connection terminal 90a. Further, a control signal for the driving body (motor, solenoid) is output from the connection terminal 90b.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a connection state of the effect control device 550 and the movable control board 620 according to the first embodiment of this invention. In addition, illustration is abbreviate | omitted about the decoration control apparatus 610 which controls the production button 17, the relay board | substrate 600, and a light-emitting body.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, movable control boards 620Q to 620 are connected to the effect control device 550. The movable control board 620R is connected to the movable control board 620Q, the movable control board 620S is connected to the movable control board 620R, and the movable control board 620X is connected to the movable control board 620S.

  Each movable control board 620 is connected to a drive source such as a motor or a solenoid to be controlled. In the first embodiment of the present invention, a motor is connected as a drive source.

  For example, the movable control board 620Q controls the illumination drive first motor 13a and the illumination drive second motor 14a for operating the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14 provided in the front frame 3. The movable control board 620 </ b> R controls the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81 for operating the united effect production device 58 installed in the center case 51. The movable control board 620S controls a stepping motor (not shown) as a drive source for operating the decorative piece 46 installed in the center case 51. The movable control board 620X controls a stepping motor (not shown) as a drive source for operating the decoration tool 47 provided in the game board 10.

  The effect control device 550 determines the output mode of the effect device by the driving body and the light emitter based on the game data input from the game control device 500. And production control device 550 outputs production control data (production control information) so that it may become the determined output mode.

  The effect control device 550 is connected to the movable control board 620 by the connection line Vcc, the connection line Vmot, the connection line DAT, the connection line CLK, the connection line LAT, the connection line EN, and the connection line GND. The effect control device 550 transmits and receives various signals to and from the movable control board 620 disposed on the downstream side via each connection line.

  The connection line Vcc is a connection line for supplying logic power to the decoration control board 610 and the movable control board 620. The connection line Vmot is a connection line for supplying power to the movable control board 620 from the motor power supply circuit 566 to operate the movable accessory by a motor, a solenoid, or the like.

  The connection line DAT is a connection line for transmitting effect control data as serial data, and functions as a data line. The connection line CLK is a connection line for inputting and outputting a clock signal used for data communication on the connection line DAT, and functions as a timing signal line. The connection line GND is a ground of the power supplied by the connection line Vcc and the connection line Vmot.

  A maximum of two stepping motors can be connected to each movable control board 620 of the first embodiment of the present invention. Each motor controlled by each movable control board 620 is provided with a position detection sensor 92 (92a to 92h) for detecting a rotational position.

  The effect control device 550 detects the rotation position of the motor by the position detection sensor 92, and initializes the rotation position or sets the rotation position based on the detected rotation position of the motor. Generate control data. Then, the generated production control data is transmitted to the corresponding movable control board 620.

  The movable control board 620X and the position detection sensors 92g and 92h are necessary for the regular version of the gaming machine, but may not be mounted on the inexpensive version of the gaming machine. This is because, in the low-priced gaming machine, the decoration tool 47 provided in the gaming board 10 does not rotate, so that a motor as a driving source is not necessary.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the movable control board 620 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The movable control board 620 includes a shift register 621 and a driver 624 for driving a driving body such as a motor. In addition, a drive power source for driving a solenoid, a motor, and the like and control signals (DAT, CLK, LAT, EN) are input from the effect control device 550 to the movable control board 620. The movable control board 620 drives, for example, the illumination drive first motor 13a, the illumination drive second motor 14a, the accessory drive first motor 71, the accessory drive second motor 81, and the decorative piece 46 and the accessory 47. The motor is driven. If another control board including the shift register 621 is not connected downstream of the movable control board 620, a terminal for connecting to the downstream control board is not necessary. For example, the movable control board 620X may not include a terminal for connecting to the downstream control board.

  The shift register 621 has serial data input (SI), shift register clock (SCK), latch clock (RCK) and output enable (G) input terminals, 8-bit parallel output terminals (Q0 to Q7) and carry-out output. (CY), for example, a logic IC such as 74595 can be used. The shift register 621 includes an 8-bit internal shift register and an 8-bit storage register, and is always in a state where 8-bit data is held and stored. Further, the shift register 621 is provided with a reset terminal (SCLR), and the contents of the storage register can be cleared by inputting a low level signal to the reset terminal. However, in the present embodiment, a high level signal is always applied to the reset terminal (the connection line Vcc for supplying logic power is connected to the reset terminal), so that it is input to the reset terminal. This is a configuration that does not require a dedicated cable for transmitting the signal.

  The serial data input (SI) serving as a data signal input terminal is serially inputted with data latched in the shift register. When the shift register clock (SCK) serving as a timing signal input terminal changes from L to H, the contents of the most significant bit of the internal shift register are output to CY, and the contents of each bit of the internal shift register are output to the upper bit side. The contents of SI are added to the least significant bit of the internal shift register where the empty space is generated. The latch clock (RCK) transfers the data of each bit of the internal shift register to each corresponding bit of the internal storage register.

  The output enable (G) outputs data in the internal storage register as parallel data to parallel output terminals (Q0 to Q7) serving as parallel signal output terminals when the input signal is L, and parallel output when the input signal is H. The outputs of the terminals (Q0 to Q7) are indefinite (high impedance state). Note that a pull-down resistor R is connected to the parallel output terminals (Q0 to Q7) of the shift register. When the output of the shift register becomes high impedance, the output of the shift register is “L” by the action of the pull-down resistor R. "Become a level. For this reason, even when the output of the shift register is indefinite, the operation of the driver 624 does not become unstable, and it is possible to prevent the solenoid, the motor, and the like from malfunctioning.

  As for the control signal output from the effect control device 550, CLK is input to the shift register clock (SCK), LAT is input to the latch clock (RCK), and EN is input to the output enable (G). Of the control signals output from the effect control device 550, DAT is input to the serial data input (SI) of the shift register 621. A carry output (CY) serving as a data signal output terminal of the shift register 621 is a terminal of data output when the serial data fetched into the shift register 621 overflows, and the connection line DAT of the subsequent movable control board 620. Connected to. The parallel output terminals (Q0 to Q7) of the shift register 621 are input to the driver 624.

  The driver 624 includes a switching transistor that is turned on and off by an output from the shift register 621. Driving power input to the movable control board 620 is input to the driver 624, switched by a switching transistor in the driver 624, and supplied to a solenoid, a motor, and the like.

  The motor used here is constituted by a stepping motor, and rotates by sequentially applying a predetermined voltage to signal terminals of each phase that drive the stepping motor. One movable control board 620 shown in FIG. 9 can control a maximum of two motors, and the signal terminals of each phase of each motor are connected to the PORT0 terminal to the PORT3 terminal.

  When a voltage is applied from the driver to the gate of each of the transistors connected to the PORT0 to PORT3 terminals connected to the motor, a current may flow from the drain to the source of the transistor to which the voltage is applied. Thus, a current flows through the motor connected to the PORT0 terminal to the PORT3 terminal, and the accessory driving motor is driven.

  The connection lines connecting the PORT0 to PORT3 terminals and the motor are branched, and one of the branched connection lines is connected to a power source supplied to the motor via a diode D and a Zener diode ZD.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the shift registers 621 provided on the movable control board 620 are connected in a daisy chain. Therefore, the serial data output from the production control device 550 side is taken in via the DAT line, and the data overflowed from the storage area in the shift register 621 is output from the carry-out output (CY) terminal. Since the data from the carry-out output can be converted into serial data and output to the subsequent shift register 621, a serial data transmission line can be connected regardless of how many shift registers 621 are connected in series. A configuration that does not increase can be realized.

  Next, with reference to FIG.10 and FIG.11, the process regarding the game performed with the game control apparatus 500 is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of main processing executed by the game control device 500 according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of timer interrupt processing according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The game control device 500 executes a main process shown in FIG. 10 and a timer interrupt process every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds) shown in FIG.

  The main process shown in FIG. 10 is executed when the gaming machine is turned on, and is continuously executed until the power supply to the gaming machine is interrupted. For example, when a game machine is turned on to start a business at a game hall, or when it recovers from a power failure, the execution starts, and until the game machine is turned off to end the business at the game hall ( (Or until a power failure occurs).

  The game control device 500 first executes an initialization process at power-on as a process at the start of the program (S1), and then executes a power failure recovery process (S2).

  In the power failure recovery processing, processing for resuming game control in the gaming state at the time of the power failure is performed using data stored and stored in the RAM 504 (see FIG. 6) of the game control device 500 by the backup power source when the power failure occurs. Is called. However, an initialization operation unit (not shown) is provided on the back of the gaming machine, and if the initialization operation unit is operated when the gaming machine is turned on, the gaming state of the gaming machine is set in advance. Initialize to the specified state. By this initialization, the game state of the special figure variation display game becomes a low probability state, and the normal power operation state (the operation state of the opening / closing member 36a of the normal variation winning device 36) becomes the suppression state.

  In the power failure recovery process, specification data including the type of gaming machine is transmitted to the effect control device 550. The type of gaming machine is, for example, information indicating the configuration of the effect device, for example, information indicating whether the gaming machine is a regular version or a low-priced version. Thereby, the production control device 550 can perform production control according to the type.

  Next, the game control device 500 starts an interrupt timer (S3) and starts a CTC (counter timer circuit). As a result, a timer interrupt can be generated.

  Subsequently, the game control device 500 executes a main loop process that is executed until the power is turned off. In the main loop process, first, an interrupt such as a timer interrupt is prohibited (S4). Thereafter, the game control device 500 updates initial values of random numbers such as jackpot determination random numbers (special figure determination random numbers) and jackpot symbol random numbers (special symbol random numbers) to break the temporal regularity of random numbers. The initial value random number update process is executed (S5). Thereafter, an interrupt is permitted (S6).

  The game control device 500 checks the power failure inspection area of the RAM 504 and determines whether or not a power failure has occurred (S7). In the power failure inspection area of the RAM 504, check data is stored when the power of the gaming machine is cut off due to a power failure, and no check data is normally stored. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not a power failure has occurred by determining the presence or absence of check data in the power failure inspection area of the RAM 504.

  If a power failure has not occurred (the result of S7 is “N”), the process returns to the interrupt prohibition process in step S4, and thereafter, the game control device 500 repeats the processes from step S4 to step S7. On the other hand, when a power failure occurs (the result of S7 is “Y”), the game control device 500 performs a power failure occurrence process in step S8. When a power failure occurs, the backup power supply of the power supply device supplies power that can execute the processing when the power failure occurs. In addition, the backup power supply supplies power necessary for maintaining the contents of the RAM 504 of the game control device 500 during a power failure. At this time, the backup power source can hold the game data for 2 to 3 days or more.

  In the power failure occurrence processing in step S8, first, processing for prohibiting interruption is performed, processing for turning off all output ports, and processing for clearing the power failure inspection area are performed. Then, after performing the process of saving the power failure recovery inspection area check data in the power failure recovery inspection area, performing the process of calculating the checksum when the RAM 504 is powered off and performing the process of prohibiting access to the RAM 504 Wait for the power to turn off. Thus, by saving the power failure recovery inspection area check data in the power failure recovery inspection area and calculating and holding the checksum at the time of power interruption, the information stored in the RAM 504 before the power interruption is correctly backed up. It can be determined whether the power is turned on.

  Next, a timer interrupt process of the game control device 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The timer interrupt process is executed in a form of interrupting the main process in response to the generation of an interrupt signal (generated at a predetermined interval by the interrupt timer).

  In the timer interrupt process, the game control device 500 first saves the data stored in the register (S10). Next, based on the input from various sensors (starting port SW36d, gate SW34a, general winning port SW44a-44n, count SW42d, glass frame opening SW18a, front frame opening SW3a, etc.) and the output data set by various processes. An input / output process for processing an output for performing drive control of the winning opening SOL42b, the ordinary electric power SOL36b, etc. is executed (S11).

  The game control device 500 executes a command transmission process for outputting the command set in the transmission buffer in various processes to the effect control device 550 or the like (S12).

  The game control device 500 executes a random number update process 1 for updating a random number for determining whether the special figure variation display game or the common figure variation display game is missed or for determining the big hit symbol of the special figure variation display game. (S13). Thereafter, the game control device 500 updates the initial value of the random number, and executes an initial value random number update process for breaking the temporal regularity of the random number (S14).

  The game control device 500 executes a random number update process 2 for updating a random number for determining a variation pattern (execution mode) in the decoration special diagram variation display game related to the special diagram variation display game (S15).

  In step S13 and step S15, the three random numbers of the jackpot random number, jackpot symbol random number, and variation pattern random number related to the special figure variation display game are updated as a set.

  The game control device 500 monitors whether or not a signal is input from the start port SW36d, the gate SW34a, the general winning ports SW44a to 44n, and the count SW42d (whether or not a signal indicating detection of a game ball is input). A winning mouth switch monitoring process is executed (S16). Thereafter, an error monitoring process for monitoring each signal and error is executed (S17).

  Further, the game control device 500 executes a special figure game process for performing a process related to the special figure variation display game (S18). In the special figure game process, whether or not the result of the executed fluctuation display game (special figure fluctuation display game) is a big hit or out is compared with whether or not the big hit random number matches a predetermined value. To decide. Further, the game control device 500 determines the variation pattern (reach type) of the variation display game in correspondence with the determination result of the jackpot random number and the value of the variation pattern random number described above.

  Then, various commands (commands) are transmitted from the game control device 500 to the effect control device 550. For example, a change start command for instructing start of the change display game and a change stop command for instructing stop of the identification symbol being changed are transmitted. The change start command is set based on the result of the change display game and the change pattern. Details of the table storing the change start command will be described with reference to FIG.

  When a big hit occurs in the variable display game, a big hit related command is transmitted. Specifically, a jackpot start command for instructing the start of the jackpot state (special game state), a round update command for instructing the update of each round, and a jackpot end command for instructing the end of the jackpot state are transmitted. In the jackpot end command, information indicating whether the gaming state after the jackpot state (special gaming state) ends becomes a high probability state or a low probability state, and the expectation degree that the gaming state shifts to the high probability state is notified. Information indicating production contents is included. Whether or not the gaming state shifts to a high probability state after the jackpot is over is determined by using the aforementioned jackpot symbol random number stored as the hold memory when the jackpot occurs. Details of the table for storing the jackpot end command will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the special game process ends, the game control device 500 executes a general game process (S19) for performing a process related to the normal fluctuation display game. Thereafter, a segment LED editing process related to a segment LED for displaying various information related to a game is executed (S20), and an external information editing process (S21) for setting a signal to be output to an external management device in an output buffer is executed.

  Then, the game control device 500 declares the end of the interrupt process (S22), and restores the saved register data (S23). Finally, a process for permitting the interrupt again is executed (S24), and the timer interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change start command table according to the first embodiment of this invention. (A) shows the fluctuation start command table at the time of loss, and (B) shows the fluctuation start command table at the time of big hit.

  The variation command table is composed of command codes, selection ratios, and variation pattern names. The command code is transmitted from the game control device 500 to the effect control device 550. The command code is selected based on the selection ratio.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the jackpot probability in the low probability state is set to 1/301 and the loss probability is set to 300/301 (the jackpot probability is set to 20/6020 and the loss probability is set to 6000/6020. Is equivalent to) In addition, nine types of variation patterns are set: normal variation (no reach) and reach A to H. The game control device 500 determines the result of the variable display game corresponding to the aforementioned big hit random number, and if it is out of the game, selects the table (A), and if the big hit, selects the table (B). Next, using the aforementioned variation pattern random number (which is a random number that can take 6000 values in the range of 1 to 6000), the frequency corresponding to the “selection ratio” set in the selected table is handled. Determine the variation pattern.

  For example, when the result of the variation display game is out of place, the table of (A) is selected, and in this case, 5441 out of the 6000 possible values of the variation pattern random number are “normal variation without reach”. Is supported. Similarly, 396, 97, 38, 18, 6, 3, and 1 of the 6000 values that the variation pattern random number can take are in the order of “reach A” to “reach G”, respectively. It corresponds.

  When the result of the variable display game is a big hit, the table (B) is selected. In this case, 1200 out of 6000 values that the variable pattern random number can take corresponds to “reach A”. . As a result, 1200/6000 = 4/20, which is the same as the value of 4/20, which is the “selection ratio” of “reach A” set in the table (B). Similarly, 900 pieces, 600 pieces, 600 pieces, 600 pieces, 900 pieces, 900 pieces, and 300 pieces of 6000 values that the variation pattern random number can take are in the order of “reach B” to “reach H”, respectively. It corresponds.

  In this way, either the table (A) or (B) is selected according to the result of the variation display game, and the variation pattern (command code) is selected at the frequency of the “selection ratio” set in the table. .

  In addition, as in this embodiment, after determining whether or not the variable display game is a big hit by the big hit random number, instead of newly selecting a command code using another fluctuation pattern random number, the big hit random number The value may be used as it is for selecting a command code. For example, as a jackpot random number, a random number updated in the range of 1 to 6020 is used, and when a value in the range of 1 to 6020 is acquired, it is excluded, and when a value in the range of 6021 to 6020 is acquired A big hit.

  In the case of deviation, the fluctuation pattern (command code) is selected at the frequency of “selection ratio” in the table (A), using the acquired jackpot random number value as it is. For example, the range of the jackpot random number is in the range of 1-5441, the range of 5442-5837, the range of 5838-5934, the range of 5935-5972, the range of 5973-5990, the range of 5991-5996, the range of 5997-5999, Each of the ranges of 6000 to 6000 is divided into “normal fluctuation”, “reach A”, “reach B”, “reach C”, “reach D”, “reach E”, “reach F”, By making it correspond to “reach G”, it is possible to select a variation pattern corresponding to the frequency of “selection ratio”.

  In the case of a big hit, the fluctuation pattern (command code) is selected with the frequency of the “selection ratio” in the table (B) using the value of the acquired big hit random number as it is. For example, the range of jackpot random numbers is in the range of 6001 to 6004, the range of 6005 to 6007, the range of 6008 to 6009, the range of 6010 to 6011, the range of 6012 to 6013, the range of 6014 to 6016, the range of 6017 to 6019, Dividing into each of the ranges of 6020 to 6020 and corresponding to each in the order of “reach A” to “reach H”, a variation pattern corresponding to the frequency of “selection ratio” can be selected.

  Referring to (A), the normal fluctuation of the command code “00h” is selected only when the result of the fluctuation display game is out of order because no reach occurs. On the other hand, referring to (B), the reach H is a reach that occurs only in the case of a big hit. Therefore, when reach H occurs, it is determined that the result of the variable display game is a big hit.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a jackpot end instruction table according to the first embodiment of this invention. (A) shows a jackpot end command table when shifting to a low probability state, and (B) shows a jackpot end command table when shifting to a high probability state.

  The jackpot end command table is composed of a command code, a selection ratio, and a name of an expectation level to shift to a high probability state. The command code is transmitted from the game control device 500 to the effect control device 550. The command code is selected based on the selection ratio as in the case of the change start command.

  Specifically, the game control device 500 determines the above-mentioned jackpot symbol random number stored as the hold memory immediately before the jackpot gaming state ends, and determines the gaming state after the jackpot gaming state ends. Decide whether to be in a probabilistic state or a low-probability state. When a decision is made to change the gaming state after the big hit gaming state to a low probability state, the table of (A) is selected, and when a decision is made to change the gaming state after the big hit gaming state to a high probability state Selects the table of (B). Next, using a predetermined production distribution random number (random numbers that can take 12 values in the range of 1 to 12), the corresponding expected degree notification is transmitted at a frequency that becomes the “selection ratio” set in the selected table. An effect pattern (any of probability variation expectation a to probability variation expectation f) is determined.

  For example, when the gaming state after the big hit gaming state becomes a low probability state, the table of (A) is selected, and in this case, two, four, three, two of the twelve types of effect distribution random numbers One corresponds to the order of “probability change expectation a” to “probability change expectation e”.

  In addition, when the gaming state after the big hit gaming state becomes a high probability state, the table of (B) is selected, and in this case, one, two, three, four of the twelve kinds of effect distribution random numbers The two correspond to the order of "probability expectation degree b" to "probability expectation degree f", respectively.

  When the effect control device 550 receives the jackpot end command, the effect control device 550 executes an effect corresponding to the degree of expectation for shifting to the high probability state.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, after the big hit, the state is shifted to a high probability state (probability variation state) with a probability of 1/2. Further, the command code is set according to the degree of expectation for shifting to the high probability state.

  The probability variation expectation a (command code “80h”) is not selected when shifting to the high probability state, but is selected only when shifting to the low probability state. On the other hand, the probability variation expectation f (command code “95h”) is selected only when shifting to the high probability state, and is not selected when shifting to the low probability state.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the expectation level and the combined effect of the objects corresponding to each command according to the first embodiment of this invention. (A) is a change start command, (B) is a jackpot end command, and (C) is a round update command.

  (A) shows the type of change start command, that is, the degree of expectation according to the type of reach (the possibility that the change display game will have a special result). For example, when the variable display game is executed once, the probability that the outage with the effect of reach A appears will be 396/6020 from the table (A) of FIG. 12, and the big hit with the effect of reach A appears. 12 is 4/6020 from the table (B) in FIG. 12, and when reach A occurs, the probability of 4 / (396 + 4) = 0.01 (1%) can be a big hit. Understandable.

  That is, when reach A occurs, a big hit is generated (expected) with a probability of 1%. Similarly, when reach B occurs, a big hit is generated (expected) with a probability of 3%, and when reach H occurs, 100% big hit occurs. Thus, the definition of the big hit expectation is defined in the order from reach A to reach H.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the first effect unit 63 (the first effect member 70) and the second effect unit 64 (the second effect member 80) perform the effect operation in conjunction with each other. The coalescing effect to be performed is executed. At this time, according to the expectation degree of jackpot, it is comprised so that the time which the unification state where the 1st effect member 70 and the 2nd effect member 80 unite | combine may continue may become long. Referring to (A), in the case of reach A, the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 merge for 2.0 seconds, and in the case of reach H, they merge for 9.0 seconds.

  (B) shows the type of jackpot end command, that is, the expectation level of high probability state transition after the jackpot end (the possibility that a specific gaming state will occur after the end of the special gaming state). For example, since the effect of the probability variation expectation a is not selected at the time of transition to the high probability state, the transition to the low probability state is surely performed and the expectation is zero. In addition, the production of the probability variation expectation d is selected with a probability of 2/24 at the transition to the low probability state and 3/24 at the transition to the high probability state. It can be expected to shift to a high probability state with a probability of /(2+3)=0.6 (60%).

  Furthermore, also in the case of the big hit end command, the duration (number of combined seconds) of the coalescing state in the coalescing effect differs depending on the expectation level (probability change expectation level) for shifting to the high probability state. However, in the case of the jackpot end command, unlike the change start command, the higher the degree of expectation for shifting to the high probability state, the smaller the number of combined seconds. That is, when the player is more advantageous to the player (higher expectation) as in the case of the change start command, the coalescing time is not longer, but when the player is disadvantageous (lower expectation), the coalescing second is longer. To be controlled.

  In addition, you may make it alert | report the expectation degree in which the above-mentioned promotion state generate | occur | produces using the unification effect instead of the expectation degree in which a high probability state generate | occur | produces.

  In the present embodiment, to the combined effect (the combined effect based on the change start command of FIG. 14A) for notifying the expected degree of occurrence of the big hit in the reach fluctuation at the time of the fluctuation display game execution, to the probability fluctuation state at the end of the big hit The coalescing effect that informs the transition expectation level of the game (the coalescing effect based on the jackpot end command in FIG. 14B) suggests the subsequent gaming state by the duration of the coalescing state (number of coalescing seconds). It is expected that it will be a very interesting production.

  On the other hand, an effect that simply informs the current number of rounds during the big hit (a coalescence effect based on the round update command in FIG. 14C) suggests a subsequent gaming state depending on the duration of the coalescence state (the number of coalescing seconds). Since it is not something to do, it can be said that it is a production that is not so interesting to the player.

  Therefore, when performing the effect of informing the former degree of expectation (the effect that is the first effect mode), the first action member driving first motor 71 during the combined effect of the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80. The supply of driving power to the accessory driving second motor 81 is not stopped. At this time, the CPU 551 outputs a control signal for stopping the motor via the DAT line to the shift register 621 that controls the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81.

  That is, if the supply of drive power is stopped during the combined effect, the force in the direction in which the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are pressed against each other disappears, and the first effect member 70 is attracted only by the magnet. While the abutting portion of the effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 is adsorbed, the player slightly moves down in the direction of gravity, but the player who sees the action of hanging down sets the duration of the combined state to some extent. Since there is a possibility of guessing and reducing the interest of the game, it is possible to prevent such a malfunction.

  On the other hand, when performing an effect that is not related to the latter degree of expectation (the effect that is the second effect mode), during the combined effect of the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80, the first role driving 1 The supply of driving power to the motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81 is stopped. However, when the coalescence time is short, the supply of drive power may not be stopped for smooth operation.

  By configuring in this way, the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 that constitute the coalescing effect device 58 are configured to be attracted to each other by the magnet as described above, and thus are driven during the coalescing effect. Even if the supply of electric power is stopped, the contact portion between the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 is not separated, and the supply of drive power is stopped to produce heat generation prevention and energy saving effects. Can do.

  Further, when the player performs an effect that is the second effect mode, the player is not interested in the length of the coalescence time, and therefore the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are caused to hang down. However, there is no risk of reducing the interest of the game.

  In other words, the gaming machine of the present embodiment is provided with the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81 as the drive source, and with the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 as the effect members. It has been. In the case of the production that is the first production mode, the control signal for stopping the drive source is output to the shift register 621 that controls the drive source without stopping the output of the drive power source. It is stopped. On the other hand, at the time of the production that is the second production mode, the output of the drive source is stopped and the drive source is stopped. Thereby, the aspect of an effect member differs in the 1st effect mode and the 2nd effect mode (when it is the 2nd effect mode, the 1st effect member 70 and the 2nd effect member 80 which are united hang down a little). Even with the united effect production device 58 having the structure, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game while obtaining the effects of preventing heat generation and saving energy.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the motor 100 and the position detection sensor 92 according to the first embodiment of this invention. The motor 100 is the same as the motor used for production in the gaming machine 1, and specifically, the illumination drive first motor 13a, the illumination drive second motor 14a, the accessory drive first motor 71, the accessory drive first. 2 motor 81, and further, a drive motor for the decorative piece 46 and the decorative tool 47, and the like are included. The position detection sensor 92 corresponds to each of the position detection sensors 92a to 92f in FIG.

  The output shaft 100a of the motor 100 is attached to the drive gear 101 so that it can rotate together. Further, the gear portion 102 that is pivotally attached to the shaft 103 is engaged with the drive gear 101. A shading plate 91 is formed on the shaft 103 so as to be able to rotate together with the shaft 103, and the shaft 103 rotates. In addition, a movable accessory is connected to the opposite side of the shaft 103 to the gear portion 102, and an effect is executed by driving the motor 100. The shaft 103 is provided with a light shielding plate 91, and the light shielding plate 91 also rotates as the shaft 103 rotates.

  The position detection sensor 92 is a photosensor for detecting the rotation phase of the shaft 103 (rotation position of the motor 100). A groove 921 through which the light shielding plate 91 passes is formed at the center, so that a U-shape. It has the shape of The groove portion 921 of the position detection sensor 92 is formed with a bottom surface 926 of the groove portion 921, a light emitting portion side surface 922 where the light emitting portion 923 is disposed, and a light receiving portion side surface 924 where the light receiving portion 925 is disposed.

  Further, light (infrared rays) is emitted from the light emitting unit 923 toward the light receiving unit 925 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the shaft 103. The light receiving unit 925 determines whether this light is blocked by the light shielding plate 91. By doing so, the rotational phase of the shaft 103 is detected.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the rotational position of the motor according to the first embodiment of this invention. (A) is a state where light is shielded by the light shielding plate 91 (light-shielded state), (B) is a state where light is transmitted (light-transmitted state), and (C) is a state immediately after light is shielded when the motor is rotating counterclockwise. The state (it is also the state immediately before light passing when the motor is rotating clockwise), (D) is the state immediately before light shielding when the motor is rotating counterclockwise (just after light passing when the motor is rotating clockwise) It is also a state of).

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the process of returning the rotational position of the motor to the initial position is performed immediately after the power is turned on, but the output from the position detection sensor 92 that detects the motor position is the light shielding state and light transmission. Since only one level of the state is indicated, there is a possibility that an accurate position cannot be recognized only by determining the output from the position detection sensor 92 when the power is turned on. In particular, when the power to the gaming machine is turned on, if the light shielding plate 91 is in a state immediately before light passing (light shielding) as shown in FIG. There is a risk of doing.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding plate 91 is sufficiently separated from the light receiving unit 925 of the position detection sensor 92 when performing the process of returning the rotational position of the motor to the initial position immediately after the power is turned on. Then, after moving to the state (the state as shown in FIG. 16B), the process of detecting the light shielding state is performed again to set an accurate initial position. The procedure for setting the initial positions of the first combination driving motor 71 and the second combination driving motor 81 for driving the combined combination will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of main processing by the effect control device 550 according to the first embodiment of this invention. The process shown in FIG. 17 is executed by the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550.

  First, initialization processing after power-on will be described. The CPU 551 sets the EN signal to off (high level) in order to prevent various kinds of accessories from operating (S30). When the EN signal is set to OFF, the output enable (G) input terminal of the shift register 621 (FIG. 9) of each movable control board 620 becomes high level, and all the Q0 to Q7 outputs from the shift register 621 are OFF. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction during the initialization of each accessory.

  When the shift register 621 of the movable control board 620 is configured to start before the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550, the EN signal is turned off using a hardware circuit before the CPU 551 is started ( High level). In addition, since the signal line between the effect control device 550 and the movable control board 620 may be disconnected, the EN signal may be pulled up on the movable control board 620 side.

  Next, the CPU 551 initializes various devices controlled by the effect control device 550 (S31). Various devices to be initialized include a sound LSI 557, for example.

  Further, the CPU 551 sets data for stopping the motor so that a movable accessory such as a combined accessory does not operate (S32). Specifically, a signal is output so that the outputs of the shift registers 621 connected in a daisy chain by the DAT line from the effect control device 550 are all “0”, and then the LAT signal is input, thereby performing an initial operation. Initialize so as not to cause malfunction. The motor stop setting process will be described later with reference to FIG. Moreover, by setting in this way, the shift register 621 can be initialized without requiring a configuration in which the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550 inputs a signal to the reset (SCLR) terminal of the shift register 621. it can.

  Subsequently, the CPU 551 permits execution of interrupt processing such as timer interruption and display (VDP) interruption (S33), and starts outputting an initial screen (S34). The display interrupt is executed by receiving a synchronization signal (VDP interrupt) synchronized with the image update cycle from the VDP 556. In addition, the CPU 551 sets a timer interrupt cycle (for example, 2 milliseconds) in the monitoring timer circuit 562, and executes timer interrupt processing for each set timer interrupt cycle. Details of the display interrupt process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 551 sets all effect flags to ON in order to initialize each effect device (S35). Specifically, a coalescence effect flag for setting whether or not to perform a coalescence effect using the coalescence effect device 58, and whether or not to perform an effect by the movable illumination (the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14). A lighting effect flag for setting whether or not an effect for moving the decoration piece 46 up and down is set, and a rotation effect flag for setting whether or not an effect for rotating the accessory 47 is set. When these effect flags are set to on, the corresponding effects are executed, and when the effect flags are set to off, the corresponding effects are not executed.

  Further, as will be described later, when all the production flags are set to OFF, that is, when the production by the movable production device is not executed, the EN signal is set to a high level to shift each movable control board 620. The Q0 to Q7 outputs from the register 621 are turned off, and the power supply corresponding to each movable effect device is cut off from the motor power supply circuit 566. Therefore, even when a control signal is erroneously transmitted due to noise or the like, the drive body (motor) that operates each movable effect device can be configured not to be driven.

  Subsequently, the CPU 551 initializes various types of features such as moving the features constituting the effect device to an initial position. Specifically, first, a combined combination initializing process for initializing a combined combination is executed (S36), and then an initialization process for another combination is executed (S37). The details of the combined character initializing process will be described later with reference to FIG. When the combination initialization process is completed, the CPU 551 sets all effect flags to OFF (S38). Thereby, the power supply corresponding to all the movable rendering devices from the motor power circuit 566 is cut off by turning off the driver circuit 624, and malfunction can be prevented.

  The above is the initialization process after the power is turned on. Next, a loop process that is executed while the gaming machine is normally operating will be described.

  When the initialization process is completed, the CPU 551 first determines whether or not the process error flag is set to ON (S39). The processing error flag is a flag that is turned on when the state of the coalescing effect device 58 becomes abnormal. When the processing error flag is set to ON (result of S39 is “Y”), the EN signal is set to OFF (S50), and the operation of the accessory is stopped. Then, all effect flags are set to OFF (S51), and the output of the display device 53 is switched to an error image (S52). Thereafter, the process waits until the power is turned off. When the power is turned on again, the process starts from the top of the main process.

  When the processing error flag is not set to ON (the result of S39 is “N”), the CPU 551 determines whether or not a variation start command from the game control device 500 has been received (S40). When the variation start command is received (the result of S40 is “Y”), the symbol variation pattern is determined, and further, the combined effect pattern is determined (whether or not the combined effect is executed) (S41). Thereafter, the symbol variation is started (S42).

  Subsequently, when the CPU 551 determines not to execute the coalescing effect in the process of step S41 (the result of S43 is “N”), the CPU 551 returns to the process of S39. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the combined effect is executed when the symbol variation pattern reaches reach, but the combined effect is performed when the symbol variation pattern does not reach and becomes normal variation. Do not execute.

  On the other hand, when the combined effect is executed (the result of S43 is “Y”), the CPU 551 sets the power shut-off flag to off (S44). The power cutoff flag drives the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 when the state where the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are combined (the state shown in FIG. 5) continues for a long time. This flag is set to ON when control is performed to cut off the power of the motors to be performed (the accessory driving first motor 71 and the accessory driving second motor 81). In addition, even when the state where the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are combined is continued for a long time, the power cut-off flag is set to OFF when performing the control not to cut off the power of the drive motor.

  Thereafter, the CPU 551 executes a coalescing effect process (S45), operates the movable effect device, and returns to the process of S39. Details of the coalescence effect process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, when the CPU 551 has not received the change start command in the process of S40 (the result of S40 is “N”), the CPU 551 further determines whether or not a change stop command has been received from the game control device 500 ( S46). When the change stop command is received (the result of S46 is “Y”), the symbol change is stopped (S47). Thereafter, the process returns to S39.

  Further, when the CPU 551 has not received a variable stop command in the process of S46 (the result of S46 is “N”), the CPU 551 further determines whether or not a jackpot related command has been received from the game control device 500. (S48). When the jackpot related command is received (the result of S48 is “Y”), the jackpot effect process is executed (S49). Details of the big hit effect process will be described later with reference to FIG. When the jackpot related command is not received (the result of S48 is “N”), or after the jackpot effect process is executed, the process returns to the process of S39.

  Next, the display interrupt process will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display interrupt processing according to the first embodiment of this invention. As described above, the display interrupt process is a process that is executed every image update cycle of the VDP 556, and is a process that is executed by interrupting the main process of FIG.

  When the display interrupt process is executed, the CPU 551 first starts outputting image data (S60). Next, it is determined whether or not all the production flags are set to off (S61).

  When all the production flags are set to OFF (the result of S61 is “Y”), the CPU 551 sets the EN signal to OFF in order to stop the power supply to the movable accessory (S62). On the other hand, when all the production flags are not set to OFF (the result of S61 is “N”), the production is continued in any production device, so that the supply of power is continued. The EN signal is set to ON (S63).

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, power is supplied to the drive source in synchronization with the display interrupt, that is, the image update timing, so that there is no sense of incongruity synchronized with the change in the image. Production can be realized.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the combined combination initializing process according to the first embodiment of this invention. The combined character initializing process is a process for initializing the position of the combined character. At the time of executing the combined character initializing process, all the production flags are set to ON in the process of S35, and further, since interruption is permitted in the process of S33, the EN signal is set to ON in the process of S63. Therefore, it is in a state where power can be supplied to the combined accessory, and the accessory is movable.

  First, in the CPU 551, the position detection sensor 92 is in a light-shielding state (a state where the light receiving unit 925 of the position detection sensor 92 and the light-shielding plate 91 overlap each other as shown in FIG. 16A or 16C) by the light-shielding plate 91. It is determined whether or not (S70).

  When the position detection sensor 92 is in a light shielding state (the result of S70 is “Y”), the CPU 551 moves the shaft 103 until the light passing state (the state immediately after the light passing shown in FIG. 16D) is reached. The motor 100 is operated so as to rotate in the contact direction (S71). And the time of a light-shielding state is timed, and time-measurement is repeated until light transmission is detected (S72-S73). If the time is up before entering the light-transmitting state (result of S73 is “Y”), the processing after S78 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the position detection sensor 92 enters a light-transmitting state (the result of S72 is “Y”), the CPU 551 further operates the motor 100 in the contact direction until a predetermined time elapses, and then temporarily stops. (S74). At this time, as shown in FIG. 16B, the light receiving portion 925 of the position detection sensor 92 and the light shielding plate 91 are sufficiently separated from each other. Thereafter, the motor 100 is operated in the separation direction until the light shielding state (the state immediately after the light shielding shown in FIG. 16C) is reached (S75 to S77).

  When the light shielding state is detected (the result of S76 is “Y”), the CPU 551 operates the motor 100 in the separating direction until a predetermined time elapses, and then stops (S85). At this time, as shown in FIG. 16A, a portion sufficiently inside the peripheral edge portion of the light shielding plate 91 and the position of the light receiving portion 925 of the position detection sensor 92 overlap, and this position is the initial position of the motor. It becomes. At this time, the predetermined time in the process of S85 is set to a time within a range in which the light is not changed again from the light shielding state. Thereafter, the CPU 551 sets the processing error flag to off (S86), and returns to the main processing.

  When the motor is at the initial position, the portion that is sufficiently inward of the periphery of the light shielding plate 91 and the position of the light receiving portion 925 of the position detection sensor 92 overlap, but the motor is away from the initial position by a step angle. It is preferable that the central angle of the light shielding plate 91 is set so that the light receiving portion 925 is in a light shielding state regardless of the direction of contact or the contact direction. Here, the step angle is an angle of minimum resolution that rotates when a unit pulse drive signal is given to the stepping motor. In other words, the initial position is set at a position where the rotation position is equal to or greater than the step angle from the boundary where the light-shielding state is switched by the light-shielding plate 91. With such a setting, an error in the rotational position of the motor when performing the initial position setting process can be sufficiently absorbed.

  On the other hand, when the position detection sensor 92 is not in the light shielding state (result of S70 is “N”), that is, in the light transmission state (FIG. 16B or FIG. 16D), the light receiving unit 925 and the light shielding plate of the position detection sensor 92. In the case of a state in which there is no overlap with 91), the CPU 551 operates the motor 100 to rotate the shaft 103 in the separating direction until the light shielding state (the state immediately after the light shielding shown in FIG. 16C) is reached ( S80 to S82). And the time of a light transmission state is timed, and time-measurement is repeated until light-shielding is detected (S81-S82). If the time is up before the light shielding state is reached (the result of S82 is “Y”), the processing after S78 is executed.

  When the light shielding state is detected (the result of S81 is “Y”), the CPU 551 determines whether or not the light shielding state is detected at an early stage (whether the time until the light shielding detection is extremely short). S83). When the light-shielding state is not detected early (the result of S83 is “N”), the processing after S85 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the light-shielding state is detected early (the result of S83 is “Y”), there is a possibility that an error may occur in the initialization position of the motor. Therefore, the CPU 551 executes the processes after S74. To readjust the motor initialization position. The case where the light shielding state is detected at an early stage is, for example, a case where the output shaft 103 of the motor is rotated starting from the state immediately before the light shielding as shown in FIG. If the output shaft 103 of the motor is rotated from such a state, the light is transmitted immediately after the start of the rotation. Therefore, the position may be detected in the state at the start of the rotation where the rotation speed of the motor is not stable. Because there is. By performing such adjustment processing, the initial position of the motor can be accurately set without being affected by the position of the light shielding plate 91 immediately after the power is turned on.

  In addition, when the time is up after the motor 100 is operated and before the light transmission state or the light shielding state is entered (the result of S73 is “Y”, the result of S77 is “Y”, and the result of S82 is “Y”), since there is a high possibility that the motor is not normally driven, the motor that drives the combined combination is stopped (S78). Further, the process error flag is set to ON (S79), and the process returns to the main process.

  As described above, when the motor is operated to set the initial position, not the timing ((C) or (D) in FIG. 16) immediately after the transition from one of the light-transmitting state and the light-blocking state to the other, Since the alignment is performed after the motor is operated (rotated) until a predetermined time has elapsed (after being moved to the position shown in FIG. 16B), errors can be reduced.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the initial position setting process of the motor is performed, the light shielding plate 91 is moved to confirm that the light receiving unit 925 of the position detection sensor 92 is in a light-transmitting state. Then, the light shielding plate 91 is moved again to detect that the light receiving unit 925 is in a light shielding state, and an initial position is set. Further, the central angle of the fan-shaped light shielding plate 91 is set to 45 degrees, and the range where the light shielding state is detected by the light shielding plate 91 (light shielding state detection range) is 45 degrees, while the light shielding plate 91 allows the light to pass through. The range in which the light state is detected (light transmission state detection range) is set to be wider than 45 degrees.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the light shielding plate 91 is configured such that the central angle of the light shielding state detection range is narrower than that of the light transmission state detection range, and the rotational position of the output shaft 103 of the motor. However, since the initial position is the position in the light shielding state detection range with the narrower central angle, it is devised so that the processing time for setting the initial position can be shortened.

  However, contrary to the present embodiment, when the process of setting the initial position of the motor is performed, after confirming that the light receiving unit 925 of the position detection sensor 92 is in the light shielding state by moving the light shielding plate 91. If the initial position is set by detecting that the light receiving unit 925 is in the light-transmitting state by moving the light-shielding plate 91 again, the light-transmitting state detection range is more central than the light-blocking state detection range. It is preferable that the light shielding plate 91 is configured so as to be narrow.

  Next, the detail of the unification effect process (S45) in the main process of the effect control apparatus 550 mentioned above is demonstrated. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the coalescing effect process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  When the merge effect process is started, the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550 first sets the merge effect flag to ON (S90). Further, the motor is driven, and the combined combination is driven in the contact direction (S91). Further, it is determined whether or not a preset coalescence time is a predetermined time (for example, 3.5 seconds) or more (S92). In the first embodiment of the present invention, when the uniting time (the time in which the first stage member 70 and the second stage member 80 are united and in the state shown in FIG. 5) is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the motor In order to reduce the load, the power supply is cut off as much as possible while a certain period of time elapses. In addition, power consumption can be reduced.

  When the combined time of the combined combination is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (the result of S92 is “N”), the CPU 551 further determines whether or not the power shutoff flag is set to ON, that is, the combined time is long. In a case, it is determined whether or not the setting for shutting off the power supply of the motor that operates the combined combination is made (S93).

  If the supply of drive power is stopped during the combined effect, the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are not attracted to each other, and the first effect member is attracted only by the magnet. There is a possibility that the abutting portion between 70 and the second effect member 80 may slightly hang down in the direction of gravity while adsorbing. Furthermore, if the reliability (expectation) of the variable display game is set according to the coalescing time, the player may perceive the reliability due to the movement of the coalescing object hanging down. Therefore, in the case of an effect informing the degree of expectation, the supply of power to the motor that drives the combined combination is continued so that it is not perceived by the player. On the other hand, in the case of production between rounds and the like, since it seems that the player is not interested in whether or not the combined character hangs down, the power cutoff flag is set to ON.

  When the power cutoff flag is set to ON (the result of S93 is “Y”), the CPU 551 drives the motor in the contact direction until the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 contact each other. When the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 come into contact with each other, the driving of the motor is temporarily stopped (S94). Thereafter, the process waits until a preset coalescence initial time elapses (S95). The supply of power to the motor is continued until the coalescence initial time elapses.

  Next, the CPU 551 sets the coalescing effect flag to off (S96). Further, the process waits until the combined middle period elapses (S97). While waiting, the display interruption process (FIG. 18) is executed, and the power source of the motor that drives the combined combination is cut off.

  When the merge middle period has elapsed, the CPU 551 sets the merge effect flag to ON (S98). Thus, power is supplied to the motor that drives the combined combination by the display interruption process (FIG. 18) executed thereafter. In other words, the motor power is shut off until the merged mid-term time elapses. Then, it waits until unification end time passes (S99). Therefore, when the power shutoff flag is set to ON, the coalescence time is the total time of the coalescence initial time, the coalescence middle period time, and the coalescence end time.

  On the other hand, the CPU 551 determines that the combined time of the combined combination is less than the predetermined time (result of S92 is “N”), or when the power shutdown flag is set to OFF (result of S93 is “N”). ]) After the 1st production member 70 and the 2nd production member 80 contact | abut, the operation | movement of a coalescing object is once stopped (S100). Then, it waits until the preset coalescence time passes, setting the coalescence effect flag on (S101). That is, the power is kept on while the coalescing effect is being executed.

  When the process of S99 or S101 is completed, that is, when the coalescence time has elapsed, the CPU 551 drives the motor in the direction away from the state where the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are in contact with each other (S102).

  Further, after the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state, the CPU 551 drives the motor to the initial position and temporarily stops it (S103). Thereafter, the coalescing effect flag is set to OFF, and this process is terminated (S104).

  Then, the detail of the big hit effect process (S49) in the main process of the effect control apparatus 550 mentioned above is demonstrated. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the big hit effect process according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The CPU 551 of the effect control device 550 first branches the process based on the received command (S110). The received commands include “big hit start command”, “round update command”, and “big hit end command”.

  When the CPU 551 receives the “big hit start command”, the fanfare effect corresponding to the big hit type is executed. Then, the effect flag corresponding to the fanfare effect to be executed is set to ON (S111). In the fanfare effect, the effect using the movable illumination (the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14), the decoration piece 46, and the ornament 47 is executed, so the illumination effect flag, the vibration effect flag, and the rotation effect flag And so on.

  Further, the CPU 551 executes a motor drive process in the fanfare effect (S112). Thereby, the effect using the movable illumination (the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14), the decoration piece 46, and the ornament 47 is executed. When the motor drive process ends, the effect flag that was set to ON in the process of S111 is set to OFF (S113), and this process ends.

  Further, when receiving the “round update command”, the CPU 551 sets information necessary for rendering for each round. During each round, a united effect using the united effect production device 58 is performed in the first half of the round, and a movable illumination (first movable illumination 13 and second movable illumination 14), a decoration piece 46, and a decoration tool are performed in the second half of the round. An effect using 47 is executed.

  First, an in-round display pattern corresponding to the effect content displayed on the display device 53 during the round is determined (S114). Subsequently, a united effect pattern that is an effect of the first half of the round is determined (S115). Here, the time corresponding to the round is selected from the “number of combined seconds” defined in (c) of FIG. 14, and the pattern of the combined effect is determined. Furthermore, the production pattern of the second half of the round is determined (S116). Here, the effect patterns of the movable illumination (the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14), the decoration piece 46, and the ornament 47 corresponding to the round are determined. At this time, the lighting effect flag, the vibration effect flag, and the rotation effect flag are all off.

  Subsequently, the CPU 551 sets the power shut-off flag to ON (S117), and executes the coalescing effect process to execute the coalescing effect that is the effect of the first half of the round (S118). Thereby, the effect using the coalescing effect device 58 is executed.

  Furthermore, the CPU 551 sets all effect flags corresponding to effects in the latter half of the round to be on (S119). And a motor drive process is performed in order to respond | correspond to the production of the latter half of a round (S120). Thereby, the effect using the movable illumination (the first movable illumination 13 and the second movable illumination 14), the decoration piece 46, and the ornament 47 is executed. When the motor driving process is completed, the effect flag set to ON in the process of S119 is set to OFF (S121), and this process ends.

  Further, when receiving the “hit end command”, the CPU 551 executes an effect based on the state after the end of the big hit state (special game state). Specifically, first, the content of the screen for notifying the end of the big hit (the big hit end display pattern) is determined (S122). Subsequently, the command code of the received “big hit end command” is discriminated, and which union effect pattern of “probability change expectation a” to “probability change expectation f” shown in the table of FIG. 13 is executed. Determine (S123).

  Further, the CPU 551 sets the power cutoff flag to OFF so that power is supplied to the motor for executing the combined effect (S124). Finally, the coalescing effect process is executed in the manner determined in step S123 (S125), and the game state (high probability state or low probability state) after the big hit ends according to the received “big hit end command” command code The process ends after switching to. As shown in the table of FIG. 13, if the command code of “big hit end command” is “80h” to “84h”, it becomes a low probability state after the big hit end, and the command code of “big hit end command” is “90h”. If it is ~ 94h, it will be in a high probability state after the big hit.

  The above is the control procedure of the first embodiment of the present invention. Next, a process for initializing a shift register for controlling the motor, a motor operation in the combined effect, a change in the EN signal, and a time series change (time chart) in the detection state of the position detection sensor 92 will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a time chart of processing for initializing the shift register when the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is powered on.

  When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the main process (FIG. 17) is started in the effect control device 550, and the EN signal is set to OFF (high level) in the process of S30. Next, in the process of S32, the clock signal (CLK) is output while outputting “0” indicating the stop of the motor as the data signal (DAT), and the data signal (DAT) is output to the internal shift register of the shift register 621 connected in a daisy chain. Set “0”. Here, at least as many clock signals as the number of shift registers 621 connected in a daisy chain are multiplied by eight. Next, when the LAT signal is output, “0” is set in all the internal storage registers of the shift registers 621 connected in a daisy chain.

  As described above, immediately after the power is turned on to the gaming machine, a period for setting data for stopping the motor (motor stop data setting period) is provided in the shift register 621, and output from the shift register 621 is prohibited. In this state, a control signal for turning off the electrical signal output to the signal terminal of the motor is set.

  By controlling in this way, even if the value set in the internal storage register of the shift register 621 is started in an indefinite state, it can be surely initialized when power is supplied. Therefore, the shift register 621 immediately after the power is turned on All the outputs from are turned off, and the electric signal output to the signal terminal of the motor can be cut off reliably. In this case, the shift register 621 can be initialized without the need for a signal input from the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550 to the reset (SCLR) terminal of the shift register 621, so that the signal line is configured. Wiring is also simplified.

  Therefore, the motor does not malfunction immediately after the power is turned on, and in particular, if it is a gaming machine that needs to return the rotational position of the motor to the initial position using the position detection sensor as in this embodiment, When testing at the time of factory shipment, the inspection work can be performed efficiently by incorporating a process that unifies the rotational position of the motor immediately after power-on in all the gaming machines.

  If the configuration is such that all the outputs from the shift register 621 immediately after power-on are not turned off, the motor is expected to perform an unexpected operation immediately after power-on. Even if a process that unifies the rotational position of the motor for all gaming machines is incorporated, the detection of the rotational position by the position detection sensor varies from one gaming machine to another, so inspection work can be performed efficiently. It is not possible.

  Note that a wiring for inputting a signal to the reset (SCLR) terminal of the shift register 621 is provided, and a reset signal is output to the reset (SCLR) terminal via this wiring at the timing immediately after the game machine is turned on. The shift register 621 can be initialized. This reset signal may be output from the CPU 551 of the effect control device 550, or a circuit for detecting power-on may be provided in a power circuit of a gaming machine or the like, and the signal from the detection circuit may be used as the reset signal. In such a configuration, a signal line for inputting a signal to the reset (SCLR) terminal is necessary. However, immediately after turning on the power of the gaming machine, the internal shift register of the shift register 621 connected in a daisy chain is used. It is not necessary to set “0”.

  Thereafter, the execution of the interrupt process is permitted (S33), and the interrupt process can be executed. Subsequently, the effect flag is set to ON (S35), and the EN signal is set to ON in the next image update cycle by the display interruption process (S63). Thereby, the motor stop data setting period ends, and thereafter, the drive data can be set in the motor (motor drive data setting possible period). Then, control (drive) data for moving to the initial position of the motor is output in the following and subsequent cycles, and each movable accessory is set to the initial position.

  23 and 24 are time charts of the initialization process of the drive motor of the united effect production device 58 in the first embodiment of the present invention. This process is executed in the combined character initializing process (FIG. 19) of the effect control device 550. If the motor position detection sensor 92 detects the light-shielding state at the time of starting the combination combination initialization process, the operation of FIG. 23 is performed, and the position of the motor is started at the start of the combination combination initialization process. When the detection sensor 92 detects the light passing state, the operation of FIG. 24 is performed. In the drawing, only the operation of the accessory driving first motor 71 that drives the first effect member 70 among the drive motors of the combined effect device 58 is shown as “MOT_RA”, but the second effect member 80 is driven. The operation of the accessory driving second motor 81 is the same as that of the accessory driving first motor 71.

  In FIG. 23, after the gaming machine is activated, the position detection sensor 92 detects a light shielding state. At this time, the EN signal is set to off (high level), and the motor is stopped.

  Thereafter, when the EN signal is set to ON (low level) (t1), driving of the motor is started. At this time, since the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state (the result of S70 in FIG. 19 is “Y”), the motor is driven in the contact direction (S71, time t2 to time t3).

  When the position detection sensor 92 detects the light transmission state (t3), it operates in the contact direction as it is until a predetermined time elapses (time t3 to time t4), and temporarily stops (S74, time t4 to time t5). . Thereafter, the motor is operated in the separation direction until the position detection sensor 92 is in a light shielding state (S75, time t5 to time t6).

  Then, when the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state (t6), it operates in the separation direction until a predetermined time elapses (time t6 to time t7) and stops (S85, t7). Thereafter, the EN signal is set to OFF (t8), and the supply of power to the motor is stopped.

  Next, the initialization process of the drive motor of the united effect production device 58 will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that although the position detection sensor 92 has detected the light passing state at the time of starting the combined character initialization process, if the position detection sensor 92 is in the light blocking state immediately after the start of the motor driving, the light blocking is performed early. It is determined that the state has been detected, and an initialization operation that is more complicated than usual is performed. This complicated initialization operation is shown in (B), and a normal initialization operation is shown in (A).

  In (A), after the gaming machine is activated, the position detection sensor 92 detects a light passing state. At this time, the EN signal is set to OFF and the motor is in a stopped state.

  Thereafter, the EN signal is set to ON (t11), and driving of the motor is started. At this time, since the position detection sensor 92 detects the light transmission state (the result of S70 in FIG. 19 is “N”), the motor is driven in the separation direction (S80, time t12 to time t13).

  When the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state (t13), it is determined whether or not the light shielding state is detected early (for example, within a predetermined time) from the start of driving of the motor (S83). Here, it is determined whether or not the time from t12 to t13 is within a predetermined time. If it is not early detection (result of S83 is “N”), the operation is continued in the direction of separation until a predetermined time elapses (from time t13 to time t14), and is stopped (S85, t14). Thereafter, the EN signal is set to OFF (t15).

  In (B), as in the case of (A), after the gaming machine is activated, the position detection sensor 92 detects the light passing state, and at this time, the EN signal is set to OFF and the motor is stopped. ing. Thereafter, the EN signal is set to ON (t21), and the driving of the motor is started. At this time, since the position detection sensor 92 detects the light transmission state (result of S70 of FIG. 19 is “N”), the motor is driven in the separation direction (S80, time t22 to time t23).

  When the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state (t23), it is determined whether or not the light shielding state is detected early (for example, within a predetermined time) from the start of driving of the motor (S83). Here, it is determined whether or not the time from t22 to t23 is within a predetermined time. At this time, if it is early detection (result of S83 is “Y”), the motor is temporarily stopped (S84, time t23 to time t24). After that, until the predetermined time elapses (time t24 to time t25), it operates in the contact direction as it is, and temporarily stops (S74, time t25 to time t26). Thereafter, the motor is operated in the separation direction until the position detection sensor 92 is in a light shielding state (S75, time t26 to time t27).

  Then, when the position detection sensor 92 detects the light shielding state (t27), it operates in the separation direction as it is until a predetermined time elapses (from time t27 to time t28) and stops (S85, t28). Thereafter, the EN signal is set to OFF (t29), and the supply of power to the motor is stopped.

  FIG. 25 is a time chart during execution of the coalescing effect process according to the first embodiment of this invention. (A) is an operation when the combined time of the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 is short (when the combined time is less than a predetermined time), and (B) is the first effect member. This is an operation when the uniting time of 70 and the second effect member 80 is a long time (when the uniting time is a predetermined time or more). In the figure, among the drive motors of the united effect production device 58, the operation of the accessory driving first motor 71 that drives the first effect member 70 is shown as “MOT_RA”, and the accessory driving that drives the second effect member 80. The operation of the second motor 81 is indicated as “MOT_RB”.

  When the combined effect is started, as shown in (A) and (B), first, an accessory driving first motor 71 that moves the first effect member 70 and an accessory driving that moves the second effect member 80. Power is supplied to the second motor 81 to move each effect member in the contact direction. And if the contact part of the 1st effect member 70 and the 2nd effect member 80 contact | abuts, the movement of each effect member will stop (t31, t41). Then, the united state is maintained for a predetermined time, and then each effect member is moved in the separation direction (t32, t44).

  As shown to (A), when the time which continues a unification state is short, supply of a power supply is not interrupted | blocked at the time of unification effect. Such a combined effect is performed when an effect in which the number of combined seconds is less than a predetermined time (predetermined time shown in step S92 of FIG. 20) among the effects shown in FIG. 14 is executed. For example, if the predetermined time is “3.5 seconds”, it is a case where an effect in which the number of combined seconds is less than 3.5 seconds among the effects shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  On the other hand, as shown to (B), when the time which continues a unification state is long, supply of a power supply is interrupted | blocked at the time of unification effect. The period during which the power is shut off starts from a timing (t42) slightly delayed from the time point (t41) when the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 contact each other, and the first effect member 70 and the second effect member The timing (t43) is slightly earlier than the time point (t44) at which it is separated from 80.

  Such a combined effect is performed when an effect having a combined number of seconds equal to or longer than a predetermined time (predetermined time shown in step S92 in FIG. 20) among the effects shown in FIG. 14 is executed. For example, if the predetermined time is “3.5 seconds”, it is a case where an effect in which the number of combined seconds is 3.5 seconds or more among the effects shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  Thus, since the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are configured to adsorb each other by the magnet as described above, even if the supply of driving power is stopped during the combined effect, the first effect The contact portion between the member 70 and the second effect member 80 is not separated, and it is possible to stop the supply of drive power and to achieve the effects of heat generation prevention and energy saving.

  However, in the case where the coalescing effect based on the fluctuation start command in FIG. 14A or the coalescing effect based on the jackpot end command in FIG. 14B is executed, the number of coalescing seconds is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (3.5 seconds). Even if there is, the power supply is not shut off during the combined performance (corresponding to the dotted line from t42 to t43 in EN).

  If the supply of drive power is stopped during the combined effect, the first effect member 70 and the second effect member 80 are not attracted to each other, and the first effect member is attracted only by the magnet. 70 and the second effect member 80 are in a state of being attracted while slightly hanging down in the direction of gravity. Then, the player who sees the hanging action may guess the duration of the combined state to some extent, which may reduce the interest of the game. In other words, since the performance in this case suggests the subsequent gaming state by the duration of the combined state (number of combined seconds), the fun of the game is enhanced more than the effect of preventing heat generation and saving energy by stopping the driving power. This is a priority.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the control signal for stopping the motor (driving body) is output, the motor is driven by setting the EN signal to OFF. Since the driver 624 (FIG. 9) to be turned off and the drive power supply is not output, the drive source can be surely stopped even when an erroneous control signal is output to the shift register 621 (FIG. 9). Become. Therefore, the possibility that the rendering device including the motor is damaged can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the motor power supply circuit 566 supplies power to the drive source on the movable control board 620 side regardless of the content of the EN signal.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7, the EN signal from the output I / F 558a is input to the motor power circuit 566, and the motor power circuit 566 receives the input value of the EN signal. Based on the above, power is supplied to or cut off from the movable control board 620. Furthermore, it is assumed that the EN signal from the output I / F 558a is not output to the movable control board 620.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the CPU 551 can directly control the power supply circuit that supplies power to the drive source, and the power can be reliably shut off when the movable effect device is stopped. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted, and only the difference is described. The motor power supply circuit 566 forms drive power output regulation means together with the EN signal.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram of the movable control board 620 according to the second embodiment of this invention. As described above, in the second embodiment, since the EN signal is not input to the movable control board 620, the input terminal of the output enable (G) of the shift register 621 is grounded. Therefore, the movable control board 620 of the second embodiment is configured to receive a clock signal, a data signal, and a latch signal.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the power supply device is directly controlled by the value of the EN signal to control the supply of power to the driver as necessary, as in the first embodiment. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the control signal for stopping the motor (driving body) is output, the drive power supply is not output, so even when an incorrect control signal is output. It is possible to reliably stop the drive source.

  Furthermore, since a signal line for transmitting the EN signal from the effect control device 550 to the movable control board 620 is not necessary, wiring can be simplified.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all points and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 gaming machine 2 body frame (outer frame)
3 Front frame (game frame)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 10a Game area 10b Game board main body 11 Illumination unit 13 1st movable illumination (movable production | presentation apparatus)
13a Illumination drive first motor (drive source)
14 Second movable illumination (movable effect device)
14a Illumination drive second motor (drive source)
53 Display device (image output device)
58 Combined effect device (movable effect device, combined character)
63 1st effect unit 64 2nd effect unit 70 1st effect member 71 The accessory drive 1st motor (drive source)
80 Second production member 81 Actor drive second motor (drive source)
91 Light-shielding plate 92 Position detection sensor (position detection means)
121 1st contact part 122 2nd contact part 500 Game control device 501 Game microcomputer 550 Production control device 558a Output I / F (control signal output means)
566 Motor power circuit (output regulating means)
570a Master IC
580 Dispensing control device 600 Relay board 610 Decoration control device 620 Movable control board (drive control means)
621 Shift register

However, in prior art gaming machine, since the initial output of the shift register have individual differences, the initial operation at power-on becomes different from those of each game machine, in the production time of the shipping operation The work efficiency was poor.

The present invention includes a plurality of control can effect control means movable effect device which performs Ri演 unloading by the variable animals, provided corresponding to the respective movable effect device, a predetermined electric signal is applied to the signal terminal The drive control means for controlling the drive source by applying an electrical signal to the signal terminal of each drive source by inputting the drive source that can be driven by the control signal and the drive power supply from the effect control means And between the effect control means and the drive control means, a data signal line for sequentially transmitting a data signal bit by bit to the drive control means, and for taking the data signal into the drive control means A timing signal line for transmitting the timing signal, a data holding signal line for transmitting a data holding signal for instructing to hold the data signal taken in by the driving control means, and each driving source to the driving control means And an enable signal line for transmitting an enable signal for instructing permission or prohibition of application of an electrical signal to each other, so that each signal can be individually controlled by the effect control means, and the drive The control means sequentially captures the data signal bit by bit in response to the change in the timing signal, retains the data signal captured at the timing when the data retention signal is received, and In response to receiving an enable signal permitting application of an electrical signal to the terminal, an electrical signal corresponding to the held data signal is applied to the signal terminal of each drive source, and the effect control means includes : of Yu technique machine at startup, while prohibiting the application of an electrical signal by the enable signal, an electrical signal it off to be applied to the signal terminals of the drive source The data signal is held in the drive control means, then, to allow the application of the electrical signal by the enable signal.

Claims (5)

A variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner is executed based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and when the variable display game has a special result, a special game state in which a privilege is given to the player is generated. In addition, in a gaming machine equipped with a plurality of movable effect devices that perform effects related to the variable display game with movable objects,
Production control means capable of controlling the movable production device;
A drive source that is provided corresponding to each of the movable rendering devices, and that can be driven by applying a predetermined electrical signal to the signal terminal;
Drive control means for controlling the drive source by applying an electrical signal to the signal terminal of each drive source by receiving a control signal and a drive power supply from the effect control means;
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the movable effect device,
The production control means includes
Control signal setting means for setting a control signal in the drive control means;
An output permission means for allowing an electric signal corresponding to a control signal set in the drive control means to be output to a signal terminal of each of the drive sources;
Initial position determining means for determining an initial position of the movable effect device in response to detection by the position detecting means at the time of starting the gaming machine;
Initialization means for initializing the drive control means by the control signal setting means and the output permission means at the time of starting the gaming machine;
With
The initialization means sets, in the drive control means, a control signal that turns off the electrical signal output to the signal terminal of each drive source in a state where the output of the electrical signal is restricted, and then A gaming machine characterized by allowing output. The drive control means sequentially captures and holds a plurality of control signals, and when the latch signal is input, outputs the held control signal in parallel to the movable effect device,
The initialization means initializes the drive control means by setting all the held control signals to OFF before a latch signal is input to the control signal output means. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The position detection means detects a position of the movable effect device by detecting a light passing state and a light blocking state by a light blocking plate provided with a predetermined light receiving portion and rotatably provided by a drive shaft of the drive source. ,
The rotation range in which the drive shaft operates includes a light transmission state detection range detected as a light transmission state by the light shielding plate, and a light shielding state detection range detected as a light shielding state by the light shielding plate,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the initial position is included in a narrower detection range of the light transmission state detection range and the light shielding state detection range.   The said initial position is set to the position shifted from the boundary of the said light transmission state detection range and the said light-shielding state detection range largely than the minimum movable angle of the said drive shaft. Gaming machine. Comprising output regulation means for regulating the output of the drive power source to the drive source;
The output restricting means restricts the output of the drive power supply while the initialization means sets a control signal in the drive control means that turns off the electrical signal output to the signal terminal of each drive source. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by:

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