JP2015173844A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of, even when unexpected instantaneous outage or the like occurs, preventing diminution of a player's eagerness for a game.SOLUTION: After a reset start-up, a sub-main CPU 201 transmits a reset signal RESET to a sub-sub CPU 301. After receiving the reset signal RESET from the sub-main CPU 201 and starting up, the sub-sub CPU 301 transmits a toggle signal TGL at a prescribed period to the sub-main CPU 201. When receiving the toggle signal TGL from the sub-sub CPU 301 within a fixed period after the reset start-up, the sub-main CPU 201, after having received a performance control command from a main control board 100, transmits the reset signal RESET to the sub-sub CPU 301 and, after the sub-sub CPU 301 has been started up by the reset signal RESET, transmits to the sub-sub CPU 301, an image control command CMD commanding to display a performance image corresponding to the performance control command.

Description

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

  The pachinko gaming machines described above are provided for a game in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed in a horizontal row on an island facility called a so-called game island in a game store. Such a gaming machine includes a main control board that controls the progress of the game, an effect control board that controls the control of game effects based on commands from the main control board, and an image on the effect display device based on commands from the effect control boards. An image control board for controlling display is included. Each control board is equipped with, for example, a one-chip microcomputer (CPU), and is configured to start upon receiving a predetermined reset signal when the power is turned on (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-1007017 A

  By the way, if the CPU of the effect control board or the image control board is unexpectedly reset during the game due to the influence of noise or the like caused by static electricity generated in the gaming machine, the effect image on the effect display device is suddenly interrupted. Since the image indicating that the screen is being prepared suddenly appears after the reset, the player is uncomfortable and the game motivation is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing a decrease in gaming motivation even when an unexpected instantaneous interruption occurs.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gaming machine according to the present invention includes a main control unit that controls the progress of the game, and an effect control unit that controls an effect related to the game based on an effect control command from the main control unit. A game machine having image control means for controlling the display of an image on an image display unit based on an image control command from the effect control means, wherein the effect control means is configured to perform the image control after the reset activation. A reset signal is transmitted to the means, and the image control means is activated in response to the reset signal from the effect control means, and then transmits an operation signal to the effect control means at a predetermined cycle. If the control means does not receive an operation signal from the image control means within a certain period after the reset activation, the control means may not receive an effect control command from the main control means. When a reset signal is transmitted to the image control means and an operation signal is received from the image control means, a reset signal is sent to the image control means after receiving an effect control command from the main control means. In addition, after the image control means is activated by the reset signal, an image control command for instructing display of the effect image corresponding to the effect control command is transmitted to the image control means.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a player from feeling uncomfortable without causing an uncomfortable feeling even when an unexpected momentary interruption or the like occurs.

It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a control block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating circuit configurations of an effect control board and an image control board. It is a functional block diagram of the main control board and effect control board of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a special symbol winning / losing lottery table. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the symbol table per special symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the main process side main process of a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 8 of the main process by the main control side. It is a flowchart which shows the main control side timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a starting port monitoring control process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol change start monitoring control process. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol fluctuation | variation start monitoring process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol control process. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol control general purpose process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change start process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol stop symbol display process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 18 of the special symbol stop symbol display process. It is a flowchart which shows a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 20 of a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 20 of a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows a reset start process. It is a flowchart which shows production control side main processing. It is a flowchart which shows the command analysis process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the reception interruption process of an effect control command. It is a flowchart which shows production control side timer interruption processing. It is a flowchart which shows the image CPU runaway monitoring process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission interruption process of an image control command. 6 is a timing chart showing a flow of a first reset process when no toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU after an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU. 10 is a timing chart showing a flow of a second reset process when a toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU after an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU. 7 is a timing chart showing a flow of a first reset process when a toggle signal from a sub sub CPU does not change after an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub sub CPU.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A front view and a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine PM according to the present embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. First, an overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to the drawings. The pachinko gaming machine PM according to this embodiment is a model in which two functions corresponding to the conventional first type pachinko gaming machine are mixed, and the first game (first special symbol game) and the second Realizes compatibility with games (second special symbol games).

[Basic configuration of pachinko machines]
First, the basic structure of the front side of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine PM is configured with a rectangular frame size adapted to the front of the opening of the outer frame 1 which forms a vertically fixed holding frame configured in an outer rectangular frame size, and can be opened and closed. The front frame 2 that forms a frame is attached to the front left side edge portion of the front left and right hinge mechanism 3 so that it can be opened and closed sideways and detachable, and is called a double lock provided on the front right side edge portion. The device 4 is always held in a closed state engaged and connected to the outer frame 1.

  On the front frame 2, a rectangular glass frame 5 fitted to the upper front area of the front frame 2 is assembled so as to be opened and closed laterally and detachable using the upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3, and using the locking device 4 It is always kept in a closed state covering the front surface of the front frame 2. In the front frame 2, the game board 20 is detachably set and held, and the game area PA in front of the game board 20 is faced through the double-layer glass of the glass frame 5 that is always held closed. Yes.

  On the front side of the glass frame 5, there are provided a frame lamp (LED lamp) 10 that emits light according to the game development status, and a speaker 11 that generates sound effects according to the game development status. Upper and lower ball trays (upper ball tray 8 and lower ball tray 9) for storing game balls are provided at the lower portion of the glass frame 5, and an effect that is pressed by the player at the front center of the upper ball tray 8 is provided. A button 15 is provided, and a launch handle 12 for performing a launch operation of the game ball is provided on the front right side of the lower ball tray 9.

  The game board 20 is configured with a decorative board formed by attaching a cell printed with a predetermined pattern on a rectangular laminated plywood subjected to router processing or the like. On the front surface of the game board 20, an outer rail and an inner rail are fixed in an arc shape, and a substantially circular game area PA on which a game ball can roll is defined, and a windmill and a large number of games are formed in the game area PA. In addition to the nail, in addition to various winning ports such as the first starting port 61, the second starting port 62, the operation gate 63, and the big winning port 64, the first special symbol display device 71, the second special symbol display device 72, the first Various display devices such as a special figure hold lamp 73, a second special figure hold lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a general figure hold lamp 76 are provided. A center ornament 22 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area PA, and the screen of the effect display device 70 is provided so as to be visible through the center opening of the center ornament 22. At the lower end of the game area PA, there is provided an out port 29 through which the game balls that have tumbled down without entering each winning port are discharged to the back side of the game board 20. Hereinafter, each component provided in the game board 20 is demonstrated in order.

  The first start port 61 is provided as a start winning port corresponding to the first special symbol game, and includes a first start port switch 611 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. Entering a game ball into the first start port 61 triggers the first special symbol lottery.

  The second start port 62 is provided as a start winning port corresponding to the second special symbol game, and includes a second start port switch 621 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. Entering a game ball into the second start port 62 triggers the second special symbol lottery. The second start port 62 includes a normal electric accessory 622 and a normal electric accessory solenoid 623 for opening and closing the normal electric accessory 622. The ordinary electric accessory 622 changes between a closed state in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting port 62 and an open state in which the game ball is easier to enter than this state. Here, the second start port 62 is disposed almost directly below the first start port 61, and if the ordinary electric accessory 622 of the second start port 62 is not opened, the game ball is caused by the presence of the first start port 61. The structure is difficult to enter. On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory 622 is released, the ease of entering the second starting port 62 is increased, and a game ball can be inserted into the second starting port.

  The operation gate 63 is provided as a start winning opening corresponding to a normal symbol game, and includes an operation gate switch 631 for detecting passage of a game ball. Note that the passing of the game ball to the operation gate 63 triggers the normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to expand the normal electric accessory 622 of the second start port 62.

  The big winning opening 64 is a winning opening that is in the shape of a horizontal rectangle and is located below the game area PA, which is opened when the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined to be a big or small lottery. . The special prize opening 64 includes a special prize opening switch 641 for detecting the entry of a game ball, and a special electric accessory 642 called a so-called attacker device, and for opening and closing the special electric accessory 642. The large winning opening solenoid 643 is provided. The special electric accessory 642 changes between a normal state in which a game ball cannot enter or difficult to enter the grand prize opening 64 and an open state in which a game ball can enter or can easily enter.

  The first special symbol display device 71 performs variable display and fixed display of the first special symbol when the game ball enters the first start port. The first special symbol display device 71 is composed of, for example, eight LED lamps, and the fluctuation display of the first special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the lamp, and the blinking of the lamp is stopped and switched to the lighting display. The first special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

  The second special symbol display device 72 performs variation display and confirmation display of the second special symbol when the game ball enters the second starting port. The second special symbol display device 72 is composed of, for example, eight LED lamps, and the variation display of the second special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the lamp, and the blinking of the lamp is stopped and switched to the lighting display. The second special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

  The first special figure reservation lamp 73 and the second special figure reservation lamp 74 are each composed of, for example, two LED lamps, and the number of operation reserved balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is indicated by lighting / flashing display of the lamps. Express (up to 4). The number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol is the number of game balls that have entered the first starting port during the variation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during the execution of the special game. Indicates the number of authorizations once held. The number of suspended balls in the second special symbol is the number of game balls that have entered the second starting port during the variation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during the execution of the special game. Indicates the number of authorizations once held.

  The normal symbol display device 75 is composed of, for example, two LED lamps, and performs normal symbol variation display and fixed display. For example, the regular figure holding lamp 76 is composed of four lamps, and the number of lighting of the lamp corresponds to the number of normal symbol fluctuations held (the number of normal symbol fluctuations not yet executed). On the left side of the normal symbol display device 75, a round indicator 77 for displaying the number of round games in the special game (the number of rounds: the number of times that the special electric accessory 642 operates continuously) is provided.

  The effect display device 70 mainly displays an effect image including a decorative pattern and a notice effect that fluctuately display / stop in conjunction with the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol. Hold display. Specifically, on the screen of the effect display device 70, the first special symbol is synchronized with the decorative symbol display unit 700 on which the decorative symbol change display or the notice effect display is executed, and the first special symbol hold lamp 73. The first special figure hold display section 701 that executes the hold display of the second special figure hold display section 702 that executes the hold display of the second special symbol in synchronization with the second special figure hold lamp 74 Is provided. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is employed as the effect display device 70. The decorative symbol display unit 700 is provided with three rows of display areas (a left display area Z1, a middle display area Z2, and a right display area Z3) serving as a decorative display variable display area on a predetermined effective line (not shown). The right symbol of the decorative symbol corresponding to the left display area Z1, the middle symbol of the decorative symbol corresponding to the middle display region Z2, and the right symbol of the decorative symbol corresponding to the right display region Z3 are stopped and displayed. It has become so. In the special figure hold display sections 701 and 702, in a normal display mode, when an operation holding ball of a special symbol is generated, a holding image of a white circle is displayed, whereas when the operation holding ball is digested, it corresponds. The reserved image is lost. The reserved images are displayed in order according to the order in which the special symbols actuated on-hold balls are generated (the order of entering the balls), and a maximum of four can be displayed on each of the on-hold display units 701 and 702.

  The center decoration 22 is installed around the effect display device 70, and has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the screen of the effect display device 70, and decoration. The center decoration 22 is provided with a plurality of movable accessories 24 (24A, 24B, 24C) for performing a production operation according to the game development status. Each movable accessory 24 includes a motor M (for example, a stepping motor) as a drive source. Note that, for example, another drive source such as a solenoid may be used as the drive source of the movable accessory 24. Further, the center decoration 22 is provided with a board lamp (LED lamp) 25 that emits light according to the game development status. In the following description, for convenience, the frame lamp 10 and the panel lamp 25 are also collectively referred to as “effect lamp LP”. In this embodiment, an LED lamp is used as the effect lamp LP, but other light emitting means other than the LED lamp may be used as long as the lamp effect can be exhibited.

  Next, the basic structure of the back side of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the front frame 2, there is a back set board 30, which has a window that communicates with the front and rear in the center and is based on a base frame that is formed in a rectangular frame shape somewhat smaller than the front frame 2. Via the hinge mechanism 3, it is connected to the back of the front frame 2 so that it can be opened, closed, and detached. A back set cover 30C having a rectangular box shape with an open front is detachably attached to the back set board 30 and is always disposed to cover the back side of the game board 20 attached to the front frame 2. (Thus, the main control board 100, the effect control board 200, and the image control board 300, which will be described later, are covered with the back set cover 30C).

  Each part of the back set board 30 has a storage tank 31 for storing a large number of game balls, a tank rail 32 extending from the storage tank 31 with a gentle downward slope to the right, and a lower end connected to the right end of the tank rail 32. A ball supply passage 33 extending to the ball, a prize ball payout unit 34 for paying out a game ball guided by the ball supply passage 33, and a prize for guiding the game ball discharged from the prize ball payout unit 34 to the upper ball tray 6. A ball passage portion 35 and the like are provided.

  On the back side of the game board 10, a main control board (main control board unit) 100 that comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko gaming machine PM, an effect control board (effect control board unit) 200 that controls the overall effects, An image control board (image control board unit) 300 that performs image display according to game development, control of sound effects, and the like are attached. On the other hand, on the back side of the back set board 30, a payout control board (payout control board unit) 400 that performs control related to the launch and payout of game balls, and various control boards, A power supply board (power supply board unit) 500 for supplying power to the electronic components is attached. In order to prevent unauthorized modification, these control boards are respectively placed at predetermined positions on the back of the game board 20 or the back set board 30 in an assembled state housed in a transparent resin board case having a caulking structure and a sealing structure. Arranged. These control boards and the electrical / electronic components of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PM are connected to each other via a harness (connector cable) so that the pachinko gaming machine PM can be operated.

[Basic operation of pachinko machines]
The pachinko gaming machine PM configured as described above can be used in a game in which the outer frame 1 is fixedly installed on the gaming island of the gaming facility, and the front frame 2, the glass frame 5, the ball tray unit 6 and the like are closed and locked. The game is started by storing the game ball in the upper ball tray 8 and rotating the launch handle 12. When the firing handle 12 is rotated, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 8 are launched one by one by a ball feed mechanism 13 (see FIG. 3) disposed on the back side of the glass frame 5. 14 (see FIG. 3), and is launched into the game area PA by the launch mechanism 14.

  When a game ball rolling down in the game area PA enters one of the first start port 61, the second start port 62, the operation gate 63, or the big winning port 64, a winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port Is paid out to the upper ball tray 8 or the lower ball tray 9 by the prize ball payout unit 33. When the game ball enters the first start port 61 (second start port 62), the first special symbol (second special symbol) is displayed in a variable manner on the first special symbol display device 71 (second special symbol display device 72). At the same time, the decorative symbols are variably displayed in the decorative symbol display section 700 of the effect display device 70 in synchronism with this. The variation display of the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the decorative symbol is stopped (determined display) after the lapse of the variation time previously determined by lottery.

  When the first special symbol or the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed in a stop mode indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 64 starts. Is done. The stop pattern of the decorative symbol indicating the big hit is, for example, a mode in which the types of three symbols match. In this embodiment, as a special game, a round game is set to 2 times (2 rounds), a 2R special game, a round game is set to 12 times (12 rounds), and a round game is 16 times. 16R special games set to (16 rounds) are provided.

  In this embodiment, the probability variation function (hereinafter also referred to as “probability variation”) of the special symbol may be activated after the special game is ended, regardless of whether the game is shifted to the 2R special game, the 12R special game, or the 16R special game. . When the special symbol probability variation function is activated, a lottery with a special symbol jackpot probability higher than the normal probability state is performed, so that a new special game is generated relatively early.

  On the other hand, after the special game is over, a special symbol variation time shortening function (hereinafter also referred to as “shortening time”) is activated in association with the probability variation function. When the special symbol variation time shortening function is activated, the average variation time of special symbols and decorative symbols tends to be shorter than the normal state, and the number of successful lotteries per unit time is improved compared to the normal state (unit time). Can increase the chance of winning big hits). In this example, the duration of the short time state is set to a period of a predetermined number of fluctuations (for example, 50 times) of the special symbol from the end of the special game. On the other hand, in the case of a variable time shortening function associated with the probability variation function of a special symbol, it is set to a period from the end of the special game until the next big hit occurs.

  When the special symbol variation time shortening function is activated, the so-called electric chew support function is activated, and the state shifts to the electric chew support state (easy entry state). In the easy-to-enter state, the ease of entering the second starting port 62 is enhanced by the operation of the normal symbol variation time shortening function, the normal symbol probability variation function, and the normal electric accessory opening time extension function. It is a state that can be. In this easy-to-enter state, the possibility that the number of fluctuations of the normal symbol per fixed time will increase more than usual and the ease of entering the second start port 62 will also increase, so that the second start port 62 will be entered. The possibility that the number of balls entering will increase. Therefore, by operating the special symbol variation time shortening function and the electric chew support function, the chance to obtain a winning ball by entering the second starting port 62 increases during the period, so that the number of possessed balls is hardly reduced. The game can be continued.

[Control configuration of pachinko machines]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, each control board mounted in the pachinko gaming machine PM according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM.

  The main control board 100 includes a main CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processes related to games, a ROM 102 that stores control programs and various data, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, a peripheral board, A main control microcomputer (one-chip microcomputer) 110 configured to include an I / O port circuit 104 for inputting / outputting signals to / from the device is mounted, and the main CPU 101 plays a game according to a control program stored in the ROM 102. It is configured to execute main control related to the progress. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the main control board 100 is reset when a clock circuit that divides the clock signal from the crystal oscillator to generate an internal system clock and the main CPU 101 malfunctions or runs out of control. It operates as a separate system from the WDT circuit for returning to the normal state, the CTC circuit that enables real-time interrupt generation and time measurement, and the program processing (software random number) by the main CPU 101 to generate a predetermined random number (built-in random number). A random number generation circuit and the like are mounted, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

  The main CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing based on detection information from each switch. The RAM 103 is a backup RAM as a nonvolatile storage unit that is backed up by a backup power supply (VBB) generated in the power supply substrate 500. The backup area of the RAM 103 is an area for storing data such as a stack pointer and each register held when the power is turned off when the power is turned off. ), The state of the gaming machine is restored to the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area.

  The main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start port switch 611, the second start port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, the big prize port switch 641, and the like, via the I / O port circuit 104. Thus, detection signals from various switches are input to the main CPU 101. The main control board 100 includes a first special symbol display device 71, a second special symbol display device 72, a first special symbol hold lamp 73, a second special figure hold lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a general figure hold lamp. 76, and is further electrically connected to a normal electric accessory solenoid 623 and a special electric accessory solenoid 643, and receives a control signal from the main CPU 101 via the I / O port circuit 104. It transmits to various display means and various solenoids.

  The main control board 100 and the effect control board 200 are communicably connected in only a single direction from the main control board 100 to the effect control board 200. The effect control command is transmitted. Data cannot be transmitted from the effect control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the main control board 100 cannot be requested to transmit data.

  The effect control board 200 includes a sub-main CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processes related to game effects based on an effect control command from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores an effect control program and various data, a work area that is a temporary storage area, Equipped with a rendering control microcomputer (one-chip microcomputer) 210 that includes a RAM 203 that functions as a buffer memory and an I / O port circuit 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. The sub-main CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game effects according to a control program stored in the ROM 202. In addition, although not shown, the production control board 200 is reset when a clock circuit that divides the clock signal from the crystal oscillator to generate an internal system clock, or when the sub main CPU 201 malfunctions or runs away. WDT circuit that returns to normal state, TPU circuit that outputs various signals based on the system clock, interrupt controller that activates various interrupts such as timer interrupts based on signals from the TPU circuit, etc. for inputting and outputting serial data A serial communication circuit and the like are mounted, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

  The effect control board 200 is electrically connected to the lamp connection board 91, and transmits a lamp control signal (lamp data) for controlling the lamp connection board 91 via a serial communication circuit. In this example, the production control board 200 and the lamp connection board 91 employ clock-synchronized serial transmission, and are transmitted by a signal line (clock line) different from the data line for lamp data transmission. In synchronization with the clock signal, the ramp control signal is transmitted bit by bit through the data line. The lamp connection board 91 incorporates an LED driver (not shown) that functions in response to a lamp control signal for LED driving transmitted from the effect control board 200, and switches in the circuit based on the lamp control signal. By switching on / off, the drive current is supplied to or cut off from the effect lamp LP, and the effect lamp LP is turned on or off.

  Furthermore, the effect control board 200 is electrically connected to the motor driver 92, and transmits a drive control signal (drive data) for controlling the motor driver 92 to the motor driver 92 via the I / O port circuit 204. . The motor driver 92 supplies a drive current to the motor M of each movable accessory 24 by switching on / off the switch in the circuit based on the drive control signal for the accessory drive transmitted from the effect control board 200. Alternatively, control is performed so that each movable accessory 24 is operated by being shut off.

  The image control board 300 includes a sub-sub CPU 301 that performs various arithmetic processes related to image effects based on an image control command from the effect control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores image control programs and various data, and a work area that is a temporary storage area. And an image control microcomputer (one-chip microcomputer) 310 that includes a RAM 303 that functions as a buffer memory and an I / O port circuit 304 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. The sub-sub CPU 301 is configured to execute main control related to the image effect according to the control program stored in the ROM 302.

  The payout control board 400 is composed mainly of a payout CPU 401, ROM 402 and RAM 403. The payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout payout unit 34 is driven based on a payout control command from the main control board 100 to pay out a prize ball. And the ball feed mechanism 13 and the launch mechanism 14 are driven synchronously based on the operation amount of the launch handle 12 to control the launch of the game ball.

  Although not shown in detail, the power supply board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit for generating a normal power supply used by each control board based on a primary power supply supplied from the power supply facility of the game island, and a backup power supply. (VBB) is generated, and a power-off monitoring circuit for monitoring power-off due to a voltage drop is provided. The electronic / electrical parts such as control boards and game machines Supply the necessary power. A power switch for starting a power circuit is connected to the power board 500, and when the power switch is turned on on the assumption that the primary power is supplied from the power supply device of the game island, the power board A predetermined power is supplied from 500 normal power supply circuits to each control board. The power supply board 500 is configured to be able to detect that the power supply from the power supply device on the amusement island has been cut off. , To the effect control board 200 and the payout control board 400. The backup power supply circuit is charged when power is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine PM from the power supply device on the game island. Further, a RAM clear switch (not shown) is connected to the power supply board 500 for temporarily erasing the temporarily stored contents of the RAM 103 of the main control board 100 and setting initial values when the pachinko gaming machine PM is turned on. ing. The RAM clear switch may be connected to the main control board 100 instead of the power supply board 500, for example.

  Next, the circuit configurations of the effect control board 200 and the image control board 300 will be described with additional reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, illustration of the I / O port circuits 204 and 304 is omitted.

  The effect control board 200 includes the effect control microcomputer 210 including the sub main CPU 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the like as described above. In the effect control process based on the effect control command from the main control board 100, the sub-main CPU 201 generates an image control command (“CMD”) instructing execution of effects related to the image and sound, and uses this image control command. Transmit to the sub-sub CPU 301. The effect control board 200 is connected to the image control board 300 so as to be capable of two-way communication. While the image control command is transmitted to the image control board 300, the image control command can be normally received as a response. An ACK command (“ACK”) indicating that the image is transmitted is transmitted from the image control board 300 to the effect control board 200.

  Further, the sub main CPU 201 monitors whether or not the sub sub CPU 301 of the image control board 300 is operating normally, and detects that the sub sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state (for example, a runaway state), the sub main CPU 201 In response to this, a reset signal (“RESET”) is output to forcibly reset the sub-sub CPU 301. The sub main CPU 201 determines whether or not the sub sub CPU 301 is operating normally based on an input state of a toggle signal (“TGL”) described later from the sub sub CPU 301.

  The effect control board 200 includes a reset circuit 211 as a voltage monitoring unit that is electrically connected to the power supply board 500. The reset circuit 211 monitors the power supply voltage from the power supply substrate 500, and when the power is turned on, in other words, when the applied voltage to the sub-main CPU 201 rises to a normal level, the reset circuit ( A circuit that outputs “RESET”) (for example, a reset IC). Immediately after the power is turned on, a reset signal having a LOW level is input from the reset circuit 211 to the sub main CPU 201, and the reset signal changes to a HIGH level after a predetermined time from the time when the power is turned on. When the reset terminal of the sub-main CPU 201 changes to the HIGH level after the LOW level for a certain time, the reset start process (FIG. 23) of the effect control board 200 is started.

  As described above, the image control board 300 includes the image control microcomputer 310 including the sub-sub CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the like, as well as the VDP 311 that generates image data according to the content of the effect based on the control signal acquired from the sub-sub CPU 301. A sound source IC 312 that generates acoustic data in accordance with the contents of the presentation based on the control signal acquired from the sub-sub CPU 301 is mounted. The VDP 311 is a so-called image processor, reads image data stored in the image ROM 313 according to an instruction from the sub-sub CPU 301, and transmits a video signal (image data) generated by image processing to the effect display device 70. . The VPD 311 is connected to a high-speed VRAM 314 used for developing / processing image data read from the image ROM 313. The sound source IC 312 reads the acoustic data stored in the audio ROM 315 in accordance with an instruction from the sub-sub CPU 301, and outputs the acoustic data generated by synthesizing the data to the speaker 11 via the digital amplifier (amplifier) 316.

  The sub-sub CPU 301 outputs a toggle signal (TGL) to the sub-main CPU 201 while operating normally after reset activation. Thereby, the sub-sub CPU 301 can notify the sub-main CPU 201 that it is operating normally. The toggle signal is a signal having a waveform in which the signal level (HIGH level / LOW level) is alternately repeated every frame time of the image frame.

[Main functional configuration of pachinko machines]
Next, various functions of the pachinko gaming machine PM (mainly the main control board 100 / the effect control board 200) according to the present embodiment will be described with additional reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

<Main control board>
As shown in FIG. 5, the main control board 100 includes a pitch determination unit 110, a game lottery random number generation unit 120, a hold control unit 130, a prior determination unit 135, a special symbol lottery processing unit 140, a normal symbol lottery processing unit 145, Demonstration effect setting means 150, symbol display control means 155, electric accessory control means 160, gaming state control means 165, error monitoring control means 170, main information storage means 180, and command transmission / reception means 190 are included. Note that each of the above-described means in the main control board 100 is configured by main CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, hardware such as an electronic circuit provided on the main control board 100, and software such as a control program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. Is a functional representation of things.

  Based on detection signals from the first start port switch 611, the second start port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, and the big winning port switch 641, the entrance determination unit 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning port. judge.

  The game lottery random number generation means 120 takes in the built-in random number generated by the random number generation circuit of the game control microcomputer 110 with software, and adds a soft random number per special symbol described later to this to be used for the lottery of special symbols. Generate random numbers per special symbol. The game lottery random number generation means 120 includes a random number counter for generating various software random numbers by the program processing of the main CPU 101. These random number counters serve as random number generation means for generating random numbers in software. As this software random number, a soft random number per special symbol that is added to the above-mentioned built-in random number to form a random number per special symbol, a soft initial value random number per special symbol for determining an initial value and an end value of the soft random number per special symbol, Special symbols for determining the random number of symbols per special symbol used for determining the winning symbol (the combination of symbols that will activate the condition device) as the stop symbol of the special symbol, the initial value and the end value of the symbol random number per special symbol The initial symbol random number per symbol, the random number per normal symbol, the random number per normal symbol, the random number per normal symbol, the random number per normal symbol, and the random number per normal symbol Includes initial value random numbers per normal symbol to determine, normal symbol variation pattern random number to use for selection of variation pattern of ordinary symbols, etc. That. These software random numbers are updated once every time timer interrupt processing occurs, and the remaining time of the interrupt cycle is maintained even when timer interrupt processing is not being executed for the initial value random number (during loop processing). Update using.

  The hold control means 130 includes a special symbol hold control means 131 and a normal symbol hold control means 132.

  The special symbol hold control means 131 is a lottery random number value related to special symbol games, which is a random number value per special symbol, per special symbol, when the game ball enters the first start port 61 or the second start port 62. The design random number value and the special design variation pattern random value are acquired, and the random number value is managed as the operation reserved ball information of the first special design or the second special design. The special symbol holding control means 131 is a main information storage means that combines the action holding ball information of the first special symbol or the second special symbol up to a predetermined upper limit number (4) with the entering order of the holding balls. The first special symbol reservation storage area of 180 or the second special symbol reservation storage area is temporarily stored. Further, the special symbol hold control means 131 has a first special symbol hold ball number counter for counting the number of active reserved balls of the first special symbol, and a second special symbol for counting the number of active hold balls of the second special symbol. It has a symbol holding ball number counter. The special symbol hold control means 131 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one special reserved action ball is acquired as an update process of the number of special reserved action balls. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

  Further, when the special symbol holding control means 131 updates the number of the active reserved balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the special symbol holding control means 131 includes an effect control command (referred to as a “symbol memory number command”) including update information of the number of held balls. ) And is temporarily stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180. This 1 command includes information on both the number of the operation reserved balls of the first special symbol and the number of the operation reserved balls of the second special symbol. In principle, the action-reserved balls of each special symbol are digested in the order of entry, but in this embodiment, the variable special symbol is displayed with priority over the first special symbol. In order to adopt so-called preferential digestion, while there is an operation reservation ball related to the second special symbol game, regardless of the presence of the operation reservation ball related to the first special symbol game, the operation reservation related to the second special symbol game It is configured to preferentially digest spheres.

  The normal symbol hold control means 132 is triggered by the entrance of the game ball to the operation gate 63, and is a random number value per normal symbol, a random symbol value per normal symbol, a normal symbol fluctuation pattern, which is a lottery random number value related to the normal symbol game. A random value is acquired, and the random value is managed as the operation reservation ball information of the normal symbol. The normal symbol holding control unit 132 stores the normal symbol operation holding ball information in the normal symbol holding storage area of the main information storage unit 180 in a form combined with the order of entering the holding balls up to a predetermined upper limit number (four). Memorize temporarily. Further, the normal symbol holding control means 132 has a normal symbol holding ball number counter for counting the number of normal reserved operation balls. The normal symbol hold control means 132 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one normal reserved actuated ball is acquired as the update processing of the number of held normal symbols of the active normal symbol. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

  When the predetermination means 135 acquires the operation reservation ball of the special symbol at a predetermined predetermination timing, the predetermination means 135 executes the advance determination of the pre-reading notice effect for the operation reservation ball. Here, the pre-reading notice effect refers to a preliminary decision such as a lottery for an undigested action-holding ball for which a special symbol variation display is pending, and the result of the judgment is notified to the player in advance. It is an effect to notify. Specifically, the pre-determination unit 135 reads a random number value corresponding to the currently reserved ball for operation from the special symbol storage area of the main information storage unit 180, and pre-determined pre-decision for a lottery (pre-pre- ), Pre-determination of pre-reading symbol lottery (pre-determination of symbol), and pre-determination of pre-reading variation pattern lottery (pre-determination of variation pattern). The prior determination unit 135 sequentially generates an effect control command including information on the result of the previous / failure determination, and stores this in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180.

  The special symbol lottery processing unit 140 includes a special symbol success / failure determination unit 141, a special symbol stop symbol determination unit 412, and a special symbol variation pattern determination unit 143. The special symbol lottery processing means 140, when the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the random number value per special symbol and the symbol per special symbol stored in the earliest storage area (hold 1 storage area) in the special symbol hold storage area The random number value and the special symbol variation pattern random number value are read out and stored in the special symbol success / failure determination region, the special symbol symbol determination region, and the special symbol variation pattern determination region of the main information storage unit 180, respectively. Here, as an example, the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied. (1) No big hit or small hit is in effect. (2) Both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are waiting for variation. (3) When all the conditions of the operation holding ball exist in at least one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are satisfied, and as a result, the special symbol can start to fluctuate. It is judged that there is.

  The special symbol success / failure determination means 141 reads a random value per special symbol from the special symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage means 180 and executes the determination of the success / failure, and the determination result corresponds to any one of the big hit, the small hit, and the loss Decide what to do. The result of this lottery lottery is temporarily stored in a special symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 180 (for example, big hit data “55H”, small hit data “33H”, loss data “00H”), and is used in subsequent processing. After that, it is cleared when the special symbol changes. The special symbol success / failure determination means 141 holds a special symbol success / failure lottery table which is referred to in the determination of success / failure.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a special symbol winning / losing lottery table, where (A) is a table referred to in a normal state (low probability state), and (B) is a probability variation state (high probability state). It is a table to be referenced. In this special symbol success / failure lottery table, random numbers per special symbol and judgment results of big hits, small hits, and losing are associated with each other. Is determined. As can be seen from FIG. 5, in the special symbol game winning / losing lottery, in the normal state (low probability state), only when the random number value falls within the range of 0 to 163, it is a big hit. On the other hand, in the probability variation state (high probability state), the range of jackpot is expanded, and not only when the random number value falls within the range of 0 to 163 but also when it falls within the range of 164 to 1639. That is, when the probability variation function of the special symbol is activated, the jackpot lottery probability varies from the low probability state (164/65536) to the high probability state (1640/65536). As described above, the range corresponding to the jackpot changes according to the gaming state, but the probability of winning the jackpot is the same in the winning lottery of the first special symbol and the winning lottery of the second special symbol. Here, even if the random number value per special symbol does not correspond to the big hit range, if it falls within the predetermined range, it is a small hit. In this example, the winning lottery of the first special symbol is a small hit with a higher probability than the winning lottery of the second special symbol. In addition, for example, in the lottery determination of the second special symbol, it may be configured so that there is no small hit.

  The special symbol stop symbol determination means 142 determines the stop symbol of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the symbol group to which the stop symbol belongs, based on the result of the first or second special symbol determination. To do. The special symbol stop symbol determination means 142 includes a first special symbol per symbol table that is referred to when determining a stop symbol and a symbol group of the first special symbol and the second special symbol when the result of the winning / failing lottery is a big hit, It has a symbol table per second special symbol.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing an example of a symbol table per first special symbol. In the symbol table per first special symbol, the random symbol value per special symbol is the stop symbol, symbol group, jackpot content (the number of operations of the probability variation function and variation time shortening function of the special symbol, the big prize opening 64 Are associated with each other. In this table, the stop symbols “2” to “11” of the first special symbol are classified into three types of symbol groups A to C according to the type of jackpot. Specifically, in the symbols “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5”, the symbol group A (the 12R specified short-time symbol 1) includes symbols “6”, “7”, “8”, Symbol group B (2R specific time short symbol) is associated with “9”, and symbol group C (12R normal time short symbol) is associated with symbols “10” and “11”, respectively. The “specific symbol” is a symbol that activates the probability variation function after the end of the special game, and the “normal symbol” is a symbol that does not activate the probability variation function after the end of the special game (described later). The same applies to the symbol group of the second special symbol).

  On the other hand, when the result of the lottery is a small hit, the symbol determination by the random number per special symbol is omitted, and the symbol “12” is uniquely assigned as the stop symbol. The symbol group “12” is associated with the symbol “12”. In the case of a small hit, the gaming state (probability variation function, variation time shortening function, electric chew support function) is not triggered, and the gaming state is maintained before and after the winning lottery. When the result of the lottery determination is out of place, the symbol “1” is uniquely assigned as the stop symbol.

  Subsequently, FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a symbol table per second special symbol. In the symbol table per second special symbol, the stop symbol, the symbol group, the content of the jackpot (the number of operations of the probability variation function and the variation time shortening function of the special symbol, the big prize opening 64 for the symbol random value per special symbol) Are associated with each other. In this table, the stop symbols “13” to “22” of the second special symbol are classified into three types of symbol groups D to F according to the type of jackpot. Specifically, the symbols “13”, “14”, “15”, and “16” include the symbol group D (16R specific short time symbol), and the symbols “17” and “18” include the symbol group E. The symbol group F (2R normal time short symbol) is associated with the symbols “19”, “20”, “21”, and “22”, respectively.

  On the other hand, when the result of the lottery is a small hit, the symbol determination by the random number per special symbol is omitted, and the symbol “23” is uniquely assigned as the stop symbol. The symbol “23” is associated with a symbol group H (special electric operation symbol). In the case of a small hit, the gaming state (probability variation function, variation time shortening function, electric chew support function) is not triggered, and the gaming state is maintained before and after the winning lottery. When the result of the lottery determination is out of place, the symbol “1” is uniquely assigned as the stop symbol.

  The special symbol variation pattern determining means 143 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol based on the special symbol variation pattern random number value. Here, the special symbol variation pattern determination means 143 holds a plurality of types of variation pattern tables that are referred to when a variation pattern of the special symbol is selected. The special symbol variation pattern determination unit 143 selects one variation pattern table from among a plurality of types of variation pattern tables based on the current variation pattern selection state and the result of the lottery determination. Each variation pattern table defines a plurality of types of variation patterns, and a determination value (range of random values) for determining the variation pattern is set according to the special symbol variation pattern random number value. The variation pattern is determined based on which judgment value the numerical value belongs to. As for the various variation patterns, the variation time is determined for each variation pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and it is assumed that the symbol variation by the decorative symbol composed of multiple symbols is also executed at the variation time. Is defined as Specifically, a variation pattern that can take a non-reach variation mode as a symbol variation process, a variation pattern that can take a normal reach (N reach) variation pattern as a symbol variation process, and a variation mode with reach as a symbol variation process There are fluctuation patterns that eventually develop into super reach (SP reach).

  Further, since the special symbol variation pattern determination means 143 selects the variation pattern of the special symbol and then instructs the effect control board 200 to start the variation of the decorative symbol, the communication with the effect control board 200 is normally performed. Effect control command ("communication inspection command") for confirming whether or not, effect control command ("variation addition symbol information designation command" including variation addition symbol information (information for adding and subtracting variation time) ), An effect control command including variation pattern information (referred to as a “variation pattern designation command”), a “character effect number designation command” including character representation number information (design group and game state information), and the like. (Hereinafter, these commands are collectively referred to as “variation start command”), And stores it in the pay area.

  The normal symbol lottery processing unit 145 includes a normal symbol success / failure determination unit 146, a normal symbol stop symbol determination unit 147, and a normal symbol variation pattern determination unit 148. When the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the normal symbol lottery processing unit 145 reads the normal symbol random number value and the normal symbol variation pattern random value stored in the first storage area in the normal symbol holding storage area, They are stored in the normal symbol success / failure determination area and the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180, respectively.

  The normal symbol success / failure determination unit 146 reads out a random value per normal symbol from the normal symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage unit 180 and executes the determination of success / failure, and determines whether the determination result corresponds to hit or miss. decide. The result of this lottery lottery is temporarily stored in the normal symbol determination flag of the main information storage unit 180, and after being used in the subsequent processing, it is cleared when the variation of the normal symbol is stopped. The normal symbol success / failure determination means 146 holds a normal symbol success / failure lottery table which is referred to at the time of the success / failure lottery. In the normal state (low probability state), for example, the normal symbol hit / decision unit 146 Referring to the symbol winning / losing lottery table, in the probability variation state (high probability state) of the normal symbol, for example, referring to the normal symbol winning / losing lottery table with a probability of “282/283”, the normal symbol winning / losing lottery is executed To do.

  The normal symbol stop symbol determination means 147 refers to the symbol lottery table and assigns a predetermined winning symbol when the result of the winning / failing lottery is a win, and allocates a predetermined off symbol when the result is wrong. It has become.

  The normal symbol variation pattern determination unit 148 reads the normal symbol variation pattern random number value from the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180, and refers to the normal symbol variation pattern table to display the variation display of the normal symbol in the normal state. In, a relatively long variation time is selected (for example, seven types of “4 seconds, 5 seconds, 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds, and 10 seconds” are uniformly selected). On the other hand, a relatively short variation time (for example, “0.5 seconds”) is selected in the short time state (easy entry state) of the normal symbol.

  When the result of the lottery determination is a big hit, the demonstration production setting means 150 determines the big hit start demonstration production and the big hit end demonstration displayed on the production display device 70 or the like during the special game according to the determined type of symbol group. The demonstration performance time related to the performance is determined. The demonstration effect setting means 150 also includes an effect control command (“hit start demo command”) for instructing execution of a jackpot start demonstration effect and effect control for instructing execution of a jackpot end demo effect as demo setting processing for the special game. Generate a command ("Big jack end demo command"). Further, the demonstration effect setting means 150 generates an effect control command (“round effect designation command”) for instructing execution of the round effect at the start of each round game in the special game.

  Also, the demonstration performance time setting means 150 is a demonstration performance time related to the small hit start demonstration performance and the small hit end demonstration performance displayed on the performance display device 70 or the like during the small hit game when the result of the lottery is small hit. To decide. In addition, the demonstration effect setting means 150 performs an effect control command (“small hit start demo command”) for instructing execution of a small hit start demonstration effect and a small hit end demonstration effect as demo setting processing for the small hit game. An instruction control command to be instructed (“small hit end demo command”) is generated.

  The symbol display control means 155 includes a special symbol display control means 156 and a normal symbol display control means 157. The special symbol display control means 156 displays the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 71 according to the variation pattern (variation time) of the first special symbol, and confirms and displays the first special symbol after the variation display. Let Further, the special symbol display control means 156 displays the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 72 in accordance with the variation pattern (variation time) of the second special symbol, and displays the second special symbol after the variation display. Confirm display. The special symbol display control means 156 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The operating states of the first special symbol display device 71 and the second special symbol display device 72 are monitored based on the special symbol game status in the main information storage means 180. The special symbol display control means 156 requests the effect control board 200 to confirm the decoration symbol when the special symbol fluctuation is stopped (that is, when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes “0”). An effect control command (referred to as “variation stop command”) is generated. The normal symbol display control means 157 variably displays the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device 75 in accordance with the variation pattern (variation time) of the ordinary symbol, and displays the regular symbol after the variation display. The normal symbol display control means 157 has a normal symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the display of the normal symbol. The operating state of the normal symbol display device 75 is monitored based on the normal symbol game status of the main information storage means 180.

  If the result of the special symbol winning / losing lottery is a big win, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 643 as a special game process after the special symbol is confirmed and displayed. The object 642 is opened according to a predetermined operation pattern. In the special game, one opening / closing operation of the special electric accessory 642 is defined as one round game, and the round game is continuously executed for a specified number of rounds (2R, 12R, and 16R in this example). . Here, when the big hit type is so-called 12R big hit (symbol group A, C) or 16R big hit (symbol group D), the big winning opening is opened for about 30 seconds at the maximum in one round game. On the other hand, when the big hit type is a so-called 2R big hit (symbol group B, E, F), the big winning opening is opened for about 0.05 seconds at the maximum in one round game.

  In addition, when the result of lottery determination of the special symbol is a small hit, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 643 as a small hit game process after the special symbol is determined and displayed. The special electric accessory 642 is opened for a short period of time. A small hit game is distinguished from a special game composed of a plurality of round games in that it is composed of a single round game. Here, when the 2R special game and the small hit game described above are compared, although they are internally different, the point of the same opening / closing time (0.05 seconds) and the number of times of opening / closing are the same (the former is Since one opening and closing per round is twice in two rounds, and the latter is common in two opening and closing per round twice, a game with an approximate opening time / opening pattern is developed.

  In addition, when the winning combination of normal symbols is won, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 643 to open the ordinary electric accessory 642 for a predetermined opening time. Here, the electric accessory control means 160 opens the ordinary electric accessory 623 for a very short time (for example, 0.2 seconds) in the normal state, whereas it is normally electric in the easy entry state (electric chew support state). The accessory 623 is opened for a relatively long time (for example, 4 seconds) compared to the normal state.

  The game state control means 165 determines the game state after the special game and switches the game state after the special game based on the type of the symbol group related to the jackpot when the result of the winning / losing lottery is a big hit. As the gaming state, the special symbol time reduction state and the electric chew support state are continued until the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches a predetermined number of end conditions, for example, 50 times, counting from the end of the special game. However, when the state changes to the probable change state of the special symbol at the same time, as long as the probable change state continues, the short time state and the electric chew support state of the special symbol are continued. That is, the probability variation state of the special symbol is continued until the next big hit. At this time, in the probability variation state of the special symbol, the big win lottery probability is changed from a normal low probability to a high probability, and a high probability state advantageous to the normal gaming state is obtained. In the short time state of the special symbol, the average variation time of the special symbol is shortened. The electric chew support state (easy entry state) is activated by the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol changing time shortening function, and the normal electric accessory opening time extending function. This is a state where the ease of entering the ball is enhanced. When the normal symbol probability variation function is activated, the normal symbol winning probability is increased from the normal state. When the normal symbol variation time shortening function is activated, the normal symbol variation time is reduced. When the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 622 is activated, the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 622 becomes longer than the normal state.

  Further, the game state control means 165 determines the variation pattern selection state after the special game based on the type of the symbol groups A to H when the result of the winning / losing lottery is a big hit or a small hit, and after the special game Switches the variation pattern selection state. The variation pattern selection state is one of the conditions referred to when selecting a variation pattern table to be described later. The switching timing of the variation pattern selection state is when the special game ends or when the end number of times of the variation pattern selection state has expired. In the present embodiment, there are a normal variation pattern selection state, a probability variation pattern selection state, a short-time variation pattern selection state, and the like as the variation pattern selection state. Here, the normal variation pattern selection state is a state in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined with reference to the normal variation pattern table selected when the gaming state is the normal state. The probability variation pattern selection state is a state in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined with reference to a probability variation pattern table selected when the game state is the probability variation state of the special symbol. The short-time variation pattern selection state is a state in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined with reference to a short-time variation pattern table selected when the gaming state is the special symbol time-short state. The gaming state control means 165 generates an effect control command (referred to as “gaming state designation command”) including the current gaming state information and variation pattern selection state information, and stores this command in the main information storage means 180. Store in the area.

  The error monitoring control unit 170 monitors input information of the I / O port circuit 104 and inspects a magnetic detection signal by a magnetic sensor, a disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality signal, a radio wave detection signal by a radio wave sensor, a door / frame opening signal, etc. Then, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in an error state. If it is in an error state, an effect control command including the error information (“error effect designation command”) is requested to indicate an error state effect to the effect control board 200. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the door opening switch is a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the glass frame 5 is opened, and the frame opening switch is a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the front frame 2 is opened. The back set release switch is a detecting means for determining whether or not the back set board 30 is open. Further, the magnetic sensor and the radio wave sensor are detection means for detecting a so-called goto action.

  The main information storage means 180 stores the obtained random number value information, information on the game state (probability change state, short time state, easy entry state) regarding the special symbol game and the normal symbol game, information on the variation pattern selection state, and result information on the pass / fail lottery (Hits, small hits, out of play), information on stop symbols and variation patterns related to special symbols and normal symbols, information on special games (number of rounds, opening time, opening mode (number of times released per round game), etc.), special It is configured to temporarily store status information indicating the operating state of the symbol display devices 71 and 72, status information indicating the operating state of the special electric accessory 642, information on the effect control command data, etc., and store each information. A predetermined storage area is provided.

  The command transmission / reception means 190 is configured to transmit various effect control command data stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 to the effect control board 200 by a parallel transmission method when a command transmission request is made. Has been. Each effect control command has a 2-byte configuration including 1-byte MODE data and 1-byte EVENT data. Bit 7 of the MOD data is “1” to distinguish MODE and EVENT. Bit 7 of the EVENT data is “0”. When these pieces of information are transmitted as valid, a strobe signal is output to each of MODE and EVENT. In principle, the effect control command generated in each process is transmitted for each interrupt period in accordance with the order set in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180.

《Direction control board》
As shown in FIG. 5, the effect control board 200 includes an effect lottery random number generation means 210, an effect supervision means 220, a lamp control means 230, an accessory control means 240, an error effect control means 250, a reset monitoring means 255, sub-main information. A storage unit 260 and a command transmission / reception unit 270 are included. Note that each of the above-described units in the effect control board 200 is configured by sub-main CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, hardware such as an electronic circuit arranged on the effect control board 200, and software such as a control program stored in the ROM 202. Is a functional representation of things.

  The effect lottery random number generation unit 210 includes a random number counter for generating various software random numbers (effect lottery random numbers) by the program processing of the sub main CPU 201. These random number counters serve as random number generation means for generating random numbers in software. This software random number includes a pre-reading notice lottery random number for use in a pre-reading notice effect lottery, a pre-reading notice pattern random number used for selection of a pre-reading notice pattern, a decoration design random number used for selection of a stop pattern of a decoration design, and a decoration design. For example, a random effect pattern random number used for selecting a variable effect pattern, a notice effect pattern random number used for selecting a notice effect pattern, and the like. The update time of these random numbers is updated using the remaining time when the command analysis is not performed in the production control side main process described later.

  The effect supervising means 220 includes an effect mode control means 221, a hold information display control means 222, a prefetch notice control means 223, a decoration symbol determination means 224, a variable effect determination means 225, a notice effect determination means 226, and a big hit effect determination means 227. Including.

  The effect mode control means 221 controls the transition of the effect mode in accordance with the game state designation command from the main control board 100 and the consistency with the game state and the variation pattern selection state managed on the main control board 100 side. Execute. In the present embodiment, a normal effect mode, a probability change effect mode, and a time-saving effect mode are included as the three types of effect modes. On the effect display device 70, an effect mode notification image (in this example, a background image to be displayed on the back of the decorative symbol) corresponding to the effect mode in which the user is currently staying is displayed, and the background images are different for each effect mode. Since it is set, the player can recognize which effect mode he is currently staying in from the type of background image.

  The holding information display control means 222 includes a first reserved ball number counter for counting the number of activated reserved balls of the first special symbol, a second reserved ball number counter for counting the number of activated reserved balls of the second special symbol, have. When the holding information display control means 222 receives the symbol storage number command from the main control board 100, the first holding ball number counter and the second holding ball are based on the information of the operation holding ball number included in the symbol storage number command. Update the value of the number counter. In addition, the hold information display control unit 222 applies the action hold ball of the first special symbol to the hold display portions 701 and 702 of the effect display device 70 based on the values of the first hold ball number counter and the second hold ball number counter. Control is performed to display the number of reserved images corresponding to the number and the number of reserved images corresponding to the number of active reserved balls of the second special symbol.

  The prefetch notice control means 223 determines whether or not the prefetch notice effect can be executed by lottery when the prior determination command is received from the main control board 100. The pre-read notice control unit 223 temporarily stores the information of the pre-determination result (pre-read information) included in the pre-determination command in the pre-read information storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260 in a form combined with the order of entering the operation holding balls. . The pre-reading notice effect is generated as one aspect of a so-called continuous notice effect for notifying the possibility of occurrence of a big win or reach effect over a plurality of continuous display of decorative symbols. When it is determined that the pre-reading notice effect (continuous notice effect) can be executed, information on the pre-determining command from the main control board 100 (pre-judgment result) and information on the symbol memory number command (the number of currently operating suspended balls) are obtained. Analyzing, a pre-reading notice effect pattern over a plurality of continuous variable displays is determined by lottery for an operation hold ball (referred to as “trigger hold”) that triggers the generation of this pre-reading notice effect. Note that there are various types of prefetching notice effects such as a pending change prefetching notice effect, a chance eye prefetching notice effect, and a background change prefetching notice effect.

  The decorative design determining means 224 is configured to combine the final stop symbols of the decorative symbols (the left symbol, the middle symbol, the character symbol) based on information (variation pattern information, character production number information) included in the variation start command from the main control board 100. The left symbol is determined by lottery. In this example, three symbol sequences including a plurality of types of decorative symbols are configured. This decorative design is formed by, for example, an identification element made up of numbers or letters. The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the result of the winning / failing lottery corresponds to a big hit, a specific combination such as “7 · 7 · 7” or “1 · 1 · 1” Thus, a combination of three symbols is selected. In the case where the lottery result is 2R big hit or small hit, a specific combination, for example, a predetermined combination such as “3 · 5 · 7” is selected. That is, the specific combination of 2R big hit or small hit does not necessarily have to be a combination of three symbols. If the lottery result is out of reach, for example, “3 ・ 4 ・ 3” or “7 ・ 5 ・ 7”, the left symbol and the right symbol match, and only the middle symbol is A frame-shifted combination is selected. In addition, when it is a small hit or 2R big hit, it is good also as a mode of said reach deviation. On the other hand, when the lottery result is out of reach, a combination (so-called “break”) in which three symbols are not aligned, such as “3, 1, 2” and “9, 4, 6” is selected.

  Based on the information (variation pattern information) included in the variation start command from the main control board 100, the variation effect determining means 225 defines the variation process (effect process) from the variation start to the stop in the variation display of the decorative symbol. Determine the production pattern. The variation effect determining means 225 holds a plurality of types of variation effect pattern tables that are referred to when selecting a variation effect pattern, and a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol is selected from the plurality of types of variation effect pattern tables. ) Is selected. In the variation effect pattern table, the variation effect pattern random value and the variation effect pattern are associated with each other according to the result of the variation pattern lottery of the special symbol (that is, the reach type). Here, while the basic pattern (for example, “N reach A”, “SP reach A”, etc.) of the symbol variation is determined as the variation pattern on the main control board 100 side, the variation control pattern is provided on the effect control substrate 200 side. Based on the basic pattern, a detailed pattern of design fluctuation (for example, “N reach A1, A2, A3”, “SP reach A1, A2, A3, A4”, etc.) that defines the scenario of the effect display process in detail is determined. In this way, the variation display pattern of the decorative design defines a variation display mode of the decorative design, that is, a scenario of a series of effect display processes from the start of variation of the decorative design to the end of the variation. The timing for generating the notice effect at the stage is also defined as a time schedule.

  The notice effect determining means 226 determines the notice effect pattern that defines the content of the notice effect that is executed at each stage of the decorative symbol change process according to the scenario of the change effect pattern described above. The notice effect pattern includes an effect pattern that displays images of specific characters and motifs, animations, etc. temporarily or in stages, an effect pattern that outputs a specific sound, an effect pattern that operates a movable accessory, etc. It is. The notice effect is executed in parallel with the variation display of the decorative symbol and suggests in advance that the jackpot reliability that the symbol variation stops in the jackpot mode is high. The notice effect determining means 226 maintains a notice effect pattern table to be referred to when selecting the notice effect pattern for each type of the notice effect, and according to the type of the notice effect generated according to the scenario of the variable effect pattern. A notice effect pattern table is selected. The notice effect determining means 226 refers to the notice effect pattern table selected above and, based on the notice effect pattern random number obtained from the effect lottery random number generator 210, draws a lot of kinds of notice effect patterns. Choose one. This notice effect is basically performed by synthesizing one or a plurality of notice effects with the decorative display of the effect display device 70. For this reason, even in the case of decorative display variation display using the same variation production pattern, various production modes can be generated by combining with one or a plurality of notice productions.

  The jackpot effect determining means 227 is based on the jackpot effect demo time information from the main control board 100, and includes a special game effect including a jackpot start demonstration and a jackpot end demo displayed during the special game prior to the execution of the special game ( Determine the content of the jackpot game production). Further, when the big hit effect determining means 227 receives the hit start demonstration effect command or the hit end demonstration effect command from the main control board 100, according to the content of the determined special game effect, Controls the effect processing of the hit end demonstration effect. Furthermore, when the big hit effect determining means 227 receives a round effect designation command from the main control board 100, it controls the effect process of the round effect corresponding to each round game.

  As described above, the production supervision unit 220 generates the image control command related to the image and the sound based on the decided production content (variation production pattern, notice production pattern, stop symbol pattern, etc.), and the sub-main information storage unit 260 Store in the command storage area.

  The lamp effect control means 230 controls the lighting of the effect lamp, the emission color, and the like according to the effect contents set by the effect control means 220. The lamp effect control means 230 holds a plurality of types of lamp data (lamp pattern data) for lighting control of the effect lamp LP (the frame lamp 10, the panel lamp 25), and the lamp according to the determined effect pattern. Data is read, and this lamp control signal (lamp data) is transmitted to the lamp connection board 91.

  The accessory effect control means 240 controls the driving of each movable accessory 24 according to the effect contents set by the effect supervision means 220. The accessory effect control means 240 holds a plurality of types of drive data for driving and controlling the movable accessory 24, and transmits a drive control signal (drive data) corresponding to the determined effect pattern to the motor driver 92. To do.

  The error effect control means 250 is configured to determine an error effect pattern when an error effect designation command is received from the main control board 100 and to notify the gaming machine that an error state has occurred according to the error effect pattern. Yes.

  The reset monitoring unit 255 monitors the operation state of the sub-sub CPU 301 of the image control board 300 and forcibly resets the sub-sub CPU when it is detected that the sub-sub CPU is in an abnormal state (for example, a runaway state). Execute reset processing (Figure ○). The operation state of the sub sub CPU 310 is determined based on the input state of the toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301. The reset monitoring means executes reset processing (FIG. 28) according to the input state of the toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301 when an instantaneous interruption or the like occurs in at least one of the sub main CPU 201 or the sub sub CPU 301. In this example, “instantaneous interruption” refers to a state in which the sub-sub CPU or the sub-sub CPU is reset due to an instantaneous voltage drop due to the influence of noise such as static electricity.

  The sub-main information storage means 260 is configured to temporarily store decoration symbol information, variation effect pattern information, notice effect pattern information, control command information, and the like, and a predetermined number for storing each information. A storage area is provided. For example, in the command storage area, an effect control command buffer for storing an effect control command from the main control board 100, an image control command buffer for storing an image control command to the image control board 300, and an image control board 300 ACK command buffer for storing ACK commands from Each command buffer is composed of a ring buffer and can store a predetermined number of effect control commands, image control commands, and ACK commands.

  The command transmission / reception means 270 is configured to receive the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100 and store the effect control command in the effect control command buffer. The command transmission / reception means 270 generates an interruption based on the input of the strobe signal from the main control board 100 and executes an effect control command reception interrupt process (details will be described later). In this interrupt process, various effect control commands are sent. To get. When the command transmission / reception means 270 receives the strobe signal, the command transmission / reception means 270 receives the effect control command reception interrupt process preferentially over other interrupt processes (interrupt processes with a priority level less than 7 described later). ing.

  Further, the command transmission / reception means 270 stores in the sub-main information storage means 260 in order to instruct execution of the effect contents (variation effect pattern information, notice effect pattern information, decorative symbol information, etc.) set by the effect control means 220. The image control command thus transmitted is transmitted to the image control board 300 by a serial communication method. In principle, the image control command is transmitted every predetermined period (500 μs in this example) in accordance with the order set in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260. Thereby, the image control board 300 analyzes various image control commands transmitted from the effect control board 200, and causes the effect display device 70 to variably display the effect image including the decorative design according to the scenario of the change effect pattern. The notice effect is displayed in a manner superimposed on the design variation effect at each stage of the variation display process. Further, the command transmission / reception means 270 receives the ACK command transmitted from the image control board 300 and stores the ACK command in the ACK command buffer.

[Process on the main control board]
Next, the procedure of the operation process in the main control board 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing on the main control board 100 side includes main control side main processing and main control side timer interrupt processing.

<Main control side main processing>
FIGS. 8 to 9 are flowcharts showing main processing on the main control side of the main control board 100. In the main process on the main control side, after the security check of the main CPU 101 is performed by reset at power-on, the program starts and the processes after S1 are started.

  First, as an initial setting required when the power is turned on, a head address is set as an initial value of the stack area in the stack pointer (S1), and access to the RAM 103 is permitted (S2). Subsequently, a vector table storing the start address of a program to be processed when a timer interrupt occurs is set (S3), and an initial value is set in a built-in register of the main CPU 101 (S4).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch is turned on (S5). If the RAM clear switch is on (S5: YES), the entire area of the RAM 103 is cleared to zero in S9 described later. On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch is not turned on (S5: NO), the value of the power-off information flag is read to determine whether or not the information on normal power-off is stored (S6).

  Here, when the information indicating that the power is off normally is stored (S6: YES), a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area of the RAM 103 (S7). Then, it is determined whether or not this checksum is 0, that is, whether or not the checksum is normal (S8). Note that the checksum at power-on calculated here includes the complement of the checksum calculated in the power-off process described later, so if it has been backed up normally, Sam becomes “0”. In this way, it is determined when the power is turned on whether the information stored in the RAM 103 before the power is turned off is correctly backed up. At this time, if the checksum is normal (S8: YES), the process proceeds to S12, which will be described later, in order to return to the state before the power interruption. On the other hand, if the checksum is abnormal (S8: NO), the entire area of the RAM 103 is cleared to zero (S9). Next, initialization data at power-on is set in the RAM 103 (S10). Subsequently, in order to initialize the effect display device 70 and the effect lamp LP, an effect control command (“effect initial command”) is requested to the effect control board 200 (S11).

  Next, in the power-off recovery setting process, power-on normal information setting, various error initial settings, and communication initial setting with the payout control board 400 are sequentially performed in the RAM 103 (S12). Here, as the setting of the power-on normal information, in order to save that the power was correctly turned on, the power-on normal data is stored in the power-off information flag and the information on the occurrence of power-off is initialized. Turn off the power-off confirmation flag. Next, a data transfer source address, a data transfer destination address, and a transfer byte number are set, and data corresponding to the transfer byte number is transferred (S13). Then, a special symbol game status value at the time of power-off is read, and a power-off recovery process related to the special symbol game is performed (S14).

  Subsequently, a transmission request for an effect control command (“power failure return command”) at the time of power failure recovery between the main control board 100 and the effect control board 200 is made (S15). The power-off recovery command includes information related to the inspection of the communication line, the special symbol operating state, the probability variation count, the time reduction count, the easy-to-enter state count, the variation pattern selection status, and the error status. It should be noted that the command requests for untransmitted before the power is turned off are cleared. . Next, in the symbol memory number command request process, the information on the number of suspended balls in the first special symbol and the second special symbol at the time of power-off is read, and an effect control command including the information on the number of suspended balls is requested ( S16).

  Subsequently, a return setting is made to return the ordinary electric accessory 622 to a state before the power is turned off (for example, the second start port 62 is opened) (S17). Further, a return setting is made to return the special electric accessory 642 to a state before the power is cut off (for example, the big prize opening 64 is opened) (S18). Subsequently, the value of the special symbol mode flag is read, and the operation state of the probability variation function of the special symbol when the power is turned off is set (S19). The special symbol mode flag is a flag for setting the operation probability (high probability or low probability) of the special symbol game. Next, in order to start a timer interrupt, a predetermined count value is set as an initial setting of the CTC circuit of the main control microcomputer 110, and a timer interrupt is generated every 4 ms (S20). Subsequently, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit generation of timer interrupt processing (S21). Then, as a preparation for restarting the watchdog timer, clear word 1 (“55H”) is set (S22).

  Next, in order to determine the occurrence of a power interruption, the value of the power interruption confirmation flag is read to determine whether or not a power interruption has occurred (S23). If no power interruption has occurred, an initial value random number update process is executed (S24). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, the numerical value of each counter is incremented by 1, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value.

  Next, interrupt permission is set so as to allow the generation of the timer interrupt process (S25), the process returns to the above-described process for prohibiting the interrupt (S21), and the loop process of S21 to S25 is repeatedly executed. Here, the timer interrupt process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals, but using the remaining time from the completion of the previous interrupt process until the next interrupt process occurs, S21 to S25. Repeat the process up to. If there is an interrupt request in the interrupt disabled state, timer interrupt processing is started when the interrupt is enabled in S25. On the other hand, if the power-off confirmation flag is turned on in S23, that is, if a power-off has occurred, the process proceeds to S26 to execute the power-off process described below.

  Next, as power-off processing (S26 to S32), first, clear word 2 (“AAH”) is set to restart the watchdog timer (S26). Next, it is determined whether or not the content of the power-off information flag is power-on normal data (S27). If it is power-on normal information (S27: Yes), power-off normal data is set in the power-off information flag (S28). On the other hand, if the power-on normal information is not found (S27: No), the power-off abnormality data is set in the power-off information flag (S29), and the process proceeds to S32.

  Next, a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area (excluding the checksum area) of the RAM 103 (S30). Then, a complement for the checksum data is calculated, and the result value of this complement is set in the checksum area of the RAM 103 (S31). Subsequently, the access prohibition setting of the RAM 103 is set (S32), and the process is looped until the power is turned off.

《Main control timer interrupt processing》
Next, the main control side timer interrupt processing of the main control board 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control board 100. This timer interrupt process is started by a clock pulse every predetermined time (for example, 4 ms) from the CTC circuit of the game control microcomputer 110, and is executed by interrupting the main process on the main control side. In addition, as the terms used below, the terms “condition device” and “actual accessory continuous actuating device” mean a conceptual control device, and “condition device” means a big hit in a special symbol game. The “actual accessory continuous actuating device” is capable of operating the special electric accessory 642 continuously a plurality of times.

  First, when this timer interrupt occurs, the contents of the register in the main CPU 101 are saved in the stack area of the RAM 103, and then an interrupt operation condition is set (S51).

  Next, a clear word 2 (“AAH”) is set to restart the watchdog timer (S52). At this time, the clear word 1 and the clear word 2 are sequentially written in the WDT clear register of the CPU 101 within a preset time-out period, whereby the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted. That is, when the main CPU 101 is executing the program normally, the clear words 1 and 2 are periodically set, so that the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted before time-out. On the other hand, when the watchdog timer times out, a user reset occurs.

  Next, input processing is executed (S53). In this input process, information of switches other than the RAM clear switch is read as various switches connected to the main control board 100. That is, input information such as the first start port switch 611, the second start port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, the big prize port switch 641, the door opening switch, the frame opening switch, the back set opening switch, the magnetic sensor, the radio wave sensor, etc. Is read, and after the state is determined, the detection information is stored.

  Next, various random number update processes are executed (S54). In these various random number update processes, the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the special symbol variation pattern random number are updated. As for the normal symbol variation pattern random number, 1 is added to the numerical value of the random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value. On the other hand, for the special symbol variation pattern random number, a predetermined value (for example, 3511) is subtracted from the previous random number. When the subtraction result is less than 0, a predetermined value (for example, 50000) is added to the subtraction result.

  Next, initial value update type random number update processing is executed (S55). In this initial value update type random number update process, the random numbers per ordinary symbol, the soft random numbers per special symbol, and the symbol random numbers per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value. Further, when the counter value makes one round, the corresponding initial value random number is set as the initial value.

  Next, an initial value random number update process is executed (S56). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value.

  Next, timer subtraction processing is executed (S57). In this timer subtraction process, the values of various timers used for game operation control of the pachinko gaming machine PM are subtracted and updated. For example, the values of various timers are subtracted by an interrupt cycle (4 ms in this example). The various timers include special symbol game timers for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72.

  Next, a second start port effective period setting process is executed (S58). In the second starting port effective period setting process, the winning effective period and the winning invalid period of the second starting port 62 are determined, and the effective period data or invalid period data of the second starting port 62 is set as the determination result.

  Next, a winning monitoring process is executed (S59). In this winning monitoring process, a game ball switch passage test is performed based on the detection information of the first starting port switch 611, the second starting port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, and the big winning port switch 641 in the input process (S53). As a result, when it is determined that the game ball has passed each switch, the number of prize balls is stored and a request for sending out a payout control command is made.

  Next, a prize ball control process is executed (S60). In this prize ball control process, a payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 400 to instruct the number of prize balls corresponding to the type of winning prize, and the received data from the payout control board 400 is monitored to pay out the payout control board 400. Perform communication inspection with.

  Next, normal symbol operation gate monitoring processing is executed (S61). In this normal symbol operation gate monitoring process, the passage of the game ball to the operation gate 63 is monitored, and when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operation gate 63, a random number related to the normal symbol lottery is acquired as the operation holding ball information. In addition to updating the number of suspended balls for a maximum of 4 balls, random numbers related to normal symbol lottery are stored.

  Next, normal symbol control processing is executed (S62). In this normal symbol control process, since a series of processes related to the normal symbol display device 75 or the normal electric accessory 622 is performed, the normal symbol changing process, the normal symbol stop symbol display process, and the like according to the value of the normal symbol game status The processing during normal electric accessory operation, the processing during normal electric accessory operation end demonstration, etc. are executed. In the normal symbol changing process, the display pattern number data of the normal symbol is created (updated) so that the normal symbol is variably displayed or fixedly displayed.

  Next, normal symbol variation start monitoring processing is executed (S63). In this normal symbol variation start monitoring process, when the normal symbol operating state is monitored and it is determined that the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the normal symbol operation holding number of balls is digested by one, and the normal symbol variation is monitored. Determination of success / failure, determination of design, determination of variation pattern, setting of variation time, and the like are sequentially performed.

  Next, the start port monitoring control process is executed (S64). In this start port monitoring control process, the winnings of the game balls to the first start port 61 and the second start port 62 are monitored, and when there is a winning game ball, the number of reserved balls is updated and the special symbol lottery is concerned. Random number storage, prefetching notice effect determination, command memory number command request, etc. are performed in order.

  Next, a special symbol control process is executed (S65). In this special symbol control process, as a series of processes related to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, according to the value of the special symbol game status, a special symbol variation start process (S420) and a special symbol variation process (S430) which will be described later in detail. ), Special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440), and the like.

  Next, a special electric accessory control process is executed (S66). In this process, when the lottery result of the special symbol is “big hit” or “small hit”, as the operation process related to the special electric accessory 642, the operation start and end setting of the special electric accessory 642, Update of the opening time and the number of times of opening the winning opening 64, the operation start setting of the probability variation function, the operation start setting of the variation time shortening function, the setting of the variation pattern selection state, the command request of the demonstration effect, etc. are executed in order.

  Next, a special winning opening valid period setting process is executed (S67). In this big winning opening effective period setting process, the winning effective period and the winning invalid period of the big winning opening 64 are determined, and the effective period data or invalid period data of the large winning opening 64 is set as the determination result.

  Next, a special symbol variation start monitoring control process is executed (S68). In this special symbol variation start monitoring control process, when there is an operation holding ball of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the number of the holding balls is digested, and a command request for the number of stored symbols, whether the special symbol is successful or not is determined. The determination of the special symbol, the determination of the probability variation function, the determination of the time shortening function, the setting of the operation pattern of the special electric accessory, the setting of the demonstration performance time, etc. are performed in order.

  Next, an abnormality detection process is executed (S69). In this abnormality detection process, based on the input information in the input process (S53), the magnetic detection signal by the magnetic sensor, the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality signal, the radio wave detection signal by the radio sensor, the door / frame opening signal, etc. are inspected in order. Then, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in an error state. If it is in an error state, an effect control command (“error effect designation command”) including the error information is generated to request the effect control board 200 to display an error.

  Next, an entrance passage time abnormality detection process is executed (S70). In this incoming ball passing time abnormality detection process, when the ON signal of the winning detection switch is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more, the incoming ball passing time abnormality is set, and an effect control command (“error” A request for a production designation command ") and a request for outputting a security signal for output to an external terminal are made.

  Next, a game state display process is executed (S71). In this game state display process, display data such as the number of times that the special electric accessory 642 is continuously operated (the number of specified rounds), the number of reserved balls for normal symbols and special symbols, and the like are created. In addition, display data for displaying the information on the error state detected in the abnormality detection process on the state indicator lamp of the main control board 100 is created.

  Next, a handle state signal inspection process is executed (S72). In this handle state signal inspection process, the touch state of the firing handle 12 is monitored based on the detection information from the touch sensor of the firing handle 12, and an effect control command (handle state effect command) is issued based on the monitoring result. Generate.

  Next, an LED output process is executed (S73). In this LED output process, the special symbol control process (S65), in order to display special symbols and normal symbols, display the number of reserved balls, the number of times that the special electric accessory is operated continuously, display an error, etc. The display data created in the abnormality detection process (S69), the game state display process (S71), etc. are used as the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, the normal symbol display device 75, the special symbol hold lamps 73 and 74, and the general figure hold. In addition to outputting to the lamp 76, the status indicator lamp of the main control board 100, etc., the display in these various display devices is initialized.

  Next, a firing control signal output process is executed (S74). In this launch control signal output process, when no communication abnormality with the payout control board 400 or an abnormality in the short circuit power supply is detected, a fire permission signal is output to the payout control board 400, and the game ball is allowed to be launched. To do. On the other hand, if an abnormality in communication with the payout control board 400 or an abnormality in the short circuit power supply is detected, a firing prohibition signal is output to the payout control board 400 to prohibit the launch of the game ball.

  Next, a test signal output process is executed (S75). In this test signal output process, various test signals indicating the operating state of the gaming machine are created and output to an external testing device in a performance confirmation test for determining whether or not the gaming machine is appropriate.

  Next, a solenoid output process is executed (S76). In this solenoid output process, in the normal symbol control process (S62) and the special electric accessory control process (S66) to operate each electric accessory 622, 642. Based on the acquired control data, an excitation signal is output to each of the electric accessory solenoids 623 and 643.

  Next, an effect control command transmission process is executed (S77). In the effect control command transmission process, the effect control command designated by the pointer is read out from the effect control commands stored in the command storage area (ring buffer) of the main information storage means 180 in the process described above. The control command is transmitted to the effect control board 200.

  Next, external information output processing is executed (S78). In the external information output process, the operating state information of the gaming machine is output as external information to an external device such as a hall computer via the external terminal board.

  Next, the contents of the saved register are restored, and the main CPU 101 is set in an interrupt enabled state (S79). As a result, the main control side timer interrupt process is terminated, the process returns to the main control side main process, and the main control side main process is executed until the next timer interrupt occurs.

  If the main control board 100 detects a power-off (a decrease in supply voltage based on a predetermined threshold) during the main control-side main process or interrupt process, a non-maskable interrupt is generated and the power-off confirmation flag is turned on. To do. Then, after returning to the original process, the above-described power-off process (S26 to S32) is executed.

≪Special design game processing≫
Next, a series of processes related to the special symbol game in the main control timer interrupt process will be described. The process related to the special symbol game includes the above-described start port monitoring control process (S64), special symbol control process (S65), special electric accessory control process (S66), special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S68), etc. Is applicable.

(Start-up port monitoring control process)
First, the start port monitoring control process (S64) will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the start port monitoring control process (S64).

  First, it is determined whether or not a game winning at the first start port 61 has been detected (S201). When the winning to the first start port 61 is detected (S201: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of the operation reserved balls of the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number of 4 (S202).

  When the number of reserved balls for the first special symbol is less than 4 (S202: YES), as a lottery random value for the first special symbol game, a random value per special symbol, a random symbol value per special symbol, a special symbol Fluctuation pattern random values are acquired, and each random value is stored in the first special symbol reservation storage area (hold n storage area) of the main information storage means 180 according to the order of entry (S203). Then, as an update of the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol, the value of the first special symbol reserved ball number counter is incremented by 1 (S204), and the winning check of the first start port 61 is completed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a game winning in the second starting port 62 has been detected (S205). When a winning at the second starting port 62 is detected (S205: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of operation reserved balls of the second special symbol is less than the upper limit number of 4 (S206). When the number of reserved balls in the second special symbol is less than 4 (S206: YES), a random number per special symbol, a random symbol value per special symbol, a special symbol, as a lottery random value related to the second special symbol game Fluctuation pattern random values are acquired, and each random value is stored in the second special symbol reservation storage area (hold n storage area) of the main information storage means 180 according to the order of entry (S207). Then, as the update of the number of reserved balls for operation of the second special symbol, the value of the second special symbol reserved ball number counter is incremented by 1 (S208), and the winning check at the second start port 62 is finished.

  Subsequently, whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol has been updated, that is, whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol has been added in S204 or S208. Is determined (S209). When there is an update of the number of balls with an operating reserve (S209: YES), a symbol memory number command including information on the number of balls with an operating reserve of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is generated, and this is stored as main information storage means The command is stored in the command storage area 180 (S210).

  Next, the state of the gaming machine is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not it is a pre-determination timing of the pre-reading notice effect (S211). As described above, the pre-determination timing is (1) waiting per hit, and when the operation holding ball of the first special symbol is acquired while the electric chew support function is not operating, (2) waiting per hit, and In the case where the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is acquired while the electric chew support function is operating, (3) any of the cases in which the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is acquired during the big hit or the small hit When you are satisfied. If it is a prior determination timing (S211: YES), a random number value per special symbol is read from the random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and a prior determination is made (S212). Then, a validity determination command including this determination result information (notice number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 (S213).

  Further, the symbol random number value per special symbol is read from the symbol random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and symbol preliminary determination is performed (S214). Then, a symbol pre-determination command including this determination result information (notice number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S215). Further, the special symbol variation pattern random number value is read from the variation pattern random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and the variation pattern prior determination is performed (S216). Then, a variation pattern advance determination command including information on the determination result (notice number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S217).

(Special symbol variation start monitoring control process)
Next, the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S68) will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring control process (S68).

  In this special symbol fluctuation monitoring and monitoring control process (S68), a special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process to be described later is applied to the special symbol side satisfying the fluctuation start condition among the first special symbol and the second special symbol. (S310) is executed. When both the first special symbol and the second special symbol satisfy the variation start condition, the process on the second special symbol side is preferentially executed as described above.

  First, it is determined whether a big hit or a small hit is being made (S301). Subsequently, whether both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are waiting for change, that is, whether the first special symbol game status and the second special symbol game status are both “00H (waiting for change)”. It is determined whether or not (S302).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of retained balls in the second special symbol is “0” (S303). If the number of retained balls is not “0” (S303: NO), the second special symbol is determined. It is assumed that the symbol variation start condition is satisfied, and after setting the address of the second special symbol variation start monitoring table (addresses of various tables used in the subsequent processing and the address of the RAM storage area) (S304) Then, the process proceeds to the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process (S310) on the second special symbol side. That is, in the present embodiment, when there is an operation holding ball of the second special symbol, the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is given priority regardless of the presence or absence of the operation holding ball of the first special symbol. Digested.

  On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls for operation of the second special symbol is “0” (S303: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol is “0” (S305). . If the number of reserved balls is not “0” (S305: NO), it is assumed that the first special symbol variation start condition is satisfied, and the address of the first special symbol variation start monitoring table (hereinafter referred to as “the first special symbol variation start monitoring table”). After setting the addresses of the various tables used in the processing and the addresses of the RAM storage area (S306), the process proceeds to the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) on the first special symbol side.

  Note that if the variation start conditions of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not satisfied (S301: YES, S302: NO, S305: YES), the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) is skipped. .

(Special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process)
Next, the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310).

  In the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process (S310), the first special symbol fluctuation start monitoring table or the second special symbol fluctuation start monitoring table set in S304 or S306 described above is referred to The special symbol side process will be executed, but the processing method is the same on the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, so the first special symbol side process is the exception unless otherwise specified. Whether or not there is a process on the second special symbol side will be described as a group without distinction.

  First, 1 is subtracted from the number of reserved balls on the special symbol side that is the subject of the current fluctuation start (S311). Then, a symbol memory number command including information on the number of suspended balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol after the subtraction is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 (S312). Subsequently, the special symbol holding storage area on the side of the special symbol subject to the start of the current change is accessed, and the random number value per special symbol and the special symbol stored in the first reserved storage area (holding 1 storage area) In order to sequentially read the design random number value and the special design variation pattern random value, and use these random number values for the special symbol success / failure determination process (S320), the symbol determination process (S330), and the variation pattern selection process (S423) described later, Transfer to the special symbol success / failure determination area, special symbol determination area, and special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage means 180 (S313). Further, as the update of the hold storage area, the hold ball information stored in the hold 2 storage area to the hold 4 storage area is shifted to the lower hold storage area, and the hold 4 storage area is cleared to zero (S314).

  Subsequently, a special symbol success / failure determination process is executed (S320). In the special symbol success / failure determination process (S320), first, a special symbol success / failure lottery table is acquired. At this time, if the gaming state is a special symbol probability changing state, a high-probability lottery table is obtained, and if the gaming state is a normal state, a low-probability lottery table is obtained. Next, a random value per special symbol is read from the special symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage unit 180. Then, referring to the special symbol success / failure lottery table, the special symbol success / failure determination is executed based on the random number value per special symbol. Further, values corresponding to the determination result (big hit data “55H”, small hit data “33H”, and loss data “00H”) are stored in the special symbol determination flag of the main information storage unit 180.

  Subsequently, a symbol determination process is executed (S330). In the symbol determination process (S330), a special symbol stop symbol, a symbol group type, and a character effect number (variable added symbol information) are determined according to the result of the determination. Then, the special symbol stop symbol, the symbol group type, and the character effect number determined this time are stored in the symbol storage area of the main information storage unit 180. The character effect number includes the determined symbol group type (eight patterns of symbol groups A to L) and the operation status of the probability variation function of the special symbol and the normal symbol (special symbol probability change on / special symbol probability change off). Any one of 32 patterns in total is determined on the basis of a combination of (4 patterns of normal symbol probability variation ON / normal symbol probability variation OFF). If the result of the determination is wrong, the character effect number “0” is determined.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is a small hit (S341), and whether or not the result of the determination is a big win (S342). If the result of the determination is a small hit (S341: YES), the process proceeds to S347, and if the result of the determination is out of order (S341: NO, S342: NO), the process proceeds to S349.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is a big hit (S341: NO, S342: YES), the special symbol is displayed as the gaming state after the special game based on the type of the symbol group determined in S333 (the jackpot type). It is determined whether or not to operate the probability variation function (S343). That is, when the symbol group type (big hit type) indicates a specific symbol, it is decided to provide a probability variation function, and when the symbol group type indicates a normal symbol, the probability variation Decide not to give the function. This determination result is stored in the probability variation determination flag of the main information storage unit 180.

  Further, based on the symbol group type (big hit type) determined in S333, the number of times of operation of the variable time reduction function is determined as the gaming state after the special game (S344), and the number of times of operation of the electric support function is determined. (S345). This determination result (the operation time information of the variation time shortening function, the operation frequency information of the electric chew support function) is stored in the time information storage area and the easy-to-enter number storage area of the main information storage unit 180.

  Subsequently, the operation pattern of the special electric accessory 642 is set based on the type (big hit type) of the symbol group determined in S333 (S346). Specifically, as the operation pattern of the special electric accessory 642, the specified number of round games (16 rounds, 12 rounds, 2 rounds in this example), the maximum opening time of the big prize opening 64 (30 in this example) Seconds, 0.05 seconds).

  Next, based on the type of symbol group determined in S333 and the current game state, a variation pattern selection state after the end of the special game or after the small hit game is set (S347). Subsequently, based on the type of symbol group determined in S333, the demonstration performance time (the hit start demo time and the hit end demo time) of the special game or the small hit game is set (S348). Next, the special symbol success / failure determination region and the special symbol / symbol determination region of the main information storage unit 180 used in the above-described special symbol success / failure determination processing (S320) and symbol determination processing (S330) are cleared (S349). Then, the special symbol game status on the special symbol side to be changed this time is changed from “00H (standby)” to “01H (change start)” (S350).

(Special symbol control processing)
Next, the special symbol control process (S65) will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol control process (S65).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is inactive, that is, whether or not the special electric accessory game status is “00H (waiting for winning)” (S401). Subsequently, when the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S401: YES), it is determined whether or not the second special symbol game status is "00H (standby)" (S402).

  When the second special symbol game status is not “00H (standby)” (S402: YES), the second special symbol control table (used in the subsequent processing) is executed to execute the processing related to the second special symbol. The addresses of the various tables and the addresses of the RAM storage areas are set (S403), and the process proceeds to the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410). On the other hand, when the second special symbol game status is “00H (standby)” (S402: NO), the first special symbol control table (in the subsequent processing) is executed to execute the process related to the first special symbol. The addresses of various tables to be used and the addresses of the RAM storage areas are set (S404), and the process proceeds to the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410).

  In the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410) described below, the first special symbol control table or the second special symbol control table set in S403 or S404 described above is used, and the special subject to change this time is used. The process on the symbol side will be executed, but the processing method is the same on the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, so is it the process on the first special symbol side unless otherwise specified? A description will be given collectively without distinguishing whether the processing is on the second special symbol side.

(Special design control general-purpose processing)
Subsequently, special symbol control general-purpose processing is executed (S410). FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410).

  In this special symbol control general-purpose processing (S410), branch processing (S411 to S414) is executed to shift to processing according to the special symbol game status values ("01H", "02H", "03H"). First, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status on the special symbol side subject to the current variation is not 0 (S411). If the special symbol game status is not “00H” (S411: YES), it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is “01H (change start)” (S412). If the special symbol game status is “01H” (S412: YES), the process proceeds to a special symbol variation start process (S420). In the case of NO in S412, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is “02H (changed)” (S413). When the special symbol game status is “02H” (S413: YES), the process proceeds to the special symbol changing process (S430). If NO in S413, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is "03H (stopped symbol display)" (S414). If the special symbol game status is “03H” (S414: YES), the process proceeds to a special symbol stop symbol display process (S440).

(Special symbol variation start processing)
Next, the special symbol variation start process (S420) will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol variation start process (S420).

  First, a special symbol variation pattern table is acquired based on the result of the lottery determination and the variation pattern selection state (S421). Subsequently, a special symbol variation pattern random value is read from the special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180 (S422). Then, with reference to the special symbol variation pattern table, one of a plurality of types of variation patterns is selected based on the special symbol variation pattern random value (S423).

  Next, a variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected this time is set (S424). Then, as a special symbol variation start setting, the variation time is stored in the special symbol game timer of the symbol display control means 165 (S425), and a variation start command to the effect control board 200 is generated (S426). As the change start command, in order to start the inspection of the communication line and the effect display between the main control board 100 and the effect control board 200, a communication check command, a change additional symbol information specifying command, a change pattern specifying command, a character effect number specifying command Are created in order and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180.

  Subsequently, the contents of the special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180 used for determining the variation pattern are cleared (S427). Then, the special symbol game status is changed from “01H (change start)” to “02H (change)” (S428).

(Special symbol change processing)
Next, the special symbol variation processing (S430) will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol changing process (S430).

  First, a special symbol display pattern number switching process is executed in order to perform a special symbol variable display (S431). In this display pattern number switching process (S431), special pattern display pattern number data is generated for each predetermined switching time. The display pattern number data is output to the first special symbol display device 71 or the second special symbol display device 72 in the LED output process (S73) in order to display the variable special symbols in a variable manner or in a definite manner.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game timer has reached "0 (timeout)", that is, whether or not the special symbol variation time has ended (S432). When the variation time of the special symbol is completed (S432: YES), a special symbol stop symbol to be fixedly displayed on the first special symbol display device 71 or the second special symbol display device 72 is set (S433). Subsequently, a change stop command for instructing the effect control board 200 to confirm and display the decoration symbol is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S434).

  Next, “500 (ms)” is stored in the special symbol game timer as a fixed display time (S435). Note that the “determined display time” is a time for definitely stopping and displaying the stopped symbol when the special symbol is suspended. Then, the special symbol game status is changed from “02H (fluctuating)” to “03H (stopping symbol display)” (S436).

(Special symbol stop symbol display processing)
Next, the special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440) will be described. 18 to 19 are flowcharts showing details of the special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game timer has become “0 (timeout)”, that is, whether or not the fixed display time of the special symbol (stop symbol) has ended (S441). When the special symbol fixed display time is over (S441: YES), the special symbol game status is changed from "03H (stopped symbol display)" to "00H (standby)" (S442).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the winning / failing determination data stored in the special symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 180 is the big hit data “55H” (S443). When the hit / fail judgment data is jackpot data (S443: YES), the special symbol probability variation function is deactivated (S444), the special symbol variation time shortening function is deactivated (S445), and the electric chew support function is activated. Stop (S446) is performed in order. Specifically, “00H (not actuated)” is set in the special symbol mode flag, and “00H” is set in the time reduction number counter and the easy-to-enter number counter to clear to zero.

  Next, as a special game hit start demo setting process, a hit start demo display time is set, and an effect control command (hit start demo command) for instructing start of a hit start demo effect is generated (S447). Subsequently, the number of executions of the variation pattern selection state (variation pattern selection state number counter) is cleared to zero (S448). Also, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “00H (waiting for winning)” to “01H (special game)” (S449). Then, “00H” is set to clear the contents of the success / failure determination flag (S450).

  On the other hand, if the determination data is not big hit data (S443: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol probability variation function is in operation (S451). When the special symbol probability variation function is in operation (S451: YES), 1 is subtracted from the probability variation counter of the main information storage means 180 as the digest of the current special symbol variation (step S452). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the probability variation counter is zero (step S453). When the probability variation counter is zero (S453: YES), the operation of the special symbol probability variation function is stopped (S454). If the probability variation counter after subtraction is not zero (S453: NO), S454 is skipped and the process proceeds to S455.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time reduction function is in operation (S455). If the special symbol variation time reduction function is in operation (S455: YES), the time-count counter of the main information storage means 180 is decremented by 1 as the digest of the current special symbol variation (step S456). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the time reduction counter is zero (step S457). If the hourly number counter is zero (S457: YES), the special symbol variable time reduction function is deactivated, assuming that the number of times of termination of the special symbol time-short state has been reached (S458). If the time-count counter after subtraction is not zero (S457: NO), S458 is skipped and the process proceeds to S459.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the electric chew support function is in operation (S459). When the electric chew support function is in operation (S459: YES), 1 is subtracted from the easy-to-enter state counter of the main information storage unit 180 as the digest of the number of changes in the special symbol this time (step S460). . Next, it is determined whether or not the easy-to-enter state counter is zero (step S461). If the easy entry state number counter is zero (S461: YES), the operation of the electric chew support function is stopped (S462), assuming that the end number of easy entry states has been reached. If the easy-to-enter state counter after subtraction is not zero (S461: NO), S462 is skipped and the process proceeds to S463.

  Next, 1 is subtracted from the variation pattern selection state number counter of the main information storage means 180 (S463). Then, the variation pattern selection state is updated (S464). Specifically, referring to the variation pattern selection state number counter of the main information storage unit 180, it is determined whether or not the number of executions of the current variation pattern selection state has reached a preset end number. If it has been reached, the state is switched to the next specified variation pattern selection state. On the other hand, if the end count has not been reached, the current variation pattern selection state is maintained.

  Next, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the current gaming state information and the variation pattern selection state information updated in the above-described S451 to S464 is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180. (S465). On the side of the production control board 200, the production mode is set and updated based on the information of the game state designation command.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the small hit data “33H” is stored in the special symbol determination flag (S466). When the small hit data is stored (S466: YES), as the hit start demo setting process of the small hit game, the hit start demo display time is set and the effect control command for instructing the start of the hit start demo effect is given. Is generated (S467). Subsequently, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “00H (waiting for winning)” to “02H (small winning game)” (S468). Then, “00H” is set to clear the contents of the success / failure determination flag (S469).

  On the other hand, when the small symbol data “33H” is not stored in the special symbol determination flag (S466: NO), that is, when the shift data “00H” is stored in the special symbol determination flag, S467 to S469. To skip. Note that when the special symbol determination flag is outlier data, the process of clearing the contents of the flag was not performed because “00H” was originally stored as outlier data.

(Special electric accessory control processing)
Next, the special electric accessory control process (S66) will be described. 20 to 22 are flowcharts showing details of the electric accessory control process (S66).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory game status is “01H (special game)” (S501). If the special electric accessory game status is “01H” (S501: YES), the special game process is executed in the subsequent processes. In this special game process, first, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S502). When the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S502: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 (S503). The operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 is a timing at which the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started in each round game.

  When it is the operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 (S503: YES), an effect control command (round effect designation command) is generated to start the round effect, and this is stored in the command of the main information storage unit 180. Store in the area (S504). On the side of the effect control board 200, a round effect corresponding to each round game in the special game is executed based on the information of the round effect designation command (information such as the current number of rounds). Then, the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started (S505), and the processing of S506 to S510 is executed as the processing during the operation of the special electric accessory 642.

  As a process during the operation of the special electric accessory 642, it is determined whether or not the maximum number of game balls has been won in the big prize opening 64 (S506), and the operation time (opening time) of the special electric accessory 642 is determined. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (S507). At this time, when the game ball has won the maximum number of winnings in the big winning opening 64 (S506: YES) or when the operation time of the special electric accessory 642 has elapsed (S507: YES), the special electric accessory 642 The operation is stopped (S507). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of continuous actuations of the special electric accessory 642 has reached a predetermined number of rounds (S509). If the number of continuous operations has not reached the specified number of rounds (S509: NO), the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory 642 is incremented by 1 (S510).

  On the other hand, when the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory 642 has reached the specified number of rounds (S509: YES), the process proceeds to S511, and the winning end demonstration display time is set as the winning end demonstration setting process of the special game. At the same time, an effect control command (hit end demo command) for instructing the start of the hit end demo effect is generated (S511).

  Subsequently, the variable time reduction number information set in S344 is stored in the time reduction number counter (S512). Further, the easy entry state number information set in S345 is stored in the easy entry state number counter (S513).

  Subsequently, referring to the content of the probability variation determination flag set in S343, it is determined whether or not the operation of the condition device is an operation based on a specific symbol (so-called probability variation symbol) (S514). When the condition device is activated by a specific symbol (S514: YES), the operation time data “7FH” is stored in the probability variation counter of the main information storage means 180, and the special symbol probability variation function is activated. (S515). On the other hand, when the condition device is not operated by the specific symbol (S514: NO), the non-operating data “00H” is stored in the probability variation counter, and S515 is skipped.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the variation time shortening number information stored in the time reduction number counter is variation time shortening function operation data (data other than “00H”) (S516). If it is the variation time shortening function operation data (S516: YES), the operation of the special symbol variation time shortening function is started (S517). On the other hand, when it is not the fluctuation time shortening function operation data (S516: NO), S517 is skipped.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the easy entry state number information stored in the easy entry state number counter is electric Chu support function operation data (data other than “00H”) (S518). If it is the electric Chu support function operation data (S518: YES), the operation of the electric Chu support function is started (S519 to S521). That is, the normal symbol probability variation function operation start (S519), the normal symbol variation time reduction function operation start (S520), and the normal electric accessory 622 open extension function operation start (S521) are executed in order. On the other hand, if it is not the electric Chu support function operation data, S519 to S521 are skipped.

  Next, the variation pattern selection state determined in S347 is switched to (S522). Subsequently, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the game state information after the special game and the variation pattern selection state information set in S512 to S522 described above is generated and stored in the main information storage unit 180. Store in the command storage area (S523). On the effect control board 200 side, the effect mode after the special game is set based on the information of the game state designation command. Then, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “01H (special game)” to “00H (waiting for winning)” (S524).

  On the other hand, when the special electric accessory game status is not “01H (special game)” (S501: NO), the process proceeds to S530 and whether the special electric accessory game status is “02H (small hit game)”. It is determined whether or not (S530). When the special electric accessory game status is “02H” (S530: YES), the small hit game processing is executed in the subsequent processing.

  In the small hit game processing, first, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S531). When the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S531: NO), the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started (S532). On the other hand, when the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S531: YES), S532 is skipped.

  Subsequently, as a process during the operation of the special electric accessory 642, it is determined whether or not the maximum number of game balls has been won in the big prize opening 64 (S533), and the operation time (opening) of the special electric accessory 642 is determined. It is determined whether or not (time) has elapsed (S534). At this time, when the game ball has won the maximum winning number in the grand prize opening 64 (S533: YES) or when the operating time of the special electric accessory 642 has elapsed (S534: YES), the special electric accessory 642 The operation is stopped (S535).

  Subsequently, as the hit end demo setting process for the small hit game, the hit end demo display time is set and an effect control command (hit end demo command) for instructing start of the hit end demo effect is generated (S536). Next, the variation pattern selection state determined in S347 is switched to (S537). Subsequently, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the variation pattern selection state information after the special game set in S537 is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 ( S538). This gaming state designation command is used on the side of the production control board 200 for determining the production mode transition trigger, specifying the migration destination production mode, and the like. Then, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “01H (special game)” to “00H (waiting for winning)” (S538).

[Processing on the production control board side]
Next, the procedure of the operation process in the effect control board 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The process on the side of the effect control board 200 includes a reset start process (including an effect control side main process) that is executed when the sub-main CPU 201 is reset, such as after power-on, and an effect control side timer interrupt that is activated at regular intervals. It includes processing, reception control processing of an effect control command activated due to a strobe signal from the main control board 100, and transmission interrupt processing of an image control command activated at regular intervals.

  In the effect control side main process, the process is basically performed after setting all interrupts to be prohibited or interrupts other than the effect control command reception interrupt being set. Then, when the production control side main process is in an interrupt-permitted state, each interrupt process is started in a manner that interrupts the main process. In each interrupt process, when there is a request for another interrupt process during execution of the interrupt process (multiple interrupts are generated), in principle, if the interrupt process has a higher priority level than the interrupt process being executed, While the interrupt request is permitted, the interrupt request is prohibited when the interrupt process has a lower priority level or the same priority level as the interrupt process being executed. That is, each interrupt process is advanced in a state where other interrupts having the same priority level or a lower priority level are prohibited. Then, each interrupt process returns to the production control side main process with all interrupts permitted. Note that the priority order (priority level) of such interrupt factors is defined by register settings of the effect control microcomputer 210 (interrupt controller).

<Reset start processing>
First, reset start processing of the effect control board 200 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing reset start processing of the effect control board 200. In this reset start processing, after the power is turned on, reset caused by various abnormal times, or reset caused by WDT (during runaway detection), the security check of the sub main CPU 201 is performed. The program starts and the processing after S601 is started. Although not shown, when the reset start process is activated, the reset flag set in the RAM 203 is turned on. The reset flag is a flag indicating that the sub main CPU 201 of the effect control board 200 is in a state immediately after the reset activation, and is turned off when the sub sub CPU 301 of the image control board 300 is reset (details). Later).

  First, when the reset start process is activated, a head address is set as an initial value of the stack area in the stack pointer as an initial setting required when the power is turned on (S601). Then, all interrupt processing is prohibited until various initial settings are completed (S602).

  Subsequently, as basic settings related to hardware, an initial value is set in a built-in register provided in the sub-main CPU 201 and the I / O port circuit 204 is initialized (S603). Further, the memory area in the RAM 203 of the effect control microcomputer 210 is initialized (S604). Here, an initial value is set for a variable with an initial value, and initialization by zero clear is performed for a variable without an initial value. Further, the sub main CPU 201 appropriately develops the control program stored in the ROM 202 in the RAM 203.

  Subsequently, interrupts other than the production control command reception interrupt process are prohibited (S605). Next, among various errors set in advance for each model, a process for setting the type of error to be valid for the model is performed (S606). Furthermore, a turn-off request is made to turn off the effect lamp LP (the frame lamp 10, the panel lamp 25) (S607). Then, a watchdog timer is started to monitor the runaway of the sub-main CPU 201 (S608).

  Subsequently, an effect control side main process is executed as the main process of the game effect (S609). Details of the effect control side main process (S609) will be described later with reference to FIG. Note that when the process shifts to the production control side main process in S609, it is not normally possible to return from the main process to the reset start process, but in the unlikely event that the process returns to this process due to a program bug or the like. Shifts to the low power consumption mode (sleep mode) in which the power consumption is lower than that during normal operation (S610).

<< Production control side main process >>
Next, the production control side main process (S609) of the production control board 200 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the effect control side main process (S609).

  First, an address (start address where the program is expanded) for starting a check as to whether or not the control program is correctly expanded in the RAM 203 in the production control side main process is acquired (S611). Subsequently, all interrupts are permitted (activation of various interrupt processes is permitted) (S612).

  Next, a device initialization operation is executed (S613). This initialization operation is an operation mode that is executed only once when the pachinko gaming machine PM is turned on (at the start of resetting). The operation of the movable objects 25A, 25B, and 25C is performed by devices such as a motor and a solenoid. It is executed for the purpose of confirming the position information necessary for controlling. At the end of the initialization operation, the movable accessory 25A, 25B, 25C returns to a preset initial position (reference position).

  Subsequently, the watchdog timer is cleared to restart the watchdog timer (S614). At this time, when the sub main CPU 201 is executing the program normally, a predetermined clear word is written to the WDT clear register of the sub main CPU 201 within a preset time-out period, so that the watchdog timer Cleared and restarted. On the other hand, when the watchdog timer times out, a user reset occurs.

  Subsequently, the off symbol update process is executed (S615). In this missed symbol update process, the missed symbol counter set in the RAM 203 is updated. The missed symbol counter is a loop counter for determining a missed symbol combination of decorative symbols, and for example, increments from “111” to “999” one by one and circulates. In this example, since all combinations of decorative symbols (big hit symbols, small hit symbols, reach missed symbols, non-reach missed symbols, etc.) are determined by random number lottery, this processing is not actually performed.

  Subsequently, an input port check process is executed (S616). In this input port check process, the reading of the I / O port circuit 204 (input port) in the port input / output process S712 in the timer interrupt process described later is monitored every time an interrupt occurs, and is monitored a plurality of times (for example, four times). When the input port states are all “1”, the signal level is “1 (H level)”, when all the input ports are “0”, the signal level is “0 (L level)”, otherwise the signal level is set. Do not change (this determines the input signal).

  Subsequently, an error effect management process is executed (S617). In this error effect management process, error effects by various devices are started based on the error effect pattern set in the subsequent command analysis process (S621). Further, in the error presentation management process, an initial value (error presentation time) is set in the error management timer to manage the progress of the error presentation. This error management timer is subtracted and updated every 16 ms in the error management timer update process (S720) of the production control side timer interrupt process. When the error management timer times out, the error presentation is ended.

  Subsequently, the effect button monitoring control process is executed (S618). In this effect button monitoring control process, when a button notice effect is incorporated during symbol variation, the input state of the effect button 15 within the operation effective time is monitored, and a plurality of preset values are set according to the button notice effect. The content of the production according to the input state of the production button 15 is determined from the types of production content.

  Subsequently, a notice lottery management process is executed (S619). In this notice lottery management process, a notice effect pattern (which defines the contents of the notice effect that occurs at each stage of the decorative symbol change process in accordance with the scenario of the change effect pattern selected in the subsequent command analysis process (S621) ( The notice performance number) is determined by lottery. The notice effect number determined here is temporarily stored in the notice effect number storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260. Also, an image control command for designating the notice effect number to the image control board 300 side is generated. At this time, when an accessory announcement effect pattern (an accessory announcement effect number) is selected as the announcement effect pattern, an accessory request is generated, and the movable accessory 24 is obtained in the subsequent device management process (S620). Drive patterns are identified. In this example, not all of the multiple types of notice effects (notice effect patterns) that occur within one variation of the decorative symbol are drawn in one main loop process, but the main loop process efficiency is improved. Therefore, a lottery is performed across a plurality of main loop processes, divided for each time of occurrence of a notice effect (for example, a fluctuation start stage, a reach generation stage, and a fluctuation stop stage). At that time, the notice effect that occurs at the beginning of the decorative symbol change stage needs to be synchronized with the start of the decorative symbol change (send the image control command immediately). To do.

  Next, device management processing is executed (S620). In this device management process, when there is an operation request (lamp request, accessory request) of various devices, an effect number (lamp effect) is selected from a plurality of types of pattern data (lamp pattern, drive pattern) stored in the ROM 203. The pattern data corresponding to the number, the accessory announcement effect number) is specified, and the control of the target device is started. In the lamp pattern data of the effect lamp LP, lamp data associated with every frame time (time required to update an image frame once: 16 ms) is stored as schedule data. In this example, one frame time corresponds to the time required for drawing processing of one frame when drawing is performed at about 60 frames per second (= about 60 fps) in the effect display device 70. Similarly, in the driving pattern data of the movable accessory 24, driving data associated with each interrupt cycle (1 ms) is stored as schedule data. As a result, control data (lamp data, drive data, etc.) is output to the target device at regular intervals in an effect control side timer interrupt process described later, and the operation of the target device is started. On the other hand, when the output of a series of control data (lamp data, drive data) is completed in the production control side timer interruption process described later, the production lamp LP is turned off or the operation of the movable accessory 24 is stopped. Then, the control of the target device is finished.

  Subsequently, command analysis processing (S621) is executed. In this command analysis process, it is monitored whether or not an effect control command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260. If an effect control command is stored, this command is read out, and the effect control command that has been read out is read out. The effect control process corresponding to the type is executed. Details of the command analysis processing (S621) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether command analysis (effect control command analysis) has been executed during the current loop processing (S622). If it is immediately after command analysis (S622: YES), the process returns to S614 and proceeds to the next loop process. On the other hand, when the command analysis is not executed (S622: NO), the effect lottery random number update process is executed (S623). In this effect lottery random number update process, effect lottery random numbers such as a pre-reading notice lottery random number, a decorative design random number, a variable effect pattern random number, and a notice effect random number are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, the value is returned to the minimum value.

(Command analysis processing)
Next, command analysis processing (S621) will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the command analysis processing (S621). In this command analysis processing, it is monitored whether or not an effect control command from the main control board 100 is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260, and an effect corresponding to the type of the stored effect control command. Control processing is executed, and an image control command for instructing display of the determined effect content is generated.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a hold-related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260 (S631). Here, the hold-related command includes a symbol storage number command. When this symbol storage number command is stored (S631: YES), the process proceeds to the hold information management process (S632). In this hold information management process (S632), the symbol storage number command is read from the sub-main information storage means 260, and the display mode (display number) of the hold image displayed on the hold display portions 701 and 702 of the effect display device 70 is changed. Process to update. In the hold information management process (S632), an image control command for instructing display of the content of the effect determined in the process is generated and stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a symbol variation related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260 (S633). Here, the symbol variation related commands include a variation start command and a variation stop command. If the symbol variation related command is stored (step S633: YES), the process proceeds to the effect content determination process (S634). In this effect content determination process (S634), if the received symbol variation related command is a variation start command, processing for starting the symbol variation effect is executed, and the received symbol variation related command is a variation stop command. In this case, a process for ending the symbol variation effect being executed is executed. In the effect content determination process (S634), an image control command for instructing display of the effect content determined in the process is generated and stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an effect-related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260 (S635). Here, the hit effect related commands include a hit start demo effect command, a hit end demo effect command, and a round effect designation command. If a winning effect related command is stored (step S635: YES), the process proceeds to a winning effect display setting process (S636). In this hit effect display setting process (S636), if a hit start demo effect command or a hit end demo effect command is stored, a big hit start demonstration effect (small hit start demo effect) or a big hit end demo effect (small hit end demo) If the round effect designation command is stored, the process for determining the effect content of the round effect during the special game is executed. In the hit effect display setting process (S636), an image control command for instructing display of the contents of the effect determined in the process is generated and stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an error effect designation command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260 (S637). If this error effect designation command is stored (S637: YES), the process proceeds to an error effect content determination process (S638). In this error effect content determination process (S638), an error effect designation command is read from the sub-main information storage means 260, and an error effect pattern for notifying the error state is determined by image display on the effect display device 70. In the error effect content determination process (S638), an image control command for instructing display of the effect content determined in the process is generated and stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage unit 260.

  Note that in the command analysis process shown in FIG. 25, only a plurality of types of effect control commands are illustrated, but in reality, the command analysis process is also applied to other effect control commands. Here, if the sub-main CPU 201 is reset immediately after activation (the reset flag is in an on state) and a second reset process (S726) described later is being executed, an effect control command that is subject to command analysis Is a specific effect control command (command that triggers switching of the effect image), the issuance of the image control command within the command analysis process is temporarily reserved, and after the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset, the image control command is issued. Is issued. The reason will be described later. In this example, the specific effect control command is a change start command, change stop command, jackpot start demo command, jackpot end demo command, round effect designation among various effect control commands transmitted from the main control board. Applicable to commands. This specific effect control command is a command that can be used as an opportunity to switch effect images (effect screens) in accordance with changes in the game development status.

  If no effect control command is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260 (S631: NO, S633: NO, S635: NO, S637: NO), the command analysis process is terminated without doing anything. .

《Reception interrupt processing of production control command》
Next, the reception control process of the effect control command will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt process of the effect control command. In this effect control command reception interrupt process, as described above, an interrupt is generated based on the input of the strobe signal from the main control board 100, and various effect control commands are acquired in this interrupt process. It is like that. The effect control command includes 1-byte MODE data and 1-byte EVENT data, and is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the effect control board 200 in the order of MODE data and EVENT data. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, MODE data is also referred to as “first command”, and EVENT data is also referred to as “second command”.

  First, when an interrupt based on the strobe signal from the main control board 100 is generated, it is determined whether or not the input value of the effect control command is confirmed (S701). Specifically, the command data is read up to five times, and the input value is determined when the same value is read twice. This is because the reading of the effect control command may fail due to noise or the like, and the input value is not finalized until the same value is read twice.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the command received this time is the first command (MODE), in other words, whether the command is the first command (MODE) or the second command (EVENT) (S702). If the command received this time is the first command (S702: YES), the first command is temporarily stored in the temporary area (S703). Then, the effect lottery random number is acquired from the effect lottery random number generating means 210, and this random number information is temporarily stored in the effect lottery random number storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260 (S704). Note that the production lottery random number is acquired when the production control command is received. The production control command is transmitted at a physically irregular timing, such as when a game ball starts winning or when a special symbol changes. Therefore, it is to prevent periodicity from being obtained at the acquisition time by using it as an opportunity. In this way, by making the production lottery random number acquisition time irregular, it is difficult to cause inconveniences such as the same production being unnaturally repeated in various production lotteries.

  On the other hand, if the command received this time is the second command (S702: NO), it is determined whether or not the first command has already been received (S705). That is, it is determined whether or not the effect control command is received in the order of the first command (MODE) → the second command (EVENT), and it is confirmed whether there is no contradiction in the combination of the effect control commands. If there is no contradiction in the combination of effect control commands (S705: YES), the address indicated by the write pointer (writing pointer) is acquired (S706). Subsequently, the first command and the second command are stored in the effect control command buffer (ring buffer) of the sub-main information storage unit 260 according to the address indicated by the light pointer (S707). The saved command data is read in the command analysis process (S621) in the main process, and the effect control process corresponding to the type of effect control command is executed. Next, the address indicated by the write pointer is updated (S708). Further, the command data (first command) temporarily stored in S708 is cleared (S709).

《Timer interrupt processing for production control side》
Next, the production control side timer interruption process will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the effect control side timer interruption process. This timer interrupt process is started by a clock pulse at regular time intervals, and is executed by interrupting the above-described production control side main process.

  When the timer interrupt occurs, the contents of the register in the sub main CPU 201 are saved in the stack area of the RAM 203, and then the processing from S711 onward is sequentially executed. Within this timer interrupt process, interrupts with priority level 2 or higher such as a reset start process, an effect control command reception interrupt process, an image control command transmission interrupt process, etc. are permitted (S711).

  Subsequently, port input / output processing is executed (S712). In this port input / output processing, port data input processing and output processing in the I / O port circuit 204 are performed. In the input processing, various signals input to the I / O port circuit 204 (input port) are read and stored as input information. In the output process, various control signals (motor control signals) temporarily stored in the sub-main information storage unit 260 are read and output from the I / O port circuit 204 (output port). In the I / O port circuit 204, an input port is provided for receiving a power-off signal indicating that the power supply voltage from the power supply substrate 500 has dropped below a predetermined value. When a power-off signal is input, processing for saving various data at the time of power-off occurrence in the backup area of the RAM 203 is performed as power-off processing. Thereafter, since backup power is supplied from the backup power supply circuit of the power supply substrate 500, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are retained without being lost even after the power is turned off.

  Subsequently, device control data output processing is executed (S713). In this device control data output process, drive data for a predetermined time is read from the drive pattern data specified in the device management process (S620) and set in the drive data storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260. The drive data set in this process is data indicating control for 1 ms corresponding to the interrupt cycle. When drive data is set in this process, the drive data is output from the I / O port circuit 204 (output port) to the motor driver 92 in the next timer interrupt process. Therefore, in this device control data output process, the drive data is switched every interrupt cycle (1 ms) according to the drive pattern data.

  Next, effect timer update processing is executed (S714). In this effect timer update process, the values of various effect timers used for effect operation control are subtracted and updated every interrupt cycle (1 ms in this embodiment). The effect timer includes a timer for managing the variation time of the decorative symbol, a timer for managing the timing of occurrence of the notice effect, and the like. By this effect timer, the time schedule in the variable effect pattern is managed, and time management such as the drive timing of the movable accessory 24 and the lighting timing of the effect lamp LP is managed on the time axis. The effect timer is also used in the device control data output process (S713) and the lamp data update process (S718) in the effect control timer interrupt process.

  Subsequently, a button control timer update process is executed (S715). The value of the effective time management timer for managing the effective operation time of the effect button 15 is updated by subtracting the interrupt period (1 ms in this embodiment). The operation valid time is a time for which the operation input of the effect button 15 is valid.

  Next, an image control command setting process is executed (S716). In the image control command setting process, one or more selected in the notice lottery management process (S619) when the occurrence timing of the notice effect comes in the effect timer in the effect timer update process (S714). When a specific notice effect pattern is included in the previous notice effect pattern, an image control command for instructing the specific notice effect number is generated and stored in the image control command buffer of the sub main information storage means 260. Set to. Here, for the specific notice effect pattern, for example, an effect image is displayed on the effect display device 70 when the effect button 15 is pressed, or an effect image is displayed in accordance with the operation of the movable accessory 24. Production patterns are included.

  Subsequently, task control counter update processing is executed (S717). In this task control counter update process, the value of the task counter (“0” to “15”) is updated for each timer interrupt. Specifically, if the value of the task counter is “0” to “14”, it is incremented by 1. If the value of the task counter is “15”, it is returned to “0”. That is, this task counter can take a circulation period of 16 ms. Various tasks (task processing) are assigned corresponding to the task counter value updated this time, and the ramp control task (lamp data update processing in S718) and runaway monitoring are performed according to the task counter value. Each process such as a task (image CPU runaway monitoring process in S719) and an error management task (error management timer update process in S720) is executed. In this example, one of the task counter values (“0” to “15”) is assigned to the lamp control task, and the other two values (values with an interval of 8 ms between each other) are used for runaway monitoring. It is assigned to the task, and another value is assigned to the error management task (the description of the other tasks is omitted). As described above, the reason why the circulation cycle of the task counter is set to 16 ms is to make it coincide with the minimum unit (16 ms) of the effect lamp LP switching control. The minimum unit (16 ms) of the effect lamp LP switching control corresponds to one frame time of the image frame, and realizes synchronization between the image effect and the lamp effect.

  Subsequently, lamp data update processing is executed (S718). In the lamp data update process, lamp data for a predetermined time is read and set from the lamp pattern data specified in the device management process (S620) or the error effect management process (S617). The lamp data set in this processing is data indicating lighting control for 16 ms, which is the minimum unit of the effect lamp LP switching control. When the lamp data is set, the lamp data is automatically output from the output port (serial port) to the lamp connection board 91 by serial transfer. This lamp data output process is configured as a serial communication interrupt process, and is realized by sequentially writing the lamp data into the transmission buffer of the serial circuit of the effect control microcomputer 210. The serial communication circuit serially converts the ramp data of the transmission buffer in units of 1 byte, and outputs the converted data to the lamp connection board 91 in units of one bit in synchronization with the serial clock. This process is repeated until the transmission buffer becomes empty, whereby all the ramp data (all bytes) stored in the transmission buffer are output. Therefore, in the lamp data update process, the lamp data is switched every frame time (16 ms) according to the lamp pattern, and the lamp data is output to the lamp connection board 91 by serial transfer. This ramp data update process is executed when the task counter value reaches a predetermined value (value indicating the lamp control task) in the task control counter update process (S717) (that is, executed at a cycle of 16 ms). Processing).

  Subsequently, an image CPU runaway monitoring process is executed (S719). In this image CPU runaway monitoring process, the toggle signal input from the image control board 300 is monitored, and when the toggle signal does not change continuously for a certain time (a certain frame time), the image control board It is determined that 300 sub-sub CPUs 301 are in an abnormal state (for example, a runaway state), and a reset signal is transmitted to the image control board 300 to forcibly reset the sub-sub CPU 301. Thereby, the image control board 300 side executes a predetermined reset start process when the reset state of the sub-sub CPU 301 occurs. This image CPU runaway monitoring process is a process executed when the task counter value reaches a predetermined value (a value indicating a runaway monitoring task) in the task control counter update process (S717) (that is, at a cycle of 8 ms). Process to be executed). Details of the image CPU runaway monitoring process (S719) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, error management timer processing is executed (S720). In this error management timer process, the error effect timer value for managing the error effect time set in the error effect management process (S617) is subtracted and updated. This error management timer process is a process executed when the value of the task counter reaches a predetermined value (a value indicating an error management task) in the S task control counter update process (S717). Therefore, even if the error production time becomes long, the time is counted by a timer with a 16 ms period, so the data amount is smaller than when counting the time every timer interruption period (1 ms). Can be reduced. Then, all interrupts are permitted and the saved register contents are restored. Then, the effect control side timer interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the original process before the occurrence of the interrupt.

(Image CPU runaway monitoring process)
Next, the image CPU runaway monitoring process (S719) will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the image CPU runaway monitoring process (S719). In this example, since the sub-main CPU 201 functions as a higher-level control unit and the sub-sub CPU 301 functions as a lower-level control unit, the higher-level sub-main CPU 201 monitors the operating state of the lower-level sub-sub CPU 301 and the sub-sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state. When it is detected that there is a probability of an abnormal state, a reset signal is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 301 to forcibly reset.

  First, it is determined whether or not the first reset process is being executed (S721). The first reset process is a process for forcibly resetting the sub sub CPU 301 on the assumption that the sub sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state when the toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301 is interrupted for a certain period of time (details will be described later). To do). If the first reset process is not being executed (S721: YES), it is determined whether the second reset process is being executed (S722). In the second reset process, if the reset flag is on immediately after the sub main CPU 201 is reset, the sub sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state even if the toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301 is correctly input. This is a process for forcibly resetting the sub-sub CPU 301 because there is a probability (details will be described later).

  If the second reset process is not being executed (S722: YES), it is determined whether or not the toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU 301 for a fixed time (a fixed frame time) (S723). If no toggle signal is input (S723: NO), it is determined that the sub-sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state (runaway state, stopped state, etc.), and a first reset process for the sub-sub CPU 301 is executed (S724). In the first reset process, a reset signal is immediately transmitted to the sub sub CPU 301 to forcibly reset the sub sub CPU 301. Then, after resetting the sub-sub CPU 301, when the return of the sub-sub CPU 301 (input of a toggle signal) is confirmed, an image control command for instructing display of a preset default image (an initial screen or a screen that is basic in production) is displayed. It transmits with respect to the control board 300, and displays the said default image on the effect display apparatus 70. FIG. It should be noted that this first reset process is performed under the condition where the input of the toggle signal is not confirmed, regardless of the state of the reset flag (ON / OFF), that is, immediately after the reset of the sub main CPU 201 is started or during normal operation Regardless of whether or not, the process is executed in common.

  On the other hand, when the toggle signal is input (S723: YES), it is determined whether the reset flag is turned on (S725). If the reset flag is on (S725: YES), that is, if the sub-main CPU 201 is immediately after reset, the second reset process for the sub-sub CPU 201 is executed even if a toggle signal is input ( S726). In the second reset process, the sub-sub CPU 301 is not reset immediately, but the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset when a specific effect control command is received from the main control board 100. Then, when the return of the sub-sub CPU 301 (toggle signal input) is confirmed, an image control command for instructing display of the content of the effect (effect screen) determined based on the effect control command is transmitted to the image control board 300. The effect image is displayed on the effect display device 70.

《Image control command transmission interrupt processing》
Next, transmission interruption processing of an image control command will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the image control command transmission interrupt process. This image control command transmission interruption process occurs at predetermined intervals (500 μs).

  In this image control command transmission interrupt process, first, the image control command buffer of the sub-main information storage means 260 is checked (S731). Subsequently, a read pointer is acquired in the image control command buffer (S732). Next, it is determined whether an image control command is stored in the image control command buffer (S733). Whether or not the image control command is stored can be confirmed by, for example, the read pointer and the write pointer. If the read pointer and the write pointer match, the image control command is not stored. If the image control command is stored (S733: YES), the image control command is read from the area pointed to by the read pointer (S734). The read image control command is set in the output buffer of the serial communication circuit 205 designated as the output destination (S735). As a result, the image control command is serially transmitted from the serial port to the image control board 300. Next, the command data (the command data transmitted in S735) is cleared (S736). Subsequently, the read pointer is incremented by 1 and updated (S737). Then, the transmission interruption process of the image command is ended, and the process returns to the original process before the interruption.

[Action]
Next, in order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment, the characteristic operation of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described. FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing the flow of the first reset process when a toggle signal is not input from the sub-sub CPU 301 after an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU 201. FIG. 31 is after the instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU 201. FIG. 32 is a timing chart showing the flow of the second reset process when the toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU 301. FIG. 32 shows the second reset process when there is no change in the toggle signal from the sub-sub CPU 301 after an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-sub CPU 301. It is a timing chart which shows the flow of 1 reset process.

  As a premise in this example, at the time of normal power-on of the pachinko gaming machine PM, when the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset and activated, the black screen (blackout in which the entire screen is dimmed) is displayed until the image control command is received. When the image is displayed for a predetermined time (in this example, 1 second), an image indicating “screen preparation in progress (please wait for a while)” (hereinafter referred to as “image in preparation”) is displayed. Yes. That is, when the power is turned on normally, the effect display device 70 displays images in the order of “black screen” → “image in preparation”. Here, when an unexpected interruption occurs during the game and the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset, the blackout image itself is widely used as an effect even if the entire black screen is suddenly displayed. Therefore, the player is not particularly uncomfortable. However, if the image being prepared is suddenly displayed after the black screen is displayed, there is a problem that the player may feel uncomfortable and the game motivation may be reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when at least one of the sub-main CPU 201 and the sub-sub CPU 301 is recovered in a very short time, the sub-sub CPU 301 is forcibly reset at a predetermined timing. However, when the sub-sub CPU 310 is normally reset and activated, the sub-main CPU 201 transmits an image control command instructing display of a predetermined effect image until the black screen display time (one second) elapses after the reset activation. In the meantime, by switching directly from the black screen to a predetermined effect image based on the command, the screen can be restored without going through the image being prepared after the occurrence of a momentary interruption or the like.

  First, with reference to FIG. 30, a process (first reset process) in the case where a toggle signal is not input from the sub-sub CPU 301 after an instantaneous interruption has occurred in the sub-main CPU 201 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 30, when a momentary interruption occurs in the sub main CPU 201 of the effect control board 200 at the timing T101 in the drawing and the sub main CPU 201 is reset, the above-described reset start processing (FIG. 23) is started. . After starting the reset start process, it is determined whether or not the toggle signal is correctly input from the sub-sub CPU 301. At timing T102 in the figure, if it is determined that the toggle signal has not been input from the sub sub CPU 301 for a certain time and the sub sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state, a reset signal is sent from the sub main CPU 201 to the sub sub CPU 301 at timing T103 in the figure. The sub-sub CPU 301 is forcibly reset. With this reset activation, at the timing T104 in the figure, the effect display device 70 displays a black screen (blackout image) as if the screen suddenly darkened.

  When the sub sub CPU 301 is reset and activated, a toggle signal is transmitted from the sub sub CPU 301 to the sub main CPU 201 at a timing T105 in the figure. Then, when the input of the toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301 is confirmed at the timing T106 in the drawing, the sub main CPU 201 instructs the sub sub CPU 301 to display a predetermined default image at the timing T107 in the drawing. A control command is sent. Here, the default image means an initial screen (initial image) that is basic for production on the gaming machine. In this example, “3 · 3 · 1” is a combination of a predetermined background image and a decorative design. Is displayed. For this reason, the default image is different from the image being prepared mainly used only for providing information indicating that the screen is being prepared in that the default image can exhibit a certain effect. Note that the default image may be a still image or a moving image. As a result, the display screen of the effect display device 70 is switched to the default image at timing T108 in the drawing. At this time, if the input of the toggle signal is confirmed after the sub sub CPU 301 is reset, the image control command is immediately transmitted. Therefore, a predetermined time for displaying the black screen without passing through the “screen in preparation” image. It is possible to switch directly to the default image within (within 1 second). Then, when an effect control command is received from the main control board 100 at timing T109 in the figure, the process proceeds to command analysis processing, and the effect content corresponding to the type of the effect control command is determined. Subsequently, at timing T110 in the figure, the sub-main CPU 201 transmits an image control command for designating display of the effect contents to the sub-sub CPU 301, and the effect contents are displayed on the effect display device 70 at timing T111 in the figure. Is done.

  Therefore, even if an unexpected momentary interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU 201 of the effect control board 200 during the game, the display screen does not switch to the image being prepared as before, and the player may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game motivation from decreasing, and to continue to enjoy the game before and after the occurrence of a momentary interruption.

  Next, a process (second reset process) performed when a toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU 301 after an instantaneous interruption has occurred in the sub-main CPU 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 31, when a momentary interruption occurs in the sub main CPU 201 at the timing T201 in the figure and the sub main CPU 201 is reset, the above-described reset start processing (FIG. 23) is started. After starting the reset start process, it is determined whether or not the toggle signal is correctly input from the sub-sub CPU 301. When it is confirmed at T202 in the figure that the toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU 301, it is tentatively determined that the sub-sub CPU 301 is not in an abnormal state (image display is continued). Forcibly resetting the sub-sub CPU 301 is temporarily suspended until a predetermined effect control command is received from the main control board 100 without immediately resetting the CPU 301. This is because the sub-sub CPU 301 may be operating normally due to the input of the toggle signal from the sub-sub CPU 301 as described above, so that the operation of the sub-sub CPU 301 is continued rather than immediately resetting the sub-sub CPU 301. (Continuing the screen display of the effect display device 70) When a predetermined effect control command is received, the person who resets is switched to a new effect image corresponding to a change in game development starting from the reset. For this reason, there is a high possibility that it will not be an unnatural connection between before and after the reset. As described above, the specific effect control command is a change start command, change stop command, jackpot start demo command, jackpot end demo command, round, among various effect control commands transmitted from the main control board 100. A production designation command or the like is applicable. This specific effect control command is a command that can be used as an opportunity to switch the effect screen (screen effect) in accordance with a change in the game development status. Specifically, the change start command is an opportunity to display the decorative effect display image of the decorative design on the decorative design display unit 700 of the effect display device 70, and the change stop command is displayed on the decorative design display unit 700 of the effect display device 70. It is an opportunity to display the final stop effect image of the symbol. The jackpot start demo command triggers the display of the jackpot start demonstration effect image on the decorative symbol display unit 700 of the effect display device 70, and the jackpot end demo command displays the jackpot end demo command on the decoration symbol display unit 700 of the effect display device 70. The round effect designation command is an opportunity to display the round effect image corresponding to the round game on the decorative symbol display unit 700 of the effect display device 70. Accordingly, the display image displayed on the decorative symbol display unit 700 of the effect display device 70 upon reception of the specific effect control command is the effect image (variation effect image, final stop effect image, jackpot start demonstration) exemplified above. Effect image, jackpot end demo effect image, round effect image). Under such circumstances, such a specific effect control command is waiting to be received.

  At this time, when an effect control command other than a specific effect control command is received at timing T203 in the figure (for example, a symbol memory number command related to increase / decrease in the number of active suspended balls), the effect control command is used. The command analysis process (a process for determining the content of the effect based on the effect control command and generating an image control command for specifying the effect content) itself is executed, but the forced reset for the sub-sub CPU 301 is continuously reserved. Is done. This is, for example, a mode in which when the symbol memory number command is received, the number of reserved images in the hold display units 701 and 702 only changes as the effect, and thus the overall effect image is not switched ( This is because the visual influence is small, and the player feels uncomfortable because the black screen (blackout image) is interposed immediately after the reset. The reason why the error effect designation command is not included as the specific effect control command is that the error notification of the gaming machine is executed with the highest priority when the game machine is in some error state and receives the error effect designation command. It is necessary.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined effect control command is received at timing T204 in the figure, command analysis processing based on the effect control command is executed, and forcibly resetting the sub-sub CPU 301 is performed at timing T205 in the figure. . In the command analysis process, the generation of the image control command is temporarily reserved. Also, by this reset activation, at the timing T206 in the figure, the effect display device 70 displays a black screen (blackout image) as if the screen was suddenly darkened.

  When the input of the toggle signal is confirmed from the sub sub CPU 301 at the timing T207 in the figure, the image control command that has been reserved is generated and stored in the image control command buffer of the sub main information storage means 260. To do. As a result, the image control command for instructing the display of the effect image is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 301 at timing T208 in the figure, and a new response corresponding to the change in game development in the effect display device 70 at timing T209 in the figure. The effect image is displayed. At this time, if the input of the toggle signal is confirmed after the sub sub CPU 301 is reset, the image control command is immediately transmitted. Therefore, a predetermined time for displaying the black screen without passing through the “screen in preparation” image. It is possible to switch directly to the effect image within (within 1 second).

  Accordingly, when an unexpected instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub main CPU 201 of the effect control board 200 during the game, if an input of a toggle signal from the sub sub CPU 301 is confirmed, the sub sub CPU 301 is immediately reset. First, it is temporarily reserved until a specific effect control command is received, and when the specific effect control command is received, the sub sub CPU 301 is reset, and is determined based on the specific effect control command after the sub sub CPU 301 is reset. By sending an image control command for instructing the display of the contents of the produced effects, the image restoration timing after the reset activation of the sub-sub CPU 301, the timing of change in the game development status (timing image switching timing), and Can be matched, and production images before and after reset Because it creates a natural production connection that is synchronized with the changes in the game, the player will not feel uncomfortable, the game willingness will be reduced, and the game will continue to be enjoyed before and after the occurrence of a momentary interruption. it can. Further, even if an instantaneous black screen display is interposed immediately after the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset, as described above, the black screen (blackout image) itself is widely used for production, so that the black color is displayed to the player. The result that the generation of the screen can be perceived as a preview display of switching to a new effect image, and the black screen display after the reset activation and the effect image display can be made to appear as a continuous and integrated effect Therefore, the player can feel a sense of expectation without making the player feel uncomfortable.

  Next, a process (first reset process) in the case where a momentary interruption occurs in the sub-sub CPU 301 and no toggle signal is input from the sub-sub CPU 301 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, it is assumed that the sub main CPU 201 is operating normally.

  As shown in FIG. 32, it is assumed that an instantaneous interruption occurs in the sub-sub CPU 301 of the image control board 300 at a timing T301 in the drawing, and the sub-sub CPU 301 enters a runaway state. On the effect control board 200 side, it is determined whether or not the toggle signal is correctly input from the sub-sub CPU 301. At timing T302 in the figure, if the toggle signal is not input from the sub-sub CPU 301 for a certain period of time and it is determined that the sub-sub CPU 301 is in an abnormal state, a reset signal is sent from the sub-main CPU 201 to the sub-sub CPU 301 at timing T303 in the figure. Is transmitted and the sub-sub CPU 301 is forcibly reset.

  When the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset and activated, at the timing T304 in the figure, the effect display device 70 displays a black screen (blackout image) as if the screen was suddenly darkened. Also, by this reset activation, a toggle signal is transmitted from the sub-sub CPU 301 to the sub-main CPU 201 at timing T305 in the figure. Then, when the input of the toggle signal from the sub-sub CPU 301 is confirmed at the timing T306 in the figure, the image control for instructing the sub-sub CPU 301 to display a predetermined default image from the sub-main CPU 201 at the timing T307 in the figure. A command is sent. As a result, the display screen of the effect display device 70 is switched to the default image at timing T308 in the drawing. At this time, when the input of the toggle signal is confirmed after the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset, the image control command is immediately transmitted. Therefore, the black screen display is not performed without going through the “screen preparation” image. It is possible to directly switch to the default image within a predetermined time (within 1 second). Then, when an effect control command from the main control board 100 is received at timing T309 in the figure, the process proceeds to command analysis processing, and the effect content according to the type of the effect control command is determined. Subsequently, at timing T310 in the figure, the sub-main CPU 201 transmits an image control command for designating display of the effect contents to the sub-sub CPU 301, and the effect contents are displayed on the effect display device 70 at timing T311 in the figure. Is done.

  Therefore, even if an unexpected momentary interruption occurs in the sub-main CPU 201 of the effect control board 200 during the game, the display screen does not switch to the image being prepared as before, and the player may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game motivation from decreasing, and to continue to enjoy the game before and after the occurrence of a momentary interruption.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when an unexpected instantaneous interruption occurs in at least one of the sub-main CPU 201 and the sub-sub CPU 301, it is unnatural before and after the reset by executing an appropriate reset process according to the situation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a player from feeling uncomfortable, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in game motivation.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, If it is a range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can improve suitably.

  In the above embodiment, in FIGS. 30 and 32, after the sub-sub CPU 301 is reset and activated at timing T103 or T303 and a black screen is displayed, a default image is displayed based on the image control command transmitted at timing T107 or T307. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, immediately after the reset of the sub sub CPU 301 is started, the default is based on the image control command from the sub main CPU 201 without any black screen display from the beginning. You may comprise so that an image may be displayed. According to such a configuration, since a special effect image such as a blackout image or a default image is not displayed twice consecutively due to the occurrence of an instantaneous interruption, the screen can be restored in a more natural manner. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the instantaneous interruption caused by noise due to static electricity or the like is illustrated as a cause of the sudden reset of the sub main CPU 201 or the sub sub CPU 301, but is not limited to this, the production control board 200 or The present invention can also be applied to a case where the sub main CPU 201 or the sub sub CPU 301 is reset due to power-off to the image control board 300 or overflow of WDT.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation signal for notifying that the sub-sub CPU 301 is operating normally is exemplified by the toggle signal that repeats the LOW level / HIGH level at a constant cycle. Any other keep-alive signal may be used as long as it can transmit that the CPU 301 is operating normally.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the specific effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100, a change start command, a round effect designation command, and the like are illustrated, but depending on the effect mode adopted in each gaming machine Any other effect control command may be applied as long as it triggers switching of the effect image (new screen).

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a gaming machine other than a pachinko gaming machine, for example, a slot machine, an arrange ball machine, The present invention can be applied to other game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine and an enclosed game machine (a game machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in a machine for circulation), and similar effects can be obtained.

PM Pachinko machine (game machine)
PA game area 1 outer frame 2 front frame 5 glass frame 20 game board 70 effect display device (effect display unit)
100 Main control board (main control means)
101 Main CPU (main control means)
200 Production control board (production control means)
201 Sub-main CPU (production control means)
300 Image control board (image control means)
301 Sub-sub CPU (image control means)
400 Discharge control board 500 Power supply board

Claims (2)

Main control means for controlling the progress of the game, effect control means for controlling the effect related to the game based on the effect control command from the main control means, and the image display unit based on the image control command from the effect control means. A game machine having image control means for controlling the display of
The effect control means transmits a reset signal to the image control means after the reset activation,
The image control means, after being activated upon receiving a reset signal from the effect control means, transmits an operation signal at a predetermined cycle to the effect control means,
The production control means, within a certain period after reset activation,
If an operation signal is not received from the image control means, a reset signal is transmitted to the image control means without receiving an effect control command from the main control means,
When an operation signal is received from the image control unit, a reset signal is transmitted to the image control unit after receiving an effect control command from the main control unit, and the image control unit uses the reset signal. A game machine that transmits an image control command for instructing display of an effect image corresponding to the effect control command to the image control means after being activated. When the production control means receives an operation signal from the image control means within a certain period after the reset activation, only when a specific production control command is received from among a plurality of types of production control commands. , After the image control means is activated by a reset signal, send a reset signal to the image control means,
The specific effect control command is a command that triggers switching of a predetermined effect image displayed on the image display unit when the effect control command is transmitted from the main control unit to the effect control unit. A gaming machine characterized by that.

Images