JP2017131411A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, even when a communication system from a sub board to a slave board (a peripheral board for performance) of the game machine is a one-way communication system, capable of monitoring whether or not a performance device is normally operated.SOLUTION: A monitoring signal generation part is provided in a sub board. A monitoring signal generated in the sub board is transmitted to a slave board as a monitoring object (Q0), and feedback is received via the slave board. The fed-back monitoring signal is output from QN' of a parallel-serial converter. The monitoring signal received by an operation determination part is compared with the monitoring signal of the original monitoring signal generation part. When the result is a mismatch, the game machine determines an occurrence of abnormality. Even when the communication system is a one-way communication system, this configuration allows the sub board to monitor the state of the performance device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine provided with an effect device that enhances the interest of the player.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  A variety of presentation devices such as liquid crystal display devices (liquid crystal panels), production display lamps (electric decorations), and sound generators (sound devices, speakers) are provided in gaming machines as devices that play a role in enhancing the interest of players. It has been. In addition, there may be provided a movable accessory (movable body) that includes a movable part and produces an effect by the movement of the movable part.

JP, 2013-236724, A Since a plurality of LED members etc. on the board surface of a pachinko game machine are electrically connected in a rosary connection over the last LED member etc. from a decoration control board as a starting point, a plurality of decorations from a decoration control board Wiring over the LED member can be shortened. JP, 2013-255705, A For daisy chain connection of a plurality of relay boards related to the production control, in order to simplify the conventional wiring arrangement for individual wiring from the upper control board to a plurality of lower relay boards, Control information (command) including unique identification information such as an accessory is transmitted to control the accessory. In the one-way communication control method, the terminal of the power supply board is connected to the terminal of the CPU via the voltage monitoring circuit. Based on the determination of the voltage monitoring circuit, the CPU executes a reset process. JP, 2008-212271, A Sub board and peripheral board are connected by I2C communication system (bidirectional communication system).

  If the communication system between the sub board and the peripheral board (slave board) that controls the rendering device (device) is a bidirectional communication system as in Patent Document 4, whether the peripheral board device is operating normally. Can be determined. On the other hand, in the case of the one-way communication method as in Patent Document 3, there is no feedback from the peripheral board, and it has not been possible to determine whether or not the device is operating normally. For example, in the motor control of a gaming machine, an excitation signal is output using a driver IC, but this cannot be detected when a problem occurs in the driver IC or its propagation path (communication path). It is not preferable that the excitation signal is not updated or is continuously output.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of monitoring the state of a slave board device even when a communication system between a sub board and a peripheral board is a one-way communication system.

The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a slave board that controls a device related to an effect, and a processing unit that controls the slave board.
The processor is
A monitoring signal generator for generating a predetermined monitoring signal;
A first parallel-serial converter that converts the monitoring signal together with data for controlling the device into a serial signal and sends the serial signal to the slave board;
A first serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the slave substrate into a parallel signal;
The slave substrate is
A second serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the processing unit into a parallel signal;
A second parallel-serial converter for converting data to be sent to the processor into a serial signal;
Wiring for inputting the monitoring signal appearing at the parallel output terminal of the second serial-parallel converter to the input terminal of the second parallel-serial converter;
The second parallel-serial converter is a chain connection of a plurality of input drivers each having a plurality of parallel input ends, a serial input end, and a serial output end,
A serial signal is sent to the processing unit from the serial output end of the input driver provided at one end of the chain connection among the plurality of input drivers,
The wiring is connected to a serial input end of the input driver provided at the other end of the chain connection,
The processing unit further includes:
The monitoring signal from the second parallel-serial converter that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel converter is compared with the monitoring signal of the monitoring signal generator to monitor the operation of the slave substrate. An operation determination unit is provided.

The monitoring signal is a digital signal that takes either an H level or an L level.
When the operation determination unit determines the operation of the slave substrate, the monitoring signal generation unit may invert the level of the monitoring signal.

The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a slave board that controls a device related to an effect, and a processing unit that controls the slave board.
The processor is
A first feature signal extraction unit that extracts a predetermined feature signal from data for controlling the device;
A first parallel-serial converter that converts data for controlling the device into a serial signal and sends the serial signal to the slave board;
A first serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the slave substrate into a parallel signal;
The slave substrate is
A second serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the processing unit into a parallel signal;
A second feature signal extraction unit that extracts a predetermined feature signal from the parallel signal converted by the second serial-parallel conversion unit;
A second parallel-serial converter for converting data to be sent to the processor into a serial signal;
A wiring for inputting the feature signal output by the second feature signal extraction unit to an input terminal of the second parallel-serial conversion unit;
The second parallel-serial converter is a chain connection of a plurality of input drivers each having a plurality of parallel input ends, a serial input end, and a serial output end,
A serial signal is sent to the processing unit from the serial output end of the input driver provided at one end of the chain connection among the plurality of input drivers,
The wiring is connected to a serial input end of the input driver provided at the other end of the chain connection,
The processing unit further includes:
The feature signal from the second parallel-serial converter that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel converter is compared with the feature signal output by the first feature signal extractor. An operation determination unit that monitors the operation is provided.

The processing unit further includes:
A specific pattern storage unit that stores in advance specific pattern data determined corresponding to data for controlling the device;
The operation determination unit monitors the operation of the slave substrate by comparing the feature signal from the second parallel-serial conversion unit that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel conversion unit with the specific pattern data. You may make it do.

  According to this invention, since the monitoring signal generated in the processing unit is fed back via the slave substrate to be monitored, even when the communication method between the processing unit and the peripheral substrate is unidirectional, The state of the device on the slave board can be monitored based on the monitoring signal. Since the monitoring signal is input to the serial input terminal of the input driver at the end (distant end) of the chained input drivers, the entire plurality of input drivers can be monitored.

  According to the present invention, since the feature signal extracted by the slave substrate to be monitored is sent to the processing unit and compared with the feature signal extracted by the processing unit, the communication method between the processing unit and the peripheral substrate Even in a unidirectional manner, the device state of the slave substrate can be monitored based on the feature signal. Since the characteristic signal is input to the serial input terminal of the input driver (distant end) of the plurality of input drivers connected in the chain, the entire plurality of input drivers can be monitored.

  The monitoring signal is a digital signal that takes either an H level or an L level. When the operation determining unit determines the operation of the slave substrate, the monitoring signal generating unit determines the level of the monitoring signal. Since the inversion is performed, the operation determination unit can determine that the communication with the slave substrate is normal based on the inversion of the level. Time adjustment processing becomes unnecessary.

It is a perspective view of the slot machine which shows the state where the front door was closed. It is a perspective view of the slot machine showing a state where the front door is opened. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine. It is a block diagram of the communication system of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram of the sub board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block part of the slave board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the serial signal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart of the monitoring signal transmission process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a flowchart of the monitoring signal reception process which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is another block diagram of the sub board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is another block part of the slave board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the other serial signal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of invention. It is a block diagram of the sub board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a block part of the slave board | substrate which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a flowchart of the feature signal extraction process which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is a flowchart of the monitoring signal reception process which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention. It is explanatory drawing of the serial signal which concerns on Embodiment 2 of invention.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
<Structure of gaming machine>
FIG. 1 shows a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 shows a front view of the slot machine with the front door open. In the following description, the upward, downward, left, or right directions refer to directions viewed from the player facing the slot machine unless otherwise specified.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. The slot machine 100 includes a slot machine housing 120 and a front door that is attached to one side of the front surface of the slot machine housing 120 by a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed. 130. The front door 130 includes an upper door 130U and a lower door 130L that can be opened and closed independently.

  A game display 131 is provided in the upper right corner of the front surface of the front door 130. The player can see three reels of the reel unit 203 through the game display unit 131.

  A medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the upper door 130U. On the left side of the medal insertion slot 132, a clogged medal is inserted into the slot machine. A reject button 133 is provided for forcibly discharging outside 100.

  A start switch 134 for starting a game is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the lower door 130L, and three stop buttons 140 are provided between the start switch 134 and the medal slot 132 corresponding to each of the three reels. Yes.

  A liquid crystal panel LCD1 is provided at the center of the upper door 130U, and a liquid crystal panel LCD2 is provided on almost the entire surface of the lower door 130L.

  A switch (cross key unit) SW as an operation unit is provided at the center of the upper surface of the lower door 130L, that is, above the stop button 140 and between the bet switch BET and the medal slot 132. The switch SW includes, for example, a cursor key (switch) for moving the cursor up / down / left / right, an operation confirmation button / cancel button, and the like.

  Illuminated DRU, DRL, DLU, and DLL are provided on the left and right ends of the slot machine 100, respectively. That is, an electric decoration DLU is provided at the left end of the upper door 130U, an electric decoration DRU is provided at the right end, an electric decoration DLL is provided at the left end of the lower door 130L, and an electric decoration DRL is provided at the right end. Each of the electrical decorations DRU, DRL, DLU, and DLL includes a light emitting element (LED).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine housing 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals in a payout opening provided at the lower front portion of the lower door 130 </ b> L. A hopper device 121 for paying out one by one is installed. A hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a large number of medals is provided at the top of the hopper device 121. Inside the slot machine housing 120, a reel unit 203 including three reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the upper door 130U is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three reels (first reel to third reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the lower surface of the lower door 130L at the lower portion of the medal slot 132 on the upper surface of the lower door 130L. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side of the medal selector 1 and communicates with the payout port at the lower part of the lower door 130L is provided. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port via the derivation path 136.

  The main board 10 is attached to the inside of the slot machine housing 120 and below the reel unit 203. The main board 10 is provided with a setting change switch SSW for performing an internal setting relating to a game (for example, which of a plurality of lottery tables is used). The sub-board 20 is attached to the lower center of the back surface of the upper door 130U.

  A low-frequency speaker SPL is provided in the upper left corner of the slot machine housing 120, and two speakers SP that cover a standard sound range are provided below the lower door 130L.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100.

  In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine includes a power supply unit (power supply unit 205 in FIG. 2) for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).

  The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate 10 as main processing devices. Substrates including the main substrate 10 and the sub-substrate are accommodated inside the case so that they cannot be contacted from the outside, and are subjected to a sealing process so that traces remain when these substrates are removed. Specifically, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 are integrally attached by caulking, and are covered by an integral case that covers the entire main board 10 and the sub board 20.

  The main board 10 is used for performing an internal lottery in response to the player's operation, and for performing processing (game processing) such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  Hereinafter, the main board and the sub board will be described in detail.

<Main board>
The main board 10 includes the bet switch BET, the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203, the setting change switch SSW, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. A medal detection unit 82 for counting (these constitute the hopper device 121 described above) is connected.

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are attached to the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal insertion port 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors (index sensors) 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (note that The stepping motors 155a to 155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  Based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time each of the rotating cylinders 40a to 40c makes one rotation, the rotating cylinder control means 1300 starts from the reference position (a frame specified by an index (not shown)) of the rotating cylinder 40. Is obtained (by counting the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor), the current rotation state of the drum 40 can be monitored. That is, the main substrate 10 can obtain the position of the rotating drum 40 when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating drum 40.

  In the following description, reference numeral 40 is used to indicate any one or a plurality of spinning cylinders, and reference numerals 40a to 40c are used to separately indicate three spinning cylinders.

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates an unillustrated rotating disk of the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting unit (insertion accepting means) 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions. Then, a process of permitting the start operation of the first to third cylinders for the start switch 134 is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, the specified number of insertions may be set according to the game state, the specified number of insertions is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus establishment state, and the specified number of insertions is set to 1 to 3 in the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. From the time when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop buttons 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when the medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numerical values so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generating means 1100, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and big bonus (BB :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  The lottery table selection process allows the contents of the lottery to be set within a predetermined range (the probability of winning can be increased or decreased), and the setting work is performed by the store in the hall where the gaming machine is installed. . The switch used in this setting operation is a setting change switch SSW.

  A normal gaming machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles in advance. In the lottery of gaming machines, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing a setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as a setting change (hereinafter referred to as “setting change”).

  Conventionally, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the door of the gaming machine is opened, and a setting change key is set as a key switch of a setting change switch SSW provided on the main board 10. With the key inserted and the key switch turned on, the game machine is turned on so that the setting can be changed. Every time the setting change button (push button) of the setting change switch SSW is pressed, 7 segments The set value displayed on the display unit is incremented to cyclically change the values from 1 to 6, and the desired set value is operated by operating the start switch when the desired set value is displayed on the display unit. Is confirmed.

  In the random number determination process, on the basis of the start signal from the start switch 134, a random number value (lottery random number) is acquired for each game from random number generation means (not shown), and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random number value. To determine whether or not they have won the role.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

  A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, if a regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and if the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The spinning cylinder control means 1300 rotates the first to third cylinders by a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by the player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first cylinder -Depressing (stopping) the three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the rotating cylinders in a state where the rotation speed of the third cylinder reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 rotations per minute). In addition to performing control to permit the operation), control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders driven to rotate by the stepping motor in accordance with the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), Based on the signal, the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. The number of sliding symbols is a symbol that passes through the reference position between the operation of the stop button 140 and the rotation stop of the corresponding rotating cylinder when a specific symbol that can be visually recognized from the game display unit at the time of stopping the rotating drum is used as the reference position. The number of Since the turning cylinder control means 1300 stops each turning cylinder within 190 ms from the operation of each stop button 140, the number of sliding frames is in the range of 0 to 4 (however, 80 revolutions / minute, (In the condition of the number of symbols = 21). Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  As described above, the spinning cylinder control unit 1300 is based on the reference position signal (the frame detected by the reel index) of the spinning cylinder based on the reference position signal detected by the index sensor 159 every time the rotating cylinder makes one rotation. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor), the current rotation state of the rotating drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop button 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first to third drums are controlled to stop the rotating drum corresponding to the pressed stop button within 190 ms from the time when the stop button 140 is pressed. Is set to That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role wins, the hopper 81 is driven to perform a medal payout control process, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated.

  The replay processing unit 1600 may perform control to change the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery under a predetermined condition. For example, when a predetermined turn is displayed when the spinning cylinder is stopped by operating the stop button 140, the winning probability of replay varies. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set.

  The error processing unit 1700 determines an error of the gaming machine based on the outputs of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), the medal sensors S1 and S2, and the medal detection unit 82, and notifies that when it determines that there is an error. To a predetermined state (for example, a state in which no operation is accepted).

  A door open / close detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor that detects that the front door 130 (the upper door 130U and the lower door 130L) is closed, and is an electrical switch such as a micro switch or a contact. When the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is closed, the switch is turned on (or turned off) by the action part of the switch contacting the back side of the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L). When the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is opened, the action part is separated and turned off (or turned on). The door opening / closing detection sensor may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter. The medal sensors S1 and S2 and the medal detection unit 82 have been described above.

Specifically, the error processing unit 1700 performs the following operation.
When an opening of the front door 130 (upper door 130U, lower door 130L) is detected based on the output of a door opening / closing detection sensor (not shown), error processing is performed.
-Based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2, the reverse flow of the medals (the detection order of the sensors S1 and S2 is reversed), the medal retention (the detection times of the sensors S1 and S2 are longer than a predetermined threshold) When error is detected, error processing is performed.
Based on the output of the medal detection unit 82, the medal clogging (the detection time of the medal detection unit 82 is longer than a predetermined threshold), hopper empty (the medal detection unit despite operating the hopper driving unit 80) When 82 detects no medal), error processing is performed.

  When the error processing unit 1700 determines that an error has occurred as described above, the error processing unit 1700 notifies the fact and sets the gaming machine to a predetermined state (error state). This state is canceled by a reset switch (not shown). The reset switch is provided on the panel of the power supply unit 205, for example.

  There are also errors that occur in the sub-board 20. Although this error does not result in an inoperable state, the liquid crystal display device or the like can notify that an error has occurred due to the processing of the sub-board 20 itself. The error occurs, for example, when an invalid command is received (including when the encrypted command cannot be correctly decrypted), and the error is canceled by the reset switch (from the main board 10 to the sub board 20). Reset command).

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, and one stepping motor 155a to 155c is attached to each of the three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c. The stepping motor 155 includes a gear-shaped iron core or permanent magnet as a rotor (rotor), a plurality of windings (coils) as a stator (stator), and is rotated by switching windings through which current flows. It is. That is, a current is passed through the windings of the stator to generate a magnetic force, and the rotor is rotated by attracting the rotor. Since the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle, it is used to drive the rotation of the slot machine. A plurality of windings constitute one phase. As the number of phases, for example, there are two (two phases), four (four phases), and five (five phases).

  The stepping motor can change its characteristics (excitation mode changes) by changing the way of applying current to the windings of each phase. The two-phase type is as follows.

• Single-phase excitation Always allow current to flow through only one phase of the winding. Positioning accuracy is good.

・ Two-phase excitation
Current flows in two phases. An output torque approximately twice that of single-phase excitation can be obtained. The positioning accuracy is good and the stationary torque is large when stopped, so that the stop position can be held reliably.

・ One-two-phase excitation
A current is passed by alternately switching between one phase and two phases. Since the step angle can be halved in the case of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation, smooth rotation can be obtained.

  Note that “driving” a stepping motor includes rotating the motor by the above-described excitation and exciting each phase in order to stop at a desired position and hold the position.

  Regarding driving of the spinning cylinders 40a to 40c of the slot machine, for example, a four-phase stepping motor having a basic step angle of 1.43 degrees is used, and one-two-phase excitation is adopted as a pulse output method.

  10CG is a command transmitter that transmits a command to be sent to the sub-board 20. This command includes a command related to winning combination information, a command related to information on the number of inserted medals and the number of credits (stored number). Specifically, the command transmission unit 10CG is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the main board 10. The command transmission will be described later.

<Sub-board>
Connected to the sub-board 20 are liquid crystal panels LCD1 and LCD2, LEDs (LED boards) 202B, 202U and 202L, a speaker SP, a bass speaker SPL, a solenoid SN, motors MU and ML, sensors SENU and SENL, and a switch SW. . The LEDs 202B, 202L, and 202U incorporate a latch that acquires and holds data and an LED that is an electrical decoration (the LED may be provided outside the substrate). These components are controlled by the sub-board 20, and are an output device that produces effects by video, light, sound, and movement of the movable body, or an input device or player for detecting the movement of the movable body. It is an input device which receives operation by.

  Although not shown, the model-specific block BB and the lower door block BL include a video controller (VDC) for controlling the liquid crystal panel LCD2, a sound controller for generating sound by driving the speaker SP, and a solenoid. A drive circuit for driving the SN, motors MU and ML is incorporated.

  The components such as the liquid crystal panel described above, except for the bass speaker SPL, correspond to the model-specific block BB and the upper door block BU and the lower door 130L provided corresponding to the upper door 130U built in the slot machine housing 120. The lower door block BL is provided in a distinguishable manner.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the model-specific block BB includes a solenoid SN, a speaker SP, and an LED 202B, and the upper door block BU includes a liquid crystal panel LCD1, an LED 202U, a motor MU, and a sensor SENU that detects the operation of the movable body. The lower door block BL includes a liquid crystal panel LCD2, a speaker SP, an LED 202L, a motor ML, a sensor SENL for detecting the operation of the movable body thereby, and a switch SW such as a cursor key. The entire liquid crystal panel LCD2 is configured to be slightly movable back and forth by the motor ML, and the player may be able to perform an operation of pushing the liquid crystal panel LCD2 in a state where the liquid crystal panel LCD2 is moved forward. In this case, the switch SW of the lower door block BL includes a switch for detecting depression of the liquid crystal panel LCD2.

<Command transmission from main board to sub board>
The sub-board 20 receives a command from the main board 10 and performs processing such as rendering according to the command. The flow of commands is only one from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command or the like is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The sub board 20 generates a command (display command, drawing command) for displaying a predetermined screen on the liquid crystal panels LCD1 and LCD2, for example, in accordance with a command from the main board 10. For example, when performing an effect by animation or the like, a large number of commands are continuously transmitted one after another.

  In FIG. 3, 20 CR is a command receiving unit that receives a command received from the main board 10. Specifically, the command receiving unit 20CR is realized by the CPU executing a program written in advance in a ROM mounted on the sub-board 20.

  As the above-mentioned command, there is a command for performing an effect suggesting the winning contents by the software on the sub-board 20 side. For example, as shown in the following AT, a suggestion for obtaining a ball is displayed on a liquid crystal display device so as to provide (assist) the player with the convenience of operation. The suggestion is not always issued, but in specific cases.

  The gaming machine includes an effect display device including a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, a display lamp, and the like. This effect display device is controlled by the sub-board 20 to notify the player of a prize or the like, or in a so-called assist time (AT), the base itself teaches the user with some action during a certain game with some action. It is for doing. (Assist time (AT): Even if a specific small role is established, the player will not be refunded if the reels are not aligned. After the big bonus ends (or at the time of establishment) to ensure payout by the small role) Alternatively, a lottery of assist time is drawn at any other opportunity, and if this is won, the player is instructed to perform an operation with some action for aligning specific small roles during a certain game)

  The command receiving unit 20CR receives a command received from the main board 10. For example, a command received as serial data is input to a serial-parallel conversion unit (shift register), and is output every certain data (for example, 8 bits). The output data is transferred to the CPU of the sub-board 20 as a command, and is interpreted and executed.

Next, the game processing in the main board 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
Generally, in a gaming machine, one game is started from the insertion of medals (insertion of credits) until the end of payout (or until the increase in the number of credits is completed). There is a rule that it is not possible to proceed to the next game until one game is finished.

  First, when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the start switch 134 is activated, and the processing of FIG. 4 is started.

  In step S1, the start switch 134 is turned on by operating the start switch 134. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  In step S2, a lottery process is performed by the main board 10. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, the rotation of the first reel to the third reel starts. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S4.

  In step S4, when the stop button 140 is operated, the stop button 140 is turned ON. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S5.

  In step S5, rotation stop processing is performed on the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button 140 among the first to third reels. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the operation of the stop button 140 corresponding to the three reels has been performed. If it is determined that all three stop buttons 140 corresponding to the three reels have been operated, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the winning symbols corresponding to the lottery flag are aligned on the effective winning line while the lottery flag is established, that is, whether or not the winning is confirmed. If it is determined that the winning is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S8. If the winning is not confirmed, no medals are paid out even if the lottery flag is established.

  In step S8, medals corresponding to winning symbols are paid out.

  The process from the insertion of the medal to the completion of the execution of step S8 is one game. When the standby process in step S8 ends, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart. In other words, the next game is possible (transition to the next game).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing connections of sub-boards, slave boards (relay boards), rendering devices such as LEDs, solenoids, motors, and sensors (photosensors, switches, etc.) according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows the connection system related to the production device and the slave board in the block diagram of FIG. At least the harnesses HBU and HBL that connect the sub board 20 and the slave boards 206BU and 206BL have a data line through which a digital signal propagates and a clock line through which a clock signal that specifies the timing for acquiring (latching) the digital signal propagates. The communication method between them is clock synchronous serial communication. In FIG. 5, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG.

  Of the elements shown in FIG. 5, the slave boards 206BU and 206BL are implemented by hardware such as an IC. The I2C transmission / reception processing unit 207 and the transmission / reception processing unit 208 of the slave board 206BB are stored in a ROM mounted thereon. The CPU may execute a program written in advance. The transmission processing units 209T and 210T and the reception processing units 209R and 210R are realized by either hardware such as an IC or software.

  In FIG. 5, the sub-board 20 is included in the upper door block BU, but this is an example. For example, the sub-board 20 may be included in the lower door block BL, or may be provided separately from the model-specific block BB, the upper door block BU, and the lower door block BL.

  In the gaming machine of FIG. 5, I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or clock synchronous serial communication is used as a control communication method from the sub-board 20 to a slave board (relay board) that controls effect devices such as accessories and electrical decorations. Used. As the number of controlled objects / devices increases, the sub board connects to the slave board via serial communication, and each slave board performs serial-parallel conversion (serial-parallel conversion). Each slave board is connected to a device such as an accessory or illumination.

That is, as an example of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention, the communication system between the sub-board 20 and the model-specific block BB uses I2C. Since the configuration of the electrical member of the model-specific block BB changes for each model, versatile bidirectional communication is adopted. The communication system between the sub-board 20 and the upper door block BU uses synchronous serial. Since the reel unit 203 is to be replaced at the same time when the reel unit 203 is replaced, a harness HBU dedicated to the upper door block BU is provided. The communication system between the sub-board 20 and the lower door block BL uses synchronous serial. Since it is a remaining common part, a harness HBL dedicated to the lower door block BL is provided.
In addition, regarding the control of the model-specific block connected to the input / output terminal J11 of the I2C transmission / reception processing unit 207, it is also possible to perform by one-way communication that is only transmission. Or you may make it transmit by communication systems other than I2C.

  BB is a model-specific block unique to each model of gaming machine. BL is a lower door block (first block) used in common for each housing. BU is a replaceable upper door block (second block).

  The model specific block BB, the lower door block BL, and the upper door block BU include a slave board (model specific relay board) 206BB, a slave board (first relay board) 206BL, and a slave board (second relay board) 206BU, respectively. The slave board 206BB has a built-in CPU and is more flexible and sophisticated than the slave boards 206BL and BU (for example, an address is determined in advance for the slave board 206BB, and it is determined whether the received message is addressed to itself. Can be requested to the sub-board 20 when transmitting data). The slave boards 206BL and BU have a predetermined communication procedure with the other party (transmission processing units 209T and 210T, reception processing parts 209R and 210R of the sub board 20), and need not be flexible. . For this reason, the slave substrates 206BL and BU can be configured by a dedicated IC.

  J11 is a model-specific input / output terminal of the sub-board 20. This includes one data line and one clock line (same for other terminals).

  J21 and J22 are first output terminals, and J31 is a first input terminal. J41 and J42 are second output terminals, and J51 is a second input terminal.

  The harness (model-specific harness) HBB connects the model-specific input / output terminal J11 to the slave substrate 206BB.

  The harness HBL connects the first output terminals J21 and J22 and the first input terminal J31 to the slave substrate 206BL.

  The harness HBU connects the second output ends J41 and J42 and the second input end J51 to the slave substrate 206BU.

  The transmission processing unit 209T generates a serial signal to be transmitted from the first output terminals J21 and J22 to the slave substrate 206BL.

  The reception processing unit 209R converts the serial signal received from the slave substrate 206BL at the first input terminal J31 into a parallel signal. The converted parallel signal is subjected to predetermined processing by the sub-board 20.

  The transmission processing unit 210T generates a serial signal to be transmitted from the second output terminals J41 and J42 to the slave substrate 206BU.

  The reception processing unit 210R converts the serial signal received from the slave substrate 206BU at the second input terminal J51 into a parallel signal. The converted parallel signal is subjected to predetermined processing by the sub-board 20.

  The transmission / reception processing unit 208 of the slave substrate 206BB performs reception processing and transmission processing according to the address from the I2C transmission / reception processing unit 207. Although only one slave board 206BB is shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of slave boards 206BB can be connected to the same harness HBB (including signal lines branched from now). An address is used to identify the slave substrate 206BB.

<Command transmission to slave board, sensor signal reception from slave board>
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a transmission processing unit and a reception processing unit of the sub-board (processing unit) 20 according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the reception processing unit and the transmission processing unit of the slave substrate 206BU or 206BL.

  6 and 7 show a one-way communication system (one circuit / IC performs either transmission or reception operation).

  FIG. 6 shows the transmission processing unit 209T and the reception processing unit 209R or the transmission processing unit 210T and the reception processing unit 210R in FIG. The parallel-serial conversion unit (parallel-serial conversion unit) 210T-1 is provided in the transmission processing unit 209T or 210T. The serial-parallel conversion unit (serial-parallel conversion unit) 210R-1 is provided in the reception processing unit 209R or 210R.

  In FIG. 6, 210T-2 is a monitoring signal generator for generating a predetermined monitoring signal. The monitoring signal is an arbitrary signal for determining whether communication between the sub-board 20 and the slave board and device control by the slave board are normally performed. For example, a pulse signal that alternately repeats 0 (L) and 1 (H) at a constant period or a predetermined period, an arbitrary numerical value such as 7E (01111110), an arbitrary character code, and the like. When the operation determination unit 210A determines that the monitoring signal from the slave substrate is normal (the slave substrate is operating normally), the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 may invert the level of the monitoring signal.

  On the other hand, a constant signal, for example, a signal that is always 0 (or 1) cannot be distinguished from a state in which communication is not normally performed due to disconnection or the like, and thus cannot be used as a monitoring signal.

  210T-1 is a parallel-serial conversion unit (first parallel-serial conversion unit) that converts the monitoring signal generated by the monitoring signal generation unit 210T-2 into a serial signal together with data for controlling the device and sends the serial signal to the slave substrate. ). 6 includes N + 1 input terminals Q0 to QN, converts signals input to these into serial signals, and converts Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3,. Output in order. N is a natural number, and is determined in advance according to the number of data to the slave board (the number of control bits such as a motor) and the number of data from the slave board (the number of bits of the sensor). In this example, N = 4. Motor driver data (device control data) is input to Q1 to QN, and a monitoring signal is input to Q0. Since Q0 is sent first, the slave board reaches the IC farthest from the sub board. Note that the clock terminal, the latch signal terminal, and the like of the parallel-serial conversion unit 210T-1 are omitted (the same applies to the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1).

  210R-1 is a serial-parallel converter (first serial-parallel converter) 210R-1 that converts a serial signal from a slave substrate into a parallel signal. The serial-parallel converter 210R-1 in FIG. 6 includes N + 1 output terminals Q0 'to QN'. The input serial signal is converted into a parallel signal and output to Q0 ', Q1', Q2 ', Q3',. A sensor output signal (parallel signal) appears in Q0 'to QN-1', and a monitoring signal appears in QN '. QN ′ is a signal input to the IC (input driver) farthest from the sub-board in the slave board and arrives last.

  In FIG. 6, the number of input terminals of the parallel-serial conversion unit 210T-1 is the same as the number of output terminals of the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1, but this is an example, and these numbers are different. Also good.

  210A is a monitoring signal from the parallel-to-serial converter (second parallel-to-serial converter) IC3 of the slave board that appears at the parallel output terminal QN ′ of the serial-to-parallel converter (first series-to-parallel converter) 210R-1. Compared with the monitoring signal of the monitoring signal generator 210T-2, the operation determination unit monitors the operation of the slave substrate.

  In FIG. 7, IC2 is a motor control circuit (second serial-parallel converter) provided on the slave substrates 206BL and 206BU. The motor control circuit IC2 includes a serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal into a parallel signal, converts the serial signal from the sub-board 20 into a parallel signal, and outputs the parallel signal. The output terminals Q0 to QN correspond to the input terminals Q0 to QN of the parallel-serial converter 210T-1 in FIG. A monitoring signal appears at the output terminal Q0.

  The slave substrates 206BL and 206BU include a parallel-serial conversion unit (second parallel-serial conversion unit) IC3. In the example of FIG. 7, the parallel-serial converter IC3 is composed of two input drivers IC3-1 and IC3-2. This is an example, and it may be composed of three or more input drivers.

  Each of the input drivers IC3-1 and IC3-2 includes a plurality of parallel input terminals A to D, a serial input terminal SI, and a serial output terminal QH. The input signal is output from the serial output terminal QH in the order of the parallel input terminals A to D and the serial input terminal SI. Therefore, regarding the correspondence of the signals, the input terminals A, B, C, D of the input driver IC3-1 and the input terminals A, B, C, D, SI of the input driver IC3-2 are respectively connected in series- This corresponds to the output terminals Q0 ′, Q1 ′, Q2 ′, Q3 ′,..., QN ′ of the parallel conversion unit 210R-1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, by connecting the serial output terminal QH of one input driver IC3-2 to the serial input terminal SI of the other input driver IC3-1 (daisy chain connection), the length of the serial signal to be transmitted can be reduced. Can be extended arbitrarily. In the case of this connection, the serial input terminal SI of the input driver IC3-2 farthest from the sub-board 20 is normally not connected (NC), but the terminal is effectively utilized by inputting a monitoring signal here. Yes. Further, by connecting in this way, it becomes possible to check the entire parallel-serial conversion unit IC3 including a plurality of chain-connected input drivers.

  The motor control circuit IC2 receives serial data from the sub-board 20, and excites the connected motor windings in a predetermined pattern based on the decoding result of the data. For example, the winding is sequentially excited to rotate the motor, and the rotation speed is adjusted by changing the excitation frequency. The output of the motor control circuit IC02 is connected to a motor driver DRV for flowing a current necessary for driving the motor through the windings.

  A parallel-serial conversion unit IC3 including input drivers IC3-1 and IC3-2 takes outputs of a plurality of sensors at predetermined intervals, converts them into serial data, and sends them to the sub-board 20. The serial data is received by the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1 of the sub-board 20, performs serial-parallel conversion, and passes it to the CPU of the sub-board 20.

  W1 is a wiring for inputting the monitoring signal appearing at the output terminal Q0 of the motor control circuit (second series-parallel converter) IC2 to the input terminal SI of the input driver IC3-2. The monitoring signal from the sub board 20 is fed back to the slave board by the wiring W1.

  In the communication with the lower door block BL and the upper door block BU, the sub board 20 transmits serial data to the slave boards 206BL and 206BU using the first output terminals J21 and J22 and the second output terminals J41 and J42. Serial data is received from the slave boards 206BL and 206BU using the input terminal J31 and the second input terminal J51. The communication is one-way, the process is simple, and the burden on the processing unit is small. In the slave boards 206BL and 206BU, as shown in FIG. 7, a reception process and a transmission process can be performed by a semiconductor element (IC), and it is not necessary to create a program.

  On the other hand, in the case of the one-way communication method, there is no feedback from the slave substrate, and it has not been possible to determine whether or not the device is operating normally.

  As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the monitoring signal is turned back by the wiring W <b> 1 of the slave board, and the monitoring signal is fed back to the sub-board 20. The operation determination unit 210A determines whether the monitoring signal sent from the sub-board 20 is the same as the monitoring signal returned from the slave board. If they are not the same, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the communication path or the sub board 20 and the slave board.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the monitoring signal generator 210T-2, the feedback wiring W1, and the operation determination unit 210A are provided, the communication method between the sub board and the slave board is a one-way communication system. Even if it exists, the device state of the peripheral substrate can be detected by the sub-substrate 20.

  FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of serial signals output from the parallel-serial conversion unit 210T-1 of the sub-board 20. The arrow indicates the output direction, and the signals input to the input terminals Q0 to QN are output in that order.

  FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of a serial signal output from the parallel-serial conversion unit IC3 of the slave substrate. Arrows indicate the direction of output. The signals input to the input terminals A, B, C, D of the input driver IC3-1 and the input terminals A, B, C, D, SI of the input driver IC3-2 are output in that order.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the monitoring signal transmission process performed by the sub-board 20.

ST10: The monitoring signal generator 210T-2 generates a predetermined monitoring signal.
Whether the monitoring signal is normally transmitted, such as a pulse signal that alternately repeats 0 (L) and 1 (H) at a predetermined cycle, a numerical value such as 7E (01111110), and an arbitrary character code. This is a signal that can be determined. When the operation determination unit 210A determines that the serial signal from the slave substrate is normal (the slave substrate is normal operation), the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 may invert the level of the monitoring signal.

ST11: The generated monitoring signal is input to a specific terminal (input terminal Q0 in FIG. 6) of the parallel-serial converter 210T-1.

ST12: The monitoring signal is converted into a serial signal together with the motor driver data as shown in FIG. 8A, and sent to the output terminal Q0 of the motor control circuit IC2 on the slave board.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the monitoring signal determination process performed in the sub-board 20.

ST20: The operation determination unit 210A acquires a signal of a specific terminal of the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1.

  The specific terminal is the output terminal QN ′ of the series-parallel converter 210R-1.

ST21: The operation determination unit 210A performs time adjustment processing.
The time adjustment processing is a comparison target according to the time required for feedback of the monitoring signal so that the monitoring signal transmitted by the operation determination unit 210A can be correctly correlated and compared with the monitoring signal fed back corresponding to the monitoring signal. This is a process of shifting (delaying). If the time from when the monitoring signal is input to the parallel-serial conversion unit 210T-1 until it appears at the output terminal of the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1 is T, the operation determination unit 210A represents the transmitted original monitoring signal as time. Delay by T and compare the delayed signal with the fed back monitoring signal.

  If the time required for feedback is negligibly short, the time adjustment process is unnecessary. If the time change of the monitoring signal is gradual and the change is sufficiently shorter than the time required for feedback, the time adjustment process is unnecessary. For example, when the operation determination unit 210A determines that the serial signal from the slave substrate is normal (the slave substrate is normal operation), the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 outputs the monitoring signal when inverting the level of the monitoring signal. Since it is determined that the output terminal QN ′ is inverted from the L level to the H level and the output terminal QN ′ is changed from the L level to the H level is detected as normal (regardless of the time required for the change), the time adjustment process is performed. Is unnecessary.

ST22: The operation determination unit 210A compares the transmitted monitoring signal with the monitoring signal fed back corresponding to the monitoring signal.

  This comparison is performed for each bit or for each predetermined unit such as a byte or a word. When the operation determination unit 210A determines that the slave substrate is operating normally, the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 monitors whether the inversion occurs when the level of the monitoring signal is inverted.

ST23: If the comparison result of ST22 matches (YES), it can be determined that the data has been transmitted normally and the motor control circuit IC2 to be monitored is operating normally. After completing the monitoring process for the monitoring signal, the CPU moves to another process (or performs the monitoring process for another monitoring signal). When the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 inverts the level of the monitoring signal when it is determined that the slave substrate is operating normally, it is determined that the inversion is normal (YES).

  If they do not match (NO), an error has occurred in the operation of the data transmission system or the motor control circuit IC2 to be monitored, and error processing (ST24) is performed. When the monitoring signal generation unit 210-T2 inverts the level of the monitoring signal when it is determined that the slave substrate is in a normal operation, it is determined that the inversion does not occur even after a predetermined time has elapsed (timeout) and mismatch (NO).

  There is a possibility that the communication data may be temporarily corrupted due to instantaneous noise effects. In order not to determine that the influence of noise is a device failure, the comparison process of S22 is not limited to one time, but is performed a plurality of times. You may make it determine with NO.

ST24: In the error process, for example, an error sound is generated by a buzzer, and the game process and the process related to the effect are stopped. The drive current may be cut off so that the motor driver DRV does not keep on.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the monitoring signal generated in the sub-board 20 is fed back via the slave board to be monitored, the communication method between the sub-board and the peripheral board is one. Even in the case of the directional communication method, the state of the device can be monitored.

  Since the monitoring signal is connected to the serial input terminal of the input driver at the end (distant end) of the plurality of input drivers connected in the chain, the whole of the plurality of input drivers can be monitored.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a dedicated signal is generated for monitoring, and the monitoring signal is input to one terminal of the parallel-serial converter. Processing load does not increase so much. If a simple on / off pulse signal is used as a monitoring signal, the processing load required for its generation is small, and there are few problems in mounting.

  According to this invention, even when the communication method is a one-way communication method, it is determined whether or not the monitoring target (motor control circuit) is operating normally while suppressing the load on the CPU (monitoring means). be able to.

  Note that the terminal (bit) for inputting the monitoring signal in the sub-board 20 is not limited to the example of FIG. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, it may be assigned to the bit transmitted last, or may be assigned to another bit.

Embodiment 2 of the Invention
FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a transmission processing unit and a reception processing unit of the sub-board (processing unit) 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the reception processing unit and the transmission processing unit of the slave substrate 206BU or 206BL.

  14 and 15, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 6 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 14, the monitoring signal is not sent, and the characteristic signal is input to the input terminal SI in FIG. 15, so the number N of output signals of the serial-parallel converter 210R-1 is the input of the parallel-serial converter 210T-1. One more than the number of signals N + 1. According to the configurations of FIGS. 14 and 15, the serial input terminal of the input driver of the slave board, which tends to be redundant, can be effectively used.

  210T-3 is a feature signal extraction unit (first feature signal extraction unit) that extracts a predetermined feature signal from motor driver data (data to be sent to the monitoring target device) to be sent to the slave substrate. The characteristic signal is a signal (data) having a bit number of 1 bit or more that is determined according to a combination of motor driver data (4 bits in the example in the figure) and characterizes the data. The feature signal has a smaller number of bits than the original data, but changes according to the change of the original data, and the change of the original data can be monitored. For example, it is a logical sum or logical product of 4-bit motor driver data.

  In the case of logical product, all the motor driver data is 1, that is, the characteristic signal is 1 when the stepping motor is excited in all phases. All-phase excitation consumes the largest amount of current, and if this continues for a long time, the motor and power supply are burdened, which is not preferable. When all-phase excitation continues due to an abnormality in the communication path or motor control circuit even though all-phase excitation is not instructed, the feature signal on the slave board side becomes 1 (active), and the feature on the sub-board side It is preferable that the signal does not match and can be determined as an error.

  Alternatively, the feature signal can be determined according to the number of motor driver data that is 1 (or 0). For example, it is 0 when the number of motor driver data that is 1 (or 0) is an even number, and 1 when it is an odd number. When the stepping motor is rotated regularly, the one-phase excitation and the two-phase excitation are alternately repeated, so that the characteristic signal becomes 0, 1, 0, 1,. It is expected that the characteristic signal fed back from the slave board will not change like 0, 0, 0, 0,..., 1, 1, 1, 1,. Therefore, it can be easily determined as an error by the feature signal.

  Reference numeral 210B denotes a specific pattern storage unit that stores in advance data (specific pattern data) determined in accordance with a data pattern for controlling the device. The specific pattern data is for further distinguishing the contents of the error when it is determined as an error. For example, it is determined whether an abnormality in the communication path or the motor control circuit causes a more serious problem.

  Continuing all-phase excitation for a long time has a problem that an excessive burden is imposed on the motor and the power supply as compared with the case where excitation is impossible at all. Therefore, the specific pattern data in the specific pattern storage unit 210B is used as data corresponding to long-term continuation of all-phase excitation so that the state can be detected. In the case of logical product, since the characteristic signal of all-phase excitation is 1, the operation determination unit 210A counts this and generates an error (second error) when the threshold value is exceeded. In this case, the specific pattern data in the specific pattern storage unit 210B corresponds to a threshold value.

  When the feature signal fed back from the slave board is 2 bits of the feature signal corresponding to the number of motor driver data of 1 (or 0) and the feature signal of the logical product, first, an error (first error) ) Is determined in the former, and a more serious error (second error) is determined in the latter.

  In FIG. 15, IC4 is a feature signal extraction unit (second feature signal extraction unit) that extracts a predetermined feature signal from the output data of the motor control circuit IC2. The feature signal extraction unit IC4 operates in the same manner as the feature signal extraction unit 210T-3. The feature signal is input to the serial input terminal SI of the input driver IC 3-2 through the wiring W2. When the feature signal is 2 bits, it is input to the input terminals SI and D, for example.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the feature signal extraction process performed by the sub-board 20. The feature signal extraction process performed by the slave substrate is the same.

ST30: The feature signal extraction unit 210T-3 acquires motor driver data. In the example of FIG. 11, 4-bit data is acquired.

ST31: The feature signal extraction unit 210T-3 extracts a feature signal based on the acquired motor driver data.

  For example, a logical sum or logical product of 4-bit data is obtained. Alternatively, 0 or 1 is output according to the number of motor driver data (= 1). For example, 0 for an even number and 1 for an odd number.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the feature signal reception process performed by the operation determination unit 210A of the sub-board 20.

ST40: The operation determination unit 210A acquires a signal at a specific terminal of the serial-parallel conversion unit 210R-1.

  Since the characteristic signal is input to the serial input terminal SI of the input driver IC 3-2 in the slave substrate, the specific terminal is the output terminal QN + 1 'of the serial-parallel converter 210R-1.

ST41: The operation determination unit 210A performs time adjustment processing.
The time adjustment processing is a comparison target according to the time required for feedback of the monitoring signal so that the monitoring signal transmitted by the operation determination unit 210A can be correctly correlated and compared with the monitoring signal fed back corresponding to the monitoring signal. This is a process of shifting (delaying). This is the same processing as ST21 in FIG.

ST42: The operation determination unit 210A compares the feature signal extracted by the feature signal extraction unit 210T-3 when transmitting data with the feature signal extracted by the feature signal extraction unit IC4 from the data received by the slave substrate.

  This comparison is performed for each bit or for each predetermined unit such as a byte or a word. The feature signals to be compared are generated based on the same data. Time adjustment is performed in ST41 so as to be so.

ST43: If the comparison result of ST42 matches (YES), it can be determined that the data has been transmitted normally and the motor control circuit IC2 to be monitored is operating normally. After completing the monitoring process for this monitoring signal, the CPU moves to another process (or performs the monitoring process for another monitoring signal).

  If there is a discrepancy (NO), an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the data transmission system or the motor control circuit IC2 to be monitored, so the first error processing (ST44) is performed. This is the same processing as ST24 in FIG.

ST44: In the first error process, for example, an error sound is generated by a buzzer, and the game process and the process related to the effect are stopped. The drive current may be cut off so that the motor driver DRV does not keep on.

ST45: The operation determination unit 210A compares the feature signal extracted by the feature signal extraction unit IC4 of the slave substrate with a specific pattern stored in advance in the specific pattern storage unit 210B.

  This comparison is performed for each bit or for each predetermined unit such as a byte or a word. Alternatively, the time duration of a specific pattern (value) is measured.

  The specific pattern data is for further distinguishing the contents of the error when it is determined as an error. The specific pattern data is, for example, data corresponding to continuous long-time excitation of all phases.

ST46: If the comparison result of ST45 does not match (NO), the process is terminated. If they match (YES), a more serious abnormality has occurred in the operation of the data transmission system or the motor control circuit IC2 to be monitored, so the second error processing (ST47) is performed.

  When the time duration of a specific pattern (value) is being measured, it is determined as “match” (YES) when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded. In the case of logical product, since the feature signal of all-phase excitation is 1, this is used as a specific pattern, and the operation determination unit 210A counts the duration (number of times) of feature signal = 1, and determines YES when the threshold value is exceeded. To do.

  First, when the feature signal fed back from the slave board is 2 bits of the feature signal corresponding to the number of motor driver data of 1 (or 0) and the feature signal of the logical product, first, determination of the first error (ST43) may be performed in the former, and the second error determination (ST46) may be performed in the latter.

ST47: In the second error process, the power supply to the slave board or the stepping motor is shut off so that the motor driver DRV does not keep the stepping motor on.

  If all-phase excitation is continued for a long time, there is a problem that an excessive burden is imposed on the motor and the power supply as compared with the case where excitation cannot be performed at all. This is avoided by the second error processing.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the feature signal is generated in the sub-board 20 and the feature signal generated in the slave board is sent to the sub-board for comparison with respect to the transmission data. Even when the communication method is a one-way communication method, the state of the device can be monitored.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to send the monitoring signal of the first embodiment of the present invention to the slave substrate. Therefore, the monitoring signal terminal is used in the parallel-serial conversion unit 210T-1 and the motor control circuit IC2. There is no need to prepare. This is suitable when the terminals of the parallel-serial converter 210T-1 and the motor control circuit IC2 have no margin.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the feature signal extraction unit is provided, and the determination is performed based on the feature signal. The feature signal may be about 1 or 2 bits, and the monitoring load is less than when all the data (4 bits) is monitored. The processing load on the CPU does not increase so much.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to further determine the content of the error based on the specific pattern stored in the specific pattern storage unit 210B. Different error handling can be performed according to the content of the error.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

20 Sub-board (processing section)
210A motion judgment unit
210B specific pattern memory
210T-1 First parallel-serial converter
210T-2 Monitoring signal generator
210T-3 Feature signal extraction unit (first feature signal extraction unit)
210R-1 First series-parallel converter IC2 Motor control circuit (second series-parallel converter)
IC3 Parallel-serial converter (second parallel-serial converter)
IC3-1, IC3-2 Parallel-to-serial converter IC3 component input driver IC4 feature signal extractor (second feature signal extractor)
W1, W2 wiring

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine comprising a slave board that controls a device related to a production, and a processing unit that controls the slave board,
The processor is
A monitoring signal generator for generating a predetermined monitoring signal;
A first parallel-serial converter that converts the monitoring signal together with data for controlling the device into a serial signal and sends the serial signal to the slave board;
A first serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the slave substrate into a parallel signal;
The slave substrate is
A second serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the processing unit into a parallel signal;
A second parallel-serial converter for converting data to be sent to the processor into a serial signal;
Wiring for inputting the monitoring signal appearing at the parallel output terminal of the second serial-parallel converter to the input terminal of the second parallel-serial converter;
The second parallel-serial converter is a chain connection of a plurality of input drivers each having a plurality of parallel input ends, a serial input end, and a serial output end,
A serial signal is sent to the processing unit from the serial output end of the input driver provided at one end of the chain connection among the plurality of input drivers,
The wiring is connected to a serial input end of the input driver provided at the other end of the chain connection,
The processing unit further includes:
The monitoring signal from the second parallel-serial converter that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel converter is compared with the monitoring signal of the monitoring signal generator to monitor the operation of the slave substrate. A gaming machine comprising an operation determination unit. The monitoring signal is a digital signal that takes either an H level or an L level.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the operation determination unit determines the operation of the slave substrate, the monitoring signal generation unit inverts the level of the monitoring signal. In a gaming machine comprising a slave board that controls a device related to a production, and a processing unit that controls the slave board,
The processor is
A first feature signal extraction unit that extracts a predetermined feature signal from data for controlling the device;
A first parallel-serial converter that converts data for controlling the device into a serial signal and sends the serial signal to the slave board;
A first serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the slave substrate into a parallel signal;
The slave substrate is
A second serial-parallel converter that converts a serial signal from the processing unit into a parallel signal;
A second feature signal extraction unit that extracts a predetermined feature signal from the parallel signal converted by the second serial-parallel conversion unit;
A second parallel-serial converter for converting data to be sent to the processor into a serial signal;
A wiring for inputting the feature signal output by the second feature signal extraction unit to an input terminal of the second parallel-serial conversion unit;
The second parallel-serial converter is a chain connection of a plurality of input drivers each having a plurality of parallel input ends, a serial input end, and a serial output end,
A serial signal is sent to the processing unit from the serial output end of the input driver provided at one end of the chain connection among the plurality of input drivers,
The wiring is connected to a serial input end of the input driver provided at the other end of the chain connection,
The processing unit further includes:
The feature signal from the second parallel-serial converter that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel converter is compared with the feature signal output by the first feature signal extractor. A gaming machine comprising an operation determination unit that monitors an operation. The processing unit further includes:
A specific pattern storage unit that stores in advance specific pattern data determined corresponding to data for controlling the device;
The operation determination unit monitors the operation of the slave substrate by comparing the feature signal from the second parallel-serial conversion unit that appears at the parallel output terminal of the first serial-parallel conversion unit with the specific pattern data. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein:

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