JP2019010373A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of displaying prescribed information by using a character image.SOLUTION: A game machine storing beforehand character information group data discriminable as character information, has display means capable of displaying a character image for showing information on own game machine or information on a prescribed device by using the character information group data, and as display control to the display means, the character image is specified from the character information group data, and the specified character image is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  In addition to a main control board that plays games based on information determined by lottery, a gaming machine that uses a game medium to play games has a sub-control board that controls effects based on signals from the main control board. .

  In each of these substrates, processing is performed by executing a program stored in a storage area such as a ROM or a RAM. In addition to programs stored in ROM, RAM, and the like, setting information referred to by these programs is information indispensable for providing games.

  In Patent Document 1, the game control microcomputer executes a program stored in the ROM or the like, so that a security signal and error code information can be transmitted from the game control microcomputer to the hall computer. It describes a technique for displaying error code information at this time on a screen using ASCII data.

  The error code information includes game machine specific information (manufacturer name, product name, etc.) and indicates the error content. In particular, game machine specific information (manufacturer name, product name, etc.) is displayed using ASCII data stored in the program management area of the ROM.

JP, 2006-137384, A

  As described above, in the prior art, font information such as ASCII data (font data) is stored in advance for display on a screen such as a display unit, and is displayed using this font information. is there.

  The font information at this time means typeface data, and examples thereof include a bitmap font and a stroke font.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying predetermined information using a character image.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine capable of executing a game using a game medium, and stores character information group data storing character information group data identifiable as character information. Means, display means capable of displaying a character image representing information relating to the game machine or information relating to a predetermined device mounted on the game machine using the character information group data, and display control means for controlling the display means The display control means further comprises character information data specifying means for specifying the character image from the character information group data stored in the character information group data storage means, and the display The character image specified by the character information data specifying means is displayed on the means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the character information data specifying unit specifies a plurality of character images from the character information group data, and the display control unit includes the character information data. A plurality of character images specified by the specifying means are combined and displayed on the display means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display predetermined information using a character image.

The front view of the gaming machine which is an example of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the main process performed with the main control board in the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the initialization process (power-on process) performed with the main control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the timer interruption process performed with the main control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the main process performed by sub CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the initialization process (power-on process) performed by sub CPU of the presentation control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the cut-out position designation | designated process performed in sub CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the timer interruption process performed with sub CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the image control main process performed in the built-in CPU built in the image control part of the presentation control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the initialization process (power-on process) performed in the built-in CPU built in the image control part of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the main process performed in lamp CPU of the presentation control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the initialization process (power-on process) performed in lamp CPU of the presentation control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the display control process performed in built-in CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the cutting-out control processing performed in built-in CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the font group data memorize | stored in CGROM of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The figure which expanded a part of example of the font group data memorize | stored in CGROM of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the sequence of the display control process of the font image using font group data. The other figure which shows the sequence of the display control process of the font image using font group data. The figure which shows the process from manufacture of a game machine to delivery in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the inspection process performed by sub CPU of the presentation control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the test | inspection process performed in built-in CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the test | inspection process performed in lamp | ramp CPU of the presentation control board of the game machine in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the screen which shows that it is recovering from a power supply. The figure which shows the other example of the screen which shows that it is recovering from a power supply. The figure which shows the test result display screen which displayed each checksum of sub ROM, lamp | ramp ROM, and control ROM mounted on the production control board using the font image. The figure which shows the inspection result screen which displayed the check sum of sub ROM, lamp ROM, and control ROM mounted on the production control board collectively using the font image. The figure which shows the test result display screen which displayed the information regarding the sub ROM mounted in the production control board. The figure which shows the test | inspection result display screen which shows the test | inspection result which performed the communication test | inspection process between sub CPU and built-in CPU mounted in the production control board. The figure which shows the test result display screen which shows the test result which performed the hardware test | inspection. The figure which shows the test result display screen which shows the test result which performed the self test | inspection.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a device configuration diagram of a gaming machine 1 configured by applying the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the area below the center of the game area 6, a first start port 14 and a second start port 15 that constitute a start area where a game ball as a game medium can enter, and a second start area where a game ball can enter. A grand prize opening 17 is provided.

  The second start port 15 includes a pair of second start port movable pieces 15b, and the pair of second start port movable pieces 15b is maintained in a closed state. The pair of second start opening movable pieces 15b are controlled to move to the “second mode” in which the pair is opened.

  At this time, when the second start port 15 is controlled to the second mode, the pair of second start port movable pieces 15b function as a tray, and a game ball wins the second start port 15. It becomes easy. That is, when the second start port 15 is in the first mode, there is no game ball winning opportunity, and when it is in the second mode, the game ball winning opportunity is increased as compared to the first mode.

  Here, the first start port 14 is provided with a first start port detection switch 14a for detecting the entrance of a game ball, and the second start port 15 is provided with a second start port detection switch for detecting the entrance of a game ball. 15a is provided. When the first start port detection switch 14a or the second start port detection switch 15a detects the entry of a game ball, a special symbol determination random number or the like (determining whether or not “special game” described later is won) An example of determination information used in the game, and a lottery for acquiring a right to execute a jackpot game (also referred to as “special game”) to be described later (hereinafter also referred to as “jackpot lottery” or “special game determination process”) Done.

  In addition, even when the first start opening detection switch 14a or the second start opening detection switch 15a detects the entry of a game ball, the general winning opening detection switch that detects that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 12. A predetermined prize ball (for example, three game balls) is paid out in the same manner as when 12a detects the winning of the game ball.

  In addition, the second grand prize winning port 17 is configured by an opening formed in the game board 2.

  A movable piece 17b for the second big prize opening is provided at the left end of the second big prize opening 17, and the second big prize prize is moved by moving one of the movable pieces 17b for the second big prize opening as a fulcrum. An open state that makes it easy to win the mouth 17 and a closed state that cannot win a prize are controlled.

  When the movable piece 17b for the second big prize opening is opened, the movable piece 17b for the second big prize opening functions as a tray for guiding the game ball into the second big prize opening 17, and the game ball is the second. It is possible to enter the big winning opening 17. The second big prize opening 17 is provided with a second big prize opening detection switch 17a. When the second big prize opening detection switch 17a detects the entry of a game ball, a predetermined prize ball ( For example, 15 game balls) are paid out.

  Furthermore, in the area on the right side of the game area 6, there are provided a normal symbol gate 13 constituting a normal area through which game balls can pass and a first grand prize opening 16 through which game balls can enter.

  For this reason, if the operation handle 3 is rotated largely and a game ball is not launched with a greater force than the game ball is launched in the left area of the game area 6, the game will be displayed in the normal symbol gate 13 and the first big prize opening 16. The ball is configured not to pass or win.

  In particular, even if the short game state, which will be described later, is entered, if the game ball flows down to the left side of the game area 6, the game ball will not normally pass through the symbol gate 13, so that it is at the second start port 15. The pair of second start opening movable pieces 15b are not opened, and it is difficult for a game ball to win the second start opening 15.

  The normal symbol gate 13 is provided with a gate detection switch 13a for detecting the passage of the game ball. When the gate detection switch 13a detects the passage of the game ball, the normal symbol determination random number value is acquired, which will be described later. “Normal lottery” is performed. This normal symbol gate 13 is also provided in the area on the right side of the game area.

  The first grand prize opening 16 is normally kept closed by the first big prize opening opening / closing door 16b, and it is impossible to enter a game ball. In contrast, when a special game, which will be described later, is started, the first grand prize opening opening / closing door 16b is opened, and the first big prize opening opening / closing door 16b puts the game ball in the first big winning opening 16; It functions as a receiving tray that guides the game ball and can enter the first grand prize opening 16. The first grand prize opening 16 is provided with a first big prize opening detection switch 16a. When the first big prize opening detection switch 16a detects the entry of a game ball, a predetermined prize ball (for example, 15 Game balls).

  Furthermore, at the bottom of the game area 6, the player does not enter any of the general winning opening 12, the first starting opening 14, the second starting opening 15, the first major winning opening 16, and the second major winning opening 17. An out port 11 is provided for discharging the game balls.

  In addition, a decoration member 7 that affects the flow of the game ball is provided in the center of the game area 6. A first liquid crystal display device 31 (hereinafter also referred to as “main liquid crystal”) configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like is provided at a substantially central portion of the decorative member 7, and the first liquid crystal display device. A decoration device 33 a is provided above 31. A second liquid crystal display device 37 (33b) (hereinafter also referred to as “sub liquid crystal”) having a size smaller than that of the first liquid crystal display device 31 is provided above the first liquid crystal display device 31.

  The decoration device 33a and the second liquid crystal display device 37 (33b) are driven by the effect drive device 33. That is, the second liquid crystal display device 37 (33b) has a function and a drive for displaying the effect image. It has the function to do. The second liquid crystal display device 37 (33 b) displays an effect image by a signal from the image control unit 150 via the general-purpose substrate 39 and is driven by the effect driving device 33.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, an example of the second liquid crystal display device 37 having a size (4.3 inches) smaller than the size (19 inches) of the first liquid crystal display device 31 is shown as an example. The second liquid crystal display device 37 may be larger in size than the first liquid crystal display device 31.

  The first liquid crystal display device 31 displays a demo image during standby when no effects are being performed, or displays an image according to the progress of the game. Among them, three effect symbols 38 for informing a lottery lottery result to be described later are displayed, and a combination of specific effect symbols 38 (for example, 777) is stopped and displayed as a result of the jackpot lottery. A big hit is announced.

  More specifically, when a game ball enters the first start port 14 or the second start port 15, the three effect symbols 38 are displayed in a variable manner by scroll display (rotation display), and a predetermined time has elapsed. Later, the scrolling is stopped, and the effect design 38 is stopped and displayed. Further, by displaying an effect image composed of characters or the like during the variation display of the effect symbol 38, a high expectation that the player may win a big hit is given to the player.

  The decoration device 33a or the like driven by the effect drive device 33 gives a player a sense of expectation by an operation mode using the effect image.

  The decoration device 33a driven by the effect drive device 33 can move in the vertical direction simultaneously with the second liquid crystal display device 37 (33b) (of course, it is not limited to the vertical direction and can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions). Thus, the movement in the vertical direction moves to the front surface of the first liquid crystal display device 31. The decoration device 33a is equipped with an effect lighting device 34 and lights up in conjunction with the movement of the decoration device 33a or independently.

  Similarly to the decoration device 33a, the second liquid crystal display device 37 (33b) can be moved by being driven by the effect drive device 33, and the second liquid crystal display device 37 shown in FIG. Is shown in a state of being stored in a horizontally-oriented manner with the up and down direction.

  In the state of this horizontal orientation, the second liquid crystal display device 37 moves to the front surface of the substantially central portion of the first liquid crystal display device by the lowering operation.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described various production devices, the audio output device 32 outputs BGM (background music), SE (sound effects), etc., and produces productions using sound. The illumination direction and the emission color of the light are changed to produce effects by illumination, and are provided at a plurality of positions.

  On the lower left side of the game area 6, a first special symbol display device 20, a second special symbol display device 21, a normal symbol display device 22, a first special symbol hold indicator 23, a second special symbol hold indicator 24, a normal A symbol hold indicator 25 is provided.

  The first special symbol display device 20 informs the result of the jackpot lottery performed when a game ball has entered the first start port 14, and is a plurality of lighting composed of LEDs or the like. It is comprised by the member. One or more predetermined lighting members blink according to the result of the lottery lottery, and the lighting members in the blinking state are lit simultaneously with the stop display of the effect symbol 38.

  The first special symbol display device 20 can also be configured by a 7-segment LED. That is, a plurality of special symbols corresponding to the jackpot lottery result are provided, and the lottery result is notified to the player by displaying the special symbol corresponding to the jackpot lottery result on the first special symbol display device 20. I am doing so. For example, “7” is displayed when the jackpot is won, and “−” is displayed when the player wins. “7” and “−” displayed in this way are special symbols, but these special symbols are not displayed immediately, but are displayed in a stopped state after being displayed for a predetermined time. .

  Here, the “successful lottery” means that when a game ball enters the first starting port 14 or the second starting port 15, a special symbol determining random number value is acquired, and the acquired special symbol determining random value is acquired. Is a random number value corresponding to “big hit” or a random number value corresponding to “small hit”. The jackpot lottery result is not immediately notified to the player, and the first special symbol display device 20 displays a variation such as blinking of the special symbol, and when the predetermined variation time has passed, the jackpot lottery result The special symbol corresponding to is stopped and displayed so that the player is notified of the lottery result.

  The second special symbol display device 21 is for notifying a lottery result of a jackpot that is performed when a game ball enters the second start port 15, and the display mode is the above-described first display mode. This is the same as the special symbol display mode in the special symbol display device 20.

  Further, in this embodiment, “big hit” means that the big hit lottery is performed in the lottery lottery that is performed when the game start condition is satisfied that a game ball has entered the first start port 14 or the second start port 15. It means having acquired the right to execute. In the “hit game”, a round game in which the first big prize opening 16 or the second big prize opening 17 is opened is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). A predetermined time is set for the maximum opening time of the first grand prize port 16 or the second grand prize port 17 in each round game, and during this time, the first grand prize port 16 or the second grand prize port 17 is set. When a predetermined number of game balls (for example, nine) enter, one round game is completed.

  In other words, the “big hit game” is a game in which a game ball can enter the first grand prize winning opening 16 or the second big winning prize opening 17 and the player can acquire a winning ball according to the winning prize.

  The normal symbol display device 22 is for notifying the lottery result of the normal symbol that is performed when the game ball passes through the normal symbol gate 13. As will be described in detail later, when the winning symbol is won by the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol display device 22 is turned on, and then the second start port 15 is controlled to the second mode for a predetermined time.

  Here, “normal symbol lottery” means that when a game ball passes through the normal symbol gate 13, the normal symbol determination random number value is acquired, and the acquired normal symbol determination random value corresponds to “winning”. This is a process for determining whether or not a random value. The lottery result of the normal symbol is not always notified immediately after the game ball passes through the normal symbol gate 13, but the normal symbol display device 22 displays a variation such as blinking of the normal symbol. When the fluctuation time elapses, the normal symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed so that the player is notified of the lottery result.

  Furthermore, if a game ball enters the first start port 14 or the second start port 15 during special symbol fluctuation display or a special game to be described later, and if a big win lottery cannot be performed immediately, a certain condition The right to win a jackpot will be withheld.

  More specifically, the random number value for special symbol determination acquired when the game ball enters the first start port 14 is stored as the first hold, and when the game ball enters the second start port 15 The acquired special symbol determination random number value is stored as the second hold.

  For both of these holds (first hold and second hold), the upper limit hold number is set to four, and the hold numbers are respectively set to the first special symbol hold indicator 23 and the second special symbol hold indicator 24. Is displayed.

  When there is one first hold, the leftmost LED of the first special symbol hold indicator 23 lights up, and when there are two first holds, the leftmost end of the first special symbol hold indicator 23 The two LEDs turn on. When there are three first holds, three LEDs blink from the leftmost end of the first special symbol hold indicator 23 and the right LED is lit. When there are four first holds, the first Four LEDs blink from the leftmost end of the special symbol hold indicator 23.

  The second special symbol hold indicator 24 also displays the number of second hold on hold in the same manner as described above.

  The upper limit reserved number of normal symbols is also set to four, and the reserved number of normal symbols is displayed in the same manner as the first special symbol hold indicator 23 and the second special symbol hold indicator 24. Displayed on the instrument 25. In FIG. 1, the number of LEDs in the first special symbol hold indicator 23, the second special symbol hold indicator 24, and the normal symbol hold indicator 25 is omitted from the description space.

  On the back side of the gaming machine 1, a main control board 110, an effect control board 120, a payout control board 130, a power supply board 170, a game information output terminal board 30, and the like are provided. The power supply board 170 is provided with a power plug 171 for supplying power to the gaming machine 1 and a power switch (not shown).

  Next, control means for controlling the progress of the game will be described using the block diagram of the entire gaming machine 1 in FIG.

  The main control board 110 is a main control means for controlling the basic operation of the game, and receives various detection signals from the first start port detection switch 14a, etc., and the first special symbol display device 20 and the first big winning port opening / closing solenoid. The game is controlled by driving 16c and the like.

  The main control board 110 includes at least a one-chip microcomputer including a main CPU 110a, a main ROM 110b, and a main RAM 110c, an input port for main control, and an output port (not shown).

  The main control input port includes a payout control board 130, a general winning port detection switch 12a for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning port 12, and a game ball having entered the normal symbol gate 13. Gate detection switch 13a to detect, first start port detection switch 14a to detect that a game ball has entered the first start port 14, and second start to detect that a game ball has entered the second start port 15 The mouth detection switch 15a, the first grand prize opening detection switch 16a that detects that a game ball has entered the first grand prize opening 16, and the second that detects that a game ball has entered the second grand prize opening 17 A big prize opening detection switch 17a is connected. Various signals are input to the main control board 110 through the main control input port.

  The output port for main control includes a payout control board 130, a start port opening / closing solenoid 15c for opening / closing the pair of second start port movable pieces 15b of the second start port 15, and a first big prize opening opening / closing door 16b. The first large winning opening / closing solenoid 16c for operating the second large winning opening / closing solenoid 17c for operating the movable piece 17b for the second large winning opening, the first special symbol display device 20 for displaying special symbols, and the second special symbol. Display device 21, normal symbol display device 22 for displaying normal symbols, first special symbol hold indicator 23 and second special symbol hold indicator 24 for displaying the number of reserved symbols for special symbols, and the number of reserved balls for normal symbols The normal symbol hold display 25 and the game information output terminal board 30 for outputting an external information signal are connected. Various signals are output from the main control output port.

  The main CPU 110a reads out a program stored in the main ROM 110b based on an input signal from each detection switch or timer, performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device or display, or determines the result of the arithmetic processing. In response, a command (generally referred to as “main command”) is transmitted to another board. In addition, the main CPU 110a can also transmit an “inspection command” to another substrate or the like by accepting an “operation relating to a predetermined inspection” (inspection operation).

  The “operation relating to the predetermined inspection” at this time is an operation of pressing a predetermined button, a cross key, or the like in a predetermined order within a predetermined time in the initialization process when the power is turned on. For example, there is an operation of pressing the effect button 35 and then pressing the cross key 36 in the order of up, down, right, and left.

  When the “operation related to the predetermined inspection” is performed, the main CPU 110a sets an “inspection mode” and transmits an “inspection command” to another board or the like. If this “operation related to the predetermined inspection” is not performed within a predetermined time, a “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” different from the “inspection mode” is set.

  In the main CPU 110a, it is possible to perform a jackpot lottery on the holding ball before the lottery processing on the holding ball and pre-acquire (prefetch) the lottery result.

  The main ROM 110b of the main control board 110 stores a game control program and data and tables necessary for determining various games. For example, (1) a jackpot determination table referred to in the jackpot lottery, (2) a hit determination table referred to in the normal symbol lottery, (3) a symbol determination table for determining a special symbol stop symbol, and (4) a jackpot end Big hit game end setting data table for determining the subsequent gaming state, (5) Special electric accessory actuating mode determination table for determining the opening / closing conditions of the opening / closing doors of the first big winning opening 16 and the second big winning opening 17 , (6) a big prize opening opening determination table for specifying the opening manner of the first big winning opening 16 and the second big winning opening 17, (6) a variation pattern determining table for determining a variation pattern of special symbols, and the like. ing.

  The main ROM 110b stores a “checksum (checksum for inspection, main ROM checksum)” that is the sum of each piece of information as described above in the form of a bit string.

  It should be noted that the special symbol change pattern determination table, the special symbol display device to be activated (the type of the starting opening where the game ball has won), the jackpot determination result, the special symbol to stop, the presence or absence of the short-time gaming state, the number of special symbol hold ( U1 or U2), the reach determination random number value, and the special figure variation random value, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined.

  Then, based on the determined special symbol variation pattern, the special symbol variation time is determined, and the special symbol variation pattern designation command for transmitting the special symbol information to the effect control board 120 is specified.

  Therefore, it can be said that the “special symbol variation pattern” defines at least the jackpot determination result and the special symbol variation time. In addition, since a reach is always performed when a big hit or a small hit, the reach determination random number value is not referred to when a big hit or a small win. The reach determination random number value and the special figure variation random value are set to 100 random numbers (0 to 99).

  Each of the above-described tables merely lists characteristic tables among the tables in the present embodiment, and many other tables and programs (not shown) are provided for the progress of the game. It has been.

  The game information output terminal board 30 is a board for outputting an external information signal generated in the main control board 110 to a hall computer or the like of the game shop. The game information output terminal board 30 is connected to the main control board 110 by wiring, and is provided with a connector for connecting external information to a hall computer or the like of a game store.

  The power supply board 170 includes a backup power supply made of a capacitor, supplies a power supply voltage to the gaming machine 1, and monitors a power supply voltage supplied to the gaming machine 1, and when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less, An interruption detection signal is output to the main control board 110. More specifically, when the power interruption detection signal becomes high level, the main CPU 110a enters an operable state, and when the power interruption detection signal becomes low level, the main CPU 110a enters an operation stop state. The backup power source is not limited to a capacitor, and for example, a battery may be used, and a capacitor and a battery may be used in combination.

  The effect control board 120 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or standby.

  The effect control board 120 includes components related to effects such as the sub CPU 120a, the sub ROM 120b, and the sub RAM 120c, as well as an image control unit 150, a CGROM 151, a crystal oscillator 152, a boot ROM 155, a control ROM 157, a lamp CPU 158a (“lamp control”). Etc.), etc., and can communicate with the main control board 110 in one direction from the main control board 110 to the effect control board 120. It is connected.

  First, components related to effect control, such as the sub CPU 120a, sub ROM 120b, and sub RAM 120c included in the effect control board 120, will be described.

  The sub CPU 120a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 120b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 110 or an input signal from the effect button detection switch 35a, the cross key detection switch 36a, and the timer, and performs arithmetic processing. And corresponding data (such as an effect pattern designation command described later) is transmitted to the image control unit 150 and the lamp CPU 158a based on the processing.

  The sub CPU 120a has an internal timer, and the power mode can be switched by the internal timer. Of course, a setting for prohibiting switching of the power mode may be provided.

  When the sub-CPU 120a detects that a certain time has elapsed since various commands and input signals are not accepted in the internal timer, the sub-CPU 120a operates in the power mode with a normal power amount necessary for performing the production. The “normal power mode” is changed to a “power saving mode (standby power mode)” that waits for input of various commands and input signals with an amount of power reduced to a minimum as compared with the “normal power mode”. In this “power saving mode”, the amount of power is reduced to a minimum, so that certain operations are restricted and no game is played.

  Conversely, when various commands and input signals are received while the power mode is set to “power saving mode”, the sub CPU 120a changes the power mode from “power saving mode” to “normal power mode”. To do.

  Further, the sub CPU 120a performs a predetermined operation (pressing operation of a predetermined button or the like) by the operator, thereby changing the “normal power mode” from the “normal power mode” in which the presentation is operated with a normal power amount. It is also possible to set a “low power mode (ECO mode)” in which an effect can be performed with an amount of electric power that is lower than the amount of electric power consumed at the time. This “low power mode (ECO mode)” is a power mode capable of executing various effects, unlike the above “power saving mode”. If the operator performs a predetermined operation similar to the above in the “low power mode (ECO mode)”, the sub CPU 120a changes from the “low power mode (ECO mode)” to the “normal power mode”. To "".

  In this way, in the “low power mode (ECO mode)”, the operation is performed with a lower amount of power than in the “normal power mode”. Specifically, the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150 is operated. In addition, the maximum sound volume is reduced by the sound control process performed in step 1, and the maximum light intensity is reduced by the light amount control process performed by the lamp CPU 158a.

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a can further detect the position (stage) of the backlight dimming volume mounted on the effect control board 120.

  The backlight dimming volume is a volume (setting value) capable of dimming the amount of light output from the backlight with respect to the display surface of the image display device, and has a plurality of volumes (for example, 0 to 0). 100). Specifically, when the volume “0” is set, the backlight is dimmed to the minimum light amount, and when the volume “100” is set, the backlight is dimmed to the maximum light amount.

  The sub ROM 120b of the effect control board 120 stores a program for effect control and data and tables necessary for determining various games.

  For example, a sub-ROM 120b includes a sub-ROM 120b, a sub-ROM 120b, a sub-ROM 120b, a sub-ROM 120b, a sub-ROM 120b, etc. Is remembered.

  Further, the sub-ROM 120b stores “check sum (check sum for inspection, sub-ROM check sum)” that is the sum when each piece of information as described above is represented by a bit string.

  The sub RAM 120c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 120a.

  For example, when the sub CPU 120a in the effect control board 120 receives the fluctuation pattern designation command indicating the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol from the main control board 110, the contents of the received fluctuation pattern designation command are analyzed and the first liquid crystal display device 31 is analyzed. , Voice output device 32, effect drive device 33, effect illumination device 34, and data for causing the second liquid crystal display device 37 to execute a predetermined effect (also referred to as “instruction information”) (effect pattern designation command and the like to be described later) ). Then, the sub CPU 120a transmits the specified data (effect pattern designation command or the like) to the image control unit 150 or the lamp CPU 158a.

  The change pattern designation command at this time is information received from the main control board 110, and the production random number value 1 (0 to 99) is used for production produced by a random number generator (not shown). The sub CPU 120a determines a variation effect pattern (and an effect pattern designation command in the variation effect pattern) based on such information.

  The sub CPU 120a creates an effect pattern designation command using such a variation effect pattern determination table and transmits it to the image control unit 150 and the lamp CPU 158a.

  Subsequently, the payout control board 130 shown in FIG. 2 performs payout control of the game ball.

  The payout control board 130 includes a one-chip microcomputer including a payout CPU, a payout ROM, and a payout RAM (not shown), and is connected to the main control board 110 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The payout CPU reads out the program stored in the payout ROM based on the input signals from the payout ball count detection switch 132, the door opening switch 133, and the timer for detecting whether or not the game ball has been paid out, and performs arithmetic processing. At the same time, based on the processing, the corresponding data is transmitted to the main control board 110.

  Further, a payout motor 131 of a payout device for paying out a predetermined number of game balls from the game ball storage unit is connected to the output side of the payout control board 130. The payout CPU reads out a predetermined program from the payout ROM based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 110, performs arithmetic processing, and controls the payout motor 131 of the payout device to give a predetermined game ball. Pay out.

  At this time, the payout RAM functions as a data work area at the time of calculation processing of the payout CPU.

  Subsequently, image control and image output of the image control unit 150, the CGROM 151, the crystal oscillator 152, the boot ROM 155, the control ROM 157, the lamp CPU 158a (also referred to as “lamp control unit”), the lamp ROM 158b, the lamp RAM 158c, etc. Components related to control and lamp output control will be described.

  More specifically, the image control unit 150, the CGROM 151, the crystal oscillator 152, the boot ROM 155, and the control ROM 157 perform control processing related to image display and sound output, and the lamp CPU 158a performs lamp control.

  The process related to the lamp control performed by the lamp CPU 158a at this time is a process of adjusting each light quantity (PWM: pulse width modulation (used as a dimming signal)) according to the power mode set in the sub CPU 120a. It is.

  Specifically, when the power mode is “normal power mode”, the output is adjusted so that the maximum light amount is output at “100” and the minimum light amount is “0”, whereas the power mode is “low power mode”. In such a case, adjustment is made so that the maximum light amount is output at “80” and the minimum light amount is output at “0”. In other words, in accordance with the change from the “normal power mode” to the “low power mode”, the upper limit maximum light amount is reduced from “100” to “80” to suppress the consumed power amount. In addition to this, the lighting pattern is changed between the “normal power mode” and the “low power mode”, and the “low power mode” lights up with a lighting pattern that consumes less power than the “normal power mode”. You may do it.

  The image control unit 150 is configured by a VDP (Video Display Processor), to which the first liquid crystal display device 31, the audio output device 32, and the second liquid crystal display device 37 are connected, and various commands transmitted from the sub CPU 120a. In addition to performing image control processing such as image generation processing and image drawing processing in the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 based on the above, based on various commands transmitted from the sub CPU 120a, Processing related to audio output control in the audio output device 32 is performed.

  That is, the image control unit 150 performs processing related to image control and processing related to audio output control based on various commands transmitted from the sub CPU 120a.

  At this time, the process related to the sound output control performed by the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150 is a process of performing control to output sound at a volume corresponding to the power mode set in the sub CPU 120a.

  Specifically, when the power mode is “normal power mode”, control is performed so that sound can be output with a maximum volume of “100” and a minimum volume of “0”, whereas the power mode is “low”. In the “power mode”, control is performed so that sound can be output with a maximum volume of “80” and a minimum volume of “0”. In other words, in accordance with the change from the “normal power mode” to the “low power mode”, the maximum volume that is the upper limit is reduced from “100” to “80” to reduce the amount of power consumed for the sound output. Do.

  The image control unit 150 has a plurality of connection interfaces (interfaces composed of a plurality of connection types), and different storage media are connected to the different connection interfaces. For example, connection interfaces include a connection interface in parallel communication (also referred to as “parallel connection interface”) and a connection interface in serial communication (also referred to as “serial connection interface”), and the storage medium of the control ROM 157 is connected via the parallel connection interface. Connect the storage media of the CGROM 151 via the serial connection interface.

  The lamp CPU 158a is also referred to as a “lamp controller”, and executes the lamp control program stored in the lamp ROM 158b using the lamp RAM 158c as a work area, so that the game board is based on various commands transmitted from the sub CPU 120a. Control processing for lighting control of the lighting device 34 for performance provided in 2 and driving control for the motor for changing the light irradiation direction is performed.

  The lamp CPU 158a controls energization of a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor that operates the decoration device 33a. In this embodiment, the effect control board 120 has the lamp CPU 158a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a lamp control board for performing lamp control is provided separately from the effect control board. The lamp CPU 158a may be configured to perform processing on the lamp control board according to an instruction from 120.

  The lamp ROM 158b stores a “checksum (check sum for inspection, lamp ROM checksum)” that is a total sum when each piece of information as described above is represented by a bit string.

  The image control unit 150 has a built-in CPU 150a (also referred to as “liquid crystal control CPU”) that controls image display of effect images displayed on the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 (has a built-in CPU 150a). ing).

  The built-in CPU 150a built in the image control unit 150 uses an information stored in the control ROM 157 (for example, a program, an animation pattern, etc. described later), and will be described later based on an “effect pattern designation command” received from the sub CPU 120a. A display list to be displayed is created, and an effect image generation process (image generation process) to be displayed is performed from image data stored in the CGROM 151 based on the display list. The effect image generated by the built-in CPU 150a is subjected to image drawing processing.

  Accordingly, the image control unit 150 has an image drawing unit (not shown) that performs image drawing processing in addition to the built-in CPU 150a that performs image generation processing. A control process of displaying on the first liquid crystal display device 31 and / or the second liquid crystal display device 37 is performed. This image drawing unit (not shown) has a VRAM used for display control.

  Furthermore, the built-in CPU 150a can detect the position (setting position) of a volume switch (hardware volume switch) mounted on the effect control board 120. This volume switch is a switch capable of adjusting the volume output from the audio output device 32, and can be set to any one of a plurality of positions where the volume level is defined.

  Specifically, there are “4” stages as positions, and the first position (maximum volume “100” (MAX)), second position (maximum volume “80” (U-MID)), There is a third position (maximum volume “60” (L-MID)) and a fourth position (maximum volume “40” (MIN)). The built-in CPU 150a can detect any position where the volume switch is set (the minimum volume is “0” in all positions).

  The control ROM 157 is configured by a mask ROM or the like, and includes a control processing program for the built-in CPU 150a, a display list generation program for generating a display list, an animation pattern for displaying an animation of an effect pattern, and animation scene information. Etc. are stored. The control ROM 157 shows a configuration connected to the image control unit 150, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to connect to the sub CPU 120a. In this case, communication with the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150 is performed via the sub CPU 120a. In addition, the image control unit 150 may include a control ROM 157 (one chip).

  Further, the sub ROM 120b stores a “check sum (check sum for inspection, CGROM check sum)” that is a sum when each information as described above is represented by a bit string.

  The animation pattern stored in the control ROM 157 is referred to when displaying the animation of the effect pattern, and stores the combination of the animation scene information included in the effect pattern, the display order of each animation scene information, and the like. In the animation scene information, a wait frame (display time), target data (sprite identification number, transfer source address, etc.), parameters (sprite display position, transfer destination address, etc.), drawing method, and effect image are displayed. Information such as information specifying a display device is stored.

  Subsequently, the CGROM 151 is also referred to as an image ROM or an image storage unit, and includes a flash memory, an EEPROM, an EPROM, a mask ROM, and the like, and is an image including a collection of pixel information in a predetermined range of pixels (for example, 32 pixels × 32 pixels). Data (sprites, movies), etc. are compressed and stored. The pixel information is composed of color number information for designating a color number for each pixel and an α value indicating the transparency of the image.

  The CGROM 151 is read out in units of image data by the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150, and image processing is performed in units of image data of this frame.

  Further, the CGROM 151 stores palette data in which color number information for designating color numbers and display color information for actually displaying colors are associated with each other without being compressed.

  Note that the CGROM 151 may have a configuration in which only a part of the image data is compressed without being compressed. As a movie compression method, various known compression methods such as MPEG4 can be used.

  In addition to the information and calculation results stored in storage media such as various ROMs and various RAMs, the CGROM 151 includes “font group data (hereinafter referred to as“ font group data ”) used for displaying the inspection results of communication inspection processing, which will be described later. , Also referred to as “character information group data”).

  Details of the “font group data” will be described later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. Briefly, the font group data is image data composed of character information groups that can be identified as character information, and includes characters (for example, alphanumeric characters, kanji, hiragana, katakana, characters conforming to the ASCII code, It is an “image” (image data, texture image) composed of a font image (character representing character information) representing a character conforming to the JIS code. Each character image in the font group data can be displayed as a single image data.

  Similar to this, generally, in addition to a technique for displaying characters using typeface data such as ASCII data, a single character or number is stored in advance as image data, and this image data is displayed. There is technology. In particular, in order to display information using a technique for displaying characters and numbers using image data, each image data for all characters and numbers used in the display is created in advance and managed and stored as a single unit. It is necessary to keep.

  When characters and numbers are displayed using these image data, it is possible to display characters and numbers based on the image data by individually specifying all the image data to be displayed. Further, in order to perform such display, it is necessary to associate information (including identification information) for recognizing characters and numbers represented by the image data with each image data. For example, in order to display the character “A”, it is necessary to associate information indicating that it has the role of the character “A” with the image data having the shape “A”.

  This is clearly different from the display form using “font group data” stored in the CGROM 151.

  The CGROM 151 also stores a background image to be displayed on the “power restoration screen” and the “inspection result display screen”. As background images at this time, “background image displaying that power is being restored”, “color bar background image”, “green background image” (“blue background image”), “red background image”, “RGB gray” Scale screen (screen for vertical or horizontal display), “All white display screen”, “All black display screen”, “Light gray display screen”, “Dark gray display screen”, “Display position / scaling confirmation display screen” "," Intermediate color screen displaying a hue circle ", and the like.

  The crystal oscillator 152 outputs a pulse signal (V blank interrupt signal) to the image control unit 150 approximately every 16.6 milliseconds, and the image control unit 150 performs control by dividing the pulse signal. System clock, a synchronization signal for synchronizing with the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37, and the like are generated.

  The DRAM 153 is connected to the image control unit 150, and the DRAM 153 and the image control unit 150 can be connected in either a stack connection or a parallel connection.

  The DRAM 153 is a volatile memory in which bit data (information) is stored by storing electric charge in a capacitor, and the information is lost when power supply is stopped. On the other hand, a relatively large amount of information can be stored at a time while power is being supplied. The DRAM 153 is a storage medium that can be read and written at a relatively high speed when compared with the CGROM 151.

  The DRAM 153 stores in advance the image data used in the processing related to the image control from the CGROM 151 in consideration of the feature that it can store a large amount of information and can read and write at a relatively high speed compared to the CGROM 151. It is also used as a work area to be read out. This is because the DRAM 153 can read and write data at a relatively high speed as compared with the CGROM 151, so that the image data read from the DRAM 153 is read out from the CGROM 151 every time image control is performed rather than reading out the image data required every time. However, the processing load can be minimized, and the image control process can be speeded up.

  The timing for pre-reading image data from the CGROM 151 to the DRAM 153 at this time can be, for example, an initial process at power-on. Further, the image data read in the pre-reading process may be all of the image data stored in the CGROM 151 or a part thereof. At this time, a part of the image data read in advance from the CGROM 151 can be image data whose usage frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency, for example.

  The DRAM 153 is also a storage area in which the image control unit 150 can perform image control processing and temporarily store image data before writing to the VRAM.

  By providing the DRAM 153 outside the image control unit 150 and in the effect control board 120, it is possible to easily add or remove (remove) the image according to the volume of image data for image control. For this reason, the DRAM 153 can be a large-capacity storage medium including a predetermined storage area in accordance with image control or the like.

  The boot ROM 155 is a storage medium that stores an image control activation program that activates the built-in CPU 150 a in the image control unit 150.

  When the effect control is performed on the effect control board 120 having such a configuration and the effect image is generated and drawn by the image control unit 150, the image control unit 150 transmits an image signal to the general-purpose board 39. The audio signal is transmitted to the digital signal processing unit 180.

  The general-purpose substrate 39 is provided between the effect control substrate 120 and the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37, and converts the image data into a predetermined image format and outputs it when displaying the image data. have.

  The general-purpose board 39 has a bridge function for converting to an image format corresponding to the performance of the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 for displaying image data. For example, SXGA (1280 dots × 1080) Dot) 19-inch main liquid crystal connected as the first liquid crystal display device 31, and XGA (1024 dots × 768 dots) 17-inch main liquid crystal connected as the first liquid crystal display device 31. Absorb differences.

  The digital signal processing unit 180 performs digital signal processing based on the audio control signal output from the image control unit 150. Specifically, the digital signal processing unit 180 can perform digital signal processing that modulates (adjusts) the sound characteristics of the audio data of each channel in accordance with the number of channels of the output speaker.

  Subsequently, various processes performed in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the main process performed on the main control board 110 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When power is supplied from the power supply board 170, a system reset occurs in the main CPU 110a, and the main CPU 110a performs the following main processing.

  First, the main CPU 110a performs an initialization process (S301). In this initialization process, the main CPU 110a reads a startup program from the main ROM 110b in response to power-on, and performs a process of initializing flags and the like stored in the main RAM 110c. Details of the initialization processing in the main CPU 110a are shown in FIG. 4 and will be described later.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a performs an effect random number update process for updating the reach determination random number value and the special figure variation random value for determining the variation mode (variation time) of the special symbol (S302).

  Then, the main CPU 110a updates the initial symbol random number for special symbol determination, the initial random number for jackpot symbol, the initial random number for small symbol, and the initial random number for normal symbol determination (S303).

  When such a process is performed, it is determined whether or not a power-off process for shutting off the power is performed (S304). Until the power-off process is performed (NO in S304), an interrupt process is performed, thereby producing an effect. The random number value update process (S302) and subsequent steps are repeated. If the power interruption process is performed (YES in S304), the process is terminated.

  Note that the following processing may be performed as processing in the power interruption processing.

  Specifically, the main CPU 110a performs a process of setting an interrupt prohibition that prohibits a timer interrupt and clearing an output port. As a result, the output state of the output port is initialized, and the operations of various displays and various drive sources (motors, solenoids) are stopped.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a calculates a checksum of the main RAM 110c and saves it in the game RWM area (game work area) of the main RAM 110c. That is, in the game RWM area (game work area) of the main RAM 110c, the checksum (checksum at power interruption) of the main RAM 110c calculated by the main CPU 110a at the time of power interruption processing is saved. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the data stored in the main RAM 110c is normal when the power is turned on thereafter.

  Then, the main CPU 110a saves a backup flag indicating that data in the game RWM area is backed up in the game RWM area (game work area), performs a process of prohibiting RAM access, and supplies power supply voltage. Wait until is completely cut off.

  As a process for determining whether or not the data stored in the main RAM 110c is normal as described above, there are the following methods. Specifically, the main CPU 110a calculates a checksum (a power-on checksum) of the main RAM 110c when the power is turned on at an arbitrary timing of the initialization process performed when the power is turned on. The main CPU 110a then checks the power-on checksum (power-on checksum) and the checksum saved in the game RWM area (game work area) during power-off processing (power-off). There is a method of determining whether or not the data stored in the main RAM 110c is normal by comparing the checksum) and determining whether or not they are the same.

  Of course, if these checksums are the same, it is possible to determine that the data stored in the main RAM 110c is “normal”. On the other hand, if the checksums are different from each other, it can be determined that the data stored in the main RAM 110c is “abnormal”.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of initialization processing (power-on processing) performed on the main control board of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” is set, the main CPU 110a performs initial setting of the CPU such as setting of a built-in register after setting for prohibiting all interrupts (S401). When the “inspection mode” is set, the main CPU 110a transmits an inspection command to the sub CPU 120a of another board. At this time, the initialization process after S402 is restricted (not performed), and the main process as shown in FIG. 3 is also restricted (not performed).

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a performs activation waiting processing for another board different from the main control board 110 (S402). Specifically, in order to ensure that various commands transmitted from the main control board 110 can be received by the other boards, the other boards are normally started for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), Wait for startup.

  The main CPU 110a permits access to the main ROM 110b and allows various information (programs, etc.) to be read from the main ROM 110b (S403). In addition, access to the RWM area of the main RAM 110c may be permitted so that various types of information (such as setting information) can be read from the main RAM 110c.

  Then, the main CPU 110a reads, for example, version information, a model code, a model name, and the like as “information used to confirm the main ROM 110b (ROM confirmation information)” from the main ROM 110b that is permitted to access (S404).

  The version information (Ver) at this time is version information composed of a combination of numbers, characters, and the like, and is information that is revised by updating the product. The model code (Type) is information representing a product stage (release version, debug version (test version), sample version (sample version), etc.), and includes a combination of numbers and characters. Further, the model name (Model) is a model identification number for identifying a model, and is composed of numbers.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a performs processing for calculating the checksum of the main ROM 110b (S405). This process is a process of calculating an error detection value of information stored in the main ROM 110b. Therefore, the checksum is also referred to as an error detection value (check data). In addition, a process for calculating the checksum of the main RAM 110c may be performed.

  Then, the main CPU 110a determines whether or not the calculated checksum of the main ROM 110b (in addition, the checksum of the main RAM 110c) is a correct checksum, and outputs a determination result (S406).

  As a determination method at this time, there is a method of determining whether or not the calculated checksum of the main ROM 110b and the checksum (inspection checksum, sub-ROM checksum) stored in the main ROM 110b are the same. If these checksums are the same, it can be determined that the data stored in the main ROM 110b is “normal”, and if they are different, an error has occurred in the data stored in the main ROM 110b. It can be determined that it is “abnormal”.

  The main CPU 110a performs output processing for outputting the checksum and determination result to the outside in addition to information (ROM confirmation information) used for confirmation of the main ROM 110b (S407). This can be said to be information relating to a predetermined device called a main control board having the main ROM 110b or the main ROM 110b. Of course, in addition to or instead of these pieces of information, the main CPU 110a may output the checksum and determination result of the main RAM 110c. The ROM confirmation information, checksum, and determination result at this time are collectively referred to as “ROM-related information”.

  As the output process, the main CPU 110a outputs a control command including these “information about ROM”. As an output destination in this output processing, for example, in addition to a device (inspection apparatus) designated in advance, it is possible to output to the effect control board 120.

  Further, the main CPU 110a clears (deletes) the checksum stored in the main RAM 110c, and sets the area of the main RAM 110c when the power is restored (started up) (S408). As a result, the progress state (control state) of the game is restored (recovered) to the state before the power is turned off, and the game can be resumed from the state before the power is turned off.

  The main CPU 110a performs device setting processing for setting peripheral devices (S409). Specifically, an output setting to the effect control board 120, a CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) to be used, a CTC interrupt timer to be used (4 milliseconds), and the like are set.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a sets, in the main RAM 110c, a “power recovery designation command” indicating that the game control state has been restored and the game state before the occurrence of a power failure (S410). Thereby, the power supply restoration designation command is transmitted to the effect control board 120, and the effect control board 120 performs processing related to the power supply restoration notification.

  The “power restoration notification” at this time is a process of displaying a “power restoration screen (initial screen)” indicating that power is restored on the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 which are image display devices. It is. Of course, a power recovery notification sound indicating that the power has been recovered may be output from the audio output device 32.

  Details of the “power recovery screen” at this time are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 and will be described later.

  Subsequently, the main CPU 110a sets a special symbol storage designation command indicating the first special figure reservation number (U1) and the second special figure reservation number (U2) in the effect transmission data storage area of the main RAM 110c (S411). Thereby, the special symbol memory designation command is transmitted to the effect control board 120, and the effect control board 120 can grasp the number of special figure reservations, and the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second Processing for displaying the first hold icon and the second hold icon on the liquid crystal display device 37 is performed.

  Then, the main CPU 110a activates a CTC for generating a timer interrupt (S412). Thereafter, the main CPU 110a permits all interruptions and ends the initialization process, whereby the game can be started in the “normal mode (non-inspection mode)”.

  By the initialization process in the main CPU 110a of the main control board 110 as described above, the main CPU 110a can output the version information, the checksum, and the determination result to the effect control board 120 as information about the main ROM.

  Each process of S404 to S407 in the initialization process (power-on process) performed on the main control board is a process that can be performed when the “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” is set. Yes, this is not necessarily performed when the “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” is set. That is, in the initialization process when the “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” is set, if the processes shown in S404 to S407 are limited by setting information or the like (if not performed), the main CPU 110a relates to the main ROM 110b. As information, the version information, the checksum, and the determination result are not output to the effect control board 120. Naturally, such information is not displayed on each screen described later.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the timer interrupt process performed on the main control board of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A clock pulse is generated every predetermined period (4 milliseconds) by the reset clock pulse generation circuit provided on the main control board 110, thereby executing a timer interrupt process described below.

  First, the main CPU 110a saves information stored in the register of the main CPU 110a to the stack area (S501).

  The main CPU 110a has various timers such as a special symbol time counter update process, a special game timer counter update process such as a special electric accessory release time, a normal symbol time counter update process, and a general electric release time counter update process. A time control process for updating the counter is performed. Specifically, a process of subtracting 1 from the special symbol time counter, the special game timer counter, the normal symbol time counter, and the general electricity open time counter is performed (S502).

  The main CPU 110a performs random number update processing for the special symbol determination random number value, the big hit symbol random number value, the small hit symbol random number value, and the normal symbol determination random number value (S503).

  Specifically, each random number value and random number counter are incremented (unit number addition) and updated. When the added random number counter exceeds the maximum value of the random number range (when the random number counter makes one round), the random number counter is returned to “0 (zero)” and the initial random number “0 (zero) at that time” ”To update each random value.

  Subsequently, as in S1503, the main CPU 110a updates the initial random number value for updating the special symbol determining initial random number value, the big hit symbol initial value random value, the small hit symbol initial value random value, and the normal symbol determining initial random number value. Update processing is performed (S504).

  The main CPU 110a performs input control processing (S505).

  In this input control process, the main CPU 110a includes the general winning opening detecting switch 12a, the first large winning opening detecting switch 16a, the second large winning opening detecting switch 17a, the first starting opening detecting switch 14a, and the second starting opening detecting switch 15a. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an input to each switch of the gate detection switch 13a.

  Specifically, various detection signals from the general winning opening detecting switch 12a, the first big winning opening detecting switch 16a, the second large winning opening detecting switch 17a, the first starting opening detecting switch 14a, and the second starting opening detecting switch 15a. Is inputted, predetermined data is added to the prize ball counter used for the prize ball provided for each winning opening and updated.

  Furthermore, when a detection signal is input from the first start port detection switch 14a, if the data set in the first special symbol hold number (U1) storage area is less than 4, the first special symbol hold number ( U1) Add 1 to the storage area to obtain special symbol determination random number value, jackpot symbol random number value, small hit symbol random number value, reach determination random value, and special symbol variation random value The random number value is stored in a predetermined storage unit (0th storage unit to 4th storage unit) in the first special symbol random value storage area.

  Similarly, when a detection signal is input from the second start port detection switch 15a, if the data set in the second special symbol hold number (U2) storage area is less than 4, the second special symbol hold number (U2) 1 is added to the storage area, and a special symbol determination random number value, a big hit symbol random number value, a small hit symbol random number value, a reach determination random number value, and a special symbol variation random value are acquired. Various random numbers are stored in a predetermined storage unit (0th storage unit to 4th storage unit) in the second special symbol random number value storage area.

  When a detection signal is input from the gate detection switch 13a, if the data set in the normal symbol hold number (G) storage area is less than 4, the normal symbol hold number (G) storage area is set to 1. It adds, acquires the random number value for normal symbol determination, and memorize | stores the acquired random number value for normal symbol determination in the predetermined memory | storage part (0th memory | storage part-4th memory | storage part) in a normal symbol holding | maintenance storage area.

  Further, when a detection signal is input from the first grand prize opening detection switch 16a or the second big prize opening detection switch 17a, the number of game balls won in the first big prize opening 16 or the second big prize opening 17 is counted. 1 is added to the number of entries (C) storage area for the big winning opening to update.

  Next, the main CPU 110a performs special figure special power control processing for controlling the jackpot lottery, the special electric accessory, and the gaming state (S506). Subsequently, the main CPU 110a performs a general-purpose normal power control process for controlling the normal symbol lottery and the normal electric accessory (S507).

  Specifically, it is first determined whether or not 1 or more data is set in the normal symbol hold count (G) storage area, and 1 or more data must be set in the normal symbol hold count (G) storage area. If this is the case, the current ordinary power transmission control process is terminated.

  If 1 or more data is set in the normal symbol holding number (G) storage area, after subtracting 1 from the value stored in the normal symbol holding number (G) storage area, the data is in the normal symbol holding storage area. The normal symbol determination random numbers stored in the first storage unit to the fourth storage unit are shifted to the previous storage unit. At this time, the normal symbol determination random value already written in the 0th storage unit is overwritten and erased.

  Then, a process of determining whether or not the normal symbol determination random number value stored in the 0th storage unit of the normal symbol hold storage area is a random value corresponding to “win” is performed. Thereafter, the normal symbol display device 22 displays the fluctuation of the normal symbol. When the fluctuation time of the normal symbol elapses, the normal symbol corresponding to the result of the normal symbol lottery is stopped and displayed. If the random number for normal symbol determination referred to is “winning”, the start opening / closing solenoid 15c is driven to control the second start opening 15 to the second mode for a predetermined opening time.

  Here, in the non-short-time gaming state, the variation time of the normal symbol is set to 29 seconds, and if it is “winning”, the second start port 15 is controlled to the second mode for 0.2 seconds. On the other hand, in the short time gaming state, the variation time of the normal symbol is set to 0.2 seconds, and if it is “winning”, the second start port 15 is set to “3.5 seconds” for the second mode. To control.

  Then, the main CPU 110a performs a payout control process (S508).

  In this payout control process, the main CPU 110a refers to the respective prize ball counters, generates payout number designation commands corresponding to various winning ports, and transmits the generated payout number designation commands to the payout control board 130.

  The main CPU 110a includes external information data, start opening / closing solenoid data, first big prize opening / closing solenoid data, second big prize opening / closing solenoid data, special symbol display device data, normal symbol display device data, and memory number designation command data. A creation process is performed (S509).

  The main CPU 110a performs output control processing. In this process, an output control process for outputting signals of the external information data, the start opening / closing solenoid data, the first big prize opening / closing solenoid data, and the second big prize opening / closing solenoid data created in S600 is performed (S510).

  Further, the special symbol display device data and the normal symbol display device data created in S600 are used to turn on the LEDs of the first special symbol display device 20, the second special symbol display device 21 and the normal symbol display device 22. Display device output processing is performed.

  Further, command transmission processing for transmitting the command set in the effect transmission data storage area of the main RAM 110c to the effect control board 120 is also performed.

  The main CPU 110a restores the information saved in S501 to the register of the main CPU 110a (S511).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the main process performed by the sub CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the sub CPU 120a performs initialization processing (S601).

  In this initialization process, the sub CPU 120a reads a main processing program from the sub ROM 120b and initializes and sets a flag and the like stored in the sub RAM 120c in response to power-on. Details of the initialization processing in the sub CPU 120a are shown in FIG. 7 and will be described later.

  Next, the sub CPU 120a performs an effect random number update process (S602).

  In this effect random number value update processing, the sub CPU 120a updates the random numbers (the effect random number value 1, the effect random number value 2, the effect design determining random value, the effect mode determining random value, etc.) stored in the sub RAM 120c. Perform the process.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a power interruption process for shutting off the power is performed (S603). Until the power interruption process is performed (NO in S603), an effect random number value update process is performed until a predetermined interrupt process is performed. Repeat afterwards. If the power interruption process is performed (YES in S603), the process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of initialization processing (power-on processing) performed by the sub CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, it is started by receiving a “power recovery designation command” or “inspection command” from the main control board 110. First, the sub CPU 120a performs a setting for prohibiting all interrupts. Later, CPU initial settings such as setting of built-in registers are performed (S701). The sub CPU 120a transmits this “power restoration designation command” or “inspection command” to the built-in CPU 150a and the lamp CPU 158a.

  The sub CPU 120a permits access to the sub ROM 120b and enables various information (programs, etc.) to be read from the sub ROM 120b (S702). In addition, access to the RWM area of the sub RAM 110c may be permitted so that various types of information (such as setting information) can be read from the sub RAM 110c.

  Then, the sub CPU 120a reads, for example, version information, a model code, a model name, and the like as information (ROM confirmation information) for confirming the sub ROM 120b from the sub ROM 120b that is permitted to access (S703).

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a performs a process of calculating the checksum of the sub ROM 120b (S704). This process is a process of calculating an error detection value of information stored in the sub ROM 120b. In addition, a process for calculating the checksum of the sub RAM 110c may be performed.

  Then, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not the calculated check sum of the sub ROM 120b (in addition, the check sum of the sub RAM 110c) is a correct check sum, and outputs a determination result (S705).

  As a determination method at this time, there is a method of determining whether or not the calculated check sum of the sub ROM 120b is the same as the check sum stored in the sub ROM 120b (check sum for inspection, sub ROM check sum). If these checksums are the same, it can be determined that the data stored in the sub ROM 120b is “normal”, and if they are different, an error has occurred in the data stored in the sub ROM 120b. It can be determined that it is “abnormal”.

  The sub CPU 120a performs cutout position designation processing for designating the cutout position (readout position) of the font image used for displaying the checksum in addition to the version information that is the ROM confirmation information (S706). In this cutout position designation process, in addition to the cutout position, a process for designating a cutout range is performed. Details of the cut-out position designation process are shown in FIG.

  The sub CPU 120a issues a display instruction including information for confirming the sub ROM 120b (ROM confirmation information), a check sum of the sub ROM 120b, and a determination result to the image control unit 150 (S707). This can be said to be information relating to a predetermined device such as the sub ROM 120b or an effect control board having the sub ROM 120b, and the predetermined device is inspected. Of course, in addition to these pieces of information, an instruction to display information (RAM information) about the sub RAM 110c, a check sum of the sub RAM 110c, and determination information may be given.

  In addition, when the sub CPU 120a receives a control command output from another board, another CPU, or the like (for example, the control command output from the main CPU 110a by the process shown in FIG. 4; ROM control information included in the control command when the control command output from the built-in CPU 150a by the processing shown in FIG. 13 and the control command output from the lamp CPU 158a by the processing shown in FIG. If the checksum and determination result are stored in a predetermined storage area, a display instruction including these pieces of information is given to the image control unit 150. This means that an inspection is performed on the gaming machine itself.

  That is, in the sub CPU 120a in the effect control board 120, at least information for confirming the sub ROM 120b (ROM confirmation information), a check sum of the sub ROM 120b, and a display instruction for the determination result are image control as processing for executing the power recovery notification. To unit 150. The screens shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are displayed on the image display device by the display control process as shown in FIG. 14 performed by the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150 that has received this display instruction.

  Although details will be described later, in FIGS. 24 and 25, when a control command output from another board, another CPU, or the like is received (for example, output from the main CPU 110a by the process shown in FIG. 4). The control command output from the built-in CPU 150a by the process shown in FIG. 11 and the control command output from the lamp CPU 158a by the process shown in FIG. 13). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the information for confirming the sub ROM 120b (ROM confirmation information), the check sum of the sub ROM 120b, and the determination result may be displayed.

  In addition to the position information specifying the position of the font image used when displaying the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result, the display instruction includes range information (vertical) for reading (cutting out) the font image from the position information. Width and width information). More specifically, by executing the process shown in FIG. 8, the position information specifying the position for reading (cutting out) the font image from the font group data as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 and the position information are read out. (Cut out) range information.

  Details of processing performed in the image control unit 150 after this display instruction is given will be described later with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In brief, when receiving the display instruction from the sub CPU 120a, the image control unit 150 executes display control processing based on the display instruction. As a result, it is possible to display the “power restoration screen (initial screen)” using the font image for each piece of information instructed to be displayed on the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 which are image display devices. It is.

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a clears (erases) the checksum stored in the sub RAM 110c, and sets the area of the sub RAM 110c when the power is restored (S708). As a result, the progress state (control state) of the game is restored (recovered) to the state before the power is turned off, and the game can be resumed from the state before the power is turned off.

  Then, the sub CPU 120a activates a CTC for generating a timer interrupt (S709). Thereafter, the sub CPU 120a permits all interruptions and ends the initialization process, so that the production can be started.

  In the initialization process as described above, when the “power restoration designation command” is received from the main CPU 110a, the sub CPU 120a receives the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result of the sub ROM 120b from other boards and the like. ROM confirmation information, checksum and determination result (specifically, “ROM confirmation information, checksum and determination result” received from the main CPU 110a, “ROM confirmation information, checksum and determination result” received from the built-in CPU 150a, and The “ROM confirmation information, checksum, and determination result”) received from the lamp CPU 158a can be instructed to be displayed to the image control unit 150 at once.

  Further, in this initialization process, when receiving either the “power restoration designation command” or the “inspection command” from the main CPU 110a, the sub CPU 120a, in addition to the ROM confirmation information, the check sum and the determination result of the sub ROM 120b, It is possible to instruct the image control unit 150 to display the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result received from another board or the like. Note that when the “inspection command” is received from the main CPU 110a, the processing in the main CPU 110a is not performed (restricted), and therefore the image control unit for “version information, checksum and determination result” in the main ROM 110b. No display instruction is given to 150.

  The sub CPU 120a discriminates the command received from the main CPU 110a, and only when the “inspection command” is received, the sub CPU 120a includes each process such as reading out ROM information and calculating a checksum as shown in S703 to S707. An inspection stage may be performed. That is, when the sub CPU 120a determines that the “power recovery designation command” has been received from the main CPU 110a, these processes (S703 to S707) may be restricted (prohibited). In this case (when it is determined that the “power recovery designation command” has been received from the main CPU 110a), ROM information (version information, etc.) and checksum are not displayed on the power recovery screen (initial screen). . That is, the ROM confirmation information and the checksum of the sub ROM 120b are not displayed on the power restoration screen (initial screen) shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the cutout position designation process performed in the sub CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, the sub CPU 120a performs processing for specifying position information of a font image to be displayed on the image display device from the font group data (S801). Specifically, it is a process of specifying the position information of the font image to be displayed from the list of position information of the font image designated in advance for each font representing the information instructed to be displayed.

  In the specifying process in S801, the position (relative position) of the font image can be specified by the following process in addition to specifying the position (absolute position) of the font image in the entire font group data.

  Specifically, the font type (ASCII code, JIS compliant code, first user font (alphanumeric characters (uppercase)), second user font (alphanumeric characters (lowercase))) representing the display instructed information is identified. The initial position (type initial position) for the determined font type is specified. Then, based on the identified initial position (type initial position), it is also possible to perform processing for designating the position (relative position) of the font image with respect to the type initial position. In this case, the type initial position and the position of the font image are specified.

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not there is a “next font to be displayed” in the same information unit (when the ROM confirmation information and the checksum are displayed, a unit such as ROM confirmation information or checksum). (S802). That is, the same information is composed of a plurality of character strings, and it can be determined that there is a “next font to be displayed” because there is a second character following the first character ( Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines that the font image corresponding to the “next font to be displayed” is a font image in the position information continuous with the position information of the font image specified by the process shown in S801. It is determined whether or not there is (S803).

  If it is a font image in continuous position information (YES in S803), then the sub CPU 120a designates a range to be extracted (read range) as a font image as a range including these font images (S804). ). On the other hand, if there is no font image in the continuous position information (NO in S803), then the sub CPU 120a designates the range including one font image as a range to be extracted (read range) (S807).

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not the position information of the font image for all characters is designated in the same information unit (S805), and when the position information of all the font images is designated (YES in S805). In the process of determining whether or not there is “next font to be displayed” in the same information unit (S802), if it is not determined that there is “next font to be displayed” (NO in S802), the sub CPU 120a Stores the position information for each font image and the designated range in combination in units of information (S806).

  On the other hand, when the position information of all font images is not specified in information units (NO in S805), the sub CPU 120a performs each process after the process in S803 again.

  By repeating such processing, it is possible to cut out a plurality of font images as a unit in information units.

  If it is determined that the font image is not in the continuous position information by the processing in S803 and the sub CPU 120a performs processing (S807) for designating a range (reading range) to cut out one font image, the process continues. As in S805, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not the position information of all font images has been designated in information units (S808).

  If it is determined by this determination processing (S808) that the position information for all font images is specified in information units (YES in S808), the sub CPU 120a determines the position information for each font image and the specified range. Stored in information units (S806). On the other hand, if it is not determined that the position information for all font images has been specified in information units (NO in S808), the sub CPU 120a performs each process subsequent to the process in S801 again.

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether the position information and the cutout range are stored in all information units (S809). When determining that the position information and the cutout range have been stored for all the information (YES in S809), the sub CPU 120a ends this flowchart. If it is not determined that the position information and the cutout range have been stored for all the information (NO in S809), the sub CPU 120a repeats the processes in and after S801 in order to specify the position information and the cutout range for other information. Do.

  By such cutout position designation processing, the sub CPU 120a can designate the position and range of the font image for displaying the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result information.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the timer interrupt process performed by the sub CPU 120a of the effect control board 120 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Although not shown in the figure, a clock pulse is generated every predetermined period (2 milliseconds) by a reset clock pulse generation circuit provided on the effect control board 120, a timer interrupt processing program is read, and the timer of the effect control board is read. Interrupt processing is executed.

  First, the sub CPU 120a saves the information stored in the register of the sub CPU 120a in the stack area (S901), and updates various timer counters used in the effect control board 120 (S902).

  Next, the sub CPU 120a performs command analysis processing (S903).

  In this command analysis processing, the sub CPU 120a performs processing for analyzing a command stored in the reception buffer of the sub RAM 120c. A specific description of the command analysis processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. When the effect control board 120 receives a command transmitted from the main control board 110, a command reception interrupt process of the effect control board 120 (not shown) occurs, and the received command is stored in the reception buffer. Thereafter, the received command is analyzed.

  The sub CPU 120a checks the signals of the effect button detection switch 35a for detecting the operation of the effect button 35 and the cross key detection switch 36a for detecting the operation of the cross key 36, and performs the effect input control process for the effect button 35 (S904). ), A data output process for transmitting various commands set in the transmission buffer of the sub RAM 120c to the image control unit 150 and the lamp CPU 158a is performed (S905).

  Then, the sub CPU 120a restores the information saved in S1810 to the register of the sub CPU 120a (S906).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the image control main process performed in the built-in CPU built in the image control unit of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  When power is supplied from the power supply board 170, a system reset occurs in the built-in CPU 150a via the sub CPU 120a, and the built-in CPU 150a performs an image control main process as described below. More specifically, the main process of image control is started by receiving a “power restoration designation command” or “inspection command” from the sub CPU 120a.

  The built-in CPU 150a performs an initialization process (S1001).

  In this initialization process, the built-in CPU 150a reads the main process program from the control ROM 157 and instructs the initial setting in response to power-on. Details of the initialization processing in the built-in CPU 150a are shown in FIG. 11 and will be described later.

  Here, the built-in CPU 150a, as an initial setting instruction, (1) instructs the display circuit to generate and output a video signal, and instruct to generate a video signal ("1" in the 0th bit of the display register). (2) In order to expand the image data frequently used in the expansion circuit (image data such as the production symbol 38) in the image data expansion area of the VRAM and expand it in the expansion register, a predetermined initial value is set in the expansion register. (3) data related to initialization processing (for example, inspection screen (color bar screen, RGB gray scale screen (screen for performing vertical or horizontal display)), all white display screen, All-black display screen, light gray display screen, dark gray display screen, display position / scaling confirmation display screen, intermediate color screen displaying hue circle, etc.), various storage areas (RO , And outputs the "initial value display list" in order to draw the version information, etc.) of RAM, and the like).

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a performs a display control process for displaying a predetermined image (screen) (S1002). A detailed flow of this display control processing is shown in FIG. 14 and will be described later.

  In the display control process described later, when it is determined that a display instruction for displaying information on the ROM on the screen is not transmitted from the sub CPU 120a, the built-in CPU 150a performs the following S1003 after the display control process is performed. The process according to ~ S1008 is executed. On the other hand, in the display control process to be described later, when it is determined that a display instruction for displaying information on the ROM or the like on the screen is transmitted from the sub CPU 120a, the built-in CPU 150a performs the processes according to S1003 to S1008 below. Execution is restricted, and the processing according to S1003 to S1008 is not executed after the display control processing is performed.

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a performs a drawing execution start process (S1003).

  In this drawing execution start process, the built-in CPU 150a sets drawing execution start data in the drawing register in order to execute drawing on the display list that has already been output.

  That is, at the start of power-on, execution of drawing is instructed for the “initial value display list” output in the above step (S1001), and during normal routine processing, execution of drawing is instructed for the display list output in the processing described later. Will be.

  Next, the built-in CPU 150a performs effect instruction command analysis control processing for analyzing the effect pattern designation command transmitted from the sub CPU 120a (S1004).

  When receiving a command transmitted from the sub CPU 120a, the built-in CPU 150a generates a command reception interrupt process (not shown) and stores the received command in the reception buffer. Thereafter, the received command is analyzed.

  The effect instruction command analysis control process confirms whether or not an effect pattern designation command is stored in the reception buffer. If the effect pattern designation command is not stored in the reception buffer, the process is continued. If the effect pattern designation command is stored in the reception buffer, a process of reading a new effect pattern designation command is performed. Based on the read effect pattern designation command, one or more animation groups to be executed are determined, and an animation pattern is determined from each animation group.

  When the animation pattern is determined, the read effect pattern designation command is deleted from the transmission buffer.

  Next, the built-in CPU 150a performs an animation control process (S1005).

  In this animation control process, based on the above-mentioned “scene switching counter”, “weight frame”, “frame counter” and the animation pattern determined by the process as described above, the addresses of various animation scenes Update.

  Thereby, the built-in CPU 150a obtains the display list from the display information (sprite identification number, display position, etc.) of one frame of the animation scene at the updated address according to the priority order (drawing order) of the animation group to which the animation scene belongs. When the display list generation is completed, the display list is stored in the display list storage area of the VRAM (S1006).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not the FB switching flag = 01 (S1007).

  Here, the FB switching flag becomes FB switching flag = 01 if drawing of the previous display list is completed in the V blank interruption every “1/60 seconds (about 16.6 ms)”. That is, it is determined whether or not the previous drawing has been completed.

  If the FB switching flag is “01” (YES in S1007), the built-in CPU 150a sets the FB switching flag to “00” (S1008) (turns the FB switching flag off) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the FB switching flag is “00” (NO in S1007), the built-in CPU 150a waits until the FB switching flag becomes “01”.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of initialization processing (power-on processing) performed in the built-in CPU built in the image control unit of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The production control board 120 is started by receiving either a “power restoration designation command” or an “inspection command” from the main control board 110. In the built-in CPU 150a built in the image control unit 150, A “power recovery designation command” or “inspection command” is received from the sub CPU 120a.

  In the built-in CPU 150a, after setting all the interrupts to be prohibited, the CPU performs initial settings such as setting a built-in register (S1101).

  The built-in CPU 150a permits access to the CGROM 151, the boot ROM 155, and the control ROM 157, and enables various information (programs and the like) to be read from the CGROM 151, the boot ROM 155, and the control ROM 157 (S1102).

  The built-in CPU 150a uses, for example, version information as information for confirming the control ROM 157 from the control ROM 157 storing the program used for image control processing by the built-in CPU 150a among the CGROM 151, the boot ROM 155, and the control ROM 157 that are permitted to access. The model code, model name, etc. are read out (S1103).

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a performs processing for calculating the checksum of the control ROM 157 (S1104). This process is a process of calculating an error detection value of information stored in the control ROM 157.

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not the calculated checksum of the control ROM 157 is a correct checksum (S1105).

  The built-in CPU 150a performs output processing for outputting information for confirming the control ROM 157 (ROM confirmation information), the check sum of the control ROM 157, and the determination result (S1106). This can also be said to be information relating to a predetermined device such as the control ROM 157 or an effect control board having the control ROM 157. Of course, in addition to or instead of these pieces of information, the built-in CPU 150a may output information on the VRAM and DRAM 153, checksums of the information on the VRAM and DRAM 153, and determination results.

  More specifically, the built-in CPU 150a outputs a control command including these pieces of information. As an output destination at this time, for example, in addition to a device (inspection apparatus) designated in advance, it is possible to output to the sub CPU 120a.

  The internal CPU 150a can output the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result to the sub CPU 120a by the initialization process in the production control board 120 as described above.

  The built-in CPU 150a receives the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination of the control ROM 157 regardless of whether the “power restoration designation command” or the “inspection command” is received from the sub CPU 120a by the initialization process as described above. The result can be output to the sub CPU 120a.

  The built-in CPU 150a discriminates the command received from the sub CPU 120a, and only when the “inspection command” is received, reads the ROM confirmation information, calculates the checksum, and calculates the checksum as shown in S1103 to S1106. In addition, an inspection stage including each process such as output of a determination result may be performed. That is, when the built-in CPU 150a determines that the “power supply restoration designation command” has been received from the sub CPU 120a, these processes (S1103 to S1106) may be restricted (prohibited). In this case (when it is determined that the “power restoration specification command” has been received from the sub CPU 120a), the ROM confirmation information, the checksum and the inspection result regarding the control ROM 157 are naturally displayed on the power restoration screen (initial screen). There is no. That is, the ROM confirmation information and checksum of the control ROM 157 are not displayed on the power recovery screen (initial screen) shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the main process performed in the lamp CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  When power is supplied from the power board 170, a system reset occurs in the lamp CPU 158a via the sub CPU 120a, and the lamp CPU 158a performs main processing as described below. More specifically, the main process is started by receiving a “power recovery designation command” or “inspection command” from the sub CPU 120a.

  The lamp CPU 158a performs initialization processing (S1201).

  In this initialization process, the lamp CPU 158a reads the main processing program from the lamp ROM 158b and instructs initial setting in response to power-on. Details of the initialization processing in the lamp CPU 158a are shown in FIG. 13 and will be described later.

  Subsequently, the lamp CPU 158a performs a lighting execution start process (S1202).

  In this lighting execution start process, the lamp CPU 158a performs a process of setting a lighting pattern based on a program stored in the lamp ROM 158b in the lighting register.

  Next, the lamp CPU 158a performs an effect instruction command analysis control process for analyzing the effect pattern designation command transmitted from the sub CPU 120a (S1203).

  When the lamp CPU 158a receives a command transmitted from the sub CPU 120a, a command reception interrupt process (not shown) occurs, and the received command is stored in the reception buffer. Thereafter, the received command is analyzed.

  The effect instruction command analysis control process confirms whether or not an effect pattern designation command is stored in the reception buffer. If the effect pattern designation command is not stored in the reception buffer, the process is continued. If the effect pattern designation command is stored in the reception buffer, a process of reading a new effect pattern designation command is performed. A lighting pattern to be executed is determined based on the read effect pattern designation command.

  Then, the lamp CPU 158a performs a lamp control process for lighting the effect lighting device 34 with the determined lighting pattern (S1204).

  The lamp CPU 158a can output the ROM confirmation, the checksum, and the determination result to the sub CPU 120a by the initialization process in the lamp CPU 158a in the effect control board 120 as described above.

  The lamp CPU 158a receives the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination of the lamp ROM 158b when receiving any of the “power recovery designation command” and the “inspection command” from the sub CPU 120a by the initialization process as described above. The result can be output to the sub CPU 120a.

  The lamp CPU 158a discriminates the command received from the sub CPU 120a, and only when the “inspection command” is received, the ROM information is read, the checksum is calculated, and the information is displayed as shown in S1303 to S1306. It is good also as performing the test | inspection step which consists of each process, such as output of a determination result. In other words, when the lamp CPU 158a determines that the “power restoration designation command” has been received from the sub CPU 120a, these processes (S1303 to S1306) may be restricted (prohibited). In this case (when it is determined that the “power restoration designation command” has been received from the sub CPU 120a), the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the inspection result are naturally not displayed on the power restoration screen (initial screen). That is, the ROM confirmation information and checksum of the lamp ROM 158b are not displayed on the power restoration screen (initial screen) shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of initialization processing (power-on processing) performed in the lamp CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The effect control board 120 is started by receiving a “power restoration designation command” from the main control board 110, and the lamp CPU 158a receives a “power restoration designation command” from the sub CPU 120a.

  The lamp CPU 158a performs the initial setting of the CPU such as the setting of the built-in register after setting to prohibit all interruptions (S1301).

  The lamp CPU 158a permits access to the lamp ROM 158b and enables various information (programs, etc.) to be read from the lamp ROM 158b (S1302).

  Then, the lamp CPU 158a reads, for example, version information, a model code, a model name, and the like as information for confirming the lamp ROM 158b from the lamp ROM 158b permitted to access (S1303).

  Subsequently, the lamp CPU 158a performs a process of calculating the checksum of the lamp ROM 158b (S1304).

  Then, the lamp CPU 158a determines whether or not the calculated checksum of the lamp ROM 158b is a correct checksum (S1305).

  As a determination method at this time, there is a method of determining whether or not the calculated check sum of the lamp ROM 158b is the same as the check sum (inspection checksum, sub ROM checksum) stored in the lamp ROM 158b. If these checksums are the same, it can be determined that the data stored in the lamp ROM 158b is “normal”, and if they are different, an error has occurred in the data stored in the lamp ROM 158b. It can be determined that it is “abnormal”.

  The lamp CPU 158a performs output processing for outputting information for confirming the lamp ROM 158b (ROM confirmation information), a checksum, and a determination result (S1306). This can be said to be information relating to a predetermined device such as the lamp ROM 158b or an effect control board having the lamp ROM 158b. Of course, in addition to or instead of these pieces of information, the lamp CPU 158a may output information relating to the lamp RAM 158c, checksums of information relating to the lamp RAM 158c, and determination results.

  More specifically, the lamp CPU 158a outputs a control command including these pieces of information. As an output destination at this time, for example, a sub CPU 120a can be used in addition to a device (inspection apparatus) designated in advance.

  By the initialization processing in the lamp CPU 158a as described above, the lamp CPU 158a can output the ROM confirmation information, the checksum, and the determination result to the sub CPU 120a.

  Through the processing based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 13 as described above, the gaming machine reads out the ROM confirmation information as information on each storage medium (ROM, RAM, etc.) and stores each memory. A checksum for inspecting whether the data of the medium (ROM, RAM, etc.) is correct can be calculated.

  These pieces of information are collected by the sub CPU 120a, and the sub CPU 120a issues a display instruction as shown in S707 in FIG. 7 to the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150. Accordingly, the built-in CPU 150a executes display control processing as shown in FIG. 14, and the information is stored in the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 which are image display devices mounted on the gaming machine. Can be displayed on the power recovery screen (initial screen) using the font image.

  That is, in the built-in CPU 150a, when the power is restored and the initialization processing of the sub CPU 120a as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, the font images of these pieces of information are displayed on the power restoration screen (initial screen). It is possible to display (superimpose) simultaneously with the display content (character string “currently recovering power”) on the recovery screen (initial screen). That is, the gaming machine can display the ROM confirmation information and the checksum when the power is restored. Of course, control processing for displaying only the ROM confirmation information or only the checksum may be performed by the display control processing in the sub CPU 120a.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of display control processing performed in the built-in CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not a “display instruction” has been received from the sub CPU 120a (S1401). This “display instruction” is the “display instruction” received from the sub CPU 120a by performing S707 in the initialization process of the sub CPU 120a shown in FIG. 7, and the S2120 in the inspection process of the built-in CPU 150a shown in FIG. By being performed, it is one of the “display instructions” received from the built-in CPU 150a.

  If it is not determined that any of these “display instructions” has been received (NO in S1401), this flowchart ends. In this case, as described above, the processes in S1003 to S1008 of the image control main process in FIG. 10 are not executed.

  If it is determined that any of these “display instructions” has been received (YES in S1401), the following processes of S1402 to S1407 are performed. In this case, as described above, execution of the processing in S1003 to S1008 of the image control main processing in FIG. 10 is limited.

  When it is determined that any “display instruction” has been received (YES in S1401), first, the built-in CPU 150a stores “No” in the VRAM of the image drawing unit (not shown) included in the image control unit 150. It is determined whether or not “font group data” is stored (S1402). Naturally, this flowchart does not start unless a “display instruction” is received from the sub CPU 120a. That is, the display control of information using the font group data is not performed and the font image is not displayed.

  As described above, the font group data is image data including a font image group, and is used for displaying information instructed to be displayed by the sub CPU 120a. This font group data is also referred to as a character information group image and character information group data. Details are shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.

  If this font group data is not stored in the VRAM (NO in S1402), the built-in CPU 150a reads the font group data stored in the CGROM 151 and stores (decompresses) the font group data in a predetermined storage area of the VRAM (S1403). ).

  The predetermined storage area at this time is an area composed of addresses designated in advance, or an arbitrary area where font group data can be stored continuously.

  When the font group data is stored in the VRAM in this way, or whether “font group data” is stored in the VRAM (not shown) of the image drawing unit included in the image control unit 150. In the determination process (S1402), when it is determined that the font group data is stored in the VRAM (YES in S1402), the built-in CPU 150a subsequently uses the position information included in the received display instruction, A cutout control process for cutting out (reading out) a font image for the information instructed to be displayed is performed from the font group data (S1404).

  A detailed flow of this cut-out control process is shown in FIG. 15 and will be described later. In this cut-out control process, not all the font images corresponding to the display instructed information are cut out, but a control process of cutting out either the ROM confirmation information or the checksum is performed based on preset setting information. It is good as well. FIGS. 24A and 25A show examples of screens displayed when only information related to the ROM is cut out. FIGS. 24B and 25B are displayed instructions. The example of the screen which cut out and displayed all the font images with respect to information is shown.

  When such cutout control processing is performed, the built-in CPU 150a reads a background image from the CGROM 151 (S1405).

  First, for the background image read from the CGROM 151 by the built-in CPU 150a, the built-in CPU 150a receives the display instruction output by the initialization processing shown in FIG. 7, and the mode information (“normal mode (non- Some are based on “inspection mode)” and “inspection mode”). That is, when the built-in CPU 150a receives a display instruction from the sub CPU 120a, processing for determining mode information included in the display instruction is performed. As a result of the determination, if the mode information is “normal mode (non-inspection mode)”, the built-in CPU 150a reads “background image indicating that power is being restored” from the CGROM 151, and the mode information is If “inspection mode”, “color bar background image” is read. An example of the former screen is shown in FIG. 24, and an example of the latter screen is shown in FIG.

  The color bar background image at this time is used for confirmation of brightness adjustment of the display device and is generally an image also referred to as “SMPTE color bar”.

Second, the background image read from the CGROM 151 by the built-in CPU 150a is
The built-in CPU 150a receives a display instruction output by the inspection process shown in FIG. 21, and there is one based on various determination results included in the display instruction. In other words, the built-in CPU 150a performs a process of determining whether all the determination results among the various determination results are “normal” or whether at least one determination result is “abnormal” different from “normal”. And an appropriate background image may be displayed based on the determination result.

  At this time, when the determination result is “normal”, the built-in CPU 150a reads a background image (for example, “green background”, “blue background”) indicating “normal”, and the determination result is “abnormal”. In the case of (unnormal state), a background image (for example, “red background”) indicating “abnormal” is read.

  In this case, in the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37 which are image display devices, a font image corresponding to the information included in the display instruction received from the sub CPU 120a is displayed as the “inspection result display screen”. The Rukoto. One example is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

  When the background image is read out in this way, the built-in CPU 150a subsequently performs an image drawing process in which the font image cut out (read out) is superimposed on the read out background image (S1406). ).

  Subsequently, when image drawing processing is performed, the built-in CPU 150a performs processing for outputting the image to the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37, which are image display devices (S1407).

  From the above, in the gaming machine, it is possible to display the ROM confirmation information read from each ROM by each CPU and the font image corresponding to each calculated checksum on the power recovery screen or the inspection result display screen.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the cut-out control process performed in the built-in CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 15, the built-in CPU 150a specifies a font image to be displayed from position information and range information included in the display instruction received from the sub CPU 120a (S1501).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a cuts out (reads out) the identified font image based on the range information included in the display instruction (S1502). If “(X, Y) = (8, 8)” is specified as the range information, a single font image is cut out (read out), and “(X, Y) = ( 8, 16) "or" (X, Y) = (8, 24) ", the two font images are cut out (read) together, or the three font images are cut out together (Read) is performed.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all font images for which display has been instructed have been cut out (S1503), and until all font images have been cut out (NO in S1503), the built-in CPU 150a again performs S1501 and subsequent steps. Perform the process.

  On the other hand, when all font images have been cut out (YES in S1503), the built-in CPU 150a stores the font image temporarily cut out in the cache (S1504).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of font group data stored in the CGROM of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 16, the font group data is image data (texture) composed of a plurality of font images.

  This font group data is composed of font images corresponding to ASCII code compliant parts, JIS compliant parts, first user fonts, and second user fonts. In addition to the initial position (total initial position) for the entire font group data, An initial position (type initial position) is set for each part.

  The ASCII code compliant part represents a character code group commonly used in the world, and the JIS compliant part represents a character code group formulated by a predetermined organization. Further, the first user font and the second user font are appropriately customized character code groups, the first user font is a character code group consisting of uppercase alphanumeric characters, and the second user font is lowercase characters. A character code group consisting of alphanumeric characters.

  As a method of designating each font image, there is a method of designating a type initial position in addition to a method of designating an overall initial position.

  FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of an example of font group data stored in the CGROM of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of the font group data shown in FIG. By the processing as shown in FIG. 8, “(X, Y) = (0, 0)” is designated as the type initial position, and “(X, Y) = (16, 8)” is the position information for this initial position. And (X, Y) = (8, 8) is specified as the range information, the font image is cut out.

  That is, in FIG. 17, this relative position is determined based on the position where the relative position is “(X, Y) = (16, 8)” from the type initial position “(X, Y) = (0, 0)”. The font image “A” in the range of (X, Y) = (8, 8) from the position is cut out.

  As described above, when displaying the instructed information (version information, checksum, etc.), it is possible to cut out the font image from the font group data and display the information by combining the cut out font images.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a sequence of font image display control processing using font group data.

  FIG. 18 shows a processing sequence in the CGROM 151, the sub CPU 120a, the built-in CPU 150a, the internal cache (cache), the VRAM, and the liquid crystal display device (LCD) included in the built-in CPU 150a.

  When the sub CPU 120a reads version information from the sub ROM 120b as a storage medium and calculates a checksum (S1801), the sub CPU 120a does not store font group data in the VRAM, that is, In the case of the first processing, in addition to these pieces of information, a display instruction command including font image position information necessary for displaying these pieces of information is transmitted to the built-in CPU 150a (S1802). The case where the font group data is stored in the VRAM, that is, the second and subsequent processing will be described later.

  When the built-in CPU 150a receives a display instruction command from the sub CPU 120a, it transmits the display instruction command to the CGROM 151 to read font group data from the CGROM 151 (S1804). When the font group data is acquired by the display instruction response from the CGROM 151 (S1805), the built-in CPU 150a makes a font group data storage request to the VRAM in order to store the font group data in the VRAM (S1806).

  As a result, the font group data is stored in an arbitrary storage area in the VRAM (S1807), and the built-in CPU 150a accepts a storage response to the storage request from the VRAM (S1808).

  As a result, the font group data is stored in the VRAM.

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a performs cutout (reading) control of the font image from the font group data based on the display instruction received from the sub CPU 120a (S1810). Specifically, the contents of the display instruction are analyzed, and the information to be displayed and the position information of the font image used for each information are determined.

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a makes a cutout request for cutting out a font image from the font group data stored in the VRAM based on the contents of the display instruction and the position information (S1811).

  In the VRAM, the cut font image is stored in a predetermined storage area (S1812). When the built-in CPU 150a receives a cut-out response from the VRAM (S1813), the built-in CPU 150a requests the CGROM 151 for a background image (S1814).

  Accordingly, when the built-in CPU 150a receives a response of the background image from the CGROM 151 (S1815), the built-in CPU 150a performs an image drawing process using the background image and the cut font image (S1816).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a instructs the image display device (LCD) to display an image that has been subjected to drawing processing (S1817), and the image display device (LCD) performs display processing of the image (S1818).

  Thus, the checksum and the like can be displayed on the screen of the image display device (LCD) in addition to the version information using the font image included in the font group data.

  In the sub CPU 120a, the ROM confirmation information is read from the sub ROM 120b as a storage medium, and the process of calculating the checksum (S1801) is the second and subsequent times, and the font group data is stored in the VRAM. If YES in step S1810, the process from step S1810 is executed using the font group data stored in the VRAM.

  FIG. 19 is another diagram showing a sequence of font image display control processing using font group data.

  The sequence shown in FIG. 19 shows another example of the sequence shown in FIG. Similarly, FIG. 19 shows processing sequences in the CGROM 151, the sub CPU 120a, the built-in CPU 150a, the internal cache (cache) included in the built-in CPU 150a, the VRAM, and the liquid crystal display device (LCD).

  When the sub CPU 120a reads out version information and the like from the sub ROM 120b, which is a storage medium, and calculates a checksum (S1901), the sub CPU 120a displays the position information of the font image necessary for displaying the information. A display instruction command including “S” is transmitted (S1902).

  When the built-in CPU 150a receives a display instruction command from the sub CPU 120a, it transmits the display instruction command to the CGROM 151 to read font group data from the CGROM 151 (S1904). Then, when the font group data is acquired by the display instruction response from the CGROM 151 (S1905), the built-in CPU 150a controls the cutout (reading) of the font image from the font group data based on the display instruction received from the sub CPU 120a (S1906). . Specifically, the contents of the display instruction are analyzed, and the information to be displayed and the position information of the font image used for each information are determined.

  In the cutout control at this time, first, a cutout request for a font image used for displaying version information and checksum is made to the cache (S1914), and if the font image is stored, a cutout response is accepted (S1915). .

  In response to the cutout request made to the cache, the font image is not stored in the cache, and the built-in CPU 150a that has received the cutout response sends a cutout request to the VRAM (S1907).

  In the cutout request (S1907) at this time, the font group data read from the CGROM 151 is transmitted to the VRAM for storage. As a result, the VRAM stores the font group data in an arbitrary storage area (S1908), and stores the cut-out font image in a predetermined storage area (S1909).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a accepts a storage response to the storage request from the VRAM (S1910).

  At this time, the built-in CPU 150a issues an expansion instruction for expanding the cut out font image into the cache (S1911), and temporarily stores the font image in the cache (S1912). Then, the built-in CPU 150a receives an expansion response from the cache (S1913).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a makes a request for the background image to the CGROM 151 (S1916), and receives a response of the background image from the CGROM 151 (S1917), performs image drawing processing using the background image and the cut font image. It performs (S1918).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a instructs the image display device (LCD) to display the image that has been subjected to the drawing processing (S1919), and the image display device (LCD) performs the image display processing (S1920).

  As a result, it is possible to display the calculated checksum and the like in addition to the ROM confirmation information using the font image included in the font group data on the screen of the image display device.

  The built-in CPU 150a requests the VRAM to clear the font group data (S1921), performs a process of deleting the font group data and the font image from the VRAM (S1922), and receives a clear response (S1923). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the VRAM may be cleared by the RAM refresh function.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing steps from manufacturing to delivery of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 20, a gaming machine is manufactured in a factory or the like in the order of (1) component manufacturing process, (2) unit manufacturing process, and (3) product manufacturing process as a process before shipping the gaming machine. (4) The product is delivered to the hall (amusement facility) in the product delivery process.

  The inspection performed in “(1) Component manufacturing process” is the inspection process of “Mass production inspection 1”, and the inspection performed in “(2) Unit manufacturing process” is the inspection process of “Mass production inspection 2”, The inspection performed in “(3) product manufacturing process” is the inspection process of “shipment inspection”, and the inspection performed in “(4) product delivery process” is the inspection process of “start-up inspection”.

  “Parts” manufactured in “(1) Component manufacturing process” refers to predetermined devices such as peripheral devices (peripheral devices) in addition to various storage media, boards or various sensors mounted in the gaming machine. In particular, a main control board, an effect control board, a payout control board, a power supply board, a launch control board, and the like correspond to the boards.

  Therefore, the “mass production inspection 1” performed in “(1) component manufacturing process” means that the above-described components operate normally, store normal data, or are to be mounted. A process (inspection process) for inspecting whether an appropriate part of the code or type is mounted is performed. In particular, in this “mass production inspection 1”, normal data is stored in various ROMs of the production control board, and a process for inspecting whether proper parts are mounted will be described later with reference to FIGS. There is a process like this. In the inspection process in the “mass production inspection 1”, an inspection device is connected to the production control board for inspection, and the inspection result of the inspection is displayed on the inspection display device included in the inspection device.

  In addition, the “unit” manufactured in “(2) unit manufacturing process” is a combination of a plurality of “parts”, and for example, various substrates are connected to each other and an image display device is combined therewith. There are a control unit and a decoration unit that combines a plurality of frame parts to decorate as a gaming machine. In particular, the control unit is not completed as a product (game machine), but is in a state where it can perform basic processing in games.

  Therefore, in “Mass production inspection 2” performed in “(2) Unit manufacturing process”, normal data is stored as to whether the various units as described above operate normally or move normally. Or a process (inspection process) for inspecting whether or not an appropriate part of the model code or type to be mounted is mounted. In particular, in this “mass production inspection 2”, as a process for inspecting whether normal data is stored in various ROMs of the production control board or whether an appropriate part of the model code or type to be mounted is mounted, FIG. There is a process as described later with reference to FIG. In the inspection process in the “mass production inspection 2”, as in the “mass production inspection 1”, an inspection apparatus can be connected and the inspection result can be displayed on the inspection display apparatus. It is also possible to display on the liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37.

  In addition, “(3) Product manufacturing process” is a process for manufacturing a gaming machine as a finished product using each unit manufactured in “(2) Unit manufacturing process”. Is performed.

  Therefore, the “shipment inspection” performed in “(3) product manufacturing process” performs a process (inspection process) for inspecting whether various operations and various processes normally operate as a gaming machine as a finished product. Is called. As the “shipment inspection” performed in “(3) product manufacturing process”, for example, the “inspection mode” is set in the gaming machine as described above, and various types as described above in this “inspection mode”. As a result of performing the initialization process, information such as various ROM version information, model code (Type), model name, checksum, and other information is displayed on the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display which are image display devices. It is displayed on the device 37.

  In “(4) Product delivery process”, the game machine manufactured in “(3) Product manufacturing process” is installed in the hall (game facility), and the final “start-up inspection” is performed. . In this “start-up inspection”, an inspection similar to the “shipment inspection” performed in “(3) product manufacturing process” is performed.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the inspection process performed by the sub CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition to this FIG. 21, the processing shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 shows processing performed when the production control board is inspected as “component”. In other words, an inspection device is connected to the production control board that is a “component”, and the production control board can receive various instruction commands from the inspection device.

  In FIG. 21, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not an “inspection control command” has been received as an instruction command from the inspection apparatus (S2101). The “inspection control command” is a command received from the inspection apparatus as described above, and is different from the “inspection command” received from the main CPU 110a.

  If the “inspection control command” has not been received (NO in S2101), the sub CPU 120a ends the process. When the “inspection control command” is received from the inspection apparatus (YES in S2101), the sub CPU 120a applies this to the built-in CPU 150a and the lamp CPU 158a mounted on the same board (production control board) as the sub CPU 120a. An “inspection control command” is transmitted (S2102).

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not an instruction to read ROM confirmation information such as version information is given by this “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” ( S2103). If it is determined by the “inspection control command” that an instruction to read ROM confirmation information such as version information has not been issued (NO in S2103), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2106 described later.

  Further, when it is determined by this “inspection control command” that an instruction to read out ROM confirmation information such as version information has been issued (YES in S2103), the sub CPU 120a sets access permission to the sub ROM 120b (S2104). ). Then, the sub CPU 120a reads version information or the like as ROM confirmation information from the sub ROM 120b for which access permission is set (S2105).

  Subsequently, it is determined by analyzing the received “inspection control command” whether or not a checksum inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” (S2106). When determining that the checksum check is not instructed by the “control command for check” (NO in S2106), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2109 described later.

  When determining that the checksum check is instructed by the “control command for check” (YES in S2106), the sub CPU 120a performs a process of calculating the check sum of the sub ROM 120b (S2107). Further, the sub CPU 120a performs a process of determining the calculated checksum (S2108).

  Subsequently, it is determined by analyzing the received “inspection control command” whether or not a communication inspection with the built-in CPU 150a is instructed by the “inspection control command” (S2109). When determining that the communication inspection with the built-in CPU 150a is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2109), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2112 described later.

  Further, when it is determined that a communication inspection with the built-in CPU 150a is instructed by the “control command for inspection” (YES in S2109), the sub CPU 120a communicates with the built-in CPU 150a to determine whether mutual communication is possible. Inspection processing is performed (S2110). As a communication inspection process at this time, for example, there is UART communication (asynchronous serial communication). Further, the sub CPU 120a determines the inspection result of the communication inspection with the built-in CPU 150a by this communication inspection processing (S2111).

  Subsequently, it is determined by analyzing the received “inspection control command” whether or not a communication inspection with the lamp CPU 158a is instructed by the “inspection control command” (S2112). When determining that the communication inspection with the lamp CPU 158a is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2112), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2115 described later.

  Further, when it is determined that the communication inspection with the lamp CPU 158a is instructed by this “inspection control command” (YES in S2112), the sub CPU 120a communicates with the lamp CPU 158a to determine whether mutual communication is possible. Inspection processing is performed (S2113). As the communication inspection process at this time, for example, there is UART communication (asynchronous serial communication) which is the same as the method used for the communication inspection process with the built-in CPU 150a. Further, the sub CPU 120a determines the inspection result of the communication inspection with the lamp CPU 158a by this communication inspection processing (S2114).

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not an instruction of H / W inspection (hardware inspection) is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command”. (S2115). When it is determined by the “control command for inspection” that the H / W inspection instruction has not been issued (NO in S2115), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2117 described later.

  Further, when it is determined that the “inspection control command” indicates that the H / W inspection is instructed (YES in S2115), the sub CPU 120a detects the backlight dimming volume (S2116).

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a determines whether or not a self-inspection instruction is given by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2117). If it is determined that the self-inspection instruction has not been given by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2117), the sub CPU 120a proceeds to the process of S2119 described later.

  Further, when it is determined that the self-inspection instruction is given by this “inspection control command” (YES in S2117), the sub CPU 120a performs access check to the sub RAM 110c (S2118).

  Then, the sub CPU 120a waits for a certain period of time to receive the information output from the built-in CPU 150a and the lamp CPU 158a that have transmitted the “inspection control command”. This is a process for making various types of information receivable from the built-in CPU 150a and the lamp CPU 158a by the processes shown in FIGS.

  Subsequently, the sub CPU 120a cuts out (reads out) the font image used for displaying the inspection result obtained by each of the above processes and the information received from the built-in CPU 150a and the lamp CPU 158a from the font group data. Processing for designating the cutout position is performed (S2119). Details of the processing of this cutout position are shown in FIG.

  Then, the sub CPU 120a uses the ROM version information, the ROM checksum, the checksum determination result, the inspection result related to the communication inspection with the built-in CPU 150a, the communication inspection result with the lamp CPU 158a, the volume switch position, and the backlight dimming. A display instruction is transmitted to the built-in CPU 150a of the image control unit 150 as a response to a request based on various instruction commands from the inspection apparatus (S2120).

  At this time, the built-in CPU 150a performs display control processing as shown in FIG. 14 to display and output to the first liquid crystal display device 31 and the second liquid crystal display device 37, which are image display devices, as well as to these image display devices. Instead, the display is output to the inspection display device of the inspection device connected to the effect control board.

  In this inspection display device, any of the inspection result display screens shown in FIGS. 26 to 31 is displayed based on the information included in the response received by the built-in CPU 150a from the sub CPU 120a.

  Details of the UART communication described above will be described below. Note that the communication inspection process for determining whether mutual communication is possible between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a is the same as the communication inspection process for determining whether mutual communication is possible between the sub CPU 120a and the lamp CPU 158a. Only the former will be described.

  In the communication inspection process for checking whether mutual communication is possible between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a, the sub CPU 120a transmits serial data having a predetermined size to the built-in CPU 150a. The internal CPU 150a that has received the serial data inverts the bit of the serial data and transmits it to the sub CPU 120a. As a result, the sub CPU 120a compares the transmitted bit data with the received bit data and determines that normal communication is possible when they are the same, and the transmitted bit data and the received bit data are If they are different, it is determined that normal communication is impossible.

  Through such UART communication, communication confirmation processing can be performed between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a and between the sub CPU 120a and the lamp CPU 158a.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the inspection process performed in the built-in CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The process according to FIG. 22 shows a process performed when an effect control board is inspected as a “component”. In other words, an inspection device is connected to the production control board that is a “component”, and the production control board can accept requests based on various instruction commands from the inspection device.

  In FIG. 22, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not an “inspection control command” is received as an instruction command from the inspection apparatus (S2201). If the “inspection control command” has not been received (NO in S2201), the built-in CPU 150a ends the process. Further, when the “inspection control command” is received from the inspection apparatus (YES in S2201), the built-in CPU 150a has received whether or not the “inspection control command” is instructed to read out the ROM confirmation information. The determination is made by analyzing the “control command for inspection” (S2202). If it is determined by the “inspection control command” that an instruction to read ROM confirmation information such as version information has not been issued (NO in S2202), the built-in CPU 150a proceeds to S2205 described later.

  Further, when it is determined by this “inspection control command” that an instruction to read out ROM confirmation information such as version information is performed (YES in S2202), the built-in CPU 150a sets permission to access the control ROM 157 (S2203). ). Then, the built-in CPU 150a reads version information or the like as ROM confirmation information from the control ROM 157 for which access permission is set (S2204).

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not a checksum inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2205). If it is determined that the checksum inspection is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2205), the built-in CPU 150a proceeds to S2208 described later.

  If it is determined that the checksum inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” (YES in S2205), the built-in CPU 150a performs a process of calculating the checksum of the control ROM 157 (S2206). Further, the built-in CPU 150a performs a process for determining the calculated checksum (S2207).

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not the inspection of the position of the volume switch is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2208). When it is determined that the inspection of the volume switch position is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2208), the built-in CPU 150a proceeds to the process of S2210 described later.

  If it is determined that the inspection of the volume switch position is instructed by the “inspection control command” (YES in S2208), the built-in CPU 150a performs a process of detecting the position of the volume switch (S2209).

  Subsequently, the built-in CPU 150a determines whether or not the self-inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2210). When it is determined that the self-inspection is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2210), the built-in CPU 150a proceeds to the process of S2212 described later.

  If it is determined that the self-inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” (YES in S2210), the built-in CPU 150a performs an access check to determine whether the VRAM is accessible (S2211).

  Then, the built-in CPU 150a performs processing for outputting version information, checksum, determination result, volume switch position, and VRAM access check result to the sub CPU 120a (S2212).

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the inspection process performed in the lamp CPU of the effect control board of the gaming machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The process according to FIG. 23 shows a process performed when an effect control board is inspected as a “component”. In other words, an inspection device is connected to the production control board that is a “component”, and the production control board can accept requests based on various instruction commands from the inspection device.

  In FIG. 23, the lamp CPU 158a determines whether or not an “inspection control command” is received as an instruction command from the inspection apparatus (S2301). If the lamp CPU 158a has not received the “inspection control command” (NO in S2301), the process is terminated. When the “inspection control command” is received from the inspection apparatus (YES in S2301), the lamp CPU 158a determines whether or not the “inspection control command” instructs to read ROM confirmation information such as version information. Is determined by analyzing the received “control command for inspection” (S2302). When it is determined by the “inspection control command” that an instruction to read ROM confirmation information such as version information has not been issued (NO in S2302), the lamp CPU 158a proceeds to a process in S2305 described later.

  If it is determined by this “inspection control command” that an instruction to read ROM confirmation information such as version information has been issued (YES in S2302), the lamp CPU 158a sets permission to access the lamp ROM 158b (S2303). ). Then, the lamp CPU 158a reads version information or the like as ROM confirmation information from the lamp ROM 158b for which access permission is set (S2304).

  Subsequently, the lamp CPU 158a determines whether or not the checksum inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2305). When determining that the checksum check is not instructed by the “control command for check” (NO in S2305), the lamp CPU 158a proceeds to the process of S2308 described later.

  If it is determined that the checksum inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” (YES in S2305), the lamp CPU 158a performs a process of calculating the checksum of the lamp ROM 158b (S2306). In addition, the lamp CPU 158a performs determination processing of the calculated checksum (S2307).

  Subsequently, the lamp CPU 158a determines whether or not the self-inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” by analyzing the received “inspection control command” (S2308). If it is determined that the self-inspection is not instructed by the “inspection control command” (NO in S2308), the lamp CPU 158a proceeds to the process of S2310 described later.

  If it is determined that the self-inspection is instructed by the “inspection control command” (YES in S2308), the lamp CPU 158a performs an access check to determine whether the lamp RAM 158c is accessible (S2309).

  Then, the lamp CPU 158a performs processing for outputting the version information, checksum, determination result, and access check result to the lamp RAM 158c to the sub CPU 120a (S2310).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a screen indicating that power is being restored. FIG. 24 shows a screen displayed when the mode information is “normal mode (non-inspection mode)” and initialization processing is performed.

  24A and 24B, the screen shown in FIG. 24 superimposes a font image based on information instructed to be displayed from the sub CPU 120a on the “background image displaying that power is being restored”. Is shown.

  FIG. 24A shows ROM confirmation information such as version information displayed by a font image based on information instructed to be displayed by the sub CPU 120a. As the ROM confirmation information, ROM confirmation information of the sub ROM 120b, ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b, and ROM confirmation information of the control ROM 157 are shown.

  In FIG. 24A, as the ROM confirmation information of the sub-ROM 120b, font images corresponding to six fonts “SYSVER” are displayed in combination, and the four font images “version number” indicating the version number are also displayed. “0270”, three font images “001” representing the model name, and one font image “0” representing the model code are shown. Further, as the ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b, font images corresponding to six fonts “LMPVER” are displayed in combination, and written together therewith are four font images “0271” representing version numbers, and a model. Three font images “001” representing a name and one font image “0” representing a model code are shown. Further, as the ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b, the font images corresponding to the six fonts “LCDVER” are displayed in combination, and additionally, four font images “0100” representing the version number and the model are displayed. Three font images “099” representing a name and one font image “0” representing a model code are shown.

  That is, in the screen shown in FIG. 24A, the built-in CPU 150a displays the three ROM confirmation information of the sub ROM 120b, the lamp ROM 158b, and the control ROM 157 as information instructed to be displayed from the sub CPU 120a.

  FIG. 24B shows the checksum in addition to the ROM confirmation information such as the version information by the font image based on the information instructed to be displayed from the sub CPU 120a. As the ROM confirmation information, the ROM confirmation information of the sub ROM 120b, the ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b, and the ROM confirmation information of the control ROM 157 are shown, and the check sum of the sub ROM 120b, the check sum of the lamp ROM 158b, and the control ROM 157 are shown. The checksum is shown.

  In FIG. 24B, ROM confirmation information of various ROMs is displayed in the same manner as in FIG. 24A, and in addition, four font images “ABC5” representing the checksum of the sub ROM 120b are displayed. , Four font images “BD78” representing the checksum of the lamp ROM 158b and four font images “246E” representing the checksum of the control ROM 157 are shown.

  That is, in the screen shown in FIG. 24B, as the information instructed to be displayed by the built-in CPU 150a from the sub CPU 120a, the sub ROM 120b, the lamp ROM 158b, the control ROM 158b, the control ROM 157, the sub ROM 120b, the lamp ROM 158b, This is a screen displayed when the checksums of the three ROMs of the ROM 157 are included.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another example of a screen indicating that power is being restored. FIG. 24 shows a screen displayed when the mode information is “inspection mode” and initialization processing is performed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 25 is a screen in which a font image based on information instructed to be displayed from the sub CPU 120a is superimposed on the “color bar background image” in both FIG. 25 (a) and FIG. 25 (b). . Note that the color bar image shown in FIG. 25 is divided into an upper stage and a lower stage. The upper stage is divided into seven colors (white, yellow, cyan, green, magenta, red, and blue), and the lower stage is monochrome. It is divided into four gradation sections.

  FIG. 25A shows ROM confirmation information such as version information by a font image based on information instructed to be displayed by the sub CPU 120a. This ROM confirmation information is the same as the content shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25B shows a checksum in addition to ROM confirmation information such as version information, by a font image based on information instructed to be displayed by the sub CPU 120a. The ROM confirmation information and checksum of this ROM are the same as the contents shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the screens illustrated in FIGS. 26 to 31 illustrate examples of inspection result display screens displayed when the production control board is inspected as “components”.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an inspection result display screen in which the checksums of the sub ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, and control ROM 157 mounted on the effect control board are displayed using font images.

  FIG. 26A-1, FIG. 26B- 1, and FIG. 26C- 1 are diagrams showing the checksum font image of the sub-ROM 120 b and the checksum determination result.

  In FIG. 26A-1, the checksum is indicated as “SYS ABC5” by the font image, and a “green background” background image indicating that the checksum is “normal” is displayed as the determination result. doing. Further, in FIG. 26B-1, the checksum is indicated as “SYS FFFF” by the font image, and “red” indicating that the checksum is “abnormal (not normal)” as the determination result. The background image of “Background” is displayed. Further, in FIG. 26C-1, the checksum is indicated as “SYS NOW CHECKING” by the font image, and the determination result is checked (determination of whether the checksum is correct). Is displayed.

  FIG. 26A-2, FIG. 26B-2, and FIG. 26C-2 are diagrams showing the checksum font image of the control ROM 157 and the checksum determination result. .

  In FIG. 26A-2, the checksum is indicated as “LCD ABC5” by the font image, and a “green background” background image indicating that the checksum is “normal” is displayed as the determination result. doing. Further, in FIG. 26B-2, the checksum is indicated as “LCD FFFF” by the font image, and “red” indicating that the checksum is “abnormal (not normal)” as the determination result. The background image of “Background” is displayed. In FIG. 26C-2, the checksum is indicated as “LCD NOW CHECKING” by the font image, and the determination result is checked (determination of whether the checksum is correct). Is displayed.

  FIGS. 26 (a-3), 26 (b-3), and 26 (c-3) are diagrams showing the checksum font image of the lamp ROM 158b and the checksum determination result. .

  In FIG. 26A-3, the checksum is indicated as “LMP ABC5” by the font image, and a “green background” background image indicating that the checksum is “normal” is displayed as the determination result. doing. Further, in FIG. 26B-3, the checksum is indicated as “LMP FFFF” by the font image, and “red” indicating that the checksum is “abnormal (not normal)” as the determination result. The background image of “Background” is displayed. In FIG. 26C-3, the checksum is indicated as “LMP NOW CHECKING” by the font image, and the determination result is checked (determination of whether the checksum is correct). Is displayed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an inspection result screen in which checksums of the sub ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, and control ROM 157 mounted on the effect control board are collectively displayed using font images.

  As shown above, in FIG. 26, the checksum and determination result of each ROM (sub ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, control ROM 157) are respectively displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 27, these ROMs (sub ROM 120b, All the checksums of the lamp ROM 158b and the control ROM 157) are collectively displayed as a list, and the checksum determination result is displayed.

  In FIG. 27A, the checksum of each ROM (sub-ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, control ROM 157) is displayed by a font image, and is “normal” because all the checksums are “normal”. A background image of “green background” is displayed. In FIG. 27B, the checksum of each ROM (sub-ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, control ROM 157) is displayed by the font image, and all checksums are displayed because the checksum of the control ROM 157 is “abnormal”. Is not “normal” and at least one checksum is “abnormal”, a “red background” background image indicating “abnormal” is displayed. FIG. 27C shows a state in which the checksum determination result of each ROM (sub-ROM 120b, lamp ROM 158b, control ROM 157) is being checked (determination of whether the checksum is correct).

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an inspection result display screen displaying information on the sub ROM 120b mounted on the effect control board.

  FIG. 28A shows the title (ROM VERSION CHECK) and the model name (Model) of the sub ROM 120b as “Model: 001” using a font image as information on the sub ROM 120b mounted on the effect control board. In addition, the model code (Type) of the sub ROM 120b is indicated as “Type: 0” using a font image, and the version number (Ver) of the sub ROM 120b is expressed as “Ver .: 02” using the font image. .70 ".

  FIG. 28B is a diagram showing that the ROM confirmation information of the sub ROM 120b mounted on the effect control board is being checked.

  In FIG. 28, as a display example of the ROM confirmation information, a screen displaying the ROM confirmation information of the sub ROM 120b mounted on the effect control board is shown. In addition to this, it is also possible to display the ROM confirmation information of the control ROM 157 and the ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b using a font image. Specifically, “SYS” indicated by the font image on the inspection result display screen shown in FIG. 28 is replaced with “LCD” or “LMP”, and the ROM confirmation information of the control ROM 157 or the ROM confirmation information of the lamp ROM 158b is respectively replaced. It will be displayed as a font image.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an inspection result display screen showing an inspection result obtained by performing a communication inspection process between the sub CPU 120a mounted on the effect control board and the built-in CPU 150a.

  FIG. 29 (a) shows “SYS LCD” using a font image indicating that a communication inspection process has been performed between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a, along with this, and the result of the inspection is a font. “OK” is shown using an image. The background image of the screen shown in FIG. 29A is a “green background” indicating that the inspection result is “normal”.

  FIG. 29B shows “SYS LCD” using a font image indicating that a communication inspection process has been performed between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a. “NG” is shown using an image. The background image of the screen shown in FIG. 29B is a “red background” indicating that the inspection result is “abnormal”.

  FIG. 29C illustrates a state in which the communication inspection process is performed between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a as “SYS LCD NOW CHECKING” using a font image.

  In FIG. 29, as an example of the communication inspection process, an inspection result display screen showing the inspection result of the communication inspection process between the sub CPU 120a and the built-in CPU 150a is shown. In addition to this, it is also possible to display an inspection result display screen using a font image in the same manner as the inspection result of the communication inspection process between the sub CPU 120a and the lamp CPU 158a.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an inspection result display screen showing an inspection result obtained by performing the hardware inspection.

  FIG. 30 shows the position of the volume switch (VOL SW) and the volume for backlight dimming (PWM) detected as a hardware inspection.

  In the example shown in FIG. 30, the position of the volume switch is indicated as “VOL SW” using a font image, and the detected position of the volume switch is indicated as “MAX” using a font image. Further, the volume for backlight dimming is indicated as “PWM” using a font image, and the detected volume for backlight dimming is indicated as “50” using a font image.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an inspection result display screen showing the inspection results of the self-inspection.

  FIG. 31 shows an example in which a font image is used to display the result of a self-inspection that confirms whether the apparatus is operating normally. Specifically, in FIG. 31A, the access check result of the VRAM (LCD) is shown as “LCD OK” using the font image, and the access check result of the sub RAM 110c (SYS) is shown as “SYS” using the font image. "OK" ", and the access check result of the lamp RAM 158c (LMP) indicates" LMP OK "using a font image.

  The background image of the screen shown in FIG. 31A is a “green background” indicating “normal” because all access check results are “normal”.

  In FIG. 31B, the access check result of the VRAM (LCD) indicates “LCD NG” using the font image, the access check result of the sub RAM 110c (SYS) indicates “SYS OK” using the font image, The access check result of the lamp RAM 158c (LMP) indicates “LMP OK” using a font image.

  The background image of the screen shown in FIG. 31B is a “red background” indicating “abnormal” because at least one access check result is “abnormal”.

  FIG. 31C shows a state where the access check is being performed as “NOW CHECKING” using a font image.

  The embodiment described above is one embodiment of the present invention, and is not limited to these examples, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  More specifically, in the above example, the pachinko gaming machine is described as an example, but a slot machine (slot gaming machine) may be used.

  In a slot machine, a start lever, a BET button, a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel are provided on the board surface of the gaming machine, and a medal, which is a game medium, is inserted by the player, and then the start lever is pushed by the player. When the used start operation is detected by a sensor or the like, the main control board performs processing for acquiring a random number value and determining a winning combination, processing for starting rotation of the left reel, the middle reel, and the right reel. Further, the effect control board performs an effect of notifying the winning combination determined by acquiring the random value. The winning combination is determined from the winning combination determination table determined based on the acquired random value and the gaming state, and a game is played in a predetermined gaming state based on the determined winning combination.

1 gaming machine 110 main control board 120 production control board 120a sub CPU (host CPU)
120b Sub ROM
120c sub RAM
130 Discharge control board 150 Image control unit 150a Built-in CPU
151 CGROM
152 Crystal oscillator 153 DRAM
155 Boot ROM
157 Control ROM
158a Lamp CPU
158b Lamp ROM
158c Lamp RAM
160 Launch control board 170 Power supply board 180 Digital signal processor

Claims (2)

A gaming machine capable of executing a game using a game medium,
Character information group data storage means for storing character information group data identifiable as character information;
Display means capable of displaying a character image representing information relating to the own gaming machine or information relating to a predetermined device mounted on the gaming machine using the character information group data;
Display control means for controlling the display means;
Comprising
The display control means includes
Character information data specifying means for specifying the character image from the character information group data stored in the character information group data storage means; and
A gaming machine, wherein the character image specified by the character information data specifying means is displayed on the display means. The character information data specifying means specifies a plurality of character images from the character information group data,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays a plurality of character images specified by the character information data specifying means in combination on the display means.