JP2020011134A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To internally securely and quickly identify different components to be installed.SOLUTION: A game machine of the present invention includes: a game board forming a game area; a plurality of frame bodies (outer frame, middle frame, front frame) including at least a first holding frame holding the game board and a second holding frame holding a transmission plate located on the front side of the game area; a structure body (design unit 400) which is attached to the frame body and with which identification information uniquely assigned to each model is associated; and a control unit (sub-control board 330) for identifying whether or not the structure body corresponds to the game board on the basis of the identification information obtained from the structure body. The identification information on the basis of detection means is transmitted to the control unit through the structure body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Generally, in a gaming machine (pachinko machine), a special game ball is fired toward a game area in a game board by a handle operation of a player, and a game ball flowing down the game area enters a starting port. A lottery according to the symbol is executed. Then, the special symbol is variably displayed on the special symbol display, and the special symbol determined by the lottery is stopped and displayed, thereby notifying the player of the lottery result. At this time, when a specific special symbol indicating a big hit is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display, a large role game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game is started. In this big winning game, the attacker device opens and closes a predetermined number of times, and it becomes possible for game balls to enter the big winning opening, so that the player can receive many payout balls.

  In such a gaming machine, to give the player the expectation that the variable display on the special symbol display is a big hit, in accordance with the variable display, to drive the accessory provided in the gaming machine, Effects such as lighting a lamp may be performed. Therefore, output information, which is information for driving the accessory and lighting the lamp, is generated internally, and the generated output information is output from the output unit to each device as a bit signal. Further, the gaming machine is provided with various detection switches for detecting a player's pressing operation and rotating operation, and a bit signal as a result of the detection is input to an input unit to generate input information (for example, see Patent Reference 1).

  Also, for such a gaming machine, when the frame on which the game board is installed is an electrically incompatible frame that is different from the frame on which the game board is originally installed, the production buttons and the like are disabled so that the frame is incompatible. A technique for performing display is also disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-110240 A JP-A-2006-086822

  In some gaming machines, a game board arranged on the back side of the front frame and a design unit arranged on the front side of the front frame are separate members. Such a design unit may be provided with a lamp and various detection switches. When the model of the gaming machine is exchanged in the hall, the design unit is exchanged along with the exchange of the game board. At this time, since the design unit is a separate member as described above, at the time of model replacement, a design unit of a model different from the design unit to be replaced together with the game board is installed in the front frame. There is a risk.

  If a different design unit is installed, the appearance of the gaming machine and the operation of the lamp of the design unit, etc., differ from the original gaming machine, so it may be possible to recognize that a different design unit is installed, but it may be different. We spent time until we were able to figure out, and its identification was not certain.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably and quickly identifying another member to be installed internally.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine of the present invention holds a game board forming a game area, a first holding frame for holding the game board, and a transmission plate located on the front side of the game area. Based on a plurality of frames including at least the second holding frame, a structure attached to the frame and identification information uniquely assigned to each model, and identification information acquired from the structure, A control unit for identifying whether or not the structure corresponds to the game board, and identification information based on the detection means is transmitted to the control unit through the structure.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to identify the installed different member reliably and quickly internally.

It is a perspective view of the game machine which shows the state where the door was opened. It is a front view of a game board. It is a front view of a game machine. It is a front view of a design unit. It is a block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram for explaining the control aspect of the effect display part, the effect character device, the effect lighting device, and the music output device in the sub-control board. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control mode in a sub control board. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an electrical connection of a design unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of serial communication by a controller. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data latch timing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data latch timing. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an abnormality determination operation. It is a flowchart which shows the identification operation | movement of a design unit. It is a block diagram showing an example of electric connection of a design unit in a 2nd embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of identifying a design unit on the main control board. It is a block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of a design unit in a modification of a 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of a design unit in a modification of a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of serial communication by a controller according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the identification operation | movement of a 1st design unit and a 2nd design unit. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an electrical connection of the relay board of the design unit and the relay board of a front frame in 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing composition of a relay board of a design unit in a 5th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, other specific numerical values, and the like shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Elements not directly related to the present invention will be omitted. I do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, first, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described, and then, specific processing on each substrate will be described.

(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment, showing a state where a door is opened. As shown in the drawing, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which a surrounding space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 so as to be freely opened and closed by a hinge mechanism, and A front frame 106 is attached to the middle frame 104 so as to be freely opened and closed by a hinge mechanism.

  Like the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has a surrounding space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and the game board 108 is held in the surrounding space. The front frame 106 holds a transmission plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other in a substantially parallel manner while maintaining a predetermined interval, and from the front side of the gaming machine 100. The game board 108 can be visually recognized through the transmission plate 110.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 108. As described above, in a state where the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the transmission plate 110 faces the front of the game board 108 while being separated therefrom. At this time, a game area 116 where game balls roll is formed between the transmission plate 110 and the front of the game board 108. The game area 116 includes a left-hand area 116a and a right-hand area 116b in which the degree of invasion of the game ball is different depending on the firing strength of the firing mechanism. The left-handed area 116a is located on the left side of the gaming board 108 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the right-handed area 116b is located on the right side of the gaming board 108 when viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. It is located in.

  Rails 114a and 114b are fixed to the game board 108. The rail 114b extends from the lower end of the game board 108 to the upper left, and extends from substantially the vertical center of the game board 108 to the upper right. The rail 114b extends from the lower part to the upper part of the game board 108 in a curved manner as shown in the figure, and surrounds the game area 116. The rail 114a is provided on the left side of the game board 108 and inside the game area 116 with respect to the rail 114b. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, a game ball fired at a lower than the predetermined firing intensity enters the left hitting area 116a, and a right or more than a predetermined firing intensity enters the right hitting area 116b. The fired game balls enter.

  Further, the game board 108 is formed with a through-hole 108a penetrating in the thickness direction (the front-back direction of the gaming machine 100). On the back of the game board 108, an effect display device 200 including a liquid crystal display device is provided. The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a on which an image for an effect is displayed. The player can visually recognize the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a via the through hole 108a. In the effect display section 200a, a plurality of effect symbols (not shown) are variably displayed, and a variable effect in which the result of the lottery lottery is notified to the player is executed by the stop display mode of the plurality of effect symbols. In addition, on the front of the game board 108, a wall that rises toward the transmission plate 110 side over the entire circumference of the through hole 108a so that the rolling game ball flows down the game area 116 and does not fall into the through hole 108a. Is provided.

  The game area 116 includes an upper passage 114c connecting the left-hand area 116a and the right-hand area 116b. The upper passage 114c is provided above the through hole 108a.

  The game area 116 is provided with a general winning port 118 and a first starting port 120 in which a game ball can enter. When a game ball enters the general winning port 118 and the first starting port 120, Each predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more. Further, the number of prize balls to be paid out at each of the general winning opening 118 and the first starting port 120 may be different, or the same prize ball number may be provided. May be set.

  Further, a starting area is provided in the first starting port 120. Then, when the game ball enters the first starting port 120 and the game ball enters the start area, a lottery for determining any one of the plurality of special symbols provided in advance is performed. . Each of the special symbols is associated with various game profits such as whether or not a large role game advantageous to the player can be executed, and what kind of game state the subsequent game state should be. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first starting port 120, the player obtains a predetermined prize ball and, at the same time, obtains a right acquisition opportunity to receive various game profits.

  Further, in the game area 116, a large winning opening 126 into which a game ball can enter is provided. An opening / closing door 126b is provided at the large winning opening 126 so as to be openable and closable. Usually, the opening / closing door 126b closes the large winning opening 126, and it is impossible to enter game balls into the large winning opening 126. Has become. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big winning game is executed, the opening / closing door 126b is opened, and the game ball can enter the big winning opening 126. When a game ball enters the special winning opening 126, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

  Although not shown, the game area 116 is provided with a second starting port, a movable piece, and a gate through which game balls can enter. A second start area is provided in the second start port. When the game ball enters the second starting area, a lottery for determining any one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is performed. The movable piece is provided so as to be able to open and close the second starting port, and the ease of entry of the game ball into the second starting port changes according to the state of the movable piece. When the movable piece is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port. When a game ball passes through the entry area in the gate, a normal symbol lottery is performed, and when a win is made by this lottery, the movable piece is controlled to be in an open state for a predetermined time.

  At the bottom of the game area 116, game balls that have not entered any of the general winning port 118, the first starting port 120, the big winning port 126, and the second starting port are transferred from the gaming area 116 to the game board. An outlet 128 is provided on the back side of the outlet 108.

  A reflector 411 is provided at the upper center of the game board 108. The reflection section 411 is made of a member having reflectivity. The reflection part 411 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the front.

  Although not shown, the game board 108 includes a first special symbol display, a second special symbol display, and a second special symbol display at a position outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. A 1st special symbol hold display, a 2nd special symbol hold display, a normal symbol display, a normal symbol hold display, and a right strike notification display are provided. Each of these displays is a device for displaying various situations relating to the game.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 protruding toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided below the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so as to be rotatable by a player, and when the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a firing operation, the strength of the operation handle 112 according to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112 is increased. A game ball is fired by the firing mechanism. The game ball fired in this manner is guided between the rails 114a and 114b provided on the game board 108 to the game area 116 as described above.

  In the gaming machine 100, as a production device for performing production while the game is in progress, a production lighting device 204 composed of lamps controlled in various lighting modes and emission colors, a music output device 206 composed of speakers, An effect button 208a for receiving a pressing operation, and an effect handle 208b for receiving an operation of rotating around the effect button 208a by pulling in the front direction of the player are provided. The effect button 208a and the effect handle 208b are effect operation devices 208 that accept operations related to effects.

  At the upper center of the gaming machine 100, a design unit 400 constituted by a member separate from the front frame 106 is arranged. The design unit 400 mainly includes a visible portion 406 capable of visually recognizing game balls rolling in the game area 116, a substantially semi-cylindrical pedestal portion 408 attached to a lower portion of the visible portion 406, and a lower portion of the pedestal portion 408. A bullet portion 410 which is a part of a substantially spherical ball to be attached, a bulletin portion 412 which is located above the visible portion 406 and which posts information such as the model name of the gaming machine 100, and a bulletin portion 412 and the visible portion 406 are attached. And a box 414.

  The design unit 400 is provided so as to project from the upper portion of the front frame 106 to the front of the through-hole 108a, which is a non-game area where the game area 116 and the game ball do not roll. That is, the design unit 400 projects and faces the front surface of the transmission plate 110. In addition, a visible portion 406 is located at a portion facing the front surface of the game area 116 (the upper passage 114c). The visible portion 406 is made of a colorless and transparent member, and allows a player to visually recognize a game ball passing through the upper passage 114c. On the other hand, the pedestal portion 408 and the spherical portion 410 are made of a member having lower visibility than the visible portion 406, and are located at a portion facing the front surface of the non-game area (the through hole 108a). Specifically, the pedestal portion 408 is made of a member having reflectivity, and the spherical portion 410 is made of a colored (for example, red) translucent member.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the design unit 400. The design unit 400 is provided with a stage effect device device 202 composed of a movable device as a stage device for staging during a game or the like. The effect product device 202 includes a light emitting body 202a, a rotating body 202b rotatable around the light emitting body 202a, and a motor 202c for rotating the rotating body 202b. The motor 202c is arranged, for example, in the base 408. Light emitting body 202a and rotating body 202b are arranged in spherical portion 410. The light-emitting body 202a, the rotating body 202b, the motor 202c, and the spherical portion 410 constitute a so-called rotating lamp (patrol lamp). The stage effect device 202 changes the radiation direction of the light of the light emitter 202a by causing the light emitter 202a to emit light and rotating the rotating body 202b by the motor 202c, thereby giving the player a sense of expectation of a jackpot. it can.

  The outer shape of the spherical portion 410 of the design unit 400 and the outer shape of the reflective portion 411 of the game board 108 substantially match, and the spherical portion 410 is arranged in front of the reflective portion 411. Therefore, to the player, the spherical part 410 of the design unit 400 and the reflecting part 411 of the game board 108 look as if they are a stage-and-effect device 202 (patrol lamp) formed as an integral member. Become.

  The effect lighting device 204 is provided in the notice portion 412 and the box 414, and the light emitting portion of the effect lighting device 204 causes the notice portion 412 and the box 414 to emit light.

  The design unit 400 is provided with an effect touch sensor 210s. The effect touch sensor 210s is, for example, a transparent capacitance type touch sensor, and is provided on the surface of the spherical portion 410. The effect touch sensor 210s detects whether or not the player's hand has touched (touched) and outputs the detection result. Various effects will be executed according to the detection result of the effect touch sensor 210s indicating that the player's hand has touched. The effect touch sensor 210s may be activated in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and the effect may be executed when a player's operation is received within the operation validity period.

  The design unit 400 can be attached to and detached from the front frame 106. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an assembling unit 500 that protrudes rearward is provided at an upper portion of the box body 414. The assembling unit 500 has a configuration in which the front end in the rear direction is bent in the front direction, and is slidable from the box body 414 in the rear direction. When the assembly unit 500 is slid in the direction of the box 414, the front end of the assembly unit 500 is locked to the front frame 106, and the design unit 400 is attached to the front frame 106. On the other hand, when the assembly unit 500 is slid in the rear direction, the front end of the locked assembly unit 500 is detached from the front frame 106, and the design unit 400 is detached from the front frame 106. Thus, the assembly unit 500 functions as an attachment mechanism for attaching the design unit 400. Such an attachment mechanism (specifically, the configuration of the assembly unit 500) is common to different models.

  The mounting mechanism is not limited to the assembling unit 500. For example, one of the design unit 400 and the front frame 106 is provided with a protruding locking portion, and the other has a hole (locked portion) corresponding to the locking portion. ) May be provided, and the design unit 400 may be attached by inserting the locking portion into the hole. In this configuration, the positions, shapes, sizes, and the like of the locking portions and the holes may be common to a plurality of design units 400 of different models.

  In the gaming machine 100, the design unit 400 can be attached and detached without using a tool or the like. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the worker when installing the gaming machine 100. In particular, since it is possible to easily attach and detach the design unit 400 even to a person other than a gaming machine maker such as a manager (hall clerk) in a game arcade, it is possible to improve workability at the time of failure or maintenance. Can contribute. Also, since the game board 108 and the design unit 400 may be attached, the frame itself (the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104, and the front frame 106) itself can be diverted, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. It becomes possible.

  By attaching the design unit 400, the design of the gaming machine 100 can be greatly improved without replacing the front frame 106 or the game board 108. In particular, the player's line of sight tends to gather above the front frame 106 of the gaming machine 100, and the presence of the design unit 400 attached to this portion greatly changes the impression received by the player. The design unit 400 may be replaced when the game board 108 is switched to another model, or may be replaced independently of the game board 108. Therefore, it is possible to operate as different models in a completed state, respectively, in a state where the design unit 400 is attached and in a state where the design unit 400 is removed. The design unit 400 may be shipped (sold) together with the game board 108, or may be shipped (sold) independently from the game board 108.

(Internal configuration of control means)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control means for controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads out a program stored in the main ROM 300b and performs arithmetic processing based on an input signal from each detection switch and a timer, and directly controls each device and display, or outputs a result of the arithmetic processing. A command is transmitted to another board in response. The main RAM 300c functions as a work area for data when the main CPU 300a performs arithmetic processing.

  The main control board 300 includes a general winning opening detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 118, and a starting opening detection switch for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starting opening 120. 120s, a second starting port detecting switch 122s for detecting that a game ball has entered the second starting port, a gate detecting switch 124s for detecting that a game ball has passed through the gate, and a gaming ball entering the special winning opening 126. A special winning opening detection switch 126s for detecting that the ball is hit is connected, and a detection signal is input to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

  Further, the main control board 300 is connected with a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece of the second starting port, and a special winning opening solenoid 126c that operates an opening / closing door 126b that opens and closes the special winning opening 126. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port and the special winning port 126.

  Further, the main control board 300 has a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol reservation display 164, a second special symbol reservation display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol display. A symbol hold display 170 and a right-handed notification display 172 are connected, and the main control board 300 controls the display of each of these displays.

  The gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment is started by a special game mainly started by entering a game ball into the first starting port 120 or the second starting port, and by a game ball passing through a gate. Is divided into general games. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for advancing a special game and a normal game, and data and tables necessary for various games.

  Further, a payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300.

  The payout control board 310 performs control for firing game balls and control for paying out prize balls. The payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. A game information output terminal plate 312 is connected to the payout control board 310, and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is transmitted through the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312. Is output to a hall computer or the like of a game store.

  The payout control board 310 is connected to a payout motor 314 for paying out the game balls stored in the storage section to the player as prize balls. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 so as to pay out a predetermined prize ball to the player. At this time, the number of paid-out game balls is detected by the paid-out ball counting switch 316s, and it is determined whether or not the prize balls to be paid out have been paid out to the player.

  Further, to the payout control board 310, a dish full state detection switch 318s for detecting the full state of the lower dish is connected. The full-battery detection switch 318s is provided in a path that guides game balls paid out as prize balls to the lower plate. Each time a game ball passes through the path, a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control board 310. It is supposed to be.

  When a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower plate and the tank is full, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower plate, and the game ball is directed from the plate full detection switch 318s to the payout control board 310. The sphere detection signal is continuously input. The payout control board 310 determines that the lower plate is in a full state when the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, and transmits a plate full command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, if continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after transmitting the full tank command, it is determined that the full tank state has been released, and a full tank release command is transmitted to the main control board 300.

  Further, the payout control board 310 is provided with a launch control circuit 320 for controlling launch of a game ball. The payout control board 310 is provided on the operation handle 112, and is connected to a touch sensor 112s that detects that a player has touched the operation handle 112 and an operation volume 112a that detects an operation angle of the operation handle 112. ing. Then, when a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the firing control circuit 320 controls the firing solenoid 112c provided in the game ball firing device to fire the game ball.

  The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or on standby. The sub-control board 330 includes a sub-CPU 330a, a sub-ROM 330b, and a sub-RAM 330c. The sub-control board 330 communicates with the main control board 300 in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub-control board 330 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Connected as possible. The sub CPU 330a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 300, an input signal from a timer, and the like, performs arithmetic processing, and controls execution of the effect. At this time, the sub RAM 330c functions as a work area for data when the sub CPU 330a performs arithmetic processing.

  Specifically, the sub-control board 330 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a. The sub ROM 330b stores a large number of image data such as symbols and backgrounds displayed on the effect display unit 200a. The sub CPU 330a reads the image data from the sub ROM 330b to a VRAM (not shown), Control image display. In addition, the sub-control board 330 performs drive control of the stage effect device 202, lighting control of the stage lighting device 204, and music output control for outputting music from the music output device 206.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a control mode of the effect display unit 200a, the effect character device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the music output device 206 on the sub-control board 330, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control mode to be performed. The sub CPU (CPU) 330a provided on the sub control board 330 functions as the effect determination unit 332 and the effect execution unit 334 in cooperation with the program stored in the sub ROM 330b and the sub RAM 330c. The effect determining means 332 decodes the command transmitted from the main control board 300 and determines an effect pattern (contents indicating a series of effects of the effect) corresponding to the command. The effect execution unit 334 transmits a command to each device such as the image IC 340a, the controller 342, and the music IC 346a based on the determined effect pattern to execute the effect. The effect determining means 332 and the effect executing means 334 are both processes corresponding to an interrupt (interrupt process), and are executed at the interrupt timing associated with each device.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the effect determination unit 332 waits for the arrival of a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 33.3 msec) (NO in S10), and when the predetermined interrupt cycle arrives (YES in S10), Image data based on the effect pattern (data corresponding to an image displayed on the effect display unit 200a among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, effect executing means 334 transmits an image command capable of specifying image data to image IC 340a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The image IC 340a is also called a VDP (Video Display Processor), reads image data specified by an image command from the image ROM 340b to the image RAM (VRAM) 340c, and sequentially outputs the image data to the effect display unit 200a. In addition, some image is always displayed on the effect display part 200a. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines the image data for each interruption cycle. Note that the image RAM 340c has different layers, and each layer can hold different image data. Then, the image IC 340a superimposes the image data held in the plurality of layers, and outputs the superimposed image data to the effect display unit 200a.

  Further, in parallel with the control for the image IC 340a, when a predetermined interruption cycle (for example, 2 msec) comes along with the determination of the effect pattern (YES in S10), the effect determining means 332 plays a role based on the effect pattern. An object pattern (contents indicating a series of operations of the stage combination device 202 out of the stage indicated by the stage pattern) is determined (S11). Then, the effect execution means 334 sends a command indicating at least one of the traveling direction (rotation direction), the traveling amount (rotation amount), and the traveling speed (rotation speed) to the controller 342 at predetermined time intervals in accordance with the accessory pattern. It transmits (S12) and repeats the processing from step S10. The controller 342 drives the presentation attraction device 202 according to the command. Here, presentation attraction device 202 operates only when the accessory pattern is determined. It should be noted that the stage effect device device 202 is a temporary stage effect that involves a physical action and enhances the expectation of the jackpot for the player. The frequency at which the object pattern is determined is low.

  Further, when a predetermined interruption cycle (for example, 33 msec) arrives (YES in S10) with the determination of the effect pattern, the effect determining means 332 determines the lighting pattern based on the effect pattern (the effect of the effect indicated by the effect pattern). Content indicating a series of lighting modes of the lighting device 204) is determined (S11). Then, effect executing means 334 transmits a command of 1 (ON) or 0 (OFF) to controller 342 at predetermined time intervals in the same manner as the accessory pattern according to the illumination pattern (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. . The controller 342 turns on or off the FET that drives the effect lighting device 204 according to the command. In this way, the lighting of the lamp as the effect lighting device 204 is controlled. It is to be noted that effect lighting device 204 constantly repeats turning on and off. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines the effect pattern for each interruption cycle.

  Further, in parallel with the control of the image IC 340a and the controller 342, when a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 50 msec) comes along with the determination of the effect pattern (YES in S10), the effect determiner 332 determines the effect pattern. Based on the music data (data corresponding to music output to the music output device 206 among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) is determined (S11). Then, effect executing means 334 transmits a music command capable of specifying music data to music IC 346a (S12), and repeats the processing from step S10. The music IC 346a reads the music data specified by the music command from the music ROM 346b to the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the speaker as the music output device 206. Note that the music output device 206 always outputs some kind of music. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines the music data for each interruption cycle. The music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and each music buffer can hold different music data. Then, the music IC 346 a superimposes the music data held in the plurality of music buffers, and the superimposed music data is output to the music output device 206.

  Further, on the sub-control board 330, the effect touch sensor 210s that detects that the player has touched, the press detection switch 208s that detects that the effect button 208a is pressed, and the effect handle 208b are rotated. A detection signal is input from a rotation detection switch 209s that detects that the rotation has occurred. When a detection signal is input from the effect touch sensor 210s and the effect operation device 208 (the press detection switch 208s and the rotation detection switch 209s), the controller 342 notifies the effect to the effect determining means 332, and the effect determining means 332 In accordance with the input of the detection signal, various effects such as displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a are determined.

  The sub CPU 330a also functions as the identification execution unit 336 in cooperation with the program stored in the sub ROM 330b and the sub RAM 330c. The identification executing means 336 acquires identification information for identifying the design unit 400 from the design unit 400, and determines whether or not the design unit 400 appropriately corresponding to the game board 108 is connected based on the acquired identification information. Judge. The identification executing means 336 will be described later in detail.

  Here, a series of functional units such as the sub CPU 330a, the sub RAM 330c, the image IC 340a, the image ROM 340b, the image RAM 340c, the controller 342, the music IC 346a, and the music ROM 346b are integrated into one integrated circuit as a SoC (System-on-a-Chip). It is integrated in. However, it is possible to arbitrarily set which functional unit is integrated in the SoC. Further, the respective functional units such as the sub CPU 330a, the sub RAM 330c, the image IC 340a, the image ROM 340b, the image RAM 340c, the controller 342, the music IC 346a, and the music ROM 346b may be integrated as different integrated circuits and electrically connected.

  A power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied from a commercial power supply to each board via the power supply board.

(Electrical connection of design unit 400)
Hereinafter, the control of the production accessory device 202, the production lighting device 204, and the production touch sensor 210s provided in the design unit 400 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of the design unit 400. The design unit 400 is provided with a relay board 350 to which the presentation character device 202, the presentation lighting device 204, and the presentation touch sensor 210s are connected. The relay board 350 of the design unit 400 is connected to a relay board 352 provided on the front frame 106 via a harness. Here, the harness indicates a bundle of electric wires. The relay board 352 of the front frame 106 is connected to a relay board 354 provided on the middle frame 104 via a harness. The relay board 354 of the middle frame 104 is connected to the sub-control board 330 of the game board 108 via a harness.

  The sub-control board 330 transmits output information, which is information for controlling the presentation character device 202 and the presentation lighting device 204 provided in the design unit 400. This output information is transmitted to the presentation attraction device 202 and the presentation lighting device 204 via the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104, the relay board 352 of the front frame 106, and the relay board 350 of the design unit 400. Further, input information, which is information indicating the detection results of various detection switches provided in the design unit 400, such as the effect touch sensor 210s, is transmitted from the relay board 350 of the design unit 400. The sub-control board 330 receives input information transmitted from the relay board 350 via the relay board 352 of the front frame 106 and the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104. The controller 342 of the sub-control board 330 transmits and receives these output information and input information by serial communication.

(Control by the controller 342)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of serial communication by the controller 342, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams for explaining latch timing of data (output information, input information). In FIG. 9, the illustration of the relay boards 352 and 354 between the sub-control board 330 and the relay board 350 of the design unit 400 is omitted. As a serial communication method, clock synchronous serial communication in which a serial signal is transmitted and received in synchronization with a reference clock signal is used.

  The relay substrate 350 is provided with a plurality of output units 220 (220a, 220b, 220c in FIG. 9), a plurality of input units 222 (222a, 222b, 222c in FIG. 9), and an identification information setting unit 224. .

  As described above, in the sub-control board 330, the effect determination unit 332 determines an accessory pattern and an illumination pattern based on the effect pattern, and the effect execution unit 334 generates, for example, an effect according to the accessory pattern and the illumination pattern. A command for specifying the rotation direction, the rotation amount, the rotation speed, the light emission amount of the effect lighting device 204 and the like of the accessory device 202 is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 342 includes a plurality of output units 220 (220a, 220b, 220c in FIG. 9) and a plurality of input units 222 (222a, 222b, 222c in FIG. 9) provided on the relay board 350. )It is connected to the. The data transmission unit 342a of the controller 342 generates output information composed of a plurality of bits to be output to the effect character device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the like based on the command and the like, serializes the output information, and serializes the output information. The serial signal is transmitted to the output unit 220a. In addition, the data transmission unit 342a transmits a clock signal, which is a synchronization signal for acquiring a serial signal, to the output units 220a, 220b, 220c and the input units 222a, 222b, 222c.

  The output unit 220a is a so-called serial-parallel conversion element, receives a serial signal at an SI terminal based on a clock signal input from a CI terminal, and holds the serial signal in an internal shift register (not shown). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the output information held in the shift register is latched bit by bit to the output ports (Q0 to Q7) based on the first latch signal (at the rising edge of the first latch signal). Output information of a plurality of bits is output in parallel. Here, the parallel output is to output the output information in parallel and independently in bit units. Further, from the output port, one of two signals (binary digital signal) of Hi (high level) and Low (low level) is continuously output until the next latch timing. Note that the output units 220b and 220c are also the same serial-parallel conversion elements as the output unit 220a.

  Then, the serial signal input to the SI terminal of the output unit 220 (220a, 220b, 220c) is transmitted from the SO terminal with a delay of the shift register (the number of bits of the parallel output, here, 8 bits). The output unit 220a can be connected to the output units 220b and 220c as shown in FIG. 9 and can be connected in a daisy chain. Therefore, when the output units 220a, 220b, and 220c are connected as shown in FIG. 9, the shift registers of the three output units 220a, 220b, and 220c each hold 8 bits of the 24-bit output information. Then, when the output information is latched at the output port in a state where the output information is located (held) in the corresponding output unit 220a, 220b, 220c, a 24-bit parallel output is possible as shown in FIG.

  Rendering product device 202 is connected to output ports (Q0 to Q7) of output section 220a. Specifically, a driver configuring the special effect device 202 is connected to an output port of the output unit 220a. The driver is connected to a motor 202c that constitutes the special effect device 202. The motor 202c rotates the rotating body 202b of the rotating light. Output information for driving the motor 202c by a driver is output to the output port of the output unit 220a. For example, a Hi or Low signal is output to each of the four phases (A phase, B phase, / A phase, and / B phase) of the motor 202c to rotate the motor 202c by one-phase excitation, two-phase excitation, or 1-2-phase excitation. Control is performed. For example, in the case of one-phase excitation, one of the phases A, B, / A, and / B becomes Hi, and the other three phases become Low. Then, the excitation pattern can be formed by sequentially switching the phases that become Hi.

  The effect lighting device 204 is connected to an output port (Q0 to Q7) of the output unit 220b and an output port (Q0 to Q7) of the output unit 220c. Specifically, the LEDs constituting the effect lighting device 204 are connected to the output ports of the output units 220b and 220c. Output information for turning on and off the LED is output to each output port of the output units 220b and 220c. The timing of Hi (light emission) and Low (light off) is controlled according to the LED illumination pattern. For example, when changing the luminance (light emission amount) of each of RGB (Red Green Blue) of the LED, the ratio of the pulse width of Hi to Low is changed by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). When the LED is blinked, the LED is kept Low during the period corresponding to the extinguishing according to the blinking cycle.

  The input unit 222a is a so-called parallel-serial conversion element. As shown in FIG. 11, based on the second latch signal (at the falling edge of the second latch signal), a parallel input is performed on the input ports (D0 to D7). The input information composed of a plurality of bits is latched in a shift register, and a serial signal obtained by serializing the input information is transmitted from an SO terminal based on a clock signal. Here, the parallel input means that input information is input in parallel and independently in bit units. The input units 222b and 222c are the same parallel-serial conversion elements as the input unit 222a.

  Then, the serial signal input to the SI terminal of the input unit 222 (222a, 222b, 222c) is transmitted from the SO terminal with a delay of the shift register (the number of bits of the parallel input, here, 8 bits). Note that, here, no signal is input to the SI terminal of the input unit 222a, but it is assumed that one of the Hi and Low values is continuously input. The input unit 222a can be connected to the input units 222b and 222c as shown in FIG. 9 and can be connected in a daisy chain. Therefore, when the input units 222a, 222b, and 222c are connected as shown in FIG. 9, 24-bit input information is generated at once by the three input units 222a, 222b, and 222c as shown in FIG. The bit input information is transmitted as a serial signal.

  Limit sensors 202s, which are examples of various detection switches, are connected to input ports (D1 to D7) of the input unit 222a. The limit sensor 202s is a detection switch for confirming the operation of the special effect device 202 and restricting the operation range. The detection result of the limit sensor 202s is input to the input port of the input unit 222a. The detection switch connected to the input port of the input unit 222a is not limited to the limit sensor 202s, and may be, for example, a photo sensor.

  The effect touch sensor 210s is connected to the input ports (D0 to D7) of the input unit 222b. The effect touch sensor 210s detects a touch on the effect touch sensor 210s by the player. The detection result of the effect touch sensor 210s is input to the input port of the input unit 222b.

  An identification information setting unit 224 is connected to input ports (D0 to D7) of the input unit 222c. In the identification information setting unit 224, for example, identification information indicating a predetermined numerical value by 8 bits is set. The 8-bit identification information set in the identification information setting unit 224 is input in parallel to the input port of the input unit 222c.

  The identification information is information indicating the model of the gaming machine 100, and is uniquely assigned to each model of the gaming machine 100. Since the identification information is composed of an 8-bit numerical value, there are 256 options. In the identification information setting unit 224, identification information that is one identification information determined from among the 256 options and that indicates the model of the design unit 400 (that is, the model of the gaming machine 100) is set. The identification information set in the identification information setting unit 224 is used for identifying the design unit 400 on the sub-control board 330.

  The identification information setting unit 224 includes, for example, a DIP switch. This DIP switch is configured by arranging at least eight switches in parallel. One end of each switch in the DIP switch is connected to the input port of the input unit 222c. This one end is connected to a power supply of a predetermined voltage via a resistor. The other end of each switch is grounded. Of the eight switches, the ON switch has the Low identification bit set, and the OFF switch has the Hi identification bit set. By setting the ON / OFF of each of the DIP switches, the administrator can set 8-bit Hi and Low, that is, set identification information. The setting of the identification information is performed, for example, at the time of factory shipment. According to the configuration including the DIP switch, the identification information can be easily set.

  Note that the identification information setting unit 224 is not limited to a configuration including a DIP switch. For example, the identification information setting unit 224 may include a ROM that stores the identification information, and the identification information read from the ROM may be input to the input port.

  Further, the identification information setting unit 224 may be configured to include a voltage dividing circuit including a plurality of resistors. For example, a configuration is adopted in which a 10 kΩ resistor and a 1 kΩ resistor are connected in series, and the connection node is connected to an input port. When the power supply line is connected to the 10 kΩ resistor side and the 1 kΩ resistor side is connected to the ground line (GND), the input port is set to Low. On the other hand, when the power supply line is connected to the 1 kΩ resistor side and the 10 kΩ resistor side is connected to the ground line, the input port is set to Hi. According to the configuration including the voltage dividing circuit, it is difficult to change the identification information once set, and it is possible to prevent the identification information from being tampered with.

  Further, the identification information setting unit 224 may be configured to directly connect the input ports (D0 to D7) of the input unit 222c to the power line or the ground line. For example, an input port directly connected to the power supply line is set to Hi, and an input port directly connected to the ground line is set to Low. Also in this configuration, it is difficult to change the identification information once set, and it is possible to prevent fraudulent alteration of the identification information. Further, in this configuration, the circuit of the identification information setting unit 224 can be simplified.

  The input unit 222c latches, in the shift register, identification information consisting of 8 identification bits input in parallel to the input port at the falling edge of the second latch signal, and outputs a serial signal obtained by serializing the identification information. It is transmitted from the SO terminal based on the clock signal.

  Here, since the input units 222a, 222b, and 222c are daisy-chain connected, the input units 222a, 222b, and 222c include 16-bit input information latched by the input units 222a and 222b and 8-bit identification information latched by the input unit 222c. 24 bits of input information are generated at a time. Then, 24-bit input information including the identification information is transmitted to the controller 342 as a serial signal. The input unit 222c in which the identification information is latched is connected to the controller 342 most in the daisy chain connection. Therefore, the identification information is included in the upper 8 bits of the 24-bit input information.

  The data receiving unit 342b of the controller 342 receives a serial signal from the input unit 222 based on the clock signal of the data transmitting unit 342a. Thus, the input information and the identification information can be taken into the sub CPU 330a.

  As described above, by managing the output of the output information to the direct-acting object device 202 and the effect lighting device 204 and the input of the input information of the various detection switches by serial communication, the following versatility can be obtained. . That is, when output information or input information is added, it can be dealt with by assigning to a spare (reserved) output port or input port without changing the number of harnesses or the layout of the harnesses. Even if there are no extra output ports or input ports, if only the output unit 220 and the input unit 222 are added, it is possible to cope with only the modification of the software.

  Here, an example in which the output unit 220 latches output information at the output port at the rising edge of the first latch signal, and the input unit 222 latches input information at the input port at the falling edge of the second latch signal will be described. However, the latch timing may be set to either rising or falling.

  By the way, each element of the relay board 350 shown in FIG. 9 may not function properly for some reason. As a cause of such a situation, for example, a harness connecting the sub-control board 330 and the relay board 350 is disconnected, a serial signal line between the output units 220 and the input unit 222 is disconnected, and It is conceivable that an abnormality (failure) occurs in the input unit 222. When an abnormality occurs in each element of the relay board 350 in this manner, it is necessary to reset each element because there is a possibility of affecting the progress of the game of the pachinko machine.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 342 is provided with an abnormality determination unit 342c. The abnormality determination unit 342c determines abnormality of each element of the relay board 350 by confirming the consistency using the output information and the input information. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, an arbitrary output port of the output unit 220 (here, the output port Q7 of the output unit 220c) and an arbitrary input port of the input unit 222 (here, the input port D0 of the input unit 222a) are connected. Both ports are electrically connected as a bit signal for abnormality determination.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the abnormality determination operation. First, the abnormality determination unit 342c transmits an arbitrary 1-bit value (here, a determination value) used for abnormality determination to the data transmission unit 342a. The data transmission unit 342a sets the determination value transmitted from the abnormality determination unit 342c to the most significant bit of the 24-bit output information output to the output unit 220. Then, when the data transmitting unit 342a transmits the serial signal as shown in FIG. 12, the determination value is located at the first bit of the serial signal as shown by hatching in the figure. The output unit 220 latches a serial signal according to the first latch signal. Then, the determination value is output to the output port Q7 of the output unit 220c.

  Subsequently, the input unit 222 latches the input information input in parallel to the input port into the shift register according to the second latch signal. Here, since the input port D0 of the input unit 222 and the output port Q7 of the output unit 220c are connected, the determination value is input to the input port D0 of the input unit 222. Then, the input unit 222 transmits a serial signal obtained by serializing the input information to the data receiving unit 342b. Then, as shown by cross-hatching in the figure, the determination bit is included in the last bit of the serial signal.

  Upon receiving the serial signal, the data receiving unit 342b extracts a determination value located at the least significant bit of the input information, and transmits it to the abnormality determination unit 342c. The abnormality determination unit 342c compares the determination value received (looped back) from the data reception unit 342b with the determination value transmitted to the data transmission unit 342a, and determines whether the two values match. If they match, each element on the relay board 350 is determined to be normal, and if not, it is determined to be abnormal. When determining that each element on the relay board 350 is abnormal, the abnormality determination unit 342c outputs a reset signal to the output unit 220 and the input unit 222 provided on the relay board 350 to reset.

  The abnormality determination unit 342c repeatedly performs such abnormality determination at a predetermined cycle. At this time, the abnormality determination unit 342c may alternately determine Hi and Low as the determination value. By doing so, even if an abnormality occurs in which the output port or the input port is fixed to Hi or Low, it is possible to appropriately determine the abnormality.

  In the first embodiment, the first latch signal and the second latch signal can be set independently. Therefore, after the judgment value is output to the output port by the first latch signal and the second latch signal is output at an arbitrary timing, the judgment value can be obtained at a desired timing and the abnormality can be judged. Become.

  Here, the determination value is located at the first bit of the serial signal transmitted by the data transmission unit 342a, and the determination value is located at the last bit of the serial signal received by the data reception unit 342b. Such a position is a position corresponding to the extreme end when viewed from the controller 342 of the connected output unit 220 or input unit 222. Therefore, when the determination values of the positions match, the output port of the output unit 220 and the input port of the input unit 222 in the middle thereof are operating normally. However, the output ports and input ports to be subjected to such abnormality determination are not limited to such positions, and may be arbitrarily selected from all output ports and input ports and connected. Also, here, an example in which one output port and one input port are connected has been described. However, the number can be arbitrarily determined, and various connection modes are adopted as long as the output ports are not connected. You can also.

  In this case, the addition of the judgment value to the serial signal and the extraction of the judgment value from the serial signal are performed through software in the controller 342. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. May be realized.

(Identification of design unit 400)
When the model of the gaming machine 100 is exchanged in the hall, the gaming board 108 and the design unit 400 are exchanged together. Then, the design unit 400 appropriately corresponding to the game board 108 after the model exchange is set on the front frame 106. However, at the time of such a model change, there is a possibility that a design unit 400 different from the design unit 400 appropriately corresponding to the game board 108 is installed on the front frame 106. Therefore, in the gaming machine 100, identification information is included in the serial signal transmitted from the design unit 400 to the sub-control board 330, and it is possible to electrically identify that a different design unit 400 is attached based on the identification information. And

  The game board 108 is provided with a notification unit 360 (see FIG. 8). The notification unit 360 is connected to the sub-control board 330. The notifying unit 360 notifies the identification result of the design unit 400 to a player or a hall. In the gaming machine 100, the effect display unit 200a, the music output device 206, various LED lamps, and the like can function as the notification unit 360. Hereinafter, the identification of the design unit 400 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the identification operation of the design unit 400. When the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned on, the sub CPU 330a first performs an initialization process (S20). In the initialization processing, for example, the origin position adjustment of the stage effect device device 202 is performed. The initialization processing may be performed after the design unit 400 described later is identified.

  Next, the sub CPU 330a functions as the identification execution unit 336, and acquires identification information (S21). Specifically, the identification execution unit 336 causes the data receiving unit 342b of the controller 342 to transmit the second latch signal, and causes the data transmitting unit 342a to transmit the clock signal. The input units 222a and 222b latch the input signal input to the input port into the shift register at the falling edge of the received second latch signal, and the input unit 222c outputs the input signal at the falling edge of the received second latch signal. The identification information input to the input port is latched in the shift register. Then, the input unit 222 transmits a serial signal obtained by serializing the latched input information and identification information to the data receiving unit 342b based on the received clock signal. The data receiving unit 342b receives a serial signal from the input unit 222 based on the clock signal. Then, the identification execution unit 336 acquires the serial signal received by the data receiving unit 342b. The identification executing means 336 acquires the identification information included in the serial signal in this manner.

  Next, the identification executing means 336 determines whether or not the design unit 400 appropriately corresponds to (adapts to) the game board 108 (S22).

  Here, identification information is stored in the sub-ROM 330b in advance. Specifically, an identification table in which a plurality of pieces of identification information are described is stored. The identification table describes identification information (regular identification information) associated with the own model. The identification table also describes a plurality of pieces of identification information (other identification information) associated with other models.

  The identification executing means 336 reads the identification table from the sub-ROM 330b and compares the regular identification information in the identification table with the identification information (identification information to be compared) acquired from the design unit 400. Specifically, the identification execution unit 336 compares, for each bit, 8 bits forming the normal identification information and 8 bits forming the identification information to be compared.

  When the comparison target identification information matches the legitimate identification information, the identification executing means 336 determines that the connected design unit 400 appropriately corresponds to the game board 108 (YES in S22). Then, the sub CPU 330a ends the processing as the identification executing means 336, and shifts to the normal processing (S25). That is, the gaming machine 100 shifts to a customer waiting state.

  On the other hand, if the comparison target identification information does not match the regular identification information, the identification execution means 336 determines that the connected design unit 400 does not appropriately correspond to the game board 108 (NO in S22). . Then, the identification executing means 336 specifies the model of the connected design unit 400 (S23). Specifically, the identification executing means 336 sequentially refers to the other identification information in the identification table, and repeats the comparison between the referenced other identification information and the identification information to be compared. The identification execution unit 336 can specify the model associated with the identification information that matches the identification information to be compared among the other identification information.

  Next, the identification executing means 336 operates the notification unit 360 to notify that the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected (S24). At this time, since the model of the connected design unit 400 is specified in step S23, the identification executing means 336 can clearly notify the model of the connected design unit 400.

  For example, when the effect display unit 200a functions as the notification unit 360, the identification execution unit 336 causes the effect display unit 200a to display an error message such as "the correct design unit 400 is not connected". Further, when the model of the design unit 400 is specified as, for example, X model, the identification execution means 336 displays an error message specifying the model such as “X model design unit is connected” in the effect display unit 200a. May be displayed.

  When the music output device 206 functions as the notification unit 360, the identification execution unit 336 causes the music output device 206 to emit an error buzzer sound, an error message, and the like. Further, the identification execution unit 336 may emit a sound specifying the model of the design unit 400 according to the type of the error buzzer sound or the content of the error message.

  When various LED lamps function as the notification unit 360, the identification executing unit 336 turns on or blinks the various LED lamps to notify a connection error of the design unit 400. In this case, the identification executing unit 336 may notify the connection error of the design unit 400 by causing various LED lamps to blink violently. Further, the address (position) of the LED for notifying the connection error of the design unit 400 may be common for each model. In this way, even if the gaming machine 100 is of a different model, the connection error of the design unit 400 can be reliably notified, and the lighting or blinking of the LED lamp indicates the connection error of the design unit 400. Will be clearly understood.

  If the identification information to be compared does not match any of the other identification information in the model identification processing of the design unit 400, the identification executing means 336 can identify the model of the connected design unit 400. A notification to the effect that there was no information may be sent. Alternatively, the identification execution unit 336 may notify only that there is a connection error of the design unit 400 without specifying the model.

  When the comparison target identification information matches the regular identification information, the identification execution unit 336 may notify the notification unit 360 of the coincidence. For example, the identification executing unit 336 may notify the completion of the initialization process and the confirmation of the matching of the identification information by lighting or blinking various LED lamps in a predetermined pattern. Thereby, the operator can recognize the completion of the initialization processing and the completion of the confirmation of the matching of the identification information.

  When the notification processing is performed without the comparison target identification information matching the regular identification information, the notification processing is maintained until, for example, the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned off. Then, in the gaming machine 100, the normal operation is not performed in the various effect devices (effect effect device device 202, effect lighting device 204, effect touch sensor 210s). However, even if the notification process is performed without the comparison target identification information matching the regular identification information, the game itself can be performed. That is, it is possible to play a game controlled by the main control board 300 (for example, a game on the first special symbol display, the normal symbol display, or the like).

  Note that the notification process may be partially terminated as a predetermined time elapses from the start of the notification process. For example, in the case where the music output device 206 emits an error buzzer sound while displaying the error message on the effect display unit 200a, the sounding of the error buzzer sound is terminated after a predetermined period of time, and the error message is output. The display may be maintained.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment, the design unit 400 is electrically identified based on the identification information transmitted from the design unit 400. Therefore, according to the gaming machine 100, a member such as the design unit 400, which is attached when the gaming machine 100 is installed, can be reliably and quickly identified internally.

  Further, the gaming machine 100 is notified that different design units 400 are connected. Therefore, according to the gaming machine 100, it is possible to prompt the user to appropriately replace the design unit 400. In the gaming machine 100, the model of the connected design unit 400 can be specified and reported, so that a connection error of the design unit 400 can be more clearly recognized.

  In the first embodiment, the three output units 220a, 220b, 220c are daisy-chain connected, and the three input units 222a, 222b, 222c are daisy-chain connected. However, the number of output units 220 and the number of input units 222 are not limited to three, and can be set to any number.

  Also, the identification information has been input to the input port of the input unit 222c. However, the input port to which the identification information is input is not limited to the input port of the input unit 222c, but may be any input port of the input unit 222 that transmits the serial signal. For example, the identification information may be input to an input port of the input unit 222b, or may be input to an input port of the input unit 222a. When the identification information is input to the input port of the input unit 222a or the input unit 222b, the detection result of the limit sensor 202s or the effect touch sensor 210s may be input to an input unit other than the input unit to which the identification information is input. . In a mode in which the identification information is input to the input port of the input unit 222a, the determination value determined by the abnormality determination unit 342c may be input to the input port of the input unit 222b or the input unit 222c.

  Also, the identification information was composed of 8 bits. However, the number of bits constituting the identification information is not limited to 8 bits, and can be constituted by an arbitrary number of bits. For example, the identification information may be composed of 4 bits, or may be composed of 16 bits in consideration of an increase in the number of models in the future. When the number of bits exceeds the number of input ports of the input unit 222 of one, the identification information may be input across the plurality of input units 222.

  In addition, when the identification executing unit 336 determines that the different design units 400 are connected, the identification executing unit 336 performs the process of specifying the model of the design unit 400. However, the identification execution unit 336 may perform the notification process by omitting the process of specifying the model of the design unit 400.

  Here, both the control of the output unit 220 and the control of the input unit 222 by the controller 342 have been described. However, regarding the identification of the design unit 400, at least the input unit 222 is provided on the relay board 350 of the design unit 400. The output unit 220 may not be provided on the relay board 350.

(2nd Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified on the sub-control board 330. In the second embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified not only on the sub-control board 330 but also on the main control board 300.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connection of the design unit 400 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a serial-parallel conversion element 356 is provided on the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104. The serial-parallel conversion element 356 has the same configuration as the output unit 220 of the relay board 350, for example. In FIG. 14, the wiring in the relay board 354 is indicated by a broken line.

  The relay board 350 of the design unit 400 is connected to the serial-parallel conversion element 356 of the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104 via the relay board 352 of the front frame 106 and the harness. The serial-parallel conversion element 356 is connected to a parallel input port of the main control board 300 via a harness. Here, in the serial signal transmitted from the relay board 350, the identification information is included in the upper 8 bits of the 24 bits. That is, the position of the identification information in the serial signal is fixed. Therefore, the parallel output port at the position of the identification information in the serial-parallel conversion element 356 is connected to the parallel input port of the main control board 300. The relay board 350 is also connected to the sub-control board 330 via the relay boards 352 and 354, as in the first embodiment.

  The input information including the identification information transmitted from the relay board 350 is transmitted not only to the sub-control board 330 but also to the main control board 300. The input information transmitted to the main control board 300 is transmitted from the relay board 350 to the serial-parallel conversion element 356 as a serial signal. Serial-parallel conversion element 356 converts a serial signal transmitted from relay board 350 into a parallel signal based on a latch signal and a clock signal transmitted from sub-control board 330. Then, main control board 300 receives the identification information in the converted parallel signal. In this manner, the main CPU 300a can acquire the identification information transmitted from the relay board 350.

  In the second embodiment, the main CPU 300a of the main control board 300 also functions as the identification executing means 306 in cooperation with the program stored in the main ROM 300b and the main RAM 300c.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of identifying the design unit 400 on the main control board 300.

  When the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned on, the main CPU 300a functions as the identification executing means 306, and acquires identification information (S31). That is, the identification executing unit 306 acquires the identification information included in the input information transmitted from the relay board 350 to the serial-parallel conversion element 356.

  Next, the identification executing means 306 determines whether or not the design unit 400 appropriately corresponds to the game board 108 (S32). In this step S32, the same processing as in step S22 in the sub CPU 330a is performed. Specifically, an identification table in which regular identification information and other identification information are described is stored in the main ROM 300b in advance. The identification table of the main ROM 300b only needs to describe at least regular identification information, and other identification information may be omitted. The identification executing means 306 reads the identification table from the main ROM 300b, and compares the regular identification information in the identification table with the identification information acquired from the design unit 400, which is the identification information to be compared.

  If the comparison target identification information matches the regular identification information, the identification executing means 336 determines that the connected design unit 400 appropriately corresponds to the gaming board 108 (YES in S32). Then, the main CPU 300a ends the processing as the identification executing means 306, and shifts to the normal processing (S33).

  On the other hand, when the identification information to be compared does not match the regular identification information, the identification executing means 306 determines that the connected design unit 400 does not appropriately correspond to the game board 108 (NO in S32). . Then, the identification executing means 306 causes the gaming machine 100 to transition to the game stop state (S34). For example, the identification executing means 306 invalidates the general winning opening detection switch 118s, the starting opening detection switch 120s, the second starting opening detection switch 122s, the gate detection switch 124s, and the special winning opening detection switch 126s. In addition, the identification execution means 306 may transmit a command to the payout control board 310 to prevent the game ball from being fired without energizing the firing solenoid 112c in the firing control circuit 320.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when different design units 400 are connected, the gaming machine 100 is in a game stop state. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent a game from being played in a state where the device configuration is inappropriate.

  In the second embodiment, the serial-parallel conversion element 356 is provided on the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104. However, the position of the serial-parallel conversion element 356 may be between the relay board 350 of the design unit 400 and the main control board 300, and is not limited to the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104.

  In addition, identification information was input to the main control board 300 in parallel. However, the main control board 300 may be configured to be capable of serially inputting identification information. For example, in the main control board 300, the identification information input serially may be transmitted to the main CPU 300a via a serial-parallel conversion element. In this case, the serial-parallel conversion element 356 of the middle frame 104 is omitted, and a serial signal is transmitted to the main control board 300.

  In the second embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified on both the sub control board 330 and the main control board 300. However, the design unit 400 on the sub-control board 330 may not be identified, and only the design unit 400 on the main control board 300 may be identified. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of electrical connection of the design unit 400 according to a modification of the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 16, the design unit 400 is provided with a relay board 351 separate from the relay board 350, the front frame 106 is provided with a relay board 353 separate from the relay board 352, and the middle frame 104 is provided with Is provided with a relay board 355 separate from the relay board 354. Relay board 350 is connected to sub-control board 330 via relay boards 352 and 354. The relay board 350 is not provided with an identification information setting unit, and the sub-control board 330 is not provided with an identification execution unit.

  On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 16, the relay board 351 is connected to the main control board 300 via the relay boards 353 and 355. The identification execution means 306 of the main control board 300 transmits a clock signal and a latch signal from the main control board 300 to the relay board 351 via the relay boards 355 and 353. The relay board 351 transmits the identification information to the main control board 300 via the serial-parallel conversion element 356 of the relay board 353 and the relay board 355 according to the clock signal. The identification executing means 306 identifies the design unit 400 based on the identification information obtained from the identification information setting unit 224 of the relay board 351, and shifts to a game stop state when the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected. Let it. In this way, by performing the identification of the design unit 400 on at least the main control board 300, it is possible to prevent a game with an inappropriate device configuration from being played. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the relay boards 350, 352, 354 connected to the sub control board 330 and the relay boards 351, 353, 355 connected to the main control board 300 are completely separated. Therefore, as compared with a mode in which the relay board is shared by the main control board 300 and the sub-control board 330, it is more preferable from the viewpoint of preventing fraud.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the relay boards 350, 352, 354 connected to the sub-control board 330 and the relay boards 351, 353, 355 connected to the main control board 300 are completely separated from each other. Both the identification of the design unit 400 on the control board 330 and the identification of the design unit 400 on the main control board 300 may be performed. In this mode, it is possible to perform both the notification of the connection error of the design unit 400 and to shift to the game stop state, and the relay board is shared by the main control board 300 and the sub control board 330. It is more preferable from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. In this case, the identification information setting unit 224 of the relay board 350 and the identification information setting unit 224 of the relay board 351 only need to set common identification information.

  In FIGS. 16 and 17, a serial signal including identification information is transmitted from the relay board 351, and the serial signal is converted into a parallel signal in the relay board 355. However, in the examples of FIGS. 16 and 17, a parallel signal including identification information may be transmitted from the relay board 351, and the parallel signal may be transmitted to the main control board 300 via the relay boards 353 and 355.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, for example, the notice portion 412 of the design unit 400 can be separated from the box 414. In the third embodiment, the separable posting part 412 is the second design unit 450, and the design unit 400 excluding the posting part 412 is the first design unit 400. That is, in the third embodiment, there are a plurality of members attached to the front frame 106. In the third embodiment, the first design unit 400 is provided with the stage effect device 202, the stage lighting device 204, and the stage touch sensor 210s, and the second design unit 450 is provided with the stage lighting device 204, the stage touch sensor 210s. Have been. The effect touch sensor 210s of the second design unit 450 is, for example, transparent, and is provided on the front of the second design unit 450 (posting part 412). Then, in the third embodiment, not only the first design unit 400 but also the second design unit 450 is identified.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of serial communication by the controller 342 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, in the third embodiment, the second design unit 450 is electrically connected to the first design unit 400. In the second design unit 450, a relay board 358 is provided. The relay board 358 is provided with an output unit 230, an input unit 232, and an identification information setting unit 224.

  Part of the identification information is set in the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450. Specifically, in the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450, the upper 4 bits of the identification information composed of 8 bits are set. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the lower 4 bits of the 8-bit identification information are set in the identification information setting section 224 of the first design unit 400. That is, identification information is set independently in the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450 and the identification information setting section 224 of the first design unit 400, and further, the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450 is set. Are combined with the four bits set in the identification information setting section 224 of the first design unit 400 to form one piece of identification information.

  The output unit 230 is a serial-parallel conversion element similar to the output unit 220a. The SI terminal of the output unit 230 is connected to the SO terminal of the output unit 220c. That is, the output unit 230 can be connected to the output units 220a, 220b, and 220c and connected in a daisy chain. Therefore, when the output units 220a, 220b, 220c, and 230 are connected, the shift registers of the four output units 220a, 220b, 220c, and 230 each hold 8 bits of 32-bit output information. When the output information is latched at the output port in a state where the output information is located (held) at the corresponding output unit 220a, 220b, 220c, 230, a 32-bit parallel output becomes possible. Here, the upper 8 bits of the 32 bits are output to the output ports (Q0 to Q7) of the output unit 230.

  The effect lighting device 204 provided in the second design unit 450 is connected to the output port of the output unit 230. Output information for controlling the effect lighting device 204 is output to an output port of the output unit 230.

  The input unit 232 is a parallel-serial conversion element similar to the input unit 222a. The SI terminal of the input unit 232 is connected to the SO terminal of the input unit 222c. That is, the input unit 232 can be connected to the input units 222a, 222b, and 222c, and can be connected in a daisy chain. Therefore, when the input units 222a, 222b, 222c, and 232 are connected, 32-bit input information latched by the input units 222a, 222b, 222c, and 232 is generated at a time. Then, the 32-bit input information is transmitted to the controller 342 via the relay board 350 as a serial signal.

  Here, the effect touch sensor 210s is connected to input ports (D0 to D3) for the lower 4 bits in the input unit 222c, and the detection result of the effect touch sensor 210s is input. On the other hand, an identification information setting unit 224 is connected to the input ports (D4 to D7) of the upper 4 bits of the input unit 222c, and the lower 4 bits of the identification information are input in parallel.

  The effect touch sensor 210s is connected to input ports (D4 to D7) for the upper 4 bits in the input unit 232, and the detection result of the effect touch sensor 210s is input. On the other hand, an identification information setting unit 224 is connected to input ports (D0 to D3) for lower 4 bits in the input unit 232, and upper 4 bits in the identification information are input in parallel. Therefore, the identification information is included in a continuous bit string of 8 bits from the fifth to the twelfth in the 32-bit input information.

  Here, the output port Q7 of the output unit 230 is connected to the input port D0 of the input unit 222a. The data transmission unit 342a sets the determination value transmitted from the abnormality determination unit 342c to the most significant bit of the 32-bit output information. Accordingly, the determination value is output to the output port Q7 of the output unit 230, input from the input port D0 of the input unit 222a, and looped back to the abnormality determination unit 342c.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of identifying the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450. When the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned on, the sub CPU 330a performs an initialization process (S40). The initialization process may be performed after the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 have been identified.

  Next, the sub CPU 330a functions as the identification execution unit 336, and acquires identification information (S41). Specifically, the identification execution unit 336 causes the data receiving unit 342b to transmit the second latch signal, and causes the data transmitting unit 342a to transmit the clock signal. Here, the input unit 222c shifts the identification information input to the upper four bits of the input port and the input information input to the lower four bits of the input port at the falling edge of the second latch signal. Latch into register. The input unit 232 latches, in the shift register, the identification information input to the lower 4 bits of the input port and the input information input to the upper 4 bits of the input port at the falling edge of the second latch signal. I do. The input units 222a and 222b also latch the input information input to the input port into the shift register at the falling edge of the second latch signal. Then, the input units 222 and 232 transmit a serial signal obtained by serializing the latched input information and identification information to the data receiving unit 342b based on the received clock signal. The data receiving unit 342b receives a serial signal from the input units 222 and 232 based on the clock signal. Then, the identification execution unit 336 acquires the identification information included in the serial signal received by the data receiving unit 342b.

  Next, the identification executing means 336 determines whether or not the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 appropriately correspond to the game board 108 (S42). Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the identification information obtained from the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450, which are the regular identification information in the identification table stored in the sub-ROM 330b and the identification information to be compared. Compare with identification information. Since the acquired identification information of the comparison target is a continuous bit string of 8 bits, the identification execution unit 336 can acquire the continuous bit string as the identification information at a time. Is easy to compare. In addition, since the bit strings of the serial signals between the adjacent input units 222c and 232 are continuous, it is easy to compare the identification information, and the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 400 The identification of 450 can be performed simultaneously.

  When the comparison target identification information matches the regular identification information, the identification execution means 336 determines that the connected first design unit 400 and second design unit 450 appropriately correspond to the game board 108. (YES in S42). Then, the sub CPU 330a ends the processing as the identification executing means 336, and shifts to the normal processing (S44). That is, the gaming machine 100 shifts to a customer waiting state.

  On the other hand, when the identification information to be compared does not match the regular identification information, the identification executing means 336 determines that the connected first design unit 400 and second design unit 450 do not appropriately correspond to the game board 108. Is determined (NO in S42). Then, the identification executing means 336 operates the notification unit 360 to notify that the corresponding first design unit 400 and second design unit 450 are not properly connected (S43).

  As described above, one piece of identification information is configured by combining both the identification information of the identification information setting section 224 of the first design unit 400 and the identification information of the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450. . Thus, when one or both of the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 are different, the identification information to be compared does not match the regular identification information. That is, here, when at least one of the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 is different, the notification unit 360 is notified of that fact.

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the effect display unit 200a, the music output device 206, various LED lamps, and the like can function as the notification unit 360. For example, when the effect display unit 200a functions as the notification unit 360, an error message may be displayed. When the music output device 206 functions as the notification unit 360, an error message or the like may be emitted. When various LED lamps function as the notification unit 360, the various LED lamps may be violently blinked. The notification process is maintained until the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned off, as in the first embodiment. In addition, although the normal operation is not performed in the various effect devices, it is possible to play a game controlled by the main control board 300.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 are simultaneously identified. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, a plurality of members attached to the front frame 106 when the gaming machine 100 is installed can be simultaneously and reliably identified.

  In the third embodiment, two members of the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 are simultaneously identified. However, the number of members to be simultaneously identified is not limited to two. For example, three or more members may be identified simultaneously. In this case, a plurality of identification targets can be identified at the same time by transmitting the serial signal by daisy-chaining the input units of the identification targets in the same manner as the examples of the input units 222 and 232.

  In the third embodiment, both the identification information of the identification information setting section 224 of the first design unit 400 and the identification information of the identification information setting section 224 of the second design unit 450 are combined to make one identification information. Was composed. However, one complete identification information may be set in each of the identification information setting unit 224 of the first design unit 400 and the identification information setting unit 224 of the second design unit 450. In this case, the identification executing means 336 transmits the identification information of the identification information setting unit 224 of the first design unit 400 and the identification information of the identification information setting unit 224 of the second design unit 400 to the regular identification information. A comparison can be made. According to this aspect, for example, when one of the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450 appropriately corresponds and the other is different, it is possible to identify and identify a different one. . According to this aspect, it is possible to specify the model of each of the first design unit 400 and the second design unit 450.

  Alternatively, one identification information may be input to the input port of the input unit 232, and the identification information may not be input to the input unit 222. Alternatively, one identification information may be input to the input port of the input unit 222, and the identification information may not be input to the input port of the input unit 232.

  Further, the identification information has been input so as to be continuous over the input units 222 and 232. However, the identification information does not have to be continuous over the input units 222 and 232.

  Further, the first latch signal, the second latch signal, and the clock signal transmitted to the output unit 230 and the input unit 232 have been transmitted via the relay board 350. However, the first latch signal, the second latch signal, and the clock signal transmitted to the output unit 230 and the input unit 232 may be transmitted without passing through the relay board 350.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the relay board 350 of the design unit 400 and the relay board 352 of the front frame 106 are connected via a harness. A harness (wire harness) is configured by assembling a plurality of electric wires and attaching multi-core connectors to both ends of the plurality of electric wires. When the number of signals transmitted and received between the design unit 400 and the sub-control board 330 is small, for example, a harness connecting the relay board 350 and the relay board 352 is connected to the relay board 350 by a set of connectors. It is connected to the relay board 352 by a set of connectors.

  When the design unit 400 is attached to the front frame 106, in addition to mechanically fixing the design unit 400 to the front frame 106, a connector of the harness is connected to a connector of the relay boards 350 and 352. At this time, even if the corresponding design unit 400 is mechanically fixed to the front frame 106, there is a possibility that the connector connection operation is forgotten and the connector is not connected. If the number of harnesses connecting the relay board 350 and the relay board 352 is one, it is possible to electrically recognize that such a connector is not connected properly, as the corresponding design unit 400 is not connected. .

  Here, for example, it is assumed that a liquid crystal display device in which an effect is displayed on the design unit 400 is added. In such a case, since the number of signals transmitted and received between the design unit 400 and the sub-control board 330 increases, for example, the relay board 350 and the relay board 352 may be connected with a plurality of harnesses. . Note that the same applies between the relay board 352 and the relay board 354 and between the relay board 354 and the sub-control board 330.

  For example, when there are two harnesses connecting the relay board 350 and the relay board 352, the connector of one harness may be connected and the connector of the other harness may not be connected. In this case, an appropriate effect is not performed in each part of the design unit 400. In the fourth embodiment, the design unit 400 can be electrically identified even in such a case.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical connection between the relay board 350 of the design unit 400 and the relay board 352 of the front frame 106 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 20, a part of the relay board 350 and a part of the relay board 352 are shown. In FIG. 20, the harnesses 380 and 382 are indicated by ellipses indicating that a plurality of electric wires are assembled. In FIG. 20, among the plurality of wires in the harnesses 380 and 382, wires through which signals other than the reset signal, the second latch signal, the clock signal, and the serial signal are transmitted are indicated by broken lines. The signal transmitted by the electric wire shown by the broken line may be transmitted from the relay board 352 to the relay board 350, or may be transmitted from the relay board 350 to the relay board 352.

  The relay board 350 of the design unit 400 is provided with two connectors 370a and 372a. Also, two connectors 374a and 376a are provided on the relay board 352 of the front frame 106.

  A connector 370b provided at one end of the harness 380 is connected to the connector 370a of the relay board 350. The connector 374b provided at the other end of the harness 380 is connected to the connector 374a of the relay board 352. Further, a connector 372b provided at one end of the harness 382 is connected to the connector 372a of the relay board 350. The connector 376b provided at the other end of the harness 382 is connected to the connector 376a of the relay board 352. Harness 380 and harness 382 are arranged in parallel between relay board 350 and relay board 352.

  To the harness 380, a reset signal transmitted from the abnormality determination unit 342c, a second latch signal transmitted from the data reception unit 342b, and a clock signal transmitted from the data transmission unit 342a are assigned. That is, the reset signal, the second latch signal, and the clock signal are transmitted from the relay board 352 to the relay board 350 via the harness 380. Then, the reset signal, the second latch signal, and the clock signal received via the connectors 370b and 370a are transmitted to the respective input units 222.

  The SO terminal of the input unit 222c is connected to the connector 372a. The harness 382 is assigned a serial signal transmitted from the SO terminal of the input unit 222c. That is, the serial signal is transmitted from the relay board 350 to the relay board 352 via the connectors 372a and 372b and the harness 382. Then, the serial signal transmitted to the relay board 352 is transmitted to the data receiving unit 342b of the sub control board 330.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When a different design unit 400 is fixed to the front frame 106 and connection of all the connectors 370a, 370b, 372a, 372b, 374a, 374b, 376a, 376b is completed, the identification execution means 336 outputs the design unit 400 Can be obtained. In this case, the identification execution unit 336 can specify the model and notify the notification unit 360 that the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected.

  Here, for example, in the state where the connection of the connectors 370a, 370b, 374a, 374b on the harness 380 side is completed, and the connection of the connectors 372a, 372b, 376a, 376b on the harness 382 side is not completed, the gaming machine 100 Is turned on.

  In this case, the relay board 350 can receive the second latch signal and the clock signal via the harness 380. In the relay board 350, the input unit 222 generates a serial signal based on the second latch signal and the clock signal, and transmits the serial signal from the SO terminal of the input unit 222c. However, since the connectors 372a, 372b, 376a, and 376b in the middle of the transmission path of the serial signal are not electrically connected, the serial signal, that is, the identification information is not transmitted from the design unit 400 to the sub control board 330. Become. As a result, the sub-control board 330 acquires the serial signal whose logic is fixed, that is, the identification information whose logic is fixed.

  In the identification executing means 336, the normal identification information in the identification table is compared with the identification information whose logic is fixed. The identification information whose logic is fixed has a high probability that it does not match the regular identification information. Then, the identification executing unit 336 causes the notification unit 360 to notify that the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected.

  Further, for example, in a state where the connection of the connectors 372a, 372b, 376a, 376b on the harness 382 side has been completed, and the connection of the connectors 370a, 370b, 374a, 374b on the harness 380 side has not been completed, Assume that the power is turned on.

  In this case, since the connectors 370a, 370b, 374a, and 374b in the middle of the transmission path of the second latch signal and the clock signal are not electrically connected, the relay board 350 receives the second latch signal and the clock signal. Can not. As a result, the input section 222 does not generate a serial signal including the identification information. As a result, also in this case, the sub-control board 330 acquires identification information whose logic is fixed. As a result, the identification execution unit 336 compares the identification information with the fixed logic as the identification information to be compared, and notifies the notification unit 360 that the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected. .

  The power of the gaming machine 100 was turned on in a state where the connection was not completed for any of the connectors 370a, 370b, 374a, 374b on the harness 380 side and the connectors 372a, 372b, 376a, 376b on the harness 382 side. Also in this case, similarly to the above, it is notified that the corresponding design unit 400 is not properly connected.

  Although the wiring between the relay board 350 and the relay board 352 has been described as an example, the wiring between the relay board 352 and the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104 and the wiring between the relay board 354 and the sub-control board 330 The same applies to the wiring of (1).

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the second latch signal and the clock signal are transmitted and received via the harness 380, and the serial signal is transmitted and received via the harness 382. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, even when a plurality of harnesses 380 and 382 are arranged in parallel, the design unit 400 can be electrically and reliably identified.

  In the fourth embodiment, in addition to being able to identify that the different design units 400 are connected, the design unit 400 can appropriately disconnect the electrical unconnection of the design unit 400 regardless of the model of the design unit 400. It can be identified that the unit 400 is not connected.

  In the fourth embodiment, the second latch signal and the clock signal are assigned to the harness 380, and the serial signal is assigned to the harness 382. However, the assignment of the second latch signal, the clock signal, and the serial signal to the harnesses 380 and 382 is not limited to this mode. For example, a clock signal may be assigned to harness 380, and a second latch signal and a serial signal may be assigned to harness 382.

  Moreover, two harnesses 380 and 382 were arranged in parallel. However, three harnesses may be arranged in parallel. In this case, the second latch signal, the clock signal, and the serial signal may be distributed and assigned to each of the three harnesses.

  Further, the contents of the notification due to the discrepancy of the identification information in the state where all the connectors 370a, 370b, 372a, 372b, 374a, 374b, 376a, 376b are completed, and the connectors 370a, 370b, 372a, 372b, 374a, The content of the notification based on the mismatch of the identification information in a state where at least one of the connections 374b, 376a, and 376b is not completed may be different.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a relay board 350 of a design unit 400 according to the fifth embodiment.

  In the fifth embodiment, the detection switch 240a is connected to the input port D0 of the input unit 222c. That is, the detection result of the detection switch 240a is input to the input port D0 of the input unit 222c.

  The detection switch 240a is, for example, an effect touch sensor 210s. When the detection switch 240a is the effect touch sensor 210s, for example, when a touch is not detected, a detection result of Hi is output, and when a touch is detected, a detection result of Low is output.

  One end of a resistor 242a is connected to a wiring between the output terminal of the detection switch 240a and the input port D0. The other end of the resistor 242a is connected to a power supply of a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V). Here, the output system of the detection switch 240a is an open collector or an open drain. The resistor 242a is provided to set the voltage of the Hi detection result to a predetermined voltage (5V) when the detection switch 240a outputs the Hi detection result.

  The detection switch 240b is connected to the input port D1 of the input unit 222c via the inverter 244. That is, the detection result of the detection switch 240b is input to the input port D1 of the input unit 222c.

  The detection switch 240b is, for example, a limit sensor for confirming the initial position of the effect product device 202. In the case where the detection switch 240b is such a limit sensor, for example, a detection result of Hi is output when the production accessory device 202 is at the initial position, and when the production accessory device 202 is not at the initial position, it is Low. Is output.

  One end of a resistor 242b is connected to the wiring between the output terminal of the detection switch 240b and the inverter 244. The other end of the resistor 242b is connected to a power supply of a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V). The resistor 242b is provided to set the voltage of the Hi detection result to a predetermined voltage (5 V) when the detection switch 240b outputs the Hi detection result, similarly to the resistor 242a.

  The inverter 244 logically inverts the detection result of the detection switch 240b. As a result, the detection result of Hi output from the detection switch 240b is logically inverted and input to the input port D1 as the detection result of Low, and the detection result of Low output from the detection switch 240b is logically inverted and Hi Is input to the input port D1 as a detection result. That is, the inverter 244 is provided to match the logic of the detection result input to the input port D1 with desired identification information.

  The identification information setting unit 224 is connected to input ports (D2 to D7) of the input unit 222c. That is, of the 8-bit identification information set by the identification information setting unit 224, the upper 6 bits excluding the lower 2 bits are input to the input ports (D2 to D7).

  Here, the detection result of the detection switch 240a input to the input port D0 is used as the least significant bit of the identification information at the time of identification, and the detection result of the detection switch 240b input to the input port D1 is used at the time of identification. , The second least significant bit of the identification information. That is, here, the detection result of the detection switch 240a, the detection result of the detection switch 240b, and the six bits of the identification information setting unit 224 constitute one identification information.

  When the detection switch 240a is the staging touch sensor 210s, the Hi detection result is input to the input port D0 when no touch is detected, so the least significant bit of the identification information indicates Hi.

  When the detection switch 240b is a limit sensor as described above, a Low detection result obtained by logically inverting the Hi detection result is input to the input port D1 when the production accessory device 202 is at the initial position. The second least significant bit of the identification information indicates Low. The inverter 244 is inserted to set the second least significant bit of the identification information to Low instead of Hi.

  For example, when the detection result of the detection switch 240b at the time of identification is Hi and the second lowest bit in the identification information is set to Hi, the inverter 244 can be omitted. For example, when the detection result of the detection switch 240a at the time of identification is Hi and the least significant bit in the identification information is set to Low, the inverter 244 is inserted between the detection switch 240a and the input port D0. As described above, the insertion and the omission of the inverter 244 are performed to match the identification information.

  Also in the fifth embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Here, the power of the gaming machine 100 is turned on without touching the effect touch sensor 210s which is the detection switch 240a. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is performed. When the initialization process is performed, the effect product device 202 is arranged at the initial position. Since the power is turned on without touching the production touch sensor 210s, a Hi detection result indicating that no touch is detected is input from the detection switch 240a to the input port D0. In addition, since the stage effect device device 202 is arranged at the initial position by the initialization process, it indicates that the stage effect device device 202 is at the initial position, and the logically inverted Low detection result is input from the detection switch 240b to the input port. It will be input to D1.

  After the initialization processing, the identification execution unit 336 acquires identification information. The identification executing unit 336 causes the data receiving unit 342b to transmit the second latch signal and causes the data transmitting unit 342a to transmit the clock signal in order to acquire the identification information. The input unit 222c latches the identification information input to the input ports (D0 to D7) into the shift register at the falling of the second latch signal. That is, when acquiring the identification information, the detection result of the detection switch 240a and the detection result of the detection switch 240b are latched as a part of the identification information. The input unit 222c transmits a serial signal obtained by serializing the identification information from the SO terminal based on the clock signal. As a result, the identification execution unit 336 acquires the identification information.

  Then, the identification executing means 336 compares the obtained identification information with the regular identification information as the identification information of the comparison target, and when the identification information of the comparison target does not match the regular identification information, the design unit 400 appropriately responding. The notifying unit 360 notifies that the connection is not established.

  If the identification information to be compared matches the regular identification information, the process proceeds to normal processing. During the normal processing, when the second latch signal and the clock signal are transmitted, a serial signal including bits input to the input ports (D0 to D7) of the input unit 222c is transmitted to the data receiving unit 342b.

  For example, during the normal processing, when the effect touch sensor 210s, which is the detection switch 240a, detects a touch, a Low detection result indicating that the touch has been detected is input to the input port D0. As a result, the Low detection result is latched at the position of the input port D0. When the limit sensor, which is the detection switch 240b, does not detect the special effect device 202 at the initial position, the input port D1 indicates that the special effect device 202 is not detected at the initial position. The detection result is input. As a result, the detection result of Hi is latched at the position of the input port D1. Thus, the detection results of the detection switches 240a and 240b are reflected on the input ports D0 and D1.

  During normal processing, the sub CPU 330a processes the bits of the serial signal at the positions of the input ports D0 and D1 of the input section 222c as bits indicating the detection results of the detection switches 240a and 240b.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the identification information setting unit 224 and the detection switches 240a and 240b are connected to the input unit 222c in parallel. In the fifth embodiment, the detection results of the detection switches 240a and 240b are processed as bits constituting identification information at the time of identification, and are processed as bits indicating the detection results at the time of normal processing. Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in input ports (that is, the input unit 222) due to input of identification information.

  In the fifth embodiment, the example in which the detection switch 240a is the effect touch sensor 210s and the detection switch 240b is the limit sensor has been described. However, the detection switches 240a and 240b are not limited to this example, and may be various detection switches. You may. For example, the detection switches 240a and 240b may be depression detection switches of an effect button in which various effects are performed by a pressing operation. Further, the detection switches 240a and 240b are not limited to the detection switches, and may be detection units that can output a detection result and input the result to an input port.

  Also, for example, information indicating the rotation angle of the motor that controls the position of the stage effect device 202 (that is, the position of the stage effect device 202) (for example, the upper two bits of the information indicating the position) is input. The signals may be input to the input ports D0 and D1 of the unit 222c.

  Further, the detection switch 240a is connected to the input port D0 of the input unit 222c, and the detection switch 240b is connected to the input port D1 of the input unit 222c. However, the connection destination of the detection switches 240a and 240b is not limited to the input ports D0 and D1, and may be any of the input ports (D0 to D7) latched as identification information.

  Also, two detection switches 240a and 240b are connected to the input unit 222c to which the identification information is input. However, the number of detection switches connected to the input unit 222c is not limited to two. The detection switches can be connected to the input unit 222c by the number of bits constituting the identification information at the maximum.

  Further, since the identification information differs depending on the model, the inverter 244 is appropriately inserted and omitted between the input port (D0 to D7) and the detection switch connected to the input port (D0 to D7) according to the identification information. May be.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  In each embodiment, the design unit 400 is identified by comparing the identification information. However, it is sufficient that the design unit 400 can be electrically identified, and the invention is not limited to a mode of comparing identification information.

  For example, the design unit 400 is provided with a resistor having a different resistance value for each model, and when the design unit 400 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 330, a closed circuit including the resistor of the design unit 400 is provided. Is formed. Then, the sub-control board 330 may measure the voltage or current of the closed circuit, and identify the design unit 400 based on the measurement result.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the design unit 400 is provided with a connector having a different arrangement of contacts, and a power supply line is connected to the contact of this connector, for example. When the harness is connected to the connector of the design unit 400, only the wires corresponding to the contacts of the connector of the design unit 400 are electrically connected. The sub-control board 330 may check the continuity of the connected wires, and identify the design unit 400 based on the arrangement or combination of the connected wires.

  Further, the identification of the design unit 400 is not limited to the mode in which the identification of the design unit 400 is performed electrically, and the identification of the design unit 400 may be performed mechanically. For example, the design mechanism of the design unit 400 may be different depending on the model, and the design unit 400 may be identified based on whether or not the design unit 400 can be connected to the front frame 106 or the like. Further, for example, the size and shape of the connectors 370a and 372a of the relay board 350 may be different for each model, and the design unit 400 may be identified based on whether or not the connection to the connectors 370a and 372a is possible. In these cases, the attachment mechanism and the connectors 370a and 372a function as identification means for identifying the design unit 400.

  Further, in each embodiment, the design unit 400 is provided with the identification information setting unit 224, and the sub-control board 330 acquires the identification information from the design unit 400 to perform the identification. However, the identification information setting unit 224 may be provided on the game board 108, and a control unit that acquires identification information from the game board 108 and performs identification may be provided on the design unit 400. When a control unit for performing identification is provided in the design unit 400, output information including identification information may be transmitted from the sub-control board 330 to the design unit 400. Then, the control unit of the design unit 400 compares the identification information stored in advance with the identification information acquired from the sub-control board 330, and, if the identification information does not match, causes the effect lighting device 204 or the like to be intensely blinked or the like to be notified. You may.

  Further, in each embodiment, the design unit 400 (first design unit 400) is not limited to the one attached to the front frame 106. For example, the design unit 400 may be attached to the middle frame 104 or may be attached to the outer frame 102. For example, when the design unit 400 is attached to the middle frame 104, the relay board 350 of the design unit 400 is electrically connected to the relay board 354 of the middle frame 104 without passing through the relay board 352 of the front frame 106. Is also good. In the third embodiment, the second design unit 450 is attached to the front frame 106 via the first design unit 400. However, the second design unit 450 may be attached to the middle frame 104 or the outer frame 102 via the first design unit 400, or may be directly attached to the front frame 106, the middle frame 104, or the outer frame 102. Good.

  Further, in each embodiment, the notification is performed when the identification information does not match, and the notification is not performed when the identification information matches. However, when the identification information matches, the process may shift to the normal process after notifying that the corresponding design unit 400 is appropriately connected.

  Although the assembly unit 500 that functions as an attachment mechanism for attaching the design unit 400 to the front frame is provided in the design unit 400, the attachment mechanism may be provided in the front frame.

  In addition, the middle frame 104 in each embodiment is equivalent to the game board holding frame of the present invention.

  Further, the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104, and the front frame 106 in each embodiment correspond to one or more frames of the present invention.

  Further, the design unit 400 (first design unit 400) and the second design unit 450 in each embodiment correspond to the structure of the present invention.

  In addition, the sub control board 330 in each embodiment and the main control board 300 in the second embodiment correspond to identification means for identifying whether or not the structure corresponds to the game board 108, and Corresponds to a control unit that electrically determines whether or not it corresponds to the game board 108.

100 gaming machine 104 middle frame (game board holding frame)
106 Front frame (frame)
108 gaming board 222c input unit 330 sub-control board (control unit)
400 Design unit (structure)

Claims (1)

A game board forming a game area;
A plurality of frames including at least a first holding frame on which the game board is held, and a second holding frame on which a transmission plate positioned on the front side of the game area is held;
A structure attached to the frame, and associated with identification information uniquely assigned to each model,
A control unit that identifies whether or not the structure corresponds to the game board, based on the identification information obtained from the structure,
A gaming machine in which the identification information based on the detecting means is transmitted to the control unit through the structure.

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