JP2023029101A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine that facilitates grasping whether a game machine is in a state in which an inspection is possible or in a state in which a game can be played.SOLUTION: First notification is executed in a stay period of an inspection possible state. A game possible state is a state that can be set after the inspection possible state is started, and when it is set after the inspection possible state is started, second notification is executed. A second game device different from a first game device is used for the first notification and the second notification. An inspection related to the first game device executed in the inspection possible state includes an inspection that changes the first game device by a first operation mode. In a notification period of the first notification, an operation mode of the second game device is maintained even when the first game device is changed by the first operation mode. When power interruption occurs while the first game device is being operated in the inspection possible state, and power activation which is not accompanied by RAM clear processing is executed after the power interruption, the game possible state is set without going through the inspection possible state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to a pachinko game machine.

In general, pachinko gaming machines are equipped with a large number of devices for use in game execution and game-related presentations, etc., and some are provided with dedicated states for testing these devices (e.g. , see Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-015191 A

In a gaming machine such as that described in Patent Document 1, the behavior of a device in a testable state and the behavior of a device in a playable state have different meanings. is preferably clearly identifiable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems described above, and provides a gaming machine in which it is easy to grasp whether it is in a state in which it is possible to be inspected or in which it is possible to play.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of shooting game balls, obtaining prize balls based on the winning of game balls into a prize winning opening, and executing RAM clear processing when the power is turned on. a plurality of gaming devices to be used; and state management means for setting a playable state in which a game can be executed and a testable state in which a first gaming device out of the plurality of gaming devices can be inspected; The checkable state is a state that can be set after the power is turned on with the RAM clearing process, the first notification is executed during the stay period of the checkable state, and the playable state is the start of the checkable state. A state that can be set after the state is set, and a second notification is executed when the state is set after the inspection possible state is started, and the first game and the second notification include the first game A second game device different from the device is used, and the test related to the first game device that can be performed in the testable state includes changing the first game device in a first operation mode. Even if the first game device changes in the first operation mode during the notification period of the first notification, the operation mode of the second game device is maintained, and in the testable state the When power failure occurs while the first gaming device is operating in the first operation mode, the operation of the first gaming device is stopped, and after the power failure, the power is turned on without performing the RAM clearing process. is performed, the game-enabled state is set without going through the check-enabled state.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that makes it easy to grasp whether it is in a state in which inspection is possible or in a state in which it is possible to play.

1 is a front view of a game machine; FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern display apparatus arrange|positioned at area|region II shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in an area III shown in FIG. 1 and the periphery thereof; It is a figure which shows the game board installed in a game machine. It is a rear view of the gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing a control configuration provided in the gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration provided in the gaming machine. It is a figure which shows typically the lottery table used by the lottery in a main control board. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of power restoration recovery processing; It is a figure which shows the display mode of the production|presentation display apparatus corresponding to each information performed by a power recovery process execution means. 10 is a time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process. 10 is a time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process. When the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process, and when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the operation of the solenoid is being checked, the operation mode of each game device changes. It is a time chart showing how to do. A time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process and an error is detected in the testable state. is. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process and an error is detected in the playable state; FIG. be.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the front side (player side) of the gaming machine 10 as shown in FIG. ) shall be designated as viewed from the
In the following explanation, "advantageous" refers to being advantageous to the player, and unless otherwise specified, the acquisition of prize balls or medals, excluding special effects such as so-called premium images Refers to being advantageous in terms of quantity (payout of game balls or medals).

<Overview>
Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, an overview of features of the present embodiment will be described.
The gaming machine 10 is a so-called pachinko gaming machine, can shoot game balls, can obtain prize balls based on the winning of game balls into a winning opening, and can execute RAM clear processing when the power is turned on. The gaming machine 10 includes a plurality of gaming devices and state management means.

The above game device is a general term for various devices (apparatuses) used for games. In this embodiment, at least the movable body 22, the speaker 33, the effect lamp 35, the board surface decoration lamp 30, the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, the effect display device 80, and the pattern display device 90 and included in these Although it is assumed that the constituent elements used correspond to gaming devices, the gaming devices are not limited to these in the implementation of the present invention.

The above state management means sets a playable state and a checkable state. The state management means in the present embodiment is a function realized by the main control board 100, and specifically corresponds to the power recovery process executing means 180. FIG. However, in the implementation of the present invention, the board that implements the state management means does not necessarily have to be the main control board, and may be implemented by another board.

The testable state is a state in which a first game device out of a plurality of game devices can be tested and can be set after power-on with RAM clear processing. Notification is performed.
The above playable state is a state in which a game can be executed, a state that can be set after the testable state is started, and is set after the testable state is started. Notification is performed. The playable state in the present embodiment corresponds to the execution period of symbol variation, the execution period of the big win game, the execution period of the small win game, and the period of stopping or waiting for these.
A second gaming device different from the first gaming device is used for the first notification and the second notification.

The first gaming device is a gaming device to be inspected in the inspectable state, and the second gaming device is a gaming device not to be inspected in the inspectable state. The number of gaming devices corresponding to the first gaming device and the second gaming device is not particularly limited, and each may be single or plural.
The first game device in this embodiment will be described below as corresponding to the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and the pattern display device 90. FIG.
The speaker 33, the effect lamp 35, and the effect display device 80 correspond to the second game device in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the board decoration lamp 30 will be described below as a game device (third game device) that does not correspond to either the first game device or the second game device.
It should be noted that the above classification of gaming devices (first gaming device, second gaming device, and third gaming device) is merely a specific example, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. is.

In the gaming machine 10, the inspection related to the first gaming device that can be performed in the inspection enabled state includes changing the first gaming device in the first operation mode, and during the notification period of the first notification, the second Even if one gaming device changes to the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained, and while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the testable state. When power failure occurs, the operation of the first gaming device is stopped, and when the power is turned on without RAM clear processing after the power failure, the game ready state is set without going through the inspection ready state. Characterized by
Here, "the first gaming device changes in the first operation mode" means that the first gaming device changes in the operation mode (first operation mode) corresponding to the test related to the first gaming device.
Further, "maintaining the operating mode of the second gaming device" means that the operating mode of the second gaming device is constant, and the operating mode is continuous in an operating mode that does not depend on changes in the first gaming device. (for example, repeating a predetermined lighting pattern when the second gaming device is a lamp).

Since the game machine 10 has the above-described features, it is possible to clearly distinguish between the checkable state and the playable state and to notify the game machine 10 so that the hall clerk or the like can surely recognize the state of the game machine 10.例文帳に追加can be done.
The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

<Regarding the structure of the game machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.
1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in the area II shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a game board 50 installed in the game machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the game machine 10. FIG.
It should be noted that each configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is only necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown here are added to the gaming machine 10. You may Also, the game machine 10 does not necessarily have all of the configurations shown here, and some of the configurations or functions may be omitted to the extent that the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The game machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, and shoots game balls onto a front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a game board 50 on which a large number of game nails (not shown) are erected. Then, when a game ball enters a winning hole (for example, the big winning hole 55 or the like), a prize ball is obtained. In the following description, the entry of a game ball into a winning hole may be simply expressed as "winning (into a winning hole)".

Therefore, it can be said that the game machine 10 can shoot game balls, and prize balls can be obtained based on the winning of game balls into the prize winning openings.

The game machine 10 is configured to cover the front side of the game board 50 with a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that opens forward and backward, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds the game board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and the game board 50. and a front frame 20 that has been formed.

The middle frame 17 is supported by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed to the front side of the outer frame 15 . The middle frame 17 is locked and unlocked by the cylinder lock 23 (insert the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the front frame (right in this embodiment). ) is possible.
In this embodiment, a middle frame door open sensor 76 for detecting whether or not the middle frame 17 is open is provided. The middle frame door open sensor 76 is turned ON when the middle frame 17 is open, and is turned OFF when the middle frame 17 is closed.

The front frame 20 is rotatably supported by a hinge mechanism 21 centering on the left end side, and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17 . The front frame 20 is locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert the door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment). ) is possible.
In addition, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the game area 50a and the game board 50 as seen through.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an upper ball tray 28 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 28 and the lower ball tray 29 are separated vertically and provided integrally with the front frame 20. .
The front frame 20 also has an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 28 are shot toward the game area 50a. It's like

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving tray 28, a group of operation buttons to be operated by the player are arranged. This operation button group is provided with a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting return operation of the prepaid card as the main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100, which will be described later. 1 As an operation unit electrically connected to the sub-control board 200, an effect button that can accept a player's operation for switching the effect that occurs during the game or for obtaining various information related to the gaming machine 10. 37, and cursor buttons 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) for instructing up, down, left, and right operations, respectively. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit based on a change in the detection state of the sensor. These operating units are provided on the front side of the game board 50 .
Further, the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b are used to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 33, which will be described later, and the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d are used to adjust the effect lamp 35 and the effect display device, which will be described later. 80 is operated to adjust the brightness.

Below the lower ball receiving tray 29, a ball removing mechanism 36 for discharging game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided. By operating the ball extraction mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is opened, and the game ball is naturally dropped from the bottom opening and discharged.
Although not shown, the upper ball receiving tray 28 is provided with a mechanism for moving the stored ball to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operating it, similar to the ball removing mechanism 36. By operating both mechanisms 36, it is possible to eject the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are provided on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of light-transmitting covers, and effect lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are provided inside the covers, respectively. there is The speaker 33 and the production lamp 35 can output sound or turn on or off in conjunction with production, error production, or the like that occurs during the game.

The effect display device 80 is a liquid crystal display device arranged substantially in the center of the game board 50, and decorations performed in conjunction with variable display on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later. A variable display of symbols can be displayed, and various other effects can also be displayed.

In the variable display of the decorative symbols displayed on the performance display device 80, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. The direction of the variable display of each pattern row is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, the depth direction, or a combination thereof (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction is actually a two-dimensional variable display on the display screen of the effect display device 80, but the decorative pattern is displayed from the back of the effect display device 80 toward the front or the opposite direction. It refers to a virtual direction recognized by a player in a display mode using a technique (for example, the perspective method) that makes the player recognize that the display is changing.
In addition, the decorative patterns in this embodiment include "1 pattern" imitating the number "1", "2 patterns" imitating the number "2", "3 patterns" imitating the number "3", "4 patterns" imitating the number "4", "5 patterns" imitating the number "5", "6 patterns" imitating the number "6", "7 patterns" imitating the number "7" , "8 symbols" imitating the number "8", and "9 symbols" imitating the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, "1 pattern", "3 patterns", "5 patterns", "7 patterns", and "9 patterns" are collectively referred to as "odd number patterns", and "2 patterns" and "4 patterns". , “6 symbols” and “8 symbols” may be collectively referred to as “even number symbols”.

Although a liquid crystal display device is adopted as the effect display device 80 in this embodiment, implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type and a dot matrix type can be employed as the effect display device 80 .

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the effect display device 80, and these LEDs constitute the display area of the pattern display device 90. A special symbol and a normal symbol are displayed on the symbol display device 90 .
Also, the pattern display device 90 is arranged at a position that is more difficult for the player to visually recognize than the effect display device 80, and the display area of the pattern display device 90 is smaller than the display region of the effect display device 80. .
Note that the arrangement and number of LEDs associated with the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in FIG. not to be

The special symbol is a symbol stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to activate the special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92 .
In addition, the special design may be abbreviated as "special design", the first special design as "special design 1", and the second special design as "special design 2".

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stop-displayed as a result of the symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate the normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal design in this embodiment is displayed on the normal design display device 93 .
In addition, the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "normal figure", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "electric chew".

The symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96 in addition to the display devices described above.
The first special symbol reservation lamp 94 can specify the number of reserved special symbol 1 symbol variations, and the second special symbol reservation lamp 95 can specify the number of reserved special symbol 2 symbol variations. And, the normal design reservation lamp 96 makes it possible to specify the number of design fluctuations of the normal design that is reserved, and both are lighting modes of two LEDs (in this embodiment, only right lighting = 1, left and right lighting constantly = 2, right blinking + left constant lighting = 3, left and right blinking = 4), the number of corresponding symbol variations can be specified.

In the following description, the symbol variation that stops and displays the special symbol after the special symbol is displayed by the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol". In the description, the symbol variation in which the normal symbol is stopped and displayed after the normal symbol display device 93 is variably displayed may be referred to as "symbol variation of the normal symbol".
Further, in the following description, the variable display of the decorative symbols displayed on the effect display device 80 is referred to as "decorative symbol variations" to distinguish it from "special symbol variations" and "universal symbol variations". sometimes referred to as
It should be noted that, in the following description, when simply referred to as "symbol variation", it means the symbol variation of special symbols unless otherwise specified.

On the front surface of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. 4, obstacles such as a large number of game nails (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative members are arranged so that the launched game balls roll. A game area 50a is defined in .
Further, on the left side and the upper side of the game area 50a, curved outer rails 51 and inner rails 53 are provided to guide game balls shot by rotating the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a. It is The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with reference to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a peg-shaped mechanism for changing the falling direction of the game ball.

The gaming machine 10 is capable of adjusting the strength of the launch of the game ball depending on the magnitude of the rotational operation amount (for example, the rotation angle) of the operating handle 31. Various obstacles are placed in the game area 50a so that the game ball rolls on either X (so-called left-handed hitting) or the second flow path Y (so-called right-handed hitting) where the game ball hit harder rolls. are placed.

In FIG. 4, the main winning openings 55, 1st starting opening 57, 2nd starting opening 59, gate 63, and general winning opening 67 are illustrated as main winning openings. , and the arrangement is an example, and the number and arrangement thereof may be changed as appropriate as long as the roles described below are satisfied.

The big winning opening 55 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 50a. A large winning hole sensor 72 is attached to the big winning hole 55, and the winning to the big winning hole 55 is determined by the detection result of the big winning hole sensor 72, and the number (15) associated with the big winning hole 55 is determined. ball) prize balls are awarded.
In addition, in this embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, more game balls roll toward the big winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Each obstacle is placed.

A special electric accessory 65 is arranged above the big prize opening 55 . The special electric accessory 65 is a member that switches between an open state in which it is easy to win a prize in the big prize opening 55 and a closed state in which it is difficult to enter a ball. Transition to one of the states.

The special electric accessory 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the big win game set due to the fact that the big win is derived by the special figure win/loss determination described later, and accordingly the special electric accessory 65 enters the big win opening 55. is allowed. In this way, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, the jackpot game in which it is easy to enter the big prize slot 55 and the chances of winning prize balls is greatly increased is considered to be an advantageous game state. I can say
Furthermore, in the jackpot game, the open state and the closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are alternately set, and one open state (sometimes referred to as “round”, the total number of rounds generated in one jackpot is (may be referred to as "number of rounds") ends based on the fact that a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the big winning hole 55, and the special electric accessory 65 becomes closed. In addition, one open state is also ended based on the passage of a sufficient time (in this embodiment, 30s (seconds)) for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the big winning opening 55. do. Here, when the special electric accessory 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls in one round, it cannot be immediately closed. Therefore, in one round, more than 10 game balls may enter the big winning slot 55, and this winning may be referred to as over winning.

In this embodiment, a specific area (not shown) is provided in the big winning opening 55, and a detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the specific area. This detection sensor detects that the game ball has passed through the specific area. Hereinafter, the specific area may be referred to as the V winning area, and the passage of the game ball through the V winning area may be referred to as the V winning.

In addition, the special electric auditors 65 will be in the open state also in at least a part of the small hit game caused by the fact that the small hit was derived by the special figure success/failure determination. In this embodiment, the time to be in the open state is set shorter than in the big hit game. Therefore, it can be said that the small winning game is a game state more disadvantageous than the big winning game.

The first starting port 57 is arranged in the central lower part of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning to the first starting hole 57 is determined by the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and is associated with the first starting hole 57. The determined number (4 in this embodiment) of prize balls are awarded. In at least a part when the winning to the first starting port 57 is determined, the symbol variation of the special figure 1 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls roll toward the first start port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. It is assumed that an obstacle such as a game nail is arranged so as to roll.

The second starting port 59 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning to the second starting hole 59 is determined by the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and is associated with the second starting hole 59. The determined number (in this embodiment, 1) of prize balls are awarded.
In at least a part when the winning to the second starting port 59 is determined, the pattern variation of the special figure 2 will be performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls roll toward the second start port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. It is assumed that an obstacle such as a game nail is arranged so as to roll.

A normal electric accessory 61 is arranged in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59 . The normal electric accessory 61 is a member that switches between an open state in which it is easy to enter a game ball in the second starting port 59 or a closed state in which it is difficult to enter a game ball. transitions to either an open state or a closed state.
More specifically, the normal electric accessory 61 is in an open state in at least a part of the game per normal pattern that is performed by winning with the pattern variation of the normal pattern, and accordingly the winning to the second start port 59. is allowed. In this way, when the normal electric accessory 61 is in the open state, it becomes easier to win the second starting port 59. Therefore, while suppressing the reduction of the game ball by the prize ball, the pattern fluctuation of the special figure 2 It can greatly increase the chances of being executed.
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the special electric accessory 65 is on the downstream side of the normal electric accessory 61 in the second flow path Y. As shown in FIG.

The gate 63 is arranged in the right central portion of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and passage of the game ball to the gate 63 (this case may also be referred to as winning) is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning to the gate 63 is determined, the pattern variation of the normal pattern will be performed. In the present embodiment, no prize balls are given even if winning to the gate 63 is determined.
In addition, in this embodiment, compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, when rolling from the second flow path Y, more game balls roll toward the gate 63 so that each obstacle things are placed.

The general winning openings 67 (67a, 67b) are arranged in the lower left part of the game area 50a. A general winning slot sensor 73 is attached to the general winning slot 67, and the winning to the general winning slot 67 is determined by the detection result of the general winning slot sensor 73, and the winning to the general winning slot 67 is determined. The determined number (4 in this embodiment) of prize balls are awarded. More specifically, a general winning opening sensor 73a (not shown) is attached to the general winning opening 67a, and a general winning opening sensor 73b (not shown) is attached to the general winning opening 67b.
Further, in this embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the second flow path Y, more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X. Each obstacle is arranged, but each obstacle may be arranged so that many game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. .

The out port 69 is arranged at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is hit into the game area 50a and does not enter the above-described winning holes falls into an out hole 69 and is processed as an out ball.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of movable bodies 22 are provided on the front surface of the game board, and are used for effects together with the effect image displayed on the effect display device 80 and the audio data output from the speaker 33. .
In this embodiment, the upper movable body 22a is provided above the effect display device 80 provided on the game board, and the left and right movable bodies 22b are provided on the left and right sides of the effect display device 80. Drive controlled to position.

An upper movable body lamp 24a is provided inside the upper movable body 22a, and a left and right movable body lamp 24b is provided inside the left and right movable body 22b. The upper movable body lamp 24a and the left and right movable body lamps 24b use full-color LEDs.
In addition, on the front surface of the game board 50, . As shown in FIG. 4, together with the effect image displayed on the effect display device 80 and the audio data output from the speaker 33, board surface decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b) used for effect are also provided. The board surface decoration lamp 30 uses a full-color LED.

On the back of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. A second sub-control board case 309 storing a control board 300, a power control board case 509 storing a power control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 storing a payout control board 400 are attached. In addition to the rear surfaces of the control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening/closing cover 45 that covers part of the rear surface of the main control board case 109 is detachably attached.
The substrate case and cover that cover each substrate are made of a member having transparency, and the corresponding substrate can be visually recognized through each case and cover.

The power control board 500 is provided with a power switch 40 and a RAM clear switch 43 which are operated to supply the game machine 10 with primary power supplied from the power supply facility of the game island.
The RAM clear switch 43 is a switch that is operated when instructing RAM clear processing, which will be described later, and is a switch that is operated when ending the testable state according to the present invention. The RAM clear switch 43 is electrically connected to the RAM clear switch circuit 504 .
When installed on the game island, unless the middle frame 17 is opened, it becomes difficult to operate each operation unit (power switch 40, RAM clear switch 43, etc.) provided on the back side of the game board 50. there is

A game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is arranged on the back surface of the game board 50 above the opening/closing cover 45 . The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 connected to the upper ball tray 28 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls put out by the payout unit 48 pass through the payout passage 49. is paid out to the upper ball receiving tray 28.

So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described, but these are only specific examples, and the present invention can also be implemented with another structure.

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. Note that the control configuration shown in FIG. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in FIG.

The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processing related to games, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a temporary storage area and a buffer memory, and peripherals. Equipped with an I/O port 104 for inputting and outputting signals between the board and each device, and a random number circuit 105 for generating random numbers (hard random numbers) by operating in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101, These are interconnected via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing, thereby executing various processes related to the main control of the game.
The RAM 103 is backed up by backup power generated in a backup power supply circuit 502, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, when power is restored after a power failure, various types of information are backed up so that the game machine 10 can be restored to the state immediately before the power failure. is configured to For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register held when power failure occurs, the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time, the current special drawing lottery state, the current normal drawing drawing state, and the jackpot game Information related to the game, such as whether or not, stop symbols of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2, reservation information of the symbol variation, the number of round games in the big hit game, etc., are backed up.

In the present embodiment, at least an area in which such game-related information is stored (sometimes referred to as a game-related area of the RAM 103) and a checksum complement and a backup flag for the game-related area of the RAM 103 are stored. is stored (sometimes referred to as a game-related backup information area of the RAM 103) is backed up.
When power is restored, the gaming machine 10 is restored using the backed-up various information stored in the game-related area of the RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of the RAM 103 .

A specific backup method in this embodiment is not limited at all. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be implemented with a configuration that can hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power failure state. As another example, in the RAM 103, different hardware is provided for a first memory configured to be able to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power failure state and a second memory referred to when the game machine 10 operates. In that case, the gaming machine 10 saves the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when the power is cut off, and transfers the saved information from the first memory to the first memory when the power is restored. It is sufficient to recover to the second memory.

In addition, the main control board 100 includes a first starting opening sensor 70, a second starting opening sensor 71, a large winning opening sensor 72, a general winning opening sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame door opening sensor 76, and the like. , and detection signals from these sensors can be input to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104 .

In addition, the main control board 100 includes a first special symbol display device 91, a second special symbol display device 92, a normal symbol display device 93, a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp. 96 , is electrically connected to the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66 , and configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104 .
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation section 39 and configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation section 39 .

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line. They are communicably connected only in the direction, and various control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 .
Data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 cannot request the main control board 100 to transmit data. is configured to
Also, in the present embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may be used.

The gaming machine 10 includes a first control board (main control board 100) and a second control board (first sub-control board 200) configured to be able to receive signals from the first control board in one direction. Be prepared.
In this embodiment, the main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are respectively illustrated as configurations corresponding to the first control board and the second control board according to the present invention. A first control board and a second control board may be realized by a combination of the boards.

The first sub-control board 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processing related to game effects based on the effect control command from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as effect control programs and various lottery tables, and a temporary storage area. and an I/O port 204 for inputting/outputting signals between peripheral boards and devices. It is configured to execute main control relating to game effects according to a control program stored in ROM 202 .
In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38 (more precisely, an operation detection switch (not shown) that detects the operation of the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38), It is configured to be able to detect operations on these.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, in the control processing based on the production control command or the power recovery return command from the main control board 100, the image control command and voice control to direct the image and sound to the second sub-control board 300 command, lamp control data for controlling lighting of various lamps such as upper movable internal lamp 24a, left and right movable internal lamp 24b, board decoration lamp 30 (30a, 30b), effect lamp 35, upper movable body 22a, left and right movable body 22b or the like is generated.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 so that two-way communication is possible, and various commands are transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300. , a response command (ACK command) indicating that the command was successfully received is transmitted from the second sub-control board 300 to the first sub-control board 200 as a response.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamp 24b, the board surface decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the effect lamp 35 through the I/O port 204. , to transmit lamp control data. The upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamp 24b, the board surface decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the effect lamp 35 are controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. It is configured.

The second sub-control board 300 stores a CPU 301 that performs various kinds of arithmetic processing related to image effects and sound effects based on control commands from the first sub-control board 200, control programs that control images and sounds, various data, and the like. It comprises a ROM 302, a RAM 303 functioning as a temporary storage area or a work area or a buffer memory, and an I/O port 304 for inputting/outputting signals between peripheral boards and devices. It is configured to execute main control related to various effects according to the control program.
In addition, although not shown, the second sub-control board 300 includes a VDP for generating image data in accordance with the content of the effect determined by the effect content determining means 225, which will be described later, based on the control signal received from the CPU 301, and the CPU 301. and a sound source IC that generates audio data based on the control signal received from the device. The VDP is a so-called image processor, reads image data stored in the image ROM according to instructions from the CPU 301 , processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the effect display device 80 . This VDP is connected to a high-speed VRAM used for developing and processing image data read out from the image ROM. The sound source IC reads the audio data stored in the audio ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU 301, and outputs the final audio data generated by synthesizing the read audio data to the speaker 33 via the amplifier.

More specifically, the second sub-control board 300 can perform audio control corresponding to multiple audio channels. When the second sub-control board 300 receives the voice control command from the first sub-control board 200, based on the voice control command, the second sub-control board 300 controls so that the instructed voice is output from the speaker 33 at the instructed volume. .
Here, the voice control command includes voice control data for each of a plurality of voice channels. Each audio control data includes data specifying the presence/absence of audio data, data indicating audio data to be reproduced, volume instruction data indicating volume, etc., for the corresponding audio channel.
Upon receiving the voice control command, the second sub-control board 300 is controlled based on the voice control command so that the instructed voice is output from the speaker 33 at the instructed volume. When audio data of a plurality of audio channels are designated by the audio control command, the designated audio data can be synthesized according to the designated volume for each audio channel.
Since the present embodiment does not limit the correspondence between voices and voice channels, the following description may omit the description of voice channels.

The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU 401, a ROM 402 and a RAM 403 (all not shown).
In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and controls the payout unit 48 based on the payout control command from the main control board 100 to pay out game balls. is executed, and the ball feeding mechanism and the shooting mechanism are synchronously driven based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31 to control the shooting of the game ball.

The power supply control board 500 generates a normal power supply circuit 501 for generating normal power supply to the electronic and electric parts such as the above-mentioned control board, and a backup power supply based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island. It is composed of a backup power supply circuit 502, a power failure detection circuit 503 that detects a power failure (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage), a RAM clear switch circuit 504, and the like.
The power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500, and on the premise that primary power is supplied from the power supply facility of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the normal power supply of the power control board 500 is turned on. A normal power supply is generated in the circuit 501, and power is supplied to electronic components and electrical components including the above-described control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). be done.
A RAM clear switch 43 is connected to the power control board 500. In this embodiment, when the power switch 40 is turned on while the RAM clear switch 43 is turned on, the RAM clear switch circuit 504 transmits an initialization signal to the main control board 100 and the payout control board 400 respectively. Upon receipt of this initialization signal, the main control board 100 executes RAM clear processing, which will be described later. Note that the trigger for the RAM clear switch circuit 504 to transmit the initialization signal is not limited to the example of this embodiment.

Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 can execute the RAM clearing process when the power is turned on.

In addition, when the power failure detection circuit 503 detects the power failure, the power supply control board 500 outputs a power failure signal (NMI signal) to the main control board 100, the first sub control board 200, and the payout control board 400 respectively. Send to
The backup power supply circuit 502 is charged when power is supplied to the game machine 10 from the power supply facility of the game island.
In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400, the power failure detection circuit 503 is not provided on the power control board 500, and the main control board 100, the first sub control board 200, and the payout control board 400 may be provided. Also, the RAM clear switch circuit 504 may be provided on the main control board 100 and the RAM clear switch 43 may also be connected to the main control board 100 .

<Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. The functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have functional configurations not shown in FIG. 8 to 10 may be referred to when describing the functional configuration.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes an entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main reservation control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special figure lottery means 130, a normal figure lottery means 135, and a jackpot game. Control means 140, symbol display control means 145, electric accessory control means 150, game state control means 155, main information storage means 160, main error control means 165, main command management means 170, power interruption processing execution means 175, and It is provided with electric processing execution means 180, and these means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG.

The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by means provided on the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in corresponding storage areas. . In particular, the data (effect control commands, etc.) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 are sent by the command transmission means to the subcommand management means 275 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later. sent.

The winning-ball determining means 110 determines whether or not a game has been won in each winning hole based on the detection result of the sensor provided in each winning hole.

The main random number generating means 115 can generate a plurality of types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and at the timing when it is determined that a prize has been won in the winning hole, the random number circuit 105 generates one or more random numbers corresponding to the winning hole. Get (latch) a random number.
More specifically, the main random number generating means 115, when it is determined that the winning to the first start port 57 or the second start port 59, to be described later, the random number for the special figure winning or not, the special figure stop symbol A random number for lottery and a random number for special figure variation pattern lottery are acquired. When the winning of the gate 63 is determined, the random number for determining whether the normal pattern is correct, the random number for the normal pattern lottery, and the random number for the normal pattern fluctuation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the main information storage means 160 correspondingly. Store in the area.

The main suspension control means 120 performs control related to suspension of the symbol variation of the special figure and suspension of the symbol variation of the normal figure. Regarding the special figure 1, the random number for the special figure judgment, the random number for the special figure stop pattern lottery, and the random number for the special figure fluctuation pattern lottery, which were obtained as a result of winning the first start port 57, It is withheld (stored) as the operation suspension information of FIG.
More specifically, the main reservation control means 120 is added by 1 each time the operation reservation information of the special figure 1 is reserved, and the operation reservation information of the special figure 1 is used (in the lottery of the special figure lottery means 130 used) is decremented by 1 for each (hereinafter referred to as "special figure 1 suspension counter"), and the value of the special figure 1 suspension counter reaches the upper limit (4 in this embodiment, the The operation suspension information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special figure 1 suspension counter of the main information storage means 160, and each time the operation suspension information is used, the used operation suspension information is cleared, and the remaining operation suspension Control is performed to move (shift) information from the current storage area to the storage area corresponding to the special figure 1 reservation counter which is 1 less than the current special figure 1 reservation counter in order from the smallest special figure 1 reservation counter.
In addition, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as the above-described control separately from the special figure 1 for the special figure 2 and the general figure, and the reservation counter for the special figure 2 is called the special figure 2 reservation counter.
In the following description, both "reservation of operation reservation information of special figure 1" and "reservation of operation reservation information of special figure 2" may be referred to as "reservation of pattern variation".

In addition, when the main reservation control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation reservation information (holding counter) of the special figure 1 or the special figure 2, the effect control including the special figure 1 reservation counter and the special figure 2 reservation counter A command (pending command) is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .
It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 1 and the operation holding information corresponding to the special figure 2 are reserved, the operation pending information corresponding to the special figure 2 is preferentially The priority variation used is done.
In addition, it is the operation suspension information of the special figure that is withheld during the big hit game, and the operation suspension information of the special figure that is used after the end of the big hit game (If preferential fluctuation is adopted as in this embodiment , the result of the special figure judgment when using special figure 2) is a big hit (preferably a probability variable big hit described later), which is sometimes referred to as "holding group".

A pre-determination means 125 executes pre-determination for a look-ahead performance targeting the operation suspension information at least in part when the operation suspension information of the special figure is suspended at a predetermined pre-determination timing.
More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads each random number of the operation suspension information reserved this time, and pre-determines each of the special figure propriety determination, the special figure stop symbol lottery, and the special figure fluctuation pattern lottery, which will be described later. Execute. In each preliminary determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary determination is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary determinations are the same as the results of the lottery executed later.
Further, the pre-determination means 125 generates an effect control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .
In addition, as described above, the pre-determination command is transmitted at least in part when the operation suspension information of the special figure is suspended at the predetermined timing of the pre-determination (generated and stored in the main information storage means 160 transmission command area), so it will be sent following the pending command described above. Here, the timing of the predetermined pre-judgment refers to the fact that it is not in the jackpot game, furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operation suspension information of the special figure 1 during the normal figure high probability is withheld, in advance It regulates the transmission of judgment commands.

The special figure lottery means 130 includes a special figure propriety determination means 131, a special figure stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special figure fluctuation pattern derivation means 133. The processing by each means is executed in order of the fluctuation pattern deriving means 133 . The special figure lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation suspension information among the operation suspension information held in the main information storage means 160 when the special figure fluctuation start condition is satisfied.
It should be noted that "the special figure fluctuation start condition is satisfied" is, for example, not during the jackpot, neither the special figure 1 nor the special figure 2 is in the process of pattern fluctuation, the special figure 1 and the special figure 2 all the conditions for the presence of the operation pending information in at least one of the

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used in the lottery in the main control board 100. As shown in FIG.
In a lottery using a lottery table, including a lottery table other than the lottery table shown in FIG. is one, it is added once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value with carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the description of the lottery tables, names are given to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation. Often these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. Similarly, in the lottery table illustrated later, items described for convenience of explanation and "-" and "0" as lottery values may be described, but these are not necessarily stored in each ROM. not representative data. If the lottery table contains the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range), the result is 100% derived, so it is not always necessary to perform the lottery. no. Also, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery coincides with the random number range used in the lottery, the last addition of the lottery values always generates a carry, so that addition is not necessary. Well, in that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition becomes unnecessary.

The special figure propriety determination means 131 reads out the random number for the special figure propriety determination, and uses the lottery table for the special figure propriety determination corresponding to the read random number and the current set value to correspond to either a big hit, a small hit, or a loss. A lottery will decide whether to do so.
FIG. 8(a) shows a lottery table for judging special figure 1, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0-65535. Therefore, when the special figure lottery state has a low probability in special figure 1 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special figure low probability"), the probability of 200/65536 is a big hit, and the probability of 300/65536 is a small hit. , If the probability of the remaining 65036/65536 is off, and the special figure lottery state is high probability in special figure 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "special figure high probability"), with a probability of 500/65536 A big hit, a small hit with a probability of 300/65536, and a miss with the remaining probability of 64736/65536.

FIG. 8(b) shows a lottery table for special figure 2 propriety determination, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 65535 as in the case of special figure 1 propriety determination. Therefore, with the special figure low probability of special figure 2, the probability of 200/65536 is a big hit, and the probability of the remaining 65336/65536 is a deviation, and the special figure of 2 is a probability of 500/65536. , with a probability of 65036/65536. In the hit or miss determination of the special figure 2, unlike the hit or miss determination of the special figure 1, a small hit is not derived.

Thus, it can be said that the special figure high probability has a higher probability that a big hit is derived than the special figure low probability, and the advantage is higher than the special figure low probability. In addition, in the special figure 2 propriety determination in the present embodiment, small hits are not derived.

The special figure stop symbol lottery means 132 reads the random number for the special figure stop symbol lottery when the big hit is derived by the special figure success determination means 131, and uses the read random number and the lottery table for the special figure stop symbol lottery. The stop pattern of the special figure is determined by lottery.
FIG. 8(c) shows a lottery table for the special figure 1 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0-99. Therefore, in the special figure 1, when a big hit is derived, the symbol A is determined with a probability of 50/100, and the symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50/100.
Here, the pattern A has a round number (R number) of 9, and a pattern that can be a special figure high probability and a normal figure high probability after the end of the big hit game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "probability variation pattern", Such a big hit may be referred to as a "variable probability big hit"). As described above, in the present embodiment, V winning (passing of the V winning area of the game ball) is detected by the detection sensor, so that the special figure is high probability after the jackpot game ends, so the jackpot related to the probability variable jackpot The game is provided with a V winning round (the ninth round in this embodiment).
On the other hand, the symbol B has a number of rounds (R number) of 8, and a pattern that becomes a special low probability and a normal high probability after the end of the big hit game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "normal symbol"). The jackpot may be referred to as a “normal jackpot”). A jackpot game related to a normal jackpot does not have a V winning round.
Thus, the design A is a design more advantageous than the design B in both the number of rounds and the subsequent special drawing lottery state.

FIG. 8(d) shows a lottery table for the special figure 2 stop symbol lottery, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99 as in the special figure 1 stop symbol lottery. Therefore, in the special figure 2, when the big hit is derived, the pattern a has a probability of 65/100, and the pattern b has a probability of 35/100.
Here, the symbol a has 16 rounds (R number), and is a definite variable symbol that can become a special figure high probability and a normal figure high probability after the big hit game ends. Also in the jackpot game related to the variable probability jackpot when the symbol a is determined, the ninth round is the V winning round.
On the other hand, the pattern b has a round number (R number) of 8, and is a normal pattern that becomes a special pattern low probability and a general pattern high probability after the end of the big hit game. The V winning round is not provided in the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot when the symbol b is determined.
Thus, it can be said that the symbol a is more advantageous than the symbol b.

In addition, when the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132 does not derive a big hit by the special figure success/failure determination means, the special figure 1 is a small hit, the symbol is C, and the special figure 1 is lost, the symbol is D and the special figure. When the number 2 is lost, the symbol c is uniformly determined as the stop symbol.

Special figure variation pattern derivation means 133 includes multiple types of special figure variation pattern lottery tables to be referred to when determining the special figure variation pattern (variation time), the current special figure variation pattern derivation state (details will be described later) and this time Based on the lottery result of the special figure propriety determination means 131, select one special figure variation pattern lottery table for determining the special figure variation pattern of this time, and select the special figure variation pattern lottery table and the special figure variation One special figure variation pattern is determined using a random number for pattern lottery.
The special figure variation pattern derivation means 133 generates an effect control command (variation start command) including the determined special figure variation pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .

Like the special figure lottery means 130, the general pattern lottery means 135 reads out the earliest operation suspension information among the operation suspension information held in the main information storage means 160 when the pattern of the general pattern is not fluctuating. , Using the read random number, execute the judgment of the validity of the general pattern to determine the validity of the general pattern, determine the stop pattern of the general pattern based on the result of the general pattern validity determination and the current general pattern lottery status, and the current Determine the variation pattern (variation time) of the normal pattern based on the normal pattern lottery state.
More specifically, in the judgment of the general figure lottery, the state of the general figure lottery state is high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal figure high probability") and the state of the general figure lottery state is low probability It may be abbreviated as "low accuracy"). Although the illustration of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, the probability of 65535/65536 in the normal pattern is high, and the probability of the remaining 1/65536 is off. The probability of 1/65536 is that it is a hit, and the remaining probability of 65535/65536 is that it is a miss. In addition, in the general pattern low probability, it may not be per general pattern (65536/65536 will be a deviation).

In the normal stop symbol lottery, as in the special stop symbol lottery, a lottery table (not shown) for the normal stop symbol lottery is selected from a plurality of types of stop symbols with different patterns of opening the normal electric accessories 61. One stop symbol is determined by the lottery used. It should be noted that, in the case of deviation in the normal figure propriety determination, the stop pattern is uniformly determined in the same way as the special figures 1 and 2.
Also, in the normal figure fluctuation pattern lottery, as with the special figure fluctuation pattern lottery, one normal figure fluctuation by lottery using the lottery table (not shown) for the general figure fluctuation pattern lottery from multiple types of normal figure fluctuation patterns. A pattern is determined.
In this way, it can be said that the probability that the normal map hit is derived is higher than the normal map low probability, and the degree of advantage is higher than the normal map low probability.

The big-hit game control means 140 starts the big-hit game after the end of the pattern variation in which the big-hit is won, and according to the stop symbols of the special symbols related to the big-hit, the demonstration time related to the big-hit start demonstration and the big-hit end demonstration. Decide on a demo time.
In addition, when the jackpot game is started, the jackpot game control means 140 generates an effect control command (jackpot start command) including a demonstration time related to the jackpot start demonstration, stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and hits the jackpot. At the end of the game, an effect control command (jackpot end command) including a demonstration time related to the jackpot end demonstration is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .
Similarly, when the result of the special win/fail lottery is a small win, the big win game control means 140 also determines the time related to the small win start demonstration and the demonstration time related to the small win end demonstration, and at the start of the small win, A performance control command (small winning start command) including a demonstration time related to the small winning start demonstration is generated, stored in a transmission command storage area of a main information storage means 160, and when the small winning ends, the demonstration time related to the small winning ending demonstration is generated. is generated, and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.例文帳に追加

The symbol display control means 145 variably displays the special symbol 1 on the first special symbol display device 91 according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and after the variation time has passed, the special symbol stop symbol lottery is determined. The special figure 1 is stopped and displayed with the stopped pattern. Similarly, according to the variation time based on the special symbol variation pattern of the second special symbol, the special symbol 2 is variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 92, and the stop determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery after the variation time has elapsed The special figure 2 is stopped and displayed in the design.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a special figure game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2, and when the special figure is stopped and displayed (At the timing when the value of the special game timer becomes "0"), an effect control command (fluctuation stop command) for requesting a fixed stop (fixed display) of the decorative pattern is generated, and the command is sent to the main information storage means. 160 is stored in the transmission command storage area.

In addition, the symbol display control means 145 causes the normal symbol display device 93 to variably display the normal symbol according to the variation time based on the normal symbol variation pattern of the normal symbol, and after the variation time elapses, the normal symbol is displayed with the stop symbol of the normal symbol. stop display.
In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a general pattern game timer for managing the time (fluctuation time, stop display time) relating to the display of the general pattern.

After the jackpot game is started, the electric role product control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric role product solenoid 66 to open the special electric role product 65 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the special figure. The jackpot game is a game state in which one opening and closing operation of the special electric accessory 65 is regarded as one round game, and the round game is continuously executed for a specified number of rounds (16R, 9R, and 8R in this example). be. In the present embodiment, when it is detected that the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state in the V winning round (the ninth round in this embodiment) and the game ball has passed through the V winning area in the big winning opening 55. , After the big hit game is over, the special figure is high probability.
In addition, the electric auditors control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric auditors solenoid 66 after the start of the small winning game to open the special electric auditors 65 for a short period of time (0.05 seconds).

Furthermore, the electric role product control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric role product solenoid 62 and stops the normal electric role product 61 in the normal game per game when winning the normal prize lottery. It is opened according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stopped pattern of the normal figure.

The game state control means 155 controls the special figure lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special figure low probability at the start of the jackpot game regardless of the pattern related to the big hit, and sets the special figure low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot. On the condition of V winning in the jackpot game related to the variable probability big win, the special pattern is high probability until the pattern fluctuation of the specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment) is performed at the end of the jackpot game, and the pattern variation of the specified number of times is performed. (In this embodiment, the 100th pattern variation) is determined to be a special figure at the end of the period.
However, the condition for transitioning from special figure high probability to special figure low probability is not limited to the number of times of pattern variation as in the present embodiment, and may be other conditions such as the result of the fall success or failure lottery.
Further, the condition for making the special figure high accuracy at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot is not limited to the V prize, and may be only the type of the special figure stop symbol.

In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 makes the normal pattern low probability regardless of the pattern related to the big win at the start of the big win game, and the prescribed number of times (100 times in this embodiment) at the end of the big win game related to the normal big win. Normal pattern high probability is set until pattern variation is performed, normal pattern low probability is set at the end of the prescribed number of pattern variations (the 100th pattern variation in this embodiment), and V winning in a big hit game related to probability variation big hit is a condition. At the end of the big hit, the normal pattern is high probability until the pattern variation of the specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment) is performed, and at the end of the pattern variation of the specified number of times (100th pattern variation in this embodiment) imprecise.

Here, in this embodiment, as described above, when the game ball rolls from the second flow path Y, it is easy to win the second starting port 59 and the big winning port 55, so the state of the general pattern high probability and During the jackpot game, it can be said that a right-handed hit is more advantageous than a left-handed hit.
Hereinafter, the predetermined state in which right-handed hitting is more advantageous than left-handed hitting is referred to as a right-handed recommended state. In addition, the right-handed recommended state is not limited to the jackpot game and normal high probability state, and the number of balls is increased by winning the big prize opening when opening the special electric accessory due to the small hit in the normal low probability state. Other states such as a so-called small hit rush state may be included.

Furthermore, the gaming state control means 155 controls the aforementioned special figure variation pattern derivation state. Specifically, when the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state is roughly divided, special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state A corresponding to special figure low probability and general figure low probability, special figure corresponding to special figure low probability and general figure high probability There are a variation pattern derivation state B and a special figure variation pattern derivation state C corresponding to the special figure high probability and the normal figure high probability, and the special figure variation according to the special figure lottery state and the general figure lottery state except during the big hit game. A pattern derivation state is set.

In addition, the game state control means 155, when the special figure lottery state, the general figure lottery state, and the update of the special figure variation pattern derivation state occur, the production control command (game state designation command) including each state after the update is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is means for temporarily storing data read by each means, data derived by calculations and the like by each means, etc. in corresponding storage areas.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined to be in an error state, an error command including the error information is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .
In this embodiment, the error states determined by the main error control means 165 include, for example, a magnetic error based on magnetic detection by a magnetic detection sensor (not shown), a right-handed error based on detection of a game ball by the gate sensor 74 , a full-tank error based on detection of a game ball by a full-tank detection sensor (not shown), and the like.
For example, a magnetic error is an error state that occurs when magnetic detection by the magnetic detection sensor occurs continuously for 500 ms. A right-handed error is when the gate sensor 74 detects a game ball a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) in a state of special low probability and normal low probability (the number of detections is reset after 1000 ms has passed since the last detection). ), and the full-tank error is an error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the full-tank detection sensor.

The main error control means 165, when an error state with a high degree of importance such as a magnetic error occurs among the determined error states, turns on the security signal, It is also possible to perform processing other than storing the error command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, such as restricting the emission of the error command.
Here, the security signal is a kind of signal output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 10 toward devices (data display machine, hall computer) outside the gaming machine 10 .
On the other hand, the main error control means 165 regulates the shooting of game balls when an error state of relatively low importance such as a right-handed hitting error or a full-tank error occurs among the determined error states. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a state in which the game can be progressed.
Although the details will be described later, in the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300 that has received the error command, an error notification effect for notifying the occurrence of the error state is executed.
The error state determined by the main error control means 165 is not limited to the above example, and includes the fact that the middle frame 17 is in the open state (the middle frame open sensor 76 is ON) and the front frame 20 is in the open state. This occurs when a so-called door opening error occurs as a result, or when a game ball is detected by the big winning opening sensor 72 after a predetermined time has passed since the big winning opening 55 is closed during the big winning game. Other error conditions can also be determined, such as abnormal winning errors.

Various error states determined by the above-described main error control means 165 can be detected in the playable state, and need not be detected in the checkable state. This is because the game cannot be executed in the checkable state, so there is little need to report the error state.
However, in the present embodiment, only magnetic errors of relatively high importance can be detected even in the testable state.

When control commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 , the main command management means 170 transmits the stored commands to the first sub control board 200 .
In principle, each control command stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted according to the order stored in the transmission command storage area.
In this specification, it may be written that the command is transmitted to the first sub control board 200 including storing the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .

The power-off processing execution unit 175 executes power-off processing based on receiving a power-off signal from the power control board 500 .
Specifically, for the area related to the game in the RAM 103, a process of deriving the checksum of the area, storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103, and A process of turning ON a backup flag indicating that power-off processing has been executed (stores the backup flag in the game-related backup information area of the RAM 103) is executed.

The power recovery process execution unit 180 executes power recovery recovery process upon power-on (power recovery). Details of the power recovery recovery process will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . Here, FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of the power recovery recovery processing.

In step S<b>1001 , the power restoration process executing means 180 determines that the area of the RAM 103 related to the game is abnormal in the RAM. Specifically, the power restoration process executing means 180 determines whether or not a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103 (whether or not the backup flag is ON). When stored (when the backup flag is ON), the checksum of the area related to the game is derived, and the complement of the checksum and the checksum stored in the backup information area related to the area If they match, the check result is determined to be normal, and if they do not match, it is determined to be abnormal.
When the determination in step S1001 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1005, and when the determination in step S1001 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1002.

In step S1002, the power restoration process executing means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal is input from the power control board 500 when the power is turned on.
When the determination in step S1002 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1005, and when the determination in step S1002 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1003.

In step S1003, the power restoration process executing means 180 sets a playable state using various information in the game-related area of the RAM 103 that has been backed up. Specifically, the setting of the playable state is information indicating the state at the time of power failure stored in the area related to the game of the RAM 103 (special drawing lottery state, normal drawing lottery state, whether or not the jackpot game is in progress). Or, based on the stop pattern of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2, the hold information of the pattern variation, the number of round games in the big hit game, etc.), the state of the main control board 100 is restored to the state at the time of power failure. . When the power restoration process executing means 180 sets the playable state, the detection of the sensor provided in each winning hole becomes effective, and prize balls are given according to the detection of the sensor.

In step S1004, the power restoration process executing means 180 executes a restoration in-progress notification process, and proceeds to step S1005. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates a command during restoration and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 . Note that the in-restoration command includes various types of information described in step S1003.
When the process of step 1004 is completed, the power recovery recovery process ends.

In step S1005, the power restoration process executing means 180 executes a process (so-called RAM clear process) for initializing the information in the game-related area and the backup information area of the RAM 103, and proceeds to step S1006. This initialization clears the information in the game area and the backup information area of the RAM 103 that were backed up at the time of power failure, and sets the initial values. As a result, various states of the main control board 100 immediately before the power failure are initialized.

In step S1006, the power restoration process executing means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal is input from the power control board 500 when the power is turned on.
Note that the determination in step S1006 is the same as the determination in step S1002. That is, the determination in step S1006 can be denied when the RAM 103 is abnormal (when the determination in step S1001 is affirmative). On the other hand, the determination in step S1006 is made when the RAM 103 is normal (when the determination in step S1001 is negative) and when the initialization signal is input when the power is turned on (when the determination in step S1002 is affirmative). , is affirmed.
When the determination in step S1006 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1007, and when the determination in step S1006 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1011.

In step S1007, the power recovery process execution unit 180 sets the inspection enabled state, and proceeds to step S1008. Specifically, the setting of the testable state is a process for enabling the start of testing of each gaming device to be tested in the testable state. It should be noted that when the power restoration process executing means 180 sets the inspection possible state, since there is no opportunity to be valid until the process is performed after the power is turned on, the detection of the sensor provided at each winning opening is invalid. , and prize balls are not given according to the detection of the sensor.

Therefore, it can be said that the game machine 10 has a prize winning opening in which a prize ball is not obtained even if a game ball is entered in the inspectable state.

In this embodiment, the game devices that can be inspected in the inspectable state are the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and the pattern display device 90. The details of the inspection of these gaming devices will be described later.

In step S1008, the power restoration process executing means 180 executes an in-test notification process, and proceeds to step S1009. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates an inspection start command and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 .

In step S1009, the power restoration process execution unit 180 determines whether or not the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid. Specifically, the power recovery processing executing means 180 determines that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is canceled (the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON) after the RAM clear switch 43 is operated (the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON) when the power is turned on. 43 is turned off), it is determined that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid. Further, if the RAM clear switch 43 that was operated when the power was turned on is still being operated (the RAM clear switch 43 is maintained to be ON), the power recovery processing executing means 180 operation is not valid. In this embodiment, by performing the determination in step S1009, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 performed for executing the RAM clear processing becomes the end condition of the testable state set after the RAM clear processing. (Releasing the checkable state against the intention of the hall clerk, etc.) is prevented.
When the determination in step S1009 is negative, the determination in step S1009 is performed again, and when the determination in step S1009 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1010.

In the present embodiment, it is illustrated that the determination in step S1009 is affirmative when the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is canceled after the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 when the power is turned on. The conditions may be changed as long as the purpose is achieved.
For example, instead of or in addition to the above conditions, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 may not be valid until a predetermined time has passed since the power was turned on with the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 (however, Under this condition, in order to execute the RAM clear processing, it is necessary to effectively accept the operation itself of the RAM clear switch 43 when the power is turned on, which triggers the RAM clear processing). The predetermined time in this modification preferably exceeds at least the time from when the power is turned on to when the in-test notification is started. This is because it is difficult to imagine that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 for terminating the inspection ready state is performed before the in-inspection notification is given.

In step S1010, the power recovery process executing means 180 determines whether the RAM clear switch 43 is operated.
When the determination in step S1010 is negative, the determination in step S1009 is performed again, and when the determination in step S1010 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1011.

In step S1011, the power restoration process executing means 180 sets a playable state using various information in the initialized RAM 103 area related to the game, and proceeds to step S1012. At this time, the main control board 100, for example, sets the special figure lottery state to the special figure low probability, the general figure lottery state to the general figure low probability, and the special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state to the special figure low probability and the general figure low probability. Certainly the corresponding special figure variation pattern derivation state A. It should be noted that when the playable state is set in step S1011, the detection of the sensor provided in each winning hole becomes effective, and the point that the prize balls are given according to the detection of the sensor is explained in step S1003. is similar to

In step S1012, the power recovery process executing means 180 executes initialization notification process. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates an initialization command and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 . Note that the initialization command includes information about each state set in step S1011.
When the process of step 1012 is completed, the power recovery recovery process ends.

Assuming that the processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the period during which the testable state is set and the period during which the playable state is set overlap after the power is turned on with RAM clear processing. There is no
However, such an embodiment is only a specific example, and in the implementation of the present invention, if the playable state can be set at least after the testable state is started after the power is turned on with the RAM clear processing. , embodiments in which the periods in which both states are set overlap, and embodiments in which both states are set at the same time are also allowed.

Therefore, the gaming machine 10 is provided with state management means (power recovery processing execution means 180) for setting the playable state and the testable state, and the testable state is the first game device (normal electric The accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and the pattern display device 90) can be inspected, and after the power is turned on with the RAM clear processing (in the processing of step S1007), it is possible to set and play. The state can be said to be the state that is set (in the process of step S1011) after the testable state is started.
Further, the game machine 10 (power recovery process executing means 180) can set the game ready state without going through the checkable state after the power is turned on without the RAM clearing process (in the process of step S1003). I can say

In addition, the gaming machine 10 is provided with a predetermined operating means (RAM clear switch 43), and a predetermined It can be said that it includes the operation for the operation means of
Here, the predetermined operation means is not limited to the RAM clear switch 43 as in the present embodiment, but is preferably an operation means under the control of the state management means (main control board 100). .

The first sub-control board 200, as shown in FIG. It comprises electrical processing execution means 260, sub-information storage means 270, and sub-command management means 275, and these means are realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using FIG. It is a functional representation of a thing.

The sub-information storage means 270 is means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in corresponding storage areas. .

The subcommand management means 275 receives various commands (production control commands, power recovery return commands, etc.) transmitted from the main control board 100, stores the received commands in the received command storage area of the sub information storage means 270, When various commands (image control commands, voice control commands, etc.) are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270 , these commands are transmitted to the second sub-control board 300 . In principle, each command is transmitted according to the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270. FIG.
In this specification, various commands transmitted from the main control board 100 are received by the sub-command management means 275 and stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270. sometimes. Various means of the first sub-control board 200 store various commands in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270, and the commands are transmitted to the second sub-control board 300 by the sub-command management means 275. In some cases, it is written that the command is transmitted to the second sub-control board 300.

The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and acquires the random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) by the normal performance control means 220 is executed.

The normal production control means 220 includes production mode control means 221, production route determination means 222, sub-suspension control means 223, prefetch production control means 224, production content determination means 225, decorative pattern control means 226, and jackpot production control means 227. Prepare.

Production mode control means 221, when a game state designation command (production control command) is transmitted, in the form of consistency with the special figure variation pattern derivation state managed by the main control board 100 side, the production mode of Control transitions.
Production mode in the present embodiment includes normal mode, low probability time saving mode and probability variable mode, normal mode in special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state A, low probability time saving mode in special figure fluctuation pattern derivation state B, especially A probability variation mode is associated with the figure variation pattern derivation state C.

Effect route determination means 222, when a pre-determination command (effect control command) is transmitted, based on the result of the pre-determination (for example, special figure fluctuation pattern) and the above-described effect mode, etc. included in the command, this time pending Determines (sets) an effect route corresponding to the pattern variation. In addition, even if the pre-determining command is transmitted, the effect route determining means 222 may not determine the effect route depending on the special figure variation pattern or the like included in the pre-determining command. In this case, at the start of the pattern variation, the effect route may be determined based on the special figure variation pattern included in the variation start command.
Here, the production route is the production from the start to the end of the pattern variation, and defines the process of production that notifies the result of the special figure propriety determination in the design variation, and is executed in the design variation. The content of the effect to be displayed is determined according to the effect route corresponding to the symbol variation by the effect content determining means 225, which will be described later.

Sub-holding control means 223, when there is a reception of a holding command (production control command), based on the information of the special figure 1 holding counter and the special figure 2 holding counter included in the command, the holding of the production display device 80 Effect data for displaying a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 1 pending counter and a number of pending images corresponding to the special figure 2 pending counter in the display area (not shown) is set.
It should be noted that the pending image is an image to be subjected to the pending prefetch effect that changes in various modes suggesting the degree of advantage such as the degree of expectation of the big hit game.

The look-ahead effect control means 224 determines the contents of the look-ahead effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command when the pre-determination command is transmitted.
The look-ahead effect is the degree of expectation for the result of the special figure propriety determination in the design variation of the look-ahead target over one or more design variations before the design variation of the look-ahead target starts, and the design variation of the look-ahead target This is an effect that suggests the content of the effect to be executed.

When a variation start command (performance control command) is transmitted, a performance content determination means 225 determines the performance contents to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222. - 特許庁
More specifically, the effect content determining means 225 draws the content of the effect (effect pattern) for each effect timing in the symbol variation using the effect pattern lottery table corresponding to the effect route determined by the effect route determining means 222. etc. By doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to connect the performance in one symbol variation. Moreover, even if the same production route is determined, the production to be executed can be diversified.

The decorative design control means 226, when the fluctuation start command (production control command) is transmitted, based on the determined stop design of the special figure, the combination of the final stop design of the decorative design (left design, middle design・Determine the right pattern). Specifically, pattern A and pattern a are associated with odd number patterns (for example, "1 pattern" - "1 pattern" - "1 pattern"), and pattern B and pattern a are associated with even number patterns ( For example, "2 patterns" - "2 patterns" - "2 patterns") are associated, and pattern C, pattern D and pattern c are associated with loose eyes (a combination of patterns that do not match any pattern).
Note that the decorative pattern in this embodiment is as described above. In addition, when the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped corresponds to the stop symbol of the special symbol, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence relationship. If it is a combination that does not increase the expectation of the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped, in some cases (ratio lower than the ratio of the above-mentioned correspondence relationship), a combination of decoration symbols different from the above-mentioned correspondence relationship is adopted. Even in such a case, it can be said that the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped corresponds to the stop symbol of the special figure.

When a big win start command (performance control command) is transmitted, a big win performance control means 227 decides the contents of the big win performance for notifying that the big win game is in progress based on the information or the like included in the command. Incidentally, the big win effects include a start demonstration effect for notifying the start of the big win game, a round effect for notifying that the round game is in progress, and an end demo effect for notifying the end of the big win game.

The normal effect control means 220 reads the effect data of each device corresponding to the effect at the execution timing of each effect according to the effect content determined by the above-described means provided in the first sub-control board 200 .
If the read effect data includes effect data related to an image, an image control command is generated based on the effect data, and the image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270. be. If the read effect data includes effect data relating to sound, the sound control means 235, which will be described later, generates a sound control command based on the effect data, and the sound control command is stored in sub-information storage. It is stored in the transmission command storage area of means 270 .

The sub-error control means 230 reads out error notification effect data for executing an error notification effect when an error command is received. For example, the error notification effect data read when an error command related to a right-handed error is received includes effect data related to a character image of "Please return to left-handed" and "Please return to left-handed". An image control command and an audio control command are generated based on the effect data, and the commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 270 .
In this embodiment, all error states are determined by the main error control means 165. However, for error states other than those of high importance accompanied by the output of a security signal (for example, a right-handed error), a sub-error The control means 230 may make the determination. In this case, the sub-error control means 230 may receive from the main control board 100 a command including the state of the sensor related to the determination of the error state.

If the read effect data includes effect data related to sound, the sound control means 235 generates a sound control command based on the effect data. Store in the storage area.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamp 24b, the board surface decoration lamp 30, and the effect lamp 35. If the read performance data includes performance data corresponding to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamp 24b, the board decoration lamp 30, and the production lamp 35 (hereinafter referred to as lamp control data), , the lamp control data is read based on the lamp effect data, and the read lamp control data is transmitted to the corresponding lamp.
The lamp control means 240 controls the lighting of each lamp according to a predetermined lighting pattern when the performance data read out is the data of the operation confirmation processing accompanying the power recovery recovery processing at the time of RAM clearing. Send lamp control data to each lamp. Note that the predetermined lighting pattern will be described later.

The movable accessory control means 245 holds movable control data for controlling the movements of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b. If there is effect data corresponding to 22, the movable control data is read out based on the effect data, and the read movable control data is transmitted to the respective controllers of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b.
When the performance data read out is the data of the operation confirmation process accompanying the power recovery recovery process at the time of RAM clearing, the movable accessory control means 245 controls the movement of each movable body according to a predetermined movement pattern. The movable control data is transmitted to each movable body so as to perform the movement. Note that the predetermined movable pattern will be described later.

The power recovery process executing means 260 performs the following notification using each gaming device based on various control commands transmitted in the power recovery process executed by the power recovery process executing means 180 .
Note that FIG. 10 will be used to explain the notification by the power recovery process executing means 260 . FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display mode of the effect display device 80 corresponding to each notification executed by the power recovery process executing means 260. As shown in FIG.

The power restoration process executing means 260 executes the in-testing notification in response to the test start command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the process of step S1008).
In the notification mode of the in-testing notification, character information indicating that the operation is being examined and character information indicating that the game becomes possible by operating the RAM clear switch 43 again are displayed on the effect display device 80 (Fig. 10(a)), the speaker 33 repeatedly reproduces a voice indicating that the operation is being inspected, and the effect lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern (for example, lit in red) corresponding to the notification.

The power restoration process executing means 260 executes the in-restoration notification according to the in-restoration command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the process of step S1004).
In the notification mode of the in-restoration notification, character information indicating that the restoration is in progress is displayed on the effect display device 80 (see FIG. 10(b)), and the sound indicating that the restoration is in progress is repeatedly reproduced by the speaker 33, The production lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern (for example, lighting in white) corresponding to the notification.
In addition, when the information contained in the restoration command indicates that the state immediately before the power failure was during the jackpot game, the restoration notice executed in response to the command during restoration is restored to the jackpot game. It may be replaced with a notification mode that indicates .

The power restoration process executing means 260 executes initialization notification according to the initialization command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the process of step S1012).
In the notification mode of the initialization notification, character information indicating initialization is displayed on the effect display device 80 (see FIG. 10(c)), and a voice indicating initialization is repeatedly reproduced by the speaker 33, The effect lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lighting in order of blue->red->yellow->white (mixed color of blue, red, and yellow)).

Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 executes the first notification (in-test notification) during the stay period of the inspection-enabled state. Further, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 executes the second notification (initialization notification) when setting the game-ready state after the inspection-ready state is started.
Also, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 executes a third notification (in-restoration notification) different from both the first notification and the second notification in the game-enabled state set without going through the inspection-enabled state.

Furthermore, in the first notification (inspection notification), second notification (initialization notification) and third notification (restoration notification), the first game device (normal electric accessory solenoid 62, special electric accessory solenoid 66 , and pattern display device 90) are used.
The first game device (ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62, special electric accessory solenoid 66, and symbol display device 90) is a game device controlled by the first control board (main control board 100). The second game device (effect display device 80, speaker 33, and effect lamp 35) can be said to be a game device controlled by the second control board (first sub-control board 200).

Further, it can be said that the first notification (notification during inspection), second notification (initialization notification), and third notification (notification during recovery) are all different in notification mode.

Furthermore, among the plurality of gaming devices provided in the gaming machine 10, there is a third gaming device (e.g., board surface It can be said that a decorative lamp 30) is included.

As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to switch from the checkable state to the playable state by operating the RAM clear switch 43 . The game devices to be inspected (ordinary electric role item solenoid 62, special electric role item solenoid 66, and pattern display device 90) operate in a predetermined operation mode during inspection, while distinguishing between the testable state and the playable state. Since the game device (the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35) used for the notification also operates in a predetermined operation mode, during the stay period of the inspection possible state and before and after switching from the inspection possible state to the game possible state , there is a concern that it will be difficult to understand the meaning of the operation of each gaming device.
Therefore, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment solves the above concerns by devising the operation of each gaming device in the inspection enabled state and the game enabled state. This point will be described in detail below.

<Regarding Operation Modes of Gaming Device in Checkable State and Playable State>
Next, operation modes of the gaming device in the above-described checkable state and playable state will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process.
FIG. 12 is a time chart showing how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process.
FIG. 13 shows the case where the playable state is set after the checkable state is set in the power recovery recovery process, and when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the operation of the solenoid is being checked. 4 is a time chart showing how the operating mode changes;
FIG. 14 shows how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process and an error is detected in the testable state. is a time chart showing
FIG. 15 shows how the operation mode of each gaming device changes when the game ready state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process and an error is detected in the game ready state. It is a time chart showing.
In these time charts, the horizontal axis indicates the time series (the left side is the front and the right side is the rear). In addition, the rectangular waves represented in these time charts indicate that the upper side is ON or operating, and the lower side indicates that they are OFF or non-operating.

First, with reference to FIG. 11, a description will be given of a change in the operating mode of each gaming device when the playable state is set after the testable state has been set in the power recovery recovery process.
Timing t1 represents the time when the gaming machine 10 is powered on (when the power switch 40 is operated).
Timing t2 represents the timing at which the main control board 100 is normally activated (the timing at which the RAM clearing process is completed).
Timing t3 represents the timing at which the inspection start command is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 (the start timing of the in-inspection notification).
As shown in FIG. 11, strictly speaking, timing t1, timing t2, and timing t3 arrive in this order, but the intervals between these timings are sufficiently small compared to the relationship with other timings and can be regarded as substantially the same. is also possible.

From timing t2, the main control board 100 is set to an inspection-enabled state. Along with the setting, the output of the security signal is started, and the output is maintained until the set inspection-enabled state ends. This is for notifying the hall computer or the like that the inspection is possible.

Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 comprises output means for outputting a security signal in the checkable state.

In addition, all the lamps provided in the pattern display device 90 are turned on (denoted as "all lighting" in FIG. 11) along with the setting of the testable state at the timing t2.
The lighting pattern in which the lamps of the pattern display device 90 are all lit is for confirming whether the pattern display device 90 is normal or not, and can occur only in the testable state. Therefore, the lighting pattern does not occur in the playable state. When all the lamps of the pattern display device 90 are turned on, it is possible to visually recognize that the system is normal.

From the timing t3, the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35 are in the notification mode of the in-testing notification. Here, the notification mode of the in-testing notification is, as described above, the display mode shown in FIG. It means that it is reproduced, and that the production lamp 35 is lit in red.

Timing t5 represents the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43, which had been continuously ON since the power was turned on (timing t1), is turned OFF, that is, the timing at which the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is stopped.
Here, a period T1 from timing t1 to timing t5 represents a period during which it is determined that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is not valid in the above-described power recovery recovery process (determination in step S1009). In other words, even if the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON during the period T1, this operation does not constitute a condition for terminating the checkable state, and the playable state is not set.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, even if the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is continued during the period T1, the first game device to be inspected (the special electric accessory solenoid 66 or the pattern display device 90) It is possible to confirm whether or not each gaming device is normal by visually recognizing the operation without affecting the operating mode.

Timing t4 represents the timing of operating the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and timing t6 represents the timing of operating the normal electric accessory solenoid 62.
The operation of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62 in the checkable state is performed to confirm whether the special electric accessory 65 and the ordinary electric accessory 61 are normally opened. . In FIG. 11, the operation period of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 is denoted as period T2, and the operation period of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 is denoted as period T3.
The timing t4 when the special electric accessory solenoid 66 starts operating and the timing t6 when the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 starts operating come by operating means (for example, the effect button 37 or the cursor button 38). , or it may be something that arrives even if the operation means is not operated (for example, something that arrives after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the timing t2 when the game ready state is set), or any of them. (for example, the timing t4 is reached by operating the operating means, and the timing t6 is reached after a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t4).

If an embodiment requiring operation of the operation means is adopted for confirming the operation of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, the symbol display device 90 is fully lit in the game ready state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gaming device to be inspected in the inspection-enabled state does not require the operation of the operation means for the inspection. There will be a mixture of what is and what is not.
In other words, the inspection of the first game device requires operation of the operation means in the testable state (the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62), and the operation means in the testable state. It can be said to include a device (symbol display device 90) that does not require an operation for the symbol.
In this way, the lamps of the pattern display device 90, which can be confirmed at a glance whether they are normal or not, can be automatically confirmed. The accuracy of operation confirmation can be improved by enabling manual confirmation of the normal electric accessary item solenoid 62 .
It should be noted that the classification of items requiring manipulation of the operating means in the testable state and items not requiring manipulation is not limited to the above example, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

Also, when adopting an embodiment that requires operation of the operation means for confirming the operation of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, during the period in which the operation of one is confirmed, the other It is preferable to have a configuration in which the operation cannot be confirmed. That is, it is preferable that the operating period T2 of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the operating period T3 of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 do not overlap. This is to ensure that each operation is confirmed.
On the other hand, in the relationship between the pattern display device 90 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the relationship between the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, even if one operating period and the other operating period overlap. , the accuracy of the confirmation work does not decrease.
Therefore, in the above embodiment, the first gaming devices include a gaming device capable of parallel processing of examinations (symbol display device 90 and other gaming devices) and a gaming device incapable of parallel processing of examinations (special It can be said that the electric accessory solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62) are included.
In this embodiment, the operating period T2 of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the operating period T3 of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 are predetermined time lengths (eg, 1 second) and are unchanged.

Timing t7 represents the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON when the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid (after period T1), that is, the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is operated.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 in the testable state is the termination condition of the testable state. Therefore, at substantially the same timing as timing t7, the main control board 100 ends the testable state and immediately enters the playable state.
In addition, the output of the security signal is temporarily stopped along with the end of the inspection enabled state.

When the playable state is set at timing t7, the pattern display device 90 becomes a lighting pattern corresponding to the state of the main control board 100 at that timing (initialized state in the case shown in FIG. 11). This lighting pattern is referred to as "normal lighting" in FIG.
In addition, since the playable state that starts at timing t7 is set after the power is turned on with the RAM clearing process, the effect display device 80 and the speaker 33 are in the notification mode of the initialization notification during the staying period. . Here, the notification mode of the initialization notification is the display mode shown in FIG. .

A security signal is output during the period in which the initialization notification is performed, and the output is maintained until the initialization notification ends.
In FIG. 11, after the output of the security signal is once stopped at the end of the testable state, the security signal is output again with the start of the initialization notification, but it is stopped. The interval is very small and may not exist (the output of the security signal may be maintained across the checkable state and the playable state).

In addition, during the stay period of the game-enabled state, the effect lamp 35 lights in the order of blue→red→yellow→white (mixture of blue, red, and yellow) (in FIG. 11, the lighting pattern is called “sequential lighting”). write). The lighting pattern is performed to confirm whether or not the full-color LED included in the effect lamp 35 is normally lit. When all the LEDs included in the effect lamp 35 are normal, the colors change in the above order. On the other hand, when a part of the LED included in the effect lamp 35 has an abnormality, the LED lights in a color different from that of the surrounding LEDs. You can check the LED.

In addition, the movable body 22 operates during the stay period of the playable state. In this embodiment, the operation of the upper movable body 22a starts at substantially the same timing as the timing t7 when the playable state is set, and the operation of the left and right movable bodies 22b starts at the timing t8 after the operation of the upper movable body 22a ends. Start. The upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b move from the original position to a position covering a partial area of the effect display device 80 in each operation period (period T4 and period T5 shown in FIG. 11), and then return to the original position. Retreat to position. By operating in this way, it is possible to visually confirm whether the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b are normally operable.
The movement ranges of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b partially overlap, and in order to avoid mutual collision, the period T4 and the period T5 are controlled so as not to overlap. Then, the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b are automatically performed in a predetermined pattern starting from the time when the game ready state is set (timing t7), and do not require any operation on the operation means.

Timing t9 represents timing after a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has passed from timing t7. The initialization notification started at timing t7 ends at timing t9. That is, the termination condition of the initialization notification in this embodiment is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
When the initialization notification is completed, the effect display device 80 displays a demo screen, the speaker 33 is muted, and the effect lamp 35 is in a lighting state in the waiting state (indicated as "normal lighting" in FIG. 11). Security signal output is stopped.

As described with reference to FIG. 11, in the inspection of the first game device (ordinary electric role product solenoid 62 and special electric role product solenoid 66) that can be performed in the testable state, the first game device is It includes one that changes in one operation mode (that operates the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66 for a predetermined time).
Here, even if the first game device changes in the first operation mode during the notification period of the first notification (in-test notification), the second game device (effect display device 80, speaker 33, effect lamp 35) ) is maintained and is not affected by changes in the first gaming device.
Thereby, in the notification period of the first notification, the first gaming device operating for the purpose of operation inspection and the second gaming device operating for the purpose of first notification can be distinguished and recognized. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the operation inspection.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 11, during the notification period of the second notification (initialization notification), at least a portion of the second gaming device (the production lamp 35) is in the second operation mode (blue → red → yellow → white order), and even if the second game device changes in the second operation mode, the operation of the first game device (ordinary electric role item solenoid 62 and special electric role item solenoid 66) Aspects are maintained and are not affected by changes in the second gaming device.
Thereby, in the notification period of the second notification, the second game device operating for the purpose of operation inspection and the first game operating according to the state of the game (main control board 100) at that time The devices (ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62 and special electric accessory solenoid 66) can be distinguished and recognized, and the accuracy of operation inspection can be improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a description will be given of changes in the operation mode of each gaming device when the playable state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process.
Timing t11, timing t12, and timing t13 illustrated in FIG. 12 are similar to timing t1, timing t2, and timing t3 illustrated in FIG. 11, respectively, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. .

From timing t12, the main control board 100 is set to a playable state. At this time, the situation is different from that shown in FIG. 11 in that the security signal is not output along with the setting.

Also, with the setting of the playable state at timing t12, the lamp provided in the pattern display device 90 changes the state of the main control board 100 at that time (the state backed up in the RAM 103 before the power is turned on in FIG. ). This lighting pattern is also referred to as “normal lighting” in FIG. 12 .

From timing t13, the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35 are in the notification mode of the in-restoration notification. Here, the notification mode of the restoration in-progress notification is, as described above, the display mode shown in FIG. The effect lamp 35 is lit in white.

Timing t14 represents the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON, that is, the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. In this embodiment, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is never valid in the playable state. Therefore, the operation of 43 at timing t14 does not affect the operating modes of other gaming devices. This point is different from the situation illustrated in FIG.

Timing t15 represents timing after a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has passed from timing t13. The in-restoration notification started at timing t13 ends at timing t15. That is, the termination condition of the in-restoration notification in this embodiment is that a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
In this embodiment, the length of the predetermined period during which the initialization notification is performed and the length of the predetermined period during which the restoration notification is performed are illustrated as being the same. The present invention may be implemented by

It should be noted that the operation of each gaming device for checking whether it is normal or not, as explained with reference to FIG. 11, is not performed in the situation shown in FIG. This is because turning on the power without clearing the RAM is often performed after the error is resolved when an error occurs during a game, and it is not necessary to check the operation of each game device in such a situation.

As described with reference to FIG. 12, during the notification period of the third notification (recovery notification), the second game device (production lamp 35) operates in a third operation mode (white only) different from the second operation mode. lighting), and the second game device is maintained in the third operating mode until the notification period of the third notification is over.
In this embodiment, during the notification period of the third notification, each gaming device does not execute the operation mode for the purpose of operation inspection. Therefore, by doing as described above, it is possible to realize the notification according to the situation, and to give sharpness to the relationship between the notification period of the first notification and the second notification.

Next, when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process, and when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the operation of the solenoid is being checked, the operation mode of each game device. will be described with reference to FIG.

Timings t21 to t25, timing t28 and timing t29 shown in FIG. 13 are respectively similar to timings t1 to t5, timing t8 and timing t9 shown in FIG. omit the explanation.
Also, the periods T1 to T5 shown in FIG. 13 represent the same periods as the similarly notated periods shown in FIG. 11, so detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Timing t26 represents the start of the operation period T3 of the normal electric accessories solenoid 62 . Here, it is assumed that the RAM clear switch 43 is operated at substantially the same time as the timing t26 (timing that overlaps with the period T3).
At this time, the main control board 100 (power recovery processing executing means 180) waits until timing t27 after the operating period T3 of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 has passed, in order to give priority to confirming the operation of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62. to end the checkable state and set the playable state.
In this embodiment, the timing t27 for ending the testable state is after the timing t26 when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. It suffices for the game device to continue until the operating mode of the game device ends, and it is not necessary to delay the timing of ending the testable state.

Therefore, when the playable state is set while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the testable state, the first gaming device (normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and special electric role The object solenoid 66) continues the first operation mode until the operation in the first operation mode ends, while the second game device (the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, the effect lamp 35) is in the playable state. is set (timing t27), after stopping the operation mode corresponding to the first notification, the operation mode corresponding to the second notification is started.
As described above, even if the end condition of the playable state is satisfied in the middle of the operation inspection, the operation inspection of the first game device is continued until the operation in the first operation mode corresponding to the operation inspection is completed. can be done reliably. On the other hand, by switching the state-related notification (first notification and second notification) at the transition timing, accurate transition timing can be notified.

Next, FIG. 14 shows a change in the operating mode of each gaming device when the playable state is set after the testable state is set in the power recovery recovery process and an error is detected in the testable state. will be described with reference to
It should be noted that the error state that can be detected in the testable state shown in FIG. 14 will be described as a magnetic error as described above. However, in practice of the present invention, similar processing may be performed when detecting other error conditions.

Timing t31 to timing t36 and timing t39 shown in FIG. 14 are similar to timing t1 to timing t6 and timing t8 shown in FIG. 11, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
Also, the periods T1 to T5 shown in FIG. 14 represent the same periods as the similarly notated periods shown in FIG. 11, so detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Timing t37 represents the timing at which a magnetic sensor (not shown) detects a magnetic error. As illustrated in FIG. 14, detection of a magnetic error is not a condition for exiting the testable state. Therefore, there is no influence on the operating mode of the game device (first game device) to be tested in the testable state. Further, there is no influence on the operating mode of the gaming device (second gaming device) operating in a mode corresponding to the in-test notification. Furthermore, since the output of the security signal in the checkable state is output to notify the checkable state, the output is maintained even if a magnetic error is detected.

Timing t38 represents the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON when the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid (after period T1), that is, the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43 is operated.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 in the testable state is the end condition of the testable state. It is the same as the situation illustrated in FIG. 11 in that the output of the security signal is temporarily stopped along with the termination of the inspection enabled state.
On the other hand, the checkable state shown in FIG. 14 is different from the state shown in FIG. 11 in that the play impossible state is set after a magnetic error is detected during the stay period. Here, the game-impossible state is a state in which progress of the game is restricted. At this time, all the lamps included in the pattern display device 90 are extinguished.

Even when the unplayable state is set at timing t38, the fact that the RAM clearing process is executed when the power is turned on is the same as the situation shown in FIG. 100 to the first sub-control board 200 . Therefore, the effect display device 80 and the speaker 33 are in the notification mode of the initialization notification even in the game disabled state. Also, the operation mode of the effect lamp 35 and the movable body 22 (which is performed to determine whether or not the operation is normal) performed during the initialization notification has been described with reference to FIG. done similarly.

A timing t40 represents a timing when a predetermined period has elapsed from the timing t38. The initialization notification started at timing t38 ends at timing t40. This predetermined period has the same length of time as the predetermined period from timing t7 to timing t9.
When the initialization notification ends, the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35 perform error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. That is, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected in the testable state is performed after the in-testing notification and the initialization notification are completed. Regarding the output of the security signal, although the output corresponding to the initialization notification is temporarily stopped at timing t40, the output corresponding to the error notification is performed immediately after that.

Since the processing is as described above, the in-testing notification and the initialization notification have a higher priority than the error notification corresponding to the detectable error state (magnetic error) in the testable state. I can say

Next, FIG. 15 shows the change in the operating mode of each gaming device when the playable state is set without going through the testable state in the power recovery recovery process and when an error is detected in the playable state. will be described with reference to
Note that the error state that can be detected in the playable state shown in FIG. 15 is not restricted unlike the checkable state, but it will be explained assuming that it is a magnetic error as in the situation shown in FIG. .

Timing t41 to timing t43 and timing t45 shown in FIG. 15 are similar to timing t11 to timing t14 shown in FIG. 12, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Timing t44 represents the timing at which a magnetic sensor (not shown) detects a magnetic error. As shown in FIG. 15, at the timing t44 when the magnetic error is detected, the game-enabled state ends and the game-disabled state is set, which is different from FIG.
At timing t44 when the non-playable state is set, all the lamps included in the symbol display device 90 are turned off.

On the other hand, since the in-restoration notification is determined to be performed for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), it is continued even if a magnetic error is detected.
Therefore, the magnetic error detected in the restoration-in-progress notification does not affect the operating mode of the gaming device (second gaming device) operating in a manner corresponding to the restoration-in-progress notification.
Even if a magnetic error is detected during the restoration notification, the security signal is not output during the restoration notification, which is the same as the situation illustrated in FIG. 12 .

A timing t46 represents a timing when a predetermined period has elapsed from the timing t43. The in-restoration notification started at timing t43 ends at timing t46. This predetermined period has the same length of time as the predetermined period from timing t13 to timing t15.
When the in-restoration notification ends, the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35 perform error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. That is, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected during the notification period of the in-restoration notification is performed after the in-restoration notification ends. Note that the security signal is output corresponding to the error notification from timing t46.

Since the processing is as described above, it can be said that the in-restoration notification has a higher priority than the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error.

Since it is configured as described above, the first, second, and third notifications according to the present invention are preferentially executed as compared with the error notifications corresponding to the error states detected during the notification period. Thus, the situation of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to each can be surely recognized by the hall clerk or the like.
In the present embodiment, the priority of the error notification corresponding to the specific error state (magnetic error) detectable in the testable state is the first notification (inspection notification), the second notification (initialization notification), Although it has been described as being lower than any of the third notifications (notifications during restoration), implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, among the error states that can be detected in the checkable state, an error state (first error state) whose error notification priority is higher than the first, second, and third notifications is included. The error annunciation corresponding to the first error condition may be enabled during the sojourn of the checkable state. Further, in this modified example, among the error states detectable in the checkable state, the priority of the error notification is lower than the first, second and third notifications (second error state) may be included, and the error notification corresponding to the second error state may be executable after the checkable state ends (after the playable state is set).

In FIG. 13, the case where the operation of the RAM clear switch 43, which is the termination condition of the testable state, is performed during the operation test of the first game device (normal electric accessory solenoid 62) to be tested was mentioned. .
As a situation similar to this, it is conceivable that power failure occurs during the operation inspection of the first gaming device in the inspection enabled state (during operation in the first operation mode), so this case will be added. .
In the above case, of course, the operation of the first gaming device being inspected is stopped in response to the power failure. Here, when the power is turned on without RAM clear processing after the power interruption, it is preferable to set the game enabled state without setting the state before the power interruption (inspection enabled state). This is because there is a high probability that the person who turned on the power determined that the inspection was unnecessary.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not described in the above description are listed below.

In the above embodiment, the first game device to be inspected in the inspection enabled state is controlled by the first control board (main control board 100), and the first game device used for the first notification and the second notification Although the second game device is controlled by the second control board (first sub-control board 200), implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
The first game device may include a game device controlled by the second control board (for example, the effect button 37 and the LED included therein), and the second game device may include the first control board. may include a gaming device controlled by
In this modified example, if an operation means such as the effect button 37 is to be inspected in the inspection enabled state, the inspection is for confirming whether or not the operation means normally accepts an operation. The sensor that detects the operation must be functioning effectively. Then, during the inspection by manually actuating the operation means in the inspection-enabled state, by automatically activating another game device to be inspected (for example, each solenoid, each lamp, etc.), It is preferable that the inspection to be performed and the inspection to be automatically performed can proceed in parallel.

In the above embodiment, as a condition for setting the playable state after starting the testable state, it is assumed that a predetermined operation means (RAM clear switch 43) must be operated. It is not limited to this example.
For example, the playable state may be set on the condition that a predetermined period of time has elapsed from when the power is turned on or when the testable state starts.

In the above embodiment, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66 are illustrated as the solenoids to be inspected. In carrying out the present invention, it is not always necessary to inspect both the solenoid for the normal electric accessory and the solenoid for the special electric accessory, and either one of them may be inspected.

In the above-described embodiment, the game machine having a single special electric accessory was exemplified, but the present invention may be practiced with a game machine having a plurality of special electric accessories. At this time, there may be a plurality of solenoids (solenoids corresponding to the first game device) related to the special electric accessory to be inspected.
In addition, when the present invention is implemented by a game machine equipped with a plurality of special electric accessories, each special electric role is arranged in a right-handed game area, and each special electric role is operated alternately or simultaneously. It is desirable that the operation be performed at a timing other than the above, so that when one wins easily, the other wins difficult.

In the above embodiment, it is mentioned that an inspection function is provided for the purpose of confirming the operation of the solenoid corresponding to each electric accessory (whether the electric accessory operates normally) in the checkable state. was only In addition to this, in the gaming machine that implements the present invention, it is confirmed whether or not the winning detection sensor corresponding to the winning opening (large winning opening or starting opening) to which each electric accessory is attached is effective. It may be provided with an inspection function for the purpose of

The operation mode of each gaming device described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15 in the above embodiment is one specific example of implementation of the present invention, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the game device in operation for inspection is operating in that operation mode, the operation continues until the operation mode ends. , the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be implemented by a modified example in which the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is used as a trigger to immediately stop the operation of the gaming device, terminate the checkable state, and set the playable state.
According to this modification, after the playable state is set (announcement period of the second announcement), the second gaming device is inspected to confirm whether it is normal or not by changing in a predetermined operation mode. It can be accelerated, and the confirmation becomes easy.

<Appendix>
This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1) A game machine capable of shooting game balls, obtaining prize balls based on the winning of game balls into a prize winning opening, and capable of executing RAM clear processing when the power is turned on, and a plurality of game machines used for games. and state management means for setting a playable state in which a game can be executed and a testable state in which a first game device of a plurality of gaming devices can be tested, wherein the testable The state is a state that can be set after the power is turned on with the RAM clearing process, the first notification is executed during the stay period of the testable state, and the playable state is set after the testable state is started. , the second notification is executed when it is set after the inspection possible state is started, and the first notification and the second notification include the first gaming device A different second gaming device is used, and the inspection related to the first gaming device that can be performed in the inspection enabled state includes changing the first gaming device in a first operation mode, In the notification period of the first notification, even if the first gaming device changes to the first operation mode, the operation mode of the second gaming device is maintained, and in the testable state, the first gaming device When power failure occurs while the gaming device is operating in the first operating mode, the operation of the first gaming device is stopped, and after the power failure, the power is turned on without the RAM clearing process. and setting the playable state without going through the checkable state.
(2) An operation means is provided, and an inspection related to the first game device requires an operation on the operation means in the testable state and an operation on the operation means in the testable state. The gaming machine according to (1), which includes what it doesn't and what it doesn't.
(3) A first control board and a second control board configured to be able to receive a signal from the first control board in one direction, the first game device is configured to receive the first control board The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), wherein the second gaming device is a gaming device controlled by the second control board.
(4) Any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first gaming device includes a gaming device capable of parallel processing of tests and a gaming device incapable of parallel processing of tests. The gaming machine described in 1.
(5) When the playable state is set while the first gaming device is operating in the first operation mode in the testable state, the first gaming device While continuing the first operation mode until the operation in the operation mode of is completed, the second gaming device stops the operation mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing when the playable state is set The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4), after which the operation mode corresponding to the second notification is started.
(6) Even if at least part of the second gaming device changes in the second operation mode during the notification period of the second notification, and the second gaming device changes in the second operation mode , the gaming machine according to (5), wherein the operating mode of the first gaming device is maintained.
(7) The state management means can set the playable state without going through the testable state after the power is turned on without the RAM clearing process, and the playable state set without going through the testable state. In the playable state, a third notification different from the first notification and the second notification is executed, and the second gaming device is different from the second operation mode during the notification period of the third notification. The gaming machine according to (6), wherein the third operating mode is entered, and the second gaming device is maintained in the third operating mode until the notification period of the third notification ends.

10 Game Machine 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front Frame 21 Hinge Mechanism 22 Movable Body 23 Cylinder Lock 25 Transparent Member 28 Upper Sphere Receptacle 29 Lower Sphere Receptacle 30 Board Decoration Lamp 31 Operation Handle 32 Upper Frame Part 33 Speaker 34 Side Frame Part 35 Production lamp 36 Ball extraction mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor button 39 Main operation unit 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Open/close cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 51 Outer rail 52 Pinwheel 53 Inner rail 55 big prize opening 57 first start opening 59 second start opening 61 normal electric accessory 62 normal electric accessory solenoid 63 gate 65 special electric accessory 66 special electric accessory solenoid 67 general winning opening 69 out opening 70 first starting opening Sensor 71 Second starting opening sensor 72 Large winning opening sensor 73 General winning opening sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame open door sensor 80 Effect display device 90 Design display device 91 First special design display device 92 Second special design Display device 93 Normal design display device 94 First special design reservation lamp 95 Second special design reservation lamp 96 Normal design reservation lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 ROMs
103 RAM
105 random number circuit 109 main control board case 110 entering ball determination means 115 main random number generation means 120 main reservation control means 125 prior determination means 130 special figure lottery means 131 special figure right or wrong determination means 132 special figure stop symbol lottery means 133 special figure fluctuation pattern Derivation means 135 Normal figure lottery means 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessary control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power interruption processing execution means 180 Power restoration process executing means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROMs
203 RAM
209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal effect control means 221 Production mode control means 222 Production route determination means 223 Sub-suspension control means 224 Look-ahead production control means 225 Production content determination means 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot production Control means 230 Sub-error control means 235 Sound control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable object control means 260 Power restoration process execution means 270 Sub-information storage means 275 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU
302 ROMs
303 RAM
309 Second sub-control board case 400 Payout control board 401 CPU
402 ROMs
403 RAM
409 payout control board case 500 power control board 501 normal power supply circuit 502 backup power supply circuit 503 power failure detection circuit 504 RAM clear switch circuit 509 power supply control board case

Claims (7)

A game machine capable of shooting game balls, obtaining prize balls based on the winning of game balls into a prize winning opening, and capable of executing RAM clear processing when the power is turned on,
a plurality of gaming devices used for gaming;
state management means for setting a playable state in which a game can be executed and a testable state in which a first game device out of a plurality of game devices can be tested;
with
The testable state is a state that can be set after the power is turned on with the RAM clearing process, and a first notification is executed during the stay period of the testable state,
The playable state is a state that can be set after the testable state is started, and a second notification is performed when the testable state is set after the start of the testable state,
A second gaming device different from the first gaming device is used for the first notification and the second notification,
The inspection related to the first gaming device that can be performed in the inspection enabled state includes changing the first gaming device in a first operation mode,
In the notification period of the first notification, even if the first gaming device changes in the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained,
When a power failure occurs while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the testable state, the operation of the first gaming device is stopped;
When the power is turned on without the RAM clearing process after the power interruption, the game ready state is set without going through the checkable state.
A gaming machine characterized by: Equipped with operating means,
The testing of the first gaming device includes testing that requires operation of the operating means in the testable state and testing that does not require operation of the operating means in the testable state.
The game machine according to claim 1. A first control board and a second control board configured to be able to receive signals from the first control board in one direction,
The first gaming device is a gaming device controlled by the first control board,
The second gaming device is a gaming device controlled by the second control board,
The game machine according to claim 1 or 2. The first gaming device includes a gaming device capable of parallel processing of tests and a gaming device incapable of parallel processing of tests.
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the playable state is set while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the testable state,
While the first gaming device continues the first operation mode until the operation according to the first operation mode ends,
The second gaming device stops the operation mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing when the playable state is set, and then starts the operation mode corresponding to the second notification.
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. During the notification period of the second notification,
At least part of the second gaming device changes in a second operating mode,
Even if the second gaming device changes in the second operating mode, the operating mode of the first gaming device is maintained.
The game machine according to claim 5. The state management means can set the playable state without going through the checkable state after the power is turned on without the RAM clearing process,
In the playable state set without going through the testable state, a third notification different from the first notification and the second notification is executed,
In the notification period of the third notification, the second gaming device becomes a third operation mode different from the second operation mode,
The second gaming device is maintained in the third operation mode until the notification period of the third notification ends,
The game machine according to claim 6.

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