JP3813963B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, or a slot machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation, and particularly includes a variable display device that can change a display state, and displays on the variable display device. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be given a specific gaming value when the result is a predetermined display mode.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. Furthermore, a variable display unit capable of changing the display state is provided, and is configured to give a specific game value to the player when the display result of the variable display unit becomes a predetermined specific display mode There is.

  The game value means that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the gaming area of the gaming machine is advantageous to a player who is easy to win and a right to become advantageous to the player. Or a condition that the conditions for paying out premium game media are easily established. Further, when a predetermined amount of game balls or coins are awarded or a score is added in accordance with the establishment of a predetermined condition such as winning, these are referred to as value or valuable value.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, the fact that the display result of the variable display unit that displays the special symbol (identification information) is a combination of specific display modes that are set in advance is generally referred to as “big hit”. When a big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state in which a hit ball is easy to win. And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. If a predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit gaming state is ended.

  In addition, among the combinations of “out of” display modes other than the “big hit” combination, the display results are already derived and displayed at a stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions have not yet been derived and displayed. A state in which the display mode of the variable display unit satisfies a display condition that is a combination of specific display modes is called “reach”. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  The game progress in the gaming machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. Since there are a wide variety of variable display modes of identification information displayed on the variable display device, the capacity of the program related to variable display control is large. Therefore, it is difficult to control the identification information and the like displayed on the variable display device by the microcomputer of the game control means with limited program capacity, and the display control microcomputer is different from the microcomputer of the game control means. It is advisable to use (display control means).

  When a display control microcomputer is provided, the game control means appropriately sends a control signal to the display control microcomputer according to the progress of the game in order to synchronize the game control state and the variable display control state. There is a need. In that case, a control signal for designating identification information displayed on the variable display section, particularly stop identification information at the end of variable display, is sent to the microcomputer for display control (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-155027

  However, the game control microcomputer and the display control microcomputer each independently execute a control operation. Then, the game control microcomputer transmits a control signal regardless of the operation state of the display control microcomputer. Under such circumstances, the display control microcomputer may not be able to receive the control signal for some reason, and may not be synchronized with the game control state on the game control means side or may be delayed in synchronization. There is also a possibility that the display control means side receives a command due to noise or the like even though the game control means does not send the command. As a result, the operation of the gaming machine may become unstable.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to further stabilize the variable display control of the display control means in the configuration in which the display control means for performing the variable display control of the variable display device based on the signal received from the game control means is provided. An object is to provide a game machine that can be used.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention has a variable display device having a plurality of display areas (for example, display windows 28a to 28c) in which a game is played by a player firing a game ball into the game area and the identification information can be variably displayed. In addition, when the variable display start condition is satisfied, the variable information is started to be variably displayed. When the display result of the identification information becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, jackpot symbol), a specific game value (for example, A game control board (for example, main board 331) equipped with a game control means (for example, a basic circuit 353 including a CPU 356) for controlling the progress of the game, and a game control means. Display of variable display device based on display control command transmitted by direction communication (for example, communication via output buffer circuit 573 capable of transmitting signal only in one direction) Display control board (for example, display control board 165) mounted with display control means (for example, display control CPU 401) for performing control, and the game control means wins a game ball at a start winning opening provided in the game area. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the display result of the identification information is a specific display mode (for example, steps S51 to S54), and the identification information for determining the display mode determining means and the identification information to be stopped and displayed on the variable display device Including a determining unit (for example, step S55) and a display control command transmitting unit for transmitting a display control command to the display control unit (for example, steps S331 to S342), and the display control command transmitting unit starts variable display of the identification information. Sometimes a variable display command (for example, a variation pattern command) that instructs the start of variable display as a display control command. Each identification information designation command (for example, a left / right middle symbol stop command) that can specify identification information to be stopped and displayed in each display area is transmitted, and the identification information is stopped as a display control command when the variable display period has elapsed. When the variable display command is received, the display control means starts variable display of the identification information in the variable display device (for example, steps S811, S812, S837) and the variable display start means. When the command is received, the variable display is stopped (for example, steps S875, S872, and S887). After starting the variable display end means and variable display of the identification information, any one or more of the identification information designation commands is identified. Information designation command is not received (for example, it corresponds to the state of provisional symbol use flag ON), and variable When the confirmation command is not received even after the display period has elapsed (for example, N in step S880, N in S881, N in S891), the identification information designation received last time in the display area corresponding to the identification information designation command not received The identification information specified by the command (for example, the symbol loaded in steps S844, S848, and S852) is variably displayed (for example, step S893), and the identification information is received in response to the reception of the identification information designation command. Data indicating the identification information specified by the specified command is stored in a first identification information storage area (for example, the current symbol area) (for example, steps S683, S684, etc.) and the first when a variable display command is received. The data stored in the identification information storage area of Data shift means for shifting to a second identification information storage area (for example, the previous symbol area) as data indicating the identification information to be determined (for example, data stored in the previous symbol area used when the temporary symbol use flag is turned on); It is characterized by including.

Display control means, as the first identification information storage area, received from the reception of the variable display command for instructing a variable display start of the identification information from Yu skill control means within a predetermined time period (e.g., 0.5 seconds) configured to have an area for storing the data indicating the identification information specified by the identification information designation command and an area for storing the data indicating the identification information specified by the identification information designation command received after a predetermined period has elapsed May be.

  When the display control means does not receive the identification information designation command from the game control means, the display control means may be configured to perform control based on the data stored in the second identification information storage area.

  When the display control means does not receive the identification information designation command within a predetermined period after receiving the variable display command instructing the start of variable display of the identification information, it is stored in the second identification information storage area. Control may be performed on the assumption that identification information corresponding to existing data is stop identification information displayed on the variable display device.

  When the display control means receives the identification information designation command after a predetermined period and then receives a confirmation command indicating the end of variable display of the identification information, the display control means stores the data stored in the first identification information storage area. You may be comprised so that the corresponding identification information may be used as the stop identification information displayed on a variable display apparatus.

  When the display control means receives a confirmation command indicating the end of variable display of the identification information without receiving the identification information designation command after a predetermined period, the display control means responds to the data stored in the second identification information storage area. You may be comprised so that identification information may be used as the stop identification information displayed on a variable display apparatus.

  The variable display device has a plurality of display areas, and when the display control means uses data stored in the second identification information storage area for at least one display area, the combination of the identification information and the specific display mode In this case, the control may be performed so that any one piece of identification information is different from the identification information based on the data.

  The display control unit may be configured to perform control different from the specified identification information by using the identification information corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the data specifying any one of the identification information.

  The game control means may have a ring buffer type command storage area capable of storing a plurality of commands, and may be configured to read commands from the command storage area and transmit them to the display control means.

  The display control means has a reception command storage area in a ring buffer format capable of storing a plurality of received commands, and stores the received commands in the reception command storage area and the commands read from the reception command storage area The display control may be performed based on the above.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game control means transmits an identification information designation command for designating identification information displayed on the variable display device to the display control means, and the display control means It has a first identification information storage area for storing data related to identification information specified by the identification information designation command in response to reception of the designation command, and is stored in the first identification information storage area when a variable display command is received Since the stored data is shifted to the second identification information storage area, even if the identification information designation command cannot be received for some reason, the display control means can store the data in the second identification information storage area. Can be used to continue the variable display control, and there is an effect that the variable display control of the display control means can be made more stable. In particular, at the start of variable display, the contents of the first identification information storage area are reliably stored in the second identification information storage area.

In the invention according to claim 2, the display control means receives the variable display command instructing the start of variable display of the identification information from the game control means as the first identification information storage area within a predetermined period. configured to have an area for storing the data indicating the identification information specified by the identification information designation command and an area for storing the data indicating the identification information specified by the identification information designation command received after a predetermined period has elapsed Therefore, even if it is configured to perform various controls according to the reception timing of the identification information designation command, appropriate data can be used in each control.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the display control means does not receive the identification information designation command from the game control means, the display control means performs control based on the data stored in the second identification information storage area. Therefore, even when the identification information designation command cannot be received for some reason, the variable display control of the display control means can be made more stable.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when the display control means does not receive the identification information designation command within a predetermined period after receiving the variable display command, the data stored in the second identification information storage area Since the control is performed by assuming that the identification information corresponding to the stop identification information displayed on the variable display device is displayed, even when the reception of the identification information designation command is delayed, the display control means The variable display control of the variable display device can be continued.

  In the invention according to claim 5, when the display control means receives the identification information designation command after a predetermined period and then receives the confirmation command, the display control means responds to the data stored in the first identification information storage area. Since the control is performed so that the received identification information is the stop identification information displayed on the variable display device, even if the reception of the identification information designation command is delayed, the identification is performed until the confirmation command is received. If the information designation command can be received, variable display based on the identification information designated by the received identification information designation command can be executed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the display control means receives the confirmation command without receiving the identification information designation command after a predetermined period, the identification according to the data stored in the second identification information storage area Since the control is performed so that the information is the stop identification information displayed on the variable display device, even when the identification information designation command cannot be received before the confirmation command is received, the display control means can The identification information that is the display result can be derived.

  In the invention according to claim 7, when the display control means uses the data stored in the second identification information storage area for at least one display area, when the combination of identification information becomes the specific display mode, Since it is configured to perform control so that one piece of identification information is different from identification information based on data, it is possible to prevent a specific display mode from becoming a specific display mode even though it should not actually be a specific display mode. Is done.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the display control means performs control for making the identification information different from the specified identification information by using the identification information corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the data specifying any one of the identification information. Therefore, it can be prevented by simple control that the specific display mode is not actually generated but should not be the specific display mode.

  In the invention described in claim 9, the game control means has a ring buffer type command storage area capable of storing a plurality of commands, and reads the command from the command storage area and transmits it to the display control means. Since it is configured, it is possible to reduce the command signal transmission control burden of the game control means, and to reliably transmit commands to the display control means even if the command transmission processing of the game control means is delayed.

  In the invention according to claim 10, the display control means has a reception command storage area in a ring buffer format capable of storing a plurality of received commands, and stores the received commands in the reception command storage area. Since display control is performed based on the command read from the received command storage area, even if command read processing from the received command storage area is delayed, the received command storage area is overwritten by the newly received command. The command from the game control means will not be lost.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine 1 that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming board 10 in the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided on an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, a front frame 2 supported to be opened and closed on the left side of the outer frame, and a front frame 2 that can be opened and closed. The glass plate holding frame 3 is used. The front frame 2 is also provided with a game board 10, an upper plate 12, a lower plate 16 including an ashtray 18, an operation handle (operation knob) 19, a mechanism plate 70, and a ball hitting device 87.

  The glass plate holding frame 3 is provided with a circular see-through window 4 that allows the game area 25 in the game board 10 to be seen through, and a glass plate (not shown) is mounted from the back surface of the circular see-through window 4. In addition, along the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 4, the decoration LED 6 and decoration lamps 5 a and 5 b disposed on the left and right sides thereof are provided on the upper portion of the glass plate holding frame 3. The decoration LED 6 and the decoration lamps 5a and 5b are turned on or blinking in accordance with the game state to increase the game atmosphere. In particular, the player is notified of the occurrence or continuation of a specific gaming state. Furthermore, a prize that informs that there is a game ball to be paid out on the upper support side of the glass plate holding frame 3 and a ball break lamp 7 that informs that there are not enough game balls to be paid out or a winning occurrence. A ball lamp 8 is provided, and speakers 9 a and 9 b that generate sound effects according to the progress of the game are provided on the upper left and right sides of the glass plate holding frame 3.

  An upper plate opening / closing plate 11 that can be opened and closed is provided at the lower portion of the glass plate holding frame 3, and an upper plate 12 that is formed by fixing a plurality of plate members is provided on the surface of the upper plate opening / closing plate 11. Yes. In addition, a ball removal operation lever 13 that is movable in the left-right direction is provided on the upper part of the opening side of the upper plate opening / closing plate 11. When the ball removal operation lever 13 is moved in one direction, a game ball stored in the upper plate 12 flows down a ball extraction path (not shown) formed on the back surface of the upper plate opening / closing plate 11. It is guided to the lower plate 16.

  In addition, the upper plate 12 includes a piezoelectric buzzer 14. The piezoelectric buzzer 14 emits a notification sound in order to notify that when a gaming ball lending abnormality occurs or when a gaming ball lends. Further, although not shown in the figure, the upper plate 12 has an operation unit (a ball rental switch, a return switch, a balance indicator, etc.) for operating the card unit 20 provided adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1. Is provided.

  The lower tray 16 attached to the lower portion of the front frame 2 stores excess game balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 12, and an operation lever 17 is slidable on the front wall of the lower tray 16. It is attached. When the operation lever 17 is operated, the game balls stored in the lower plate 16 flow downward, and a player or the like can transfer the flowed game balls to a portable ball box. An ashtray 18 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 16, and an operation handle 19 is provided on the right side. The operation handle 19 incorporates a switch for starting driving of a driving motor 88 of a hit ball launching device 87 described later, and adjusts the elastic force.

  The card unit 20 provided adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled by a unique control circuit. However, a ball lending switch, a return switch, a balance display provided on the upper plate 12, and a payout control described later. It is connected to a dispensing control board built in the board box. The card unit 20 may be built in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

Next, the front structure of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
An arcuate guide rail 24 is attached to the surface of the game board 10. The inside of the guide rail 24 is a game area 25. In the game area 25, a variable display device 26 and a variable winning ball device 51 are provided, and a winning opening for simply winning a hit ball, a windmill for changing the flow direction and speed of the hit ball, and a number of obstacle nails are provided. Further, at the lowermost part of the game area 25, there is provided an out port 64 through which a hit ball that does not win any winning area is taken.

  The variable display device 26 includes an attachment substrate 27 attached to the front surface of the game board 10 and a variable display device driving unit 100 including a plurality of rotating drums 122A to 122C attached to the back surface of the game board 10. The configuration and operation of the variable display device driving unit 100 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  When the hit ball that falls in the game area 25 wins the start winning opening 48 arranged below the variable display device 26 and the start opening switch 50 is turned on, the rotating drums 122A to 122C start to rotate and the predetermined time has passed. When it has elapsed, it stops in the order of left, middle, and right. When the combination of symbols (special symbols) drawn on the outer circumferences of the rotating drums 122A to 122C displayed at the time of stop matches a predetermined jackpot symbol, a big hit gaming state is entered. In the big hit gaming state, a predetermined number of opening cycles in which the opening / closing plate 53 of the variable winning ball apparatus 51 is opened until a predetermined time (for example, 25 to 29 seconds) elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 15) is won. Repeated (for example, 16 times).

  Display windows 28 a to 28 c for allowing the rotary drums 122 </ b> A to 122 </ b> C to be seen through are formed on the mounting substrate 27 of the variable display device 26. Upper obstruction protrusions 31 are provided on the upper portions of the display windows 28a to 28c. A decoration lamp 33 is built in the upper obstacle protrusion 31. Furthermore, decorative LEDs 34, 35, 36, and 37 are also incorporated. Below the mounting substrate 27, a start memory display 29 is provided to notify that the right to rotate the rotary drums 122A to 122C has been reserved. Also, lower guide protrusions 38 are provided on the left and right sides of the start memory indicator 29. The lower guide protrusion 38 receives the game ball flowing from the left and right sides of the variable display device 26 and drops it toward the start winning opening 48. A decoration lamp 39 is also built in the lower guide protrusion 38.

  The variable display device 26 is installed in the approximate center of the game area 25, and the variable winning ball device (special electric accessory) 51 is installed in the lower part of the game area 25 and above the out port 64. A windmill 40 incorporating a lamp 41 is installed on the upper left and right sides of the variable display device 26, and a passage port 42 and a normal winning port 46 are installed on the upper left and right sides of the variable display device 26. In addition, a normal symbol display 44 is installed above the variable display device 26. In the passage opening 42, a gate switch 43 and a passage memory display 45 for detecting the passage of the hit ball are incorporated. The ordinary winning opening 46 is provided with a decoration LED 47 that simply exhibits a decorative effect. The normal winning opening 46 has a built-in winning detection switch 46a.

  When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 43, the display result of the normal symbol display 44 is derived after a predetermined time, and when the display result matches a predetermined hit symbol, the solenoid 49 of the start winning opening 48 is turned on. Thus, it becomes easy to win the winning prize opening 48. The passage memory display 45 notifies that the right to derive the display result of the normal symbol display 44 is reserved.

  In this embodiment, the normal symbol display 44 has two normal symbol display areas (the left side and the right side in the example shown in FIG. 2), and these light up alternately during normal symbol fluctuation. When the one corresponding to the hit at the end of the change is lit, the solenoid 49 of the start winning port 48, which is a normal electric accessory, is turned on so that it becomes easy to win the start winning port 48.

  In addition, a backflow prevention device 63 for preventing a hit ball reaching the game area 25 from flowing back into the guide rail 24 is provided at an entrance portion of the guide rail 24 at the entrance to the game area 25.

  The variable winning ball device 51 has an arc-shaped decorative board 62 corresponding to the shape of the lower half of the circular game area 25. A rectangular winning area 52 is formed in the approximate center of the decorative board 62. The winning area (large winning opening) 52 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 53. The opening / closing plate 53 is opened and closed by a solenoid 54. The winning area 52 is divided into two areas. When a hit ball is won in one area, the hit ball is detected by the V winning switch 55. If there is detection by the V winning switch 55 (detection of winning in the V zone), the start of the next release cycle in the big hit gaming state is guaranteed. When a hit ball wins the other area, the hit ball is detected by the count switch 56. The game balls that have won the V zone are transferred to the area where the count switch 56 is provided.

  A protrusion obstruction member is provided below the opening / closing plate 53. On the front surface of the protrusion obstruction member, a number indicator 57 for displaying the number of opening cycles in the big hit gaming state, and an opening / closing plate in one opening cycle. A winning number display 58 for displaying the number of winning balls in 53 is installed. In addition, the decorative plate 62 is provided with a plurality of decorative LEDs 59 and 60 and an attacker lamp 61.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drum storage box 101 of the variable display device driving unit 100 that is the rear structure of the variable display device 26 is fixed to the back surface of the game board 10. A winning ball collecting cover body (not shown) is attached so as to surround the drum storage box 101. The winning ball assembly cover body is formed with a guiding path and a winning ball assembly cage for guiding the winning balls won in various winning openings and winning ball devices according to a predetermined flow path.

  A first relay board 72 and a first relay board 72 are connected to the back of the winning ball collective cover body, to which a wiring attached to a winning opening arranged on the game board 10, a winning ball device, etc. Two relay boards 73 are attached. The first relay board 72 and the second relay board 73 are provided to relay various electrical components provided on the game board 10 and the game control board (main board) stored in the game control circuit board box 82. It has been. Note that the drum storage box 101, the first relay board 72, and the second relay board 73 are installed so as to protrude from a window opening 71 provided at substantially the center of the mechanism plate 70 or to be visible from the outside.

  Next, the configuration of the mechanism plate 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The mechanism plate 70 is provided so as to cover the back surface of the game board 10, but a ball storage tank 74 for storing a large amount of game balls provided as game balls is attached to the uppermost part on the back side of the mechanism plate 70. It has been. Below the ball storage tank 74, a guide rail 75 is provided in an inclined manner to flow the game balls flowing out of the ball storage tank 74 while aligning them in a plurality of rows (for example, two rows). At the end of the guide rail 75, there is a ball payout device 76 that is disposed on the side of the window opening 71, receives the aligned game balls from the guide rail 75, and pays out a predetermined number of game balls based on a winning ball signal. It is connected. A ball break detection switch 77 (not shown in FIG. 3) is provided on the upstream side of the ball payout device 76. When the ball break detection switch 77 is turned on, the ball break lamp 7 is turned on.

  The game ball paid out from the ball payout device 76 is guided to the upper plate 12 or the lower plate 16 through the payout passage. The ball payout device 76 is controlled by a payout control CPU mounted on the payout control board 98. The payout control CPU controls the ball payout device 76 in accordance with a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls from the CPU of the main board. Further, a full tank switch 78 is provided on one side of the discharge passage on the upstream side of the lower plate 16. When the full tank switch 78 is turned on, the driving of the driving motor of the hitting ball launching device and the game ball payout from the ball payout device 76 are stopped.

  A terminal box 80 is provided on the upper surface of the rear surface of the mechanism plate 70. The terminal box 80 accommodates a board on which a power line for supplying power to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and an information input / output terminal 81 for exchanging information signals with a management computer in the game hall are provided. Further, a game control board box 82 is detachably attached to the lower part of the window opening 71. A payout control board box 83 is attached below the game control board box 82.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a ball striking device 87 is attached to the lower side of the back surface of the front frame 2. The hitting ball launching device 87 includes a hitting ball 89 that launches a hit ball and a drive motor 88 that provides a reciprocating motion to the hitting ball 89. On the side opposite to the installation position of the hitting ball launching device 87, the operation of the electric decoration parts (decoration lamps 5a, 6b, decoration LED 6 etc.) provided on the glass plate holding frame 3 and the electric decoration parts provided on the game board And a lamp control board 85 for controlling the above.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power supply substrate 910. The power supply board 910 is an electric part control board such as a main board, a display control board, a sound control board, a lamp control board, and a payout control board (a board on which an electric part control means for controlling electric parts provided in the gaming machine is mounted) ) To generate a voltage used by each electrical component control board and mechanism component in the gaming machine. In this example, AC24V, VSL (DC + 30V), DC + 21V, DC + 12V, and DC + 5V are generated. A capacitor 916 serving as a backup power supply is charged from a line of power supply for driving DC + 5V, that is, an IC or the like on each substrate.

  The transformer 911 converts AC voltage from the AC power source into 24V. The AC 24V voltage is output to the connector 915. The rectifier circuit 912 also generates a DC voltage of +30 V from AC 24 V and outputs it to the DC-DC converter 913 and the connector 915. The DC-DC converter 913 generates + 21V, + 12V, and + 5V and outputs them to the connector 915. The connector 915 is connected to, for example, a relay board, and power of a voltage necessary for each electric component control board and the mechanism component is supplied from the relay board.

  However, each connector reaching each electric component control board may be provided on the power supply board 910 to supply each voltage from the power supply board 910 to each board without going through the relay board. FIG. 4 shows one connector 915 as a representative, but the connector is provided for each electric component control board.

  The + 5V line from the DC-DC converter 913 branches to form a backup + 5V line. A large-capacitance capacitor 916 is connected between the backup + 5V line and the ground level. Capacitor 916 has power so that the storage state can be maintained with respect to the backup RAM of the electrical component control board when the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off (RAM that is backed up by power, that is, storage means that can be in the storage content storage state). Backup power supply. Further, a backflow preventing diode 917 is inserted between the + 5V line and the backup + 5V line.

  A battery that can be charged from a + 5V power supply may be used as the backup power supply. In the case of using a battery, a rechargeable battery is used in which the capacity disappears when a state in which no power is supplied from the +5 V power source continues for a predetermined time.

  Further, a power supply monitoring IC 902 is mounted on the power supply board 910. The power monitoring IC 902 detects the occurrence of power interruption by introducing the VSL power supply voltage and monitoring the VSL power supply voltage. Specifically, when the VSL power supply voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value (+22 V in this example), a voltage drop signal (power supply cut-off signal) is output because power supply is cut off. The power supply voltage to be monitored is preferably higher than the power supply voltage (+5 V in this example) of the circuit element mounted on each electric component control board. In this example, VSL, which is a voltage immediately after being converted from AC to DC, is used. The voltage drop signal from the power monitoring IC 902 is supplied to the main board 331, the payout control board 98, and the like.

  The predetermined value for the power monitoring IC 902 to detect the power-off is lower than the normal voltage, but is a voltage that allows the CPU on each electrical component control board to operate for a while. Further, the power monitoring IC 902 is configured to monitor a voltage that is higher than a voltage for driving a circuit element such as a CPU (+5 V in this example) and immediately after being converted from AC to DC. Therefore, the monitoring range can be expanded for the voltage required by the CPU. Therefore, more precise monitoring can be performed. Furthermore, when VSL (+ 30V) is used as the monitoring voltage, the voltage supplied to the various switches of the gaming machine is + 12V, so that it can be expected to prevent erroneous switch-on detection at the time of instantaneous power interruption. That is, when the voltage of the + 30V power supply is monitored, it is possible to detect a decrease in the level before + 12V created after the creation of + 30V starts to drop.

  Therefore, when the voltage of the + 12V power supply decreases, the switch output becomes in the on state. However, if the power supply interruption is recognized by monitoring the + 30V power supply voltage that decreases faster than + 12V, the switch output becomes the power It is possible to enter a state of waiting for recovery and not detect switch output.

  Further, since the power monitoring IC 902 is mounted on the power supply board 910 that is separate from the electrical component control board, a power-off signal can be supplied from the power monitoring circuit to the plurality of electrical component control boards. Even if there are any number of electrical component control boards that require a power-off signal, it is only necessary to provide one power supply monitoring means. Therefore, even if each electrical component control means on each electrical component control board performs return control described later. The cost of the gaming machine does not increase so much.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the detection output (power-off signal) of the power monitoring IC 902 is transmitted to the respective electric component control boards (for example, the main board and the payout control board) via the buffer circuits 918 and 919. However, for example, a configuration in which one detection output is transmitted to the relay board and the same signal is distributed from the relay board to each electrical component control board may be employed. Further, a buffer circuit corresponding to the number of substrates that require a power-off signal may be provided.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game control circuit formed on the game control board (main board) 331 housed in the game control board box 82. 5 also shows a payout control board 98, a lamp control board 85, a sound control board 97, and a display control board 165. The main board 331 is electrically connected to the terminal box 80, the payout control board 98 housed in the payout control board box 83, the sound control board 97, and the lamp control board 85. The main board 331 is also connected to the display control board 165.

  The operation of the game control means and the rotating drum control circuit will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The main board 331 includes a basic circuit 353 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 43, a winning port switch 46a, a starting port switch 50, a V winning switch 55, a count switch 56, a full switch 78, and a ball out A switch circuit 358 for supplying a signal from the detection switch 77 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 49 for opening the start winning port 48, and a solenoid circuit 359 for driving the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the open / close plate 53 according to a command from the basic circuit 353. And are installed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 5, a drive signal for the switching solenoid for switching the path in the big prize opening is also output from the basic circuit 353, and the count switch short-circuit signal is also transmitted to the basic circuit 353 via the switch circuit 358. Is done.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 353, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used for the variable display start of the variable display device 26, and the fact that the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 364 that outputs probability variation information and the like to the terminal box 80 is mounted.

  The basic circuit 353 includes a ROM 354 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 355 that is used as a work memory, a CPU 356 that performs a control operation according to the control program, and an I / O port unit 357. Note that the RAM 355, the ROM 354, and the I / O port unit 357 may be externally attached or incorporated in the CPU 356. Further, a part or all of the RAM 354 is backed up by a backup power source from the power supply substrate 910. That is, the main board 331 has a backup RAM.

  Further, the main board 331 decodes an address signal supplied from the system reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 353 when the power is turned on, and the basic circuit 353, and outputs one of the I / O ports 357. An address decode circuit 367 for outputting a signal for selecting the / O port is provided.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 85 includes the start memory display 29, the passing memory display 45, the rotation display 57, and the winning number display provided on the game board. 58 and decoration LED display control, and display control of the decoration lamps / LEDs 5a, 5b, 6 provided on the frame side, the prize ball lamp 8 and the ball break lamp 7 are performed. In this embodiment, the normal symbol display 44 is controlled by display control means mounted on the display control board, but may be controlled by lamp control means.

  FIG. 6 shows a circuit configuration example in the display control board 165, drum motors 200A to 200C for rotating the rotating drums 122A to 122C, drum lamps 151A to 151C installed in the rotating drums 122A to 122C, and the main board. 3 is a block diagram showing a part of 331. FIG. Note that each of the drum lamps 151A to 151C actually includes a plurality of lunalites (hot cathode tubes).

  The display control CPU 401 operates according to a program stored in the control data ROM 402, and outputs a strobe signal (INT signal) from the output ports 571 and 572 and the output buffer circuit 573 of the main board 331 via the noise filter 407 and the input buffer circuit 405. ) Is received, a display control command is received via the input buffer circuit 405. As the input buffer circuit 405, for example, 74HC244, which is a general-purpose IC, can be used.

  Then, in accordance with the received display control command, the display control CPU 401 sends a signal for controlling the driving of the drum motors 200A to 200C and the lighting control of the drum lamps 151A to 151C via the output port 511 and the motor driving circuit 176. This is given to the write drive circuit 178. The motor drive circuit 176 and the light drive circuit 178 drive the drum motors 200A to 200C and the drum lamps 151A to 151C in accordance with signals from the display control CPU 401.

  The input buffer circuit 405 can pass signals only in the direction from the main board 331 toward the display control board 165. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 165 side to the main board 331 side. Even if tampering is added to the circuit in the display control board 165, a signal output by tampering is not transmitted to the main board 331 side. The outputs of the output ports 571 and 572 may be output to the display control board 165 as they are, but by providing an output buffer circuit 573 capable of transmitting signals only in one direction, the main board 331 to the display control board 165 is provided. Unidirectional signal transmission can be made more reliable.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the variable display device driving unit 100 of the variable display device 26, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the variable display device driving unit 100. FIG. 8 shows one of the rotary drum units 120A to 120C as a representative. In FIG. 8, the rotary drum units 120A to 120C, the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C, and the rotary drums 122A to 122C are The rotating drum unit 120, the printed wiring board 121, and the rotating drum 122 are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the variable display device driving unit 100 of the variable display device 26 includes rotating drum units 120 </ b> A to 120 </ b> C and a drum storage case 101 for storing them. The drum storage case 101 is formed in a box shape with the front opened. And after rotating drum unit 120A-120C is inserted from opening, they are supported. That is, engagement grooves 105 corresponding to the respective rotary drum units 120 </ b> A to 120 </ b> C are formed in the upper and lower portions of the drum storage case 101. On the other hand, an engagement protrusion 123 is formed on the printed wiring board 121 </ b> A to 121 </ b> C in each of the rotary drum units 120 </ b> A to 120 </ b> C, and the engagement protrusion 123 engages with an engagement groove 105 provided in the drum storage case 101.

  An attachment piece 103 and an engagement piece 104 are provided above and below the opening of the drum storage case 101. The attachment piece 103 and the engagement piece 104 are formed by bending the tip of a metal attachment band 102 applied from the upper part of the drum storage case 101 to the rear and along the bottom surface. Then, by attaching the attachment piece 103 and the engagement piece 104 to a frame-like attachment plate (not shown) fixed to the back surface of the game board 10, the entire variable display device driving unit 100 is attached to the game board 10. It is attached.

  A connection opening 112 corresponding to each of the rotary drum units 120A to 120C is provided on the bottom surface of the drum storage case 101, and the connection protrusion piece 127 and display control on the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C are connected via the connection opening 112. A connector 167 provided on the substrate 165 is connected. Furthermore, the rear surface of the drum storage case 101 is formed with a locking opening (not shown) through which the attachment portion 125 faces when the rotary drum units 120A to 120C are mounted.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the mounting portion 125 facing the locking opening is screwed into the hole 109 formed in the drum storage case 101 so that the rotating drum units 120A to 120C are connected to the drum storage case. 101 is fixed. At this time, the heat radiating plate 110 is also screwed together with the attachment portion 125. The heat radiating plate 110 is made of metal, and the heat accumulated in the printed wiring mounting substrates 121A to 121C is released to the outside through the heat radiating plate 110 by contacting the metal printed wiring mounting substrates 121A to 121C.

  A mounting boss 106 for screwing the display control board 165 is provided on the lower back surface of the drum storage case 101. Then, the display control board box 160 for protecting the display control board 165 is attached to the drum storage case 101 with the display control board 165 attached to the mounting boss 106. For attachment, an engagement hole 108 is formed in front of the bottom surface of the drum storage case 101, and an attachment hole 107 is formed in the lower end of the rear surface.

  The rotary drums 122A to 122C in the rotary drum units 120A to 120C are formed in a drum shape including a cylindrical symbol display surface having a plurality of symbols. Then, the shaft support portion of the reel frame formed in a hexagonal diagonal shape from the symbol display surface toward the center is fixed to the D-shaped cut protrusion 143 of the rotor 140 with screws. Reinforcing protrusions to increase the rigidity of the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C themselves from the upper side to the rear side of the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C to which the drum motors (stepping motors) for rotating the rotating drums 122A to 122C are mounted. 124 is formed.

  Further, a mounting portion 125 having a mounting hole 126 is formed at the lower end of the rear end, and a connecting protrusion 127 having a conductive terminal portion formed by printed wiring is provided at the bottom rear portion. Furthermore, a mounting hole 128 for mounting a lamp cover 153 that houses and supports the drum lamp 151 is provided in the front part of the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C. A shaft mounting hole for fixing a bearing 137 that rotatably supports the shaft portion of the rotor 140 is provided in a substantially central portion of the printed wiring mounting substrates 121A to 121C.

  A cylindrical coil case 135 having a built-in drive coil of a stepping motor is attached to substantially the center of the printed wiring board 121A to 121C. The coil case 135 is screwed to the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C, and the end of the drive coil is soldered to the conductive portion of the printed wiring. A spring washer 141 and a flat washer 142 are sandwiched between the rotor 140 and the bearing 137. In addition, a portion that penetrates the bearing 137 and protrudes to the back side of the printed wiring board 121 </ b> A to 121 </ b> C is fixed by an E ring 147 through a washer 146.

  The rotating drums 122 </ b> A to 122 </ b> C have the motor cover 148 attached from the front in a state where the shaft portion of the rotor 140 is supported by the bearing 137, and the D-shaped cut protrusion 143 protruding forward from the motor cover 148. When 122A to 122C are fitted and screwed, they are mounted on the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C.

  The drum lamp 151 is covered by a lamp cover 153, and the lamp cover 153 has a lamp cradle 156 that receives each drum lamp 151. With the lamp cradle 156 supporting the drum lamp 151, the mounting holes 154 formed on the upper and lower sides thereof are fixed to the mounting holes 128 with screws 155, so that the lamp cover 153 is fixed to the printed wiring mounting boards 121A to 121C. Is done. Note that the drum lamp 151 irradiates light from behind to a symbol that can be visually recognized by the player in order to enhance the decoration effect. In FIG. 7, three lights are shown as the drum lamp 151, but more lights may be used to enhance the gaming effect. For example, in FIG. 8, five lights are illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-board box 160 is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface. And many heat radiation holes 161 are provided over the perimeter of the side wall. An engagement claw 162 that engages with the engagement hole 108 of the drum storage box 101 is provided in front of the display control board 165. Further, an attachment hole 163 corresponding to the attachment hole 107 of the drum storage box 101 is provided behind the display control board 165. After the engagement claw 162 is inserted into the engagement hole 108, the sub board box 160 is attached to the drum storage box 101 with the screw 164 in a state where the position of the attachment hole 163 matches the position of the attachment hole 107.

  The display control board 165 housed in the sub board box 160 is provided with mounting holes 166 corresponding to the mounting bosses 106 of the drum storage box 101. And as shown in FIG. 9, the some connector 167 connected to the connection protrusion piece part 127 of each rotating drum unit 120A-120C is mounted in the upper surface side. A connector 173 connected to the main board 331 housed in the game control board box 82, a CPU 401, a transistor 171 and the like are mounted on the lower surface side. Although four transistors 171 are illustrated in FIG. 9, a large number of transistors and ICs are actually mounted.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example around the CPU 356 in the main board 331. As shown in FIG. 10, the power-off signal (voltage drop signal) from the power supply monitoring circuit (power supply monitoring means) on the power supply board 910 is connected to the non-maskable interrupt terminal (XNMI terminal) of the CPU 356. The power supply monitoring circuit is a circuit that detects a power supply voltage drop by monitoring the voltage of any of the various DC power supplies used by the gaming machine. In this embodiment, the power supply voltage of VSL is monitored, and when the voltage value falls below a predetermined value, a low-level power cut-off signal is generated. VSL is the largest DC voltage used in gaming machines, and is + 30V in this example. Therefore, the CPU 356 can confirm the occurrence of power interruption by the interrupt process.

  FIG. 10 also shows a system reset circuit 65. When the power is turned on, the reset IC 651 sets the output to a low level for a predetermined time determined by the capacity of the external capacitor, and sets the output to a high level when the predetermined time has elapsed. That is, the reset signal is raised to a high level to make the CPU 356 operable. The reset IC 651 monitors the power supply voltage of VSL, which is the same as the power supply voltage monitored by the power supply monitoring circuit, and the voltage value is lower than a predetermined value (the power supply voltage value at which the power supply monitoring circuit outputs a power-off signal). When the value is less than or equal to, the output is set to low level. Therefore, the CPU 356 performs a predetermined power supply stop process in response to the power-off signal from the power supply monitoring circuit, and then the system is reset.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the reset signal from the reset IC 651 is input to the NAND circuit 947 and also input to the clear terminal of the counter IC 941 via the inverting circuit (NOT circuit) 944. The counter IC 941 counts the clock signal from the oscillator 943 when the input to the clear terminal becomes low level. The Q5 output of the counter IC 941 is input to the NAND circuit 947 via the NOT circuits 945 and 946. The Q6 output of the counter IC 941 is input to the clock terminal of the flip-flop (FF) 942. The D input of the flip-flop 942 is fixed at a high level, and the Q output is input to an OR circuit (OR circuit) 949. The output of the NAND circuit 947 is introduced into the other input of the OR circuit 949 via the NOT circuit 948. The output of the OR circuit 949 is connected to the reset terminal of the CPU 356. According to such a configuration, since the reset signal (low level signal) is given twice to the reset terminal of the CPU 356 when the power is turned on, the CPU 356 starts to operate reliably.

  For example, the detection voltage of the power supply monitoring circuit (the voltage that outputs the power-off signal) is + 22V, and the detection voltage for setting the reset signal to low level is + 9V. In such a configuration, since the power supply monitoring circuit and the system reset circuit 65 monitor the voltage of the same power supply VSL, the timing at which the voltage monitoring circuit outputs a power-off signal and the system reset circuit 65 reset the system. It is possible to reliably set the difference in timing for outputting the signal within a desired predetermined period. The desired predetermined period is a period from the start of the power supply stop process in response to the power-off signal from the power supply monitoring circuit until the completion of the power supply stop process.

  While power is not supplied from the + 5V power source that is the driving power source of the CPU 356 or the like, at least a part of the RAM is backed up by the backup power source supplied from the power supply board, and the contents are preserved even if the power source for the gaming machine is cut off. The When the +5 V power supply is restored, a reset signal is issued from the system reset circuit 65, so that the CPU 356 returns to a normal operation state. At that time, since necessary data is stored in the backup RAM, it is possible to return to the gaming state at the time of occurrence of the power failure when recovering from the power failure.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, two reset signals (low level signals) are given to the reset terminal of the CPU 356 when the power is turned on, but the reset is reliably released even if the reset signal rises only once. When the CPU is used, the circuit elements denoted by reference numerals 941 to 949 are not necessary. In that case, the output of the reset IC 651 is directly connected to the reset terminal of the CPU 356.

  The CPU 356 used in this embodiment also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). The PIO has 4 bits PB0 to PB3 and 1 byte port PA0 to PA7. The ports PB0 to PB3 and PA0 to PA7 can be set to either input / output. However, the built-in PIO is not used in this embodiment. In that case, for example, all the ports are set to the input mode, and all the ports are connected to the ground level. When the power is turned on, the PIO is automatically set to the input mode.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the CPU 356 in the main board 331. When power is turned on for the gaming machine and the CPU 356 is activated, the CPU 356 first performs necessary initial settings in the main process.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 356 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4). Further, after initialization (step S5) of CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits), the RAM is set to an accessible state (step S6).

  The CPU 356 used in this embodiment also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). The CTC also includes two external clock / timer trigger inputs CLK / TRG2, 3 and two timer outputs ZC / TO0,1.

  The CPU 356 used in this embodiment has the following three modes as maskable interrupt (INT) modes. When a maskable interrupt occurs, the CPU 356 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter in the stack.

  Interrupt mode 0: The built-in device that has issued the interrupt request sends an RST instruction (1 byte) or a CALL instruction (3 bytes) onto the internal data bus of the CPU. Therefore, CPU 356 executes the instruction at the address corresponding to the RST instruction or the address specified by the CALL instruction. At reset, the CPU 356 automatically enters interrupt mode 0. Therefore, when setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2, it is necessary to perform a process for setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2 in the initial setting process.

  Interrupt mode 1: In this mode, when an interrupt is accepted, the mode always jumps to address 0038 (h).

  Interrupt mode 2: A mode in which the address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) of the CPU 356 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output from the built-in device indicates the interrupt address It is. That is, the interrupt address is an address indicated by 2 bytes in which the upper address is the value of the specific register and the lower address is the interrupt vector. Therefore, an interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary address (although it is skipped). Each built-in device has a function of transmitting an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

  Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, it becomes possible to easily process an interrupt request from each built-in device, and it is possible to install an interrupt process at an arbitrary position in the program. . Furthermore, unlike interrupt mode 1, it is also easy to prepare each interrupt process for each interrupt generation factor. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 356 is set to the interrupt mode 2 in step S2 of the initial setting process.

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not data protection processing (for example, power failure occurrence NMI processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed in the backup RAM area when the power is turned off (step S7). In this embodiment, when an unexpected power failure occurs, processing for protecting data in the backup RAM area is performed. When such protection processing is performed, it is assumed that there is a backup. When it is confirmed that there is no backup, the CPU 356 executes an initialization process.

  In this embodiment, whether or not there is backup data in the backup RAM area is confirmed by the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area when the power is turned off. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, if “55H” is set in the backup flag area, it means that there is a backup (ON state), and if a value other than “55H” is set, there is no backup (OFF). State).

  After confirming that there is a backup, the CPU 356 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example). In the case of recovery after an unexpected power failure, the data in the backup RAM area should have been saved, so the check result is normal. If the check result is not normal, the internal state cannot be returned to the state at the time of power-off, and therefore an initialization process that is executed at the time of power-on not at the time of power failure recovery is executed.

  If the check result is normal (step S8), the CPU 356 performs a game state recovery process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electrical component control means such as the display control means to the state when the power is cut off. (Step S9). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) stored in the backup RAM area is set in the PC, and the address is restored.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 356 first performs a RAM clear process (step S11). Also, initial value setting processing is performed for setting initial values in predetermined work areas (for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, a payout command storage pointer, etc.). Further, processing for initializing the sub-boards (lamp control board 85, payout control board 98, voice control board 97, display control board 165) is executed (step S13). The process of initializing the sub board is a process of sending a command for initial setting, for example.

  Then, a CTC register provided in the CPU 356 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 2 ms (step S14). That is, a value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value. Since the interruption is prohibited in step S1 of the initial setting process, the interruption is permitted before the initialization process is completed (step S15).

  In this embodiment, the built-in CTC of the CPU 356 is set to repeatedly generate a timer interrupt. In this embodiment, the repetition period is set to 2 ms. When a timer interrupt occurs, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 356 sets a timer interrupt flag indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred, for example (step S12).

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S11 to S15) is completed, the main process shifts to a loop process in which it is confirmed whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred (step S17). In the loop, display random number update processing (step S16) is also executed.

  When recognizing that a timer interruption has occurred in step S17, CPU 356 executes the game control process of steps S21 to S31. In the game control process, the CPU 356 first inputs the state of switches such as the gate sensor 12, the start port switch 17, the count sensor 23, and the winning port switches 19a, 19b, 24a, and 24b via the switch circuit 58, and these. Is determined (switching process: step S21).

  Next, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S22).

  Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S23). The CPU 356 further performs a process of updating display random numbers such as random numbers for determining the type of stop symbol (step S24).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows.
(1) Random 1: Decide whether or not to generate a big hit (for big hit determination = special symbol determination)
(2) Random 2-1-2-3: For left / right centered symbol determination (3) Random 3: Determines the symbol combination at the time of jackpot (for jackpot symbol determination = for special symbol determination)
(4) Random 4: Determine the fluctuation pattern at the time of reach (for fluctuation pattern determination)

In order to enhance the game effect, random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (4) are also used.
In step S23, the CPU 356 counts up (adds 1) the counter for generating the jackpot determination random number (1) and the jackpot symbol determination random number (3). That is, they are determination random numbers, and other random numbers are display random numbers.

  Further, the CPU 356 performs special symbol process processing (step S25). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S26). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 44 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 356 performs a process of setting a display control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the display control command (display control command control process: step S27).

  Further, the CPU 356 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S29).

  CPU 356 issues a drive command to solenoid circuit 59 when a predetermined condition is satisfied (step S30). The solenoid circuit 359 drives the solenoids 49 and 54 in response to the drive command, and opens or closes the start winning opening 48 or the open / close plate 53.

  Then, the CPU 356 executes a prize ball process for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection outputs of the switches 46a, 50, 56 for detecting a winning at each prize opening (step S31). Specifically, a payout control command is output to the payout control board 98 in response to winning detection. The payout control CPU mounted on the payout control board 98 drives the ball payout device 76 in accordance with the payout control command.

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is executed in the main process, but the game control process is performed in the timer interrupt process. May be executed.

  In addition, the main process includes a process for determining whether or not to shift to the game control process, and whether or not to shift to the game control process by the timer interrupt process based on the timer interrupt periodically generated by the internal timer of the CPU 356 Since the flag for determining whether or not is set or the like, all of the game control processing is surely executed. In other words, until all the game control processes are executed, it is not determined whether or not to shift to the next game control process, so it is guaranteed that all the processes in the game control process are completed. ing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the interrupt mode 2 is set in the initial setting process for the CPU 356 having a built-in CTC or PIO. Therefore, a periodic timer interrupt process using the built-in CTC can be easily realized. Also, the timer interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary position on the program. In addition, switch detection processing using the built-in PIO can be easily realized by interrupt processing. As a result, it is possible to obtain effects such as a simplified program configuration and a reduced number of program development steps.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a left / right middle symbol used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, there are 20 symbols as the left and right middle symbols. Each symbol is assigned a symbol number of 00 (H) to 13 (H). Each of the left and right columns in the variable display device 26 can display three symbols (however, only a part of the symbols may be displayed on the upper and lower rows in each column). .

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 356. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 16 is a specific process of step S25 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 356 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 according to the internal state after performing the fluctuation shortening timer subtraction process (step S310). The variation shortening timer is a timer for setting the variation time when the variation time of the special symbol is shortened.

  Special symbol change waiting process (step S300): The start winning opening 48 is hit and a wait is made for the start opening switch 50 to be turned on. When the start opening switch 50 is turned on, if the start winning memorized number is not full, the start winning memorized number is incremented by 1 and a jackpot determining random number or the like is extracted.

  Special symbol determination process (step S301): When variable symbol special display can be started, the number of start winning memories is confirmed. If the start winning memorized number is not 0, it is determined whether to win or not according to the extracted value of the big hit determination random number.

  Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbol of the middle left and right symbols is determined.

  Reach operation setting process (step S303): It is determined whether or not to perform a reach operation based on a combination of left and right stop symbols, and when it is determined to reach, depending on the value of the random number for determining the variation pattern Determine the variable period for reach.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S304): Control is performed so that variation of all symbols is started in the variable display device 26. At this time, the left / right middle final stop symbol and the information for instructing the variation mode are transmitted to the display control board 165. When the process is finished, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S305.

  All symbol stop waiting process (step S305): When a predetermined time (the time indicated by the fluctuation shortening timer in step S310) elapses, all symbols displayed on the variable display device 26 are stopped. If the stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbol, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S306. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

  Big winning opening opening process (step S306): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and flag are initialized, and the solenoid 54 is driven to open the special winning opening. Also, a big hit flag (a flag indicating that a big hit is being made) is set. When the process is finished, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S307.

  Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S307): Control for sending display control command data for the large winning opening round display to the lamp control board 85, processing for confirming establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. If the final closing condition of the big prize opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S308.

  Specific area valid time processing (step S308): The presence / absence of passing of the V winning switch 55 is monitored, and processing for confirming that the big hit gaming state continuation condition is satisfied is performed. If the condition for continuing the big hit gaming state is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated to shift to step S306. In addition, when the big hit gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within a predetermined effective time, or when all rounds are finished, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309.

  Big hit end process (step S309): A display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process for determining that the hit ball has won the start winning opening 48. When the hit ball wins the start winning opening 48 provided in the game board 10, the start opening switch 50 is turned on. For example, in the special symbol variation waiting process in step S300 of the special symbol process, as shown in FIG. 17, when the CPU 356 determines that the start port switch 50 is turned on via the switch circuit 358 (step S41), the start is started. It is confirmed whether or not the number of winning prizes has reached the maximum value of 4 (step S42). If the starting winning memory number has not reached 4, the starting winning memory number is increased by 1 (step S43), and the value of each random number such as a big hit determination random number is extracted. Then, they are stored in a random value storage area corresponding to the value of the number of stored start winning prizes (step S44). When the start winning memory number has reached 4, the process for increasing the starting win memory number is not performed. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to store the number of hit balls that have been won in up to four start winning holes 17.

  In the special symbol process process of step S25, the CPU 356 checks the value of the start winning memorized number as shown in FIG. 18 (step S51). If the starting winning memory number is not 0, the value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = 1 is read (step S52), the value of the starting winning memory number is decreased by 1, and each The value in the random value storage area is shifted (step S53). That is, each value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is stored in the random value storing area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n−1. To do.

  Then, the CPU 356 determines the winning / losing based on the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted value of the jackpot determination random number (step S54). Here, the jackpot determination random number takes a value in the range of 0-299. As shown in FIG. 19, at the time of low probability, for example, when the value is “3”, it is determined as “big hit”, and when it is other than that, it is determined as “out of”. When the probability is high, for example, when the value is any one of “3”, “7”, “79”, “103”, “107”, “big hit” is determined. It is determined that it is out of place.

  When it is determined that the game is a big hit, the big hit symbol determining random number (random 3) is extracted and the big hit symbol is determined according to the value (step S55). In this embodiment, each symbol of the symbol number set in the jackpot symbol table corresponding to the extracted random 3 value is determined as a jackpot symbol. In the jackpot symbol table, left and right middle symbol numbers corresponding to combinations of a plurality of types of jackpot symbols are set. Further, the variation pattern of the symbol is determined based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted random number for variation pattern determination (random 4) (step S56).

  If it is determined that there is a loss, the CPU 356 determines a stop symbol when it is not a big hit. In this embodiment, the left symbol is determined according to the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random 2-1 value (step S57). Further, the medium symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-2 (step S58). Then, the right symbol is determined according to the random 2-3 value (step S59). Here, when the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the random number value corresponding to the middle symbol is set as the stop symbol of the middle symbol so as not to match the jackpot symbol To do.

  Further, when the left and right symbols become the same, that is, when it is determined that the reach is established, the CPU 356 reads the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted variation pattern determining random number (random 4 ) Is determined based on the value of () (step S60).

  In the high probability state, when a variation pattern with a shortened variation time is used as the variation pattern at the time of disconnection, in the high probability state, the CPU 356 uses the variation pattern at the time of normal disconnection or a shortened variation pattern. Whether to use is determined using, for example, a predetermined random number.

  As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol variation based on the start winning is the big hit, the reach mode, or the off mode, and the combination of the respective stop symbols is determined.

  The process shown in FIG. 18 corresponds to the process when the processes of steps S301 to S303 in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 16 are collectively shown.

  Next, transmission of display control commands from the main board 331 to the display control board 165 will be described. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing signal lines of display control commands transmitted from the main board 331 to the display control board 165. As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment, the display control command is transmitted from the main board 331 to the display control board 165 through eight signal lines of display control signals D0 to D7. Further, a signal line for a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also provided between the main board 331 and the display control board 165.

  In this embodiment, the display control command has a 2-byte configuration. As shown in FIG. 21, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. The command form shown in FIG. 21 is an example, and other command forms may be used. In this example, the control command is composed of two control signals. However, the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one or a plurality of three or more. .

  FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal (strobe signal) that constitute a control command for the display control board 165. As shown in FIG. 21, when a predetermined period elapses after MODE or EXT data is output to the output port, the CPU 356 turns on the INT signal, which is a signal indicating data output. Further, when a predetermined period has elapsed from that point, the INT signal is turned off.

  Although the display control command has been described here, the control commands sent to other sub-boards are also the same as those shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a display control command sent to the display control board 165. In the example shown in FIG. 23, commands 8000 (H) to 80XX (H) are display control commands for designating a special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 26 that variably displays a special symbol. Note that the command for specifying the variation pattern also serves as a variation start instruction.

  Commands 91XX, 92XX, and 93XX are display control commands for designating a stop symbol in the middle left of the special symbol. Command 8F00 is a special symbol power-on display command (power-on display command) for instructing initial display of a special symbol. When receiving the power-on display command, the display control means performs control for displaying a predetermined combination of special symbols on the variable display device 26. The command A0XX is a display control command (confirmation command) for instructing stop of variable symbol special display.

  The command BXXX is a display control command that is sent from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. However, when the normal symbol display 44 is controlled by the lamp control means, B1XX (H) and B2XX (H) are not sent to the display control board 165. The command C000 (H) is a command for instructing a customer waiting demonstration. This command is used when the variable display device 26 is a CRT or LED.

  Command C100 (H) is a special symbol power outage recovery that is sent when the game state at the time of power-off is stored in the backup RAM of the game control means when the power is turned on and the symbol is changing at the time of power-off. It is a command. When the display control means receives the special symbol power failure recovery command, the display control means starts control to display the instructed left and right middle symbols. The specified left / right / middle symbol is a command that designates the left / right / middle stop symbol that is sent after the special symbol power failure recovery command, and the command that designates the left / right / middle stop symbol that was sent immediately before the power was turned off. Is the same command as

  The commands D000 (H) to D400 (H) are display control commands related to a normal symbol variation pattern. However, when the normal symbol display 44 is controlled by the lamp control means, those commands are not sent to the display control board 165.

  When the display control means of the display control board 165 receives the above-described display control command from the game control means of the main board 331, the variable display device 26 and the normal symbol display 44 (display control means) according to the contents shown in FIG. Change the display state).

  When a control command is to be output from the game control means to each electric component control board (sub board), the command transmission table is set. FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of 3 bytes, and INT data is set in the first byte. In the command data 1 of the second byte, MODE data of the first byte of the control command is set. Then, in the command data 2 of the third byte, the EXT data of the second byte of the control command is set.

  Although the EXT data itself may be set in the area of the command data 2, the command data 2 may be set with data for designating the address of the table storing the EXT data. . In this embodiment, if bit 7 (work area reference bit) of command data 2 is 0, it indicates that EXT data itself is set in command data 2. Such EXT data is data in which bit 7 is 0. If the work area reference bit is 1, it indicates that the other 7 bits are an offset for designating the address of the table storing the EXT data.

  FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of INT data. Bit 0 in the INT data indicates whether or not a payout control command should be sent to the payout control board 98. If bit 0 is “1”, it indicates that a payout control command should be sent. Accordingly, the CPU 356 sets “01 (H)” in the INT data, for example, in the prize ball processing (step S31 of the main processing). Bit 1 in the INT data indicates whether or not a display control command should be sent to the display output control board 165. If bit 1 is “1”, it indicates that a display control command should be sent. Accordingly, the CPU 356 sets “02 (H)” in the INT data, for example, in the display control command control process (step S27 of the main process).

  Bits 2 and 3 of the INT data are bits indicating whether or not a lamp control command and a voice control command should be sent, respectively, and the CPU 356 performs special symbol process processing when it is time to send those commands. Etc., INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 are set in the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer. When these commands are transmitted, the corresponding bit of the INT data is set to “1”, and MODE data and EXT data are set to the command data 1 and the command data 2.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of command transmission tables are prepared for each control command, and the command transmission table to be used is designated by a pointer. The plurality of command transmission tables are used as a ring buffer. For example, as shown in FIG. 24C, twelve command transmission tables are prepared for display control commands. Therefore, for example, in the display control command control process, the CPU 356 sets INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 in the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter. Then, the command transmission number counter is updated. When the value of the command transmission number counter reaches 12, the value is returned to 0.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the display control command control process (step S27) in the game control process shown in FIG. The display control command control process is a process including a command output process and an INT signal output process. In the display control command control process, the CPU 356 first saves the address (contents of the read pointer) of the command transmission table to a stack or the like (step S331). Then, the INT data of the command transmission table pointed to by the read pointer is loaded into the argument 1 (step S332). The argument 1 is input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Also, the address indicating the command transmission table is incremented by 1 (step S333). Therefore, the address indicating the command transmission table matches the address of the command data 1.

  Therefore, the CPU 356 reads the command data 1 and sets it as the argument 2 (step S334). The argument 2 is also input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Then, the command transmission processing routine is called (step S335).

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a command transmission routine. In the command transmission routine, the CPU 356 first sets the data set for the argument 1, that is, the INT data, in the work area determined as the comparison value (step S351). Next, the number of transmissions = 4 is set in the work area determined as the number of processes (step S352). Then, the port 1 address for outputting the payout control signal is set to the IO address (step S353). In this embodiment, the port 1 address is the output port address for outputting the payout control signal. The addresses of ports 2 to 4 are the addresses of output ports for outputting display control signals, lamp control signals, and audio control signals.

  Next, the CPU 356 shifts the comparison value to the right by 1 bit (step S354). As a result of the shift processing, it is confirmed whether or not the carry bit has become 1 (step S355). When the carry bit becomes 1, it means that the rightmost bit in the INT data is “1”. In this embodiment, four shift processes are performed. For example, when it is specified that a payout control command should be sent, the carry bit is set to 1 in the first shift process.

  When the carry bit becomes 1, the data set in the argument 2, in this case, the command data 1 (that is, MODE data) is output to the address set as the IO address (step S 356). Since the address of port 1 is set as the IO address when the first shift processing is performed, MODE data of the payout control command is output to port 1 at that time.

  Next, the CPU 356 adds 1 to the IO address (step S357) and subtracts 1 from the number of processes (step S358). If port 1 is indicated before addition, the address of port 3 is set as the IO address by the addition processing for the IO address. Port 2 is a port for outputting a display control command. Then, the CPU 356 checks the value of the number of processes (step S359), and if the value is not 0, returns to step S354. In step S354, the shift process is performed again.

  In the second shift process, the value of bit 1 in the INT data is pushed out, and the carry flag is set to “1” or “0” depending on the value of bit 1. Therefore, it is checked whether or not it is specified that the display control command should be sent. Similarly, it is checked whether or not the lamp control command and the voice control command are to be transmitted by the third and fourth shift processes. As described above, when each shift process is performed, an IO address corresponding to a command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) checked by the shift process is set in the IO address. Has been.

  Therefore, when the carry flag becomes “1”, a control command is sent to the corresponding output port (port 1 to port 4). That is, a single common module can perform control command transmission processing for each electric component control means.

  In addition, since it is determined to which electrical component control means the control command should be output only by the shift processing, the process for determining to which electrical component control means the control command should be output is simplified. It has become.

  Next, the CPU 356 reads the content of the argument 1 storing the INT data before the start of the shift processing (step S360), and outputs the read data to the port 0 (step S361). In this embodiment, the address of port 0 is a port for outputting an INT signal for each control signal, and bits 0 to 4 of port 0 are a payout control INT signal, a display control INT signal, and a ramp, respectively. This is a port for outputting a control INT signal and a voice control INT signal. In the INT data, the bit corresponding to the output bit of the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) output in the processing of steps S351 to S359 is “1”. It has become. Therefore, the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) output to any of the ports 1 to 4 is turned on.

  Next, the CPU 356 sets a predetermined value in the wait counter (step S362), and subtracts one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S363 and S364). This process is a process for setting the ON period of the INT signal (control signal INT) shown in the timing chart of FIG. When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, clear data (00) is set (step S365), and the data is output to port 0 (step S366). Therefore, the INT signal is turned off. Then, a predetermined value is set in the wait counter (step S362), and 1 is subtracted one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S368 and S369). This process is a process for setting a period from the fall of the first INT signal to the start of EXT data output.

  Therefore, the value set in the wait counter in step S367 is the period from the falling edge of the first INT signal until the start of EXT data output. The value is such that a sufficient period of time is obtained for surely receiving the command. Further, the value set in the wait counter is a value such that the period becomes longer than the time required for the processing of steps S351 to S359.

  As described above, the MODE data of the first byte of the control command is transmitted. Therefore, the CPU 356 adds 1 to the value indicating the command transmission table in step S336 shown in FIG. Therefore, the command data 2 area of the third byte is designated. The CPU 356 loads the contents of the command data 2 pointed to the argument 2 (step S337). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the value of bit 7 (work area reference bit) of the command data 2 is “0” (step S339). If not 0, the head address of the command extended data address table is set in the pointer (step S339), and the value of bit 6 to bit 0 of the command data 2 is added to the pointer to calculate the address (step S340). Then, the data of the area indicated by the address is loaded into the argument 2 (step S341).

  In the command extension data address table, EXT data that can be sent to the electrical component control means is sequentially set. Therefore, if the value of the work area reference bit is “1” by the above processing, the EXT data in the command extended data address table corresponding to the contents of the command data 2 is loaded into the argument 2 and the work area reference bit If the value is “0”, the contents of the command data 2 are loaded into the argument 2 as they are. Even when EXT data is read from the command extension data address table, bit 7 of the data is “0”.

  Next, the CPU 356 calls a command transmission routine (step S342). Therefore, the EXT data is transmitted at the same timing as the transmission of MODE data. Thereafter, the CPU 356 restores the address of the command transmission table (step S343) and updates the value of the read pointer indicating the command transmission table (step S344). When the value of the read pointer exceeds the position of the command command transmission table 12 shown in FIG. 24C, the value of the read pointer is returned to zero.

  Further, if a control command that has not been transmitted is set in the command transmission table, the process returns to step S331. When returning to step S331, control commands are continuously sent out, so a delay time is set in order to leave an interval between the control commands. Whether or not an untransmitted control command is set is determined, for example, by comparing the value of the command transmission counter with the value of the read pointer.

  As described above, each control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) having a 2-byte configuration is handled by the command control processing module which is one control signal output module. It is transmitted to the control means. In the electrical component control means, when the falling edge of the INT signal as the capture signal is detected, the control command capture process is started. A new signal from is not output to the signal line. That is, reliable command reception processing is performed in each electric component control means. In addition, each electric component control means may start taking in the control command at the rising edge of the INT signal. Further, the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of command transmission tables are used as a ring buffer. In the command control process shown in FIG. 25, command output control is performed for the command transmission table pointed to by the read pointer, and command transmission is performed. In the process of setting data in the table, for example, the display control command control process in the game control process, the command setting process is performed for the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter. Therefore, even if a plurality of command transmission requests are generated at the same time, command output processing based on these requests is executed without any problem.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a plurality of control commands are set in the command transmission table, all control commands are sent out by one command control process. Since the command control process (for example, the display control command control process) is activated once every 2 ms, all the control commands are eventually transmitted in the main process activation period of 2 ms. In this embodiment, a plurality of command transmission tables are prepared for each control command (display control command, lamp control command, voice control command, payout control command) to each control means. When the control command is set in the command transmission table of the display control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command, all the display control commands, the lamp control command, and the voice control command are transmitted in one command control process. It is also possible. That is, at the same time (meaning in one main process start cycle), those control commands can be sent out. Since the sending timing of these control commands is generated at the same time in the progress of the game effect, it is convenient to have such a configuration. However, since the payout control command is generated regardless of the progress of the game effect, it is generally not sent simultaneously with the display control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a display control command sending part in the sub-substrate initialization process (step S13) of the main process shown in FIG. In the sub-substrate initialization processing, the CPU 356 first sets 8F (H) to the command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (initial value is 0) (step S201), and 00 ( H) is set (step S202), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S203). Therefore, a power-on display command is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S204). Next, the display control command control process shown in FIG. 25 is called (step S243). Accordingly, the display control command set in the command transmission table is sent out.

  When receiving the power-on display command, the display control means displays a predetermined initial display symbol on the variable display device 26. For example, “7”, “Bell” and “7” (see FIG. 15) as the initial display symbols are displayed in combination.

  FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing an example of sending a display control command related to a special symbol sent from the main board 331 to the display control board 165 when power supply to the gaming machine is started. By the process shown in FIG. 27 (the process of step S13 of the main process shown in FIG. 11), the power-on display command is set in the command transmission table. Then, in the display control command control process (step S243), the command is sent out.

  During normal game control that is not when the power is turned on, the game control means sends a variation pattern command and a command indicating the left and right middle symbols when starting the variation of the symbol, and the variation time determined according to the variation pattern A special symbol stop command (deterministic command) is sent at such a timing that the variation of the symbol can be stopped when elapses. The variation pattern command corresponds to a variable display command for instructing the variation of symbols (identification information), that is, the start of variable display.

  FIGS. 29 and 30 are flowcharts showing a processing example of a non-maskable interrupt process (power supply stop process) executed in response to the power-off signal from the power supply board 910. In this embodiment, the power-off signal from the power supply board 910 is connected to the non-maskable interrupt terminal of the CPU 356. Further, it is assumed that all the RAMs are backed up by a backup power source.

  In the power supply stop process, the CPU 356 saves the AF register (accumulator and flag register) in a predetermined backup RAM area (step S101). Further, the interrupt flag is copied to the parity flag (step S102). The parity flag is formed in the backup RAM area. Further, the BC register, DE register, HL register, IX register, and stack pointer are saved in the backup RAM area (steps S104 to S108).

  Next, the backup specified value ("55H" in this example) is stored in the backup flag. The backup flag is formed in the backup RAM area. Next, parity data is created (steps S110 to S117). That is, first, the clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area (step S110), and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer (step S111). Also, the number of checksum calculations is set (step S112).

  Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated (step S113). The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area (step S114), the pointer value is incremented by 1 (step S115), and the value of the checksum calculation count is decremented by 1 (step S116). The processes in steps S113 to S116 are repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0 (step S117).

  When the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0, the CPU 356 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area (step S118). Then, the inverted data is stored in the checksum data area (step S119). This data becomes parity data to be checked when the power is turned on. Next, an access prohibition value is set in the RAM access register (step S120). Thereafter, the internal RAM 55 cannot be accessed.

  Further, the CPU 356 sets the clear data (00) in an appropriate register (step S121), and sets the processing number (“7” in this example) corresponding to the number of 8-bit output ports in another register (step S121). S122). Further, the address of the output port 0 is set in the IO pointer (step S123). Another register is used as the IO pointer.

  Then, clear data is set at the address pointed to by the IO pointer (step S174), the value of the IO pointer is incremented by 1 (step S125), and the value of the processing number is decremented by 1 (step S127). The processes in steps S124 to S126 are repeated until the value of the number of processes becomes zero. As a result, clear data is set for all output ports 0-6. In this example, “1” is in the on state and “00”, which is the clear data, is set in each output port, so all the output ports are in the off state.

  Therefore, after the processing for saving the game state (in this example, checksum generation and RAM access prevention) is executed, each output port is immediately turned off. In this embodiment, the RAM area in which data used in the game control process is stored is all backed up. Therefore, the checksum generation process indicating whether or not the contents are correctly stored and the RAM access prevention process for preventing the contents from being rewritten correspond to the process for storing the gaming state.

  Since each output port is turned off immediately after the processing for saving the gaming state is executed, it is reliably prevented that a situation that does not match the saved gaming state occurs. When the processes shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 are executed, the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, so that the voltage applied to the electrical component is lowered. When the applied voltage falls below the drivable voltage, the driving of the electrical component is stopped. Therefore, when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the driving of the electrical components is stopped although there is a short delay.

Hereinafter, the gaming state restoration process will be described.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the gaming state recovery process shown in step S9 of FIG. In this example, the CPU 356 restores the value stored in the backup RAM to each register (step S91). Then, based on the data stored in the backup RAM, the gaming state at the time of power failure is confirmed and returned. That is, based on the data stored in the backup RAM, the solenoid 49 and solenoid 54 are driven via the solenoid circuit 59 to restore the open / closed state of the start winning port 48 and the open / close plate 53 (steps S92 and S93). . In addition, depending on the value of the special symbol process flag and the normal symbol process flag that were saved even when the power was turned off, the control commands corresponding to the progress status of the special symbol process processing and the progress status of the normal symbol process processing when the power was turned off, The data is sent to the display control board 165, the lamp control board 85, and the sound control board 97 (step S94).

  As described above, in the game state restoration process, the state of various electrical components is restored according to the restored internal state, and the display control board 165, the lamp control board 85, and the voice control board 97 are controlled. A control command for returning the state to the state at the time of power-off (control command for restoring the control state at the time of power-off) is sent out.

  When the gaming state is restored to the power-off state, in this embodiment, the CPU 356 returns the value of the parity flag stored in the backup RAM in order to restore the interrupt enable / disable state at the previous power-off. Is confirmed (step S95). If the parity flag is off, interrupt permission is set (step S96). However, if the parity flag is in the on state, the gaming state restoration process is terminated as it is (while keeping the interrupt prohibited state set in step S1). The fact that the parity flag is in an ON state means that the interrupt was prohibited at the previous power-off as shown in step S102 in FIG. Therefore, when the parity flag is in the on state, no interrupt is permitted.

  When the game state is restored, if the symbol is changing when the power is turned off, the remaining time of the changing time is restored, or the start winning memory number is restored. Therefore, the game control means can continue the symbol variation control from the state when the power is turned off, or control to immediately start a new symbol variation based on the restored start winning memory (the symbol when the power is turned off). (If it was not changing). Further, when the symbol is changing at the time of power-off, the data indicating the left and right middle symbols that should have been stopped and displayed due to the change can also be restored.

  32 to 35 are flowcharts showing display control command transmission processing examples in the control command transmission processing (step S94) of the gaming state restoration processing shown in FIG. In the control command transmission process of the gaming state restoration process, the CPU 356 first checks whether or not the special symbol was changing when the power was turned off last time (step S251). Whether or not the special symbol is changing can be determined from the restored data. If the special symbol is changing, C1 (H) is set in the command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (step S256), and 00 (H) is set in the command data 2 ( In step S257), 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S258). Therefore, a special symbol power supply restoration display designation command (recovery command) is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S259).

  Next, the CPU 356 sets 91 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S260), and sets the command corresponding to the left symbol stop command sent before the power was turned off last time. Data 2 is set (step S261), and 02 (H) is set to INT data (step S262). Therefore, the left symbol designation command used in the fluctuation when the power was cut off last time is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S263).

  Further, the CPU 356 sets 92 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S264), and the data corresponding to the middle symbol stop command sent before the power is turned off last time is set as the command data. 2 is set (step S265), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S266). Therefore, the medium symbol designation command used in the fluctuation when the power is turned off last time is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S267).

  Further, the CPU 356 sets 93 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S268), and the data corresponding to the right symbol stop command sent before the power is turned off last time is set as the command data. 2 is set (step S269), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S270). Therefore, the right symbol designating command used in the variation when the power was cut off last time is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S271).

  Through the processing in steps S260 to S271, a display control command for instructing to display the stop symbol used in the fluctuation when the power was turned off last time is set in the command transmission table.

  If it is confirmed in step S255 that the special symbol has not been changed, as shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 356 first adds 91 to the command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (initial value is 0). (H) is set (step S205), the data corresponding to the left symbol stop command sent last before the power is turned off last time is set in the command data 2 (step S206A), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data. (Step S207). Therefore, the left symbol designation command sent last before the power is turned off last time is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S209).

  The CPU 356 sets 92 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S209), and sets the command data 2 to the middle symbol stop command that was sent last before the previous power-off. Corresponding data is set (step S210A), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S211). Therefore, the middle symbol designation command sent last before the power is turned off last time is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S212).

  Further, the CPU 356 sets 93 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S213), and sets the command data 2 to the right symbol stop command last transmitted before the power is turned off last time. Corresponding data is set (step S214A), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S215). Therefore, the right symbol designation command that was sent last before the previous power-off is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S216).

  Further, the CPU 356 sets A0 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S217), sets 00 (H) in the command data 2 (step S218), and sets the INT data in the INT data. 02 (H) is set (step S219). Therefore, a special symbol stop command (confirm command) is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S220).

  Through the above processing, a symbol designation command for designating the left and right symbols and a confirmation command are set in the command transmission table. These commands are sent to the display control means by a display control command control process (step S298) described later.

  Since the display control means performs fluctuation control aiming at the symbol by the received left / right / medium stop symbol command, if there is backup data and the symbol is not changing at the time of power interruption, the power is turned off after the initial fluctuation of the symbol. The left and right middle symbols that were displayed at the time will be displayed. The symbols will change when the power is restored, but the symbols displayed at the time of a power failure etc. will remain as they are, so the players will immediately recognize that the recovery process from the power failure etc. has been performed. it can. In a gaming machine having a variable display device such as a CRT or LCD, the game control means sends a corresponding display control command when the power is turned on, so that the background and characters are also brought into the display state when a power failure occurs. Can be returned. In other words, the game control means sends a command to the display control means according to the contents displayed on the variable display device when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, so that the power to the gaming machine is displayed to the display control means. The background, characters, etc. displayed on the variable display device when the supply is stopped can also be restored.

  And in the gaming machine in which the display control means performs the normal symbol display control, the following control may be performed. That is, the CPU 356 checks whether or not the normal symbol was changing when the power was turned off last time (step S285). It can be determined from the restored data whether or not the normal symbol is changing. If the normal symbol is changing, D4 (H) is set in command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (step S286), and 00 (H) is set in command data 2 ( Step S287), 02 (H) is set in the INT data (Step S288). Therefore, the normal symbol power supply restoration display fixed command is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S289).

  Further, CPU 356 sets D1 (H) in command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S290), and data corresponding to the display control command for designating the normal symbol left designated last when the power is turned off. Is set in the command data 2 (step S291), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S292). Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S293).

  Then, CPU 356 sets D2 (H) in command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S294), and data corresponding to the normal symbol right designation display control command sent last when the power is turned off. Is set in the command data 2 (step S295), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S296). Then, CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S297). Further, D3 (H) is set in command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (step S381), 00 (H) is set in command data 2 (step S382), and 02 (H) is set in INT data. ) Is set (step S383). Therefore, a normal symbol stop command is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S220). Instead of controlling so that the normal symbol stop command is sent in this way, a variation pattern command related to the normal symbol may be sent. In this case, since the gaming state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like is restored, the game control means counts the remaining time of the normal symbol variation time and sends a normal symbol stop command at that time. Therefore, the display control means can perform fluctuation control for the remaining time for the normal symbol.

  Next, the display control command control process shown in FIG. 25 is called (step S298). Accordingly, each display control command set in the command transmission table is sequentially transmitted. In this embodiment, each display control command is set in the command transmission table, and then each command is sent all at once. However, each time the send command is set in the buffer and set in the buffer, You may comprise so that a command may be sent.

  If it is confirmed in step S285 that the normal symbol is not changing, as shown in FIG. 35, the CPU 356 sets D1 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (step S285). S235), the data corresponding to the display control command for designating the normal symbol left sent last when the power is turned off is set in the command data 2 (step S236A), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S237). Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S238).

  Then, the CPU 356 sets D2 (H) in the command data 1 of the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter (step S239), and data corresponding to the normal symbol right designation display control command sent last when the power is turned off. Is set in the command data 2 (step S240A), and 02 (H) is set in the INT data (step S241). Further, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S242). Further, D3 (H) is set in command data 1 of the command transmission table indicated by the command transmission number counter (step S381), 00 (H) is set in command data 2 (step S382), and 02 (H) is set in INT data. ) Is set (step S383). Therefore, a normal symbol stop command is set. Then, the CPU 356 updates (+1) the value of the command transmission number counter (step S220).

  Next, the display control command control process shown in FIG. 25 is called (step S243). Accordingly, each display control command set in the command transmission table is sequentially transmitted. In this embodiment, each display control command is set in the command transmission table, and then each command is sent all at once. However, each time the send command is set in the buffer and set in the buffer, You may comprise so that a command may be sent.

  FIG. 36 shows that when the game state is stored in the backup RAM at the start of power supply to the gaming machine and the special symbol is changing at the previous power-off, the main board 331 changes to the display control board 165. It is a timing diagram which shows the example of transmission of the display control command regarding the special symbol sent out. The process shown in FIG. 32 (corresponding to the process in step S94 of the gaming state restoration process shown in FIG. 31) sets a special symbol power failure restoration display command and a command for designating the left and right initial display symbols in the command transmission table. . In the display control command control process (step S298), these commands are sequentially output.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 36, those display control commands are sent out in a short time. Specifically, the time required for sending all display control commands is shorter than the 2 ms interrupt generation interval, and at least 2 ms timer interruption is not applied until all display control command sending is completed.

  FIG. 37 shows the display control board from the main board 331 when the gaming state is stored in the backup RAM at the start of power supply to the gaming machine and the special symbol is not changing at the previous power-off. FIG. 165 is a timing diagram illustrating a transmission example of display control commands related to special symbols transmitted to 165. 33 (corresponding to the latter half of step S94 of the gaming state restoration process shown in FIG. 31), a symbol designation command for designating the left and right middle symbols and a special symbol stop command (confirm command) in the command transmission table. Is set. In the display control command control process (step S298), these commands are sequentially output.

  Next, the operation of the display control means will be described. FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion related to driving of the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C in the display control board 165. As shown in FIG. 38, a +30 V voltage is supplied from the power supply board 910 provided separately from various control boards such as the main board 331 and the display control board 165 to drive the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C. Has been supplied to. The + 30V voltage is input to the switching circuits 191A, 191B, 191C and the AD converter 410 provided for the drum motors 200A, 200B, 200C.

  The switching circuits 191A, 191B, and 191C generate a + 30V pulse waveform (PWM waveform) according to the switching signal from the built-in output port of the display control CPU 401. For example, in the switching circuit 191A, during a period in which a high level is output from the output port, both the transistor Tr1 and the transistor Tr2 become conductive and the VA output terminal becomes 0V. In the period when the low level is output from the output port, both the transistor Tr1 and the transistor Tr2 are cut off, and + 30V appears at the VA output terminal via the diode (a voltage drop due to the diode is ignored).

  FIG. 38 shows only a configuration example of the switching circuit 191A, but the configurations of the switching circuit 191B and the switching circuit 191C are the same as the configuration of the switching circuit 191A.

  The display control CPU 401 monitors the +30 voltage via the AD converter 410. When the value deviates from +30 V, the duty ratio of the switching signal supplied to the switching circuits 191A, 191B, 191C is adjusted.

  Further, the display control CPU 401 outputs motor drive signals for driving the drive coils of the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C via the output port 511. A motor drive signal from the output port 511 is applied to one end of each drive coil of the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C via drive circuits (amplifier circuits) 176A, 176B, and 176C. The PWM waveform generated by the switching circuits 191A, 191B, 191C is applied to the other end of each drive coil. The PWM waveform is an effective power supply voltage for each drive coil. The drive circuits 176A, 176B, and 176C and the switching circuits 191A, 191B, and 191C are drive control circuits that control the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C that are drive means.

  The drum motors 200A to 200C are provided with drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C for position detection. The detection signals of the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C are input to the display control CPU 401 via the amplifier circuit 177 and the input port 521. Non-reflective portions are provided at predetermined positions of the respective rotating drums 122A to 122C. Drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C using, for example, a reflective photosensor are provided at positions where the non-reflective portion can be detected. When the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C each detect a non-reflective portion, the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C output detection signals indicating the fact. The display control CPU 401 can recognize that the position of the rotating drums 122A to 122C has come to a predetermined position based on the detection signal, and the position of the rotating drums 122A to 122C at any timing during rotation, that is, the display pattern, can be determined based on the position. Can be recognized. The drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C are supplied with + 12V voltage from the power supply board.

  FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion related to driving of the drum lamps 151A to 151C in the display control board 165. In this example, each of the drum lamps 151 </ b> A to 151 </ b> C includes three white lunalites (hot cathode tubes) and two red lunalites.

  One of the two terminals on the filament side of each lunalite is grounded, and the heater driving voltage is applied to the other. Further, a lighting signal is applied to the anode from the display control CPU 401 via the output port 511 and the drive circuits (amplifier circuits) 178A, 178B, 178C. Lunalite emits light when a lighting signal is applied to the anode in a state where the heater driving voltage is applied and the filament is heated.

  As shown in FIG. 39, in this embodiment, the heater driving voltages for the three white luna lights and the heater driving voltages for the two red luna lights in each of the drum lamps 151A to 151C are controlled by different systems. . In this example, the red luna light drive control signal and the white luna light drive control signal are independently output from the built-in output port of the display control CPU 401. Further, all the white lunalite filaments in each of the drum lamps 151A to 151C are driven by one heater driving voltage, and all the red lunalite filaments are driven by one heater driving voltage. In this embodiment, all white luna lights flash in sync and all red luna lights flash in sync. Therefore, there is no problem even if all the white luna lights and all the red luna lights are driven by one heater driving voltage.

  The red luna light drive control signal from the display control CPU 401 becomes a switching signal of the switching circuit 178D. The switching circuit 178D supplies or shuts off the + 5.4V voltage supplied from the power supply board to the filaments of the red lunalites of the drum lamps 151A to 151C according to the switching signal. The white luna light drive control signal is a switching signal of the switching circuit 178E. The switching circuit 178E supplies or shuts off the + 5.4V voltage supplied from the power supply board to the white lunalite filaments of the drum lamps 151A to 151C according to the switching signal.

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the display control CPU 401. In the main process, first, an initial value setting process such as clearing the RAM area is performed (step S701). Thereafter, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 401 shifts to a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S702). In the loop, a process for updating a counter for generating a predetermined random number is also performed (step S710). As shown in FIG. 41, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 401 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following variable display control process.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the variable display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific variable display control process is executed in the main process. However, the variable display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process. .

  In the variable display control process, the display control CPU 401 first performs a sensor process for determining whether or not the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C are turned on (step S704). Further, the received display control command is analyzed (command analysis execution process: step S705). Next, the display control CPU 401 outputs a drive signal to the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C, and performs a motor control process for rotating the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C by a predetermined number of rotations (step S706).

  In this embodiment, a 1-2 phase excitation method is used as a driving method for the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C. Therefore, specifically, in the motor control process (step S706), eight types of excitation pattern data including the reference excitation pattern are repeatedly output to the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C. In this example, the rotating drums 122A to 122C rotate once when an excitation pattern of 240 steps (12 steps per symbol) is given. Therefore, a reference excitation pattern of 240/8 = 30 is given to each drum motor 200A, 200B, 200C during one rotation. That is, the display control CPU 401 can recognize that the drum motors 200 </ b> A, 200 </ b> B, and 200 </ b> C have made one rotation when 30 excitation patterns are output. Further, when a 12-step excitation pattern is output, it can be recognized that the pattern has been rotated by one symbol.

  In the RAM of the display control means, for example, a data area indicating the current display symbols of the left and right middle symbols is prepared. In the motor control process, when a 12-step excitation pattern is output, data indicating the current display symbol is incremented by one.

  Next, the display control CPU 401 performs display control process processing (step S708). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. Thereafter, the process returns to step S710.

  Next, display control command reception processing from the main board 331 will be described. FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing display control commands received from the main board 331. In this example, a command reception buffer of a ring buffer format capable of storing six display control commands having a 2-byte configuration is used. Therefore, the command reception buffer is configured by a 12-byte area of reception command buffers 1 to 12. A command reception number counter indicating in which area the received command is stored is used. The command reception number counter takes a value from 0 to 11.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing display control command reception processing by interrupt processing. An INT signal for display control from the main board 331 is input to an interrupt terminal of the CPU 401 for display control. For example, when the INT signal from the main board 331 is turned on, the display control CPU 401 is interrupted. Then, the display control command reception process shown in FIG. 43 is started.

  In the display control command reception process, the display control CPU 401 first saves each register to the stack (step S670). When an interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 401 automatically sets the interrupt prohibited state. However, if a CPU that does not automatically enter the interrupt prohibited state is used, before executing the process of step S670. It is preferable to issue an interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction). Next, data is read from an input port assigned to input of display control command data (step S671). And it is confirmed whether it is the 1st byte of the display control command of 2 bytes composition (Step S672).

  Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is “1”. The first bit of “1” is supposed to be MODE data (first byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 21). Therefore, if the first bit is “1”, the display control CPU 401 determines that the valid first byte has been received, and stores the received command in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area (step S1). S673).

  If it is not the first byte of the display control command, it is confirmed whether or not the first byte has already been received (step S674). Whether or not it has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (reception command buffer).

  If the first byte has already been received, it is confirmed whether or not the first bit of the received 1 byte is “0”. If the first bit is “0”, it is determined that a valid second byte has been received, and the received command is stored in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (step S675). The first bit of “0” is supposed to be EXT data (second byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 21). If the confirmation result in step S674 indicates that the first byte has already been received, the process ends unless the first bit of the data received as the second byte is “0”.

  In step S675, when the command data of the second byte is stored, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (step S676). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (step S677), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (step S678). Thereafter, the saved register is restored (step S679), and interrupt permission is set (step S680).

  The display control command has a two-byte configuration, and the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are configured to be immediately distinguishable on the receiving side. In other words, the reception side can immediately detect whether the data as MODE or the data as EXT has been received by the first bit. Therefore, as described above, it can be easily determined whether or not appropriate data has been received. This also applies to the payout control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command.

  FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the initialization process of the display control means shown in FIG. Here, the description will be given focusing on the initialization of the special symbol, but when the display control means also performs the normal symbol display control, the normal symbol initial display control is also executed.

  In the initialization process, the display control CPU 401 first initializes registers and RAM (step S718). Then, while calling the command analysis process (step S719), it waits for reception of a special symbol power-on display command or special symbol power failure recovery display command from the main board 331 (steps S720 and S721). When the special symbol power-on display command is received, the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C are started to be driven (step S724). When the special symbol power failure recovery display command is received, the driving of the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C is started (step S724). Thus, in the initialization process executed at the start of power supply, the error flag is not set even if the variation pattern command is not received first.

  If a confirmation command is received (step S722), an error flag is set (step S723), and then driving of the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C is started (step S724). As described above, when the confirmation command is received for the first time in the initialization process executed at the start of power supply, an error flag is set. When the confirmation command is received first, the game state is stored in the backup RAM of the game control means at the start of power supply, and the special symbol has not been changed at the previous power-off. Therefore, a symbol designation command for designating the left and right middle symbols and a special symbol stop command (confirm command) are sent (see FIG. 37). That is, after the power supply is started, if no other command is received before the display control means receives the symbol designation command, an error flag is set. Then, a monitoring timer for setting whether or not the detection signals of the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C detect the non-reflective portions of the rotating drums 122A to 122C (whether the drum sensor is turned on) is set (step S725). ).

  At this stage, the drum lamps 151A to 151C are turned off by the initialization process (step S721). However, when the customer waiting demonstration display command is received from the main board 331, the drum lamps 151A to 151C are turned on / off by the lamp lighting pattern for the customer waiting demonstration display.

  Then, the command analysis process (step S726), the motor control process and the drum ramp process are called (step S727), and the drum sensor is awaited to be turned on (step S728). Note that FIG. 44 shows waiting for one drum sensor to be turned on, but actually, the processing of steps S726 to S729 is performed for each of the three drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C. The motor control process (step S727) is the same as the process of step S706 in the main process.

  If the monitoring timer times out before the drum sensor is turned on (step S731), the process proceeds to step S765. When a variation pattern command is received from the main board 331 (step S732), processing for shifting to normal variable display control is performed. If a special symbol power failure recovery display command has been received (step S729), a drum lamp turn-off request is set (step S730). In place of the drum lamp turn-off request, a request may be made so that the drum lamp blinks in a predetermined lighting pattern, lights up, or turns off. However, such a pattern is different from the lighting pattern used at the time of normal symbol variation. That is, a lighting pattern that can specify that the special symbol power failure recovery display command has been received is used. Further, lighting or extinguishing may be performed only on white luna lights or only on red luna lights.

  When the drum sensor is turned on, the rotating drum has come to a predetermined position. Therefore, the current display symbol corresponding to that position is set in the current display symbol data area, and the left and right stop symbols received from the main board 331 are displayed. In accordance with the difference between the indicated data and the currently displayed symbol data, a time until the rotation of the drum motor is stopped while the stop symbol is displayed is calculated (step S741). Then, the calculated time is set in the timer (step S742).

  In step S741, if a special symbol power-on display command has been received, a stop symbol is displayed according to the difference between predetermined data indicating the left and right stop symbols and the current display symbol data. In this state, the time until the drum motor stops rotating is calculated.

  Next, the display control CPU 401 calls the command analysis process (step S743), the motor control process and the drum ramp process (step S744), and waits for the timer to time out (step S745). If a variation pattern command is received from the main board 331 before the timer times out (step S746), processing for shifting to normal variable display control is performed.

  When the timer times out, if a special symbol power failure recovery display command has been received from the main board 331 (step S747), a shaking operation instruction flag is set (step S752). This state is maintained until a confirmation command is received (step S754) or a variation pattern designation command is received (step S755). During this time, command analysis processing, motor control processing, and drum ramp processing are called (step S753).

  If the special symbol power failure recovery display command has not been received (step S747), the driving of the drum motor is turned off (step S748). If the special symbol power-on display command has been received (step S740), the process proceeds to step S759 and the initialization process is terminated. Otherwise, it waits to receive a confirmation command or a variation pattern designation command (steps S750 and S751). During this time, command analysis processing, motor control processing, and drum ramp processing are called (step S749). When the confirmation command is received, the 2 ms timer is initialized for determining the display control activation interval (step S759), and the initialization process is terminated. When a variation pattern command is received, processing for shifting to normal variable display control is performed.

  When the display control CPU 401 receives the confirmation command when the swing operation instruction flag is on (step S754), the display control CPU 401 resets the swing operation instruction flag (step S756) and resets the lamp turn-off request (step S757). Then, the driving of the drum motor is turned off (step S758), the 2 ms timer is initialized to determine the display control activation interval (step S759), and the initialization process is terminated.

  Note that it is preferable to actually stop the driving of the drum motor in the motor control process. This is because suddenly turning off the power to the drum motor may adversely affect the drum motor. Therefore, actually, the drum motor stop request flag is set and the motor control process is called. Then, in the motor control process, when the ON of the drum motor stop request flag is detected, the driving of the drum motor is stopped at an appropriate timing. The appropriate timing is an appropriate timing (such as when one excitation pattern output is completed) in a series of excitation pattern outputs.

  Further, in the motor control process, when the swing operation instruction flag is on, the output of the excitation pattern for the normal rotation for the predetermined number of steps and the reverse rotation for the predetermined number of steps are output to the drum motors 200A, 200B, 200C. Repeat the excitation pattern output. Accordingly, the rotating drums 122A to 122C perform a shaking operation.

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing processing executed when a variation pattern command is received, and processing for shifting to normal control. In this process, the display control CPU 401 determines to use the change transition notification pattern as the lighting pattern table (step S760), and the lighting pattern table is used in the drum lamp process (step S707) in the main process. In the drum lamp processing, lighting / extinguishing of the drum lamps 151A to 151C is controlled according to the lighting / extinguishing pattern set in the table determined to be used as the lighting pattern table. The variation transition notification pattern is a table in which a lighting / extinguishing pattern for notifying that the variation pattern data has been received during initial display control and the transition to symbol variation control is performed is set.

  Further, the display control CPU 401 sets a delay request flag for a predetermined period (step S761), immediately turns off the driving of the drum motor (step S762), and initializes the 2 ms timer for determining the display control activation interval. (Step S763), the process proceeds to Step S704 of the main process.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing processing when an abnormality of the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C is detected. This process is executed when the drum sensor is not turned on within a predetermined time. If the drum sensor is not turned on within a predetermined time, the operation of the rotating drums 122A to 122C is defective, the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C are defective, or the drum sensors 139A, 139B, and 139C are defective. It means to be. Therefore, it is assumed that the display control CPU 401 detects an abnormality in such a case.

  Accordingly, the display control CPU 401 sets an error flag (step S765). In response to the setting of the error flag, a test signal indicating an error is output to the outside of the gaming machine. Also, while receiving command analysis processing, motor control processing, and drum ramp processing (step S766), the reception of the variation pattern command is checked (step S767). When a variation pattern command is received, processing for shifting to normal variable display control is performed.

  Therefore, if an abnormality is detected, the drum motor continues to rotate. Therefore, a game clerk or the like can immediately recognize that a drum sensor abnormality has occurred.

  When the power supply to the gaming machine is started by the initialization process as described above, if the command for designating the left and right middle symbols and the confirmation command are received from the main board 331, the display control means displays the left and right middle symbols. Control for displaying the symbol specified by the command to be specified as the initial symbol is executed. When receiving the special symbol power failure recovery display command and the command for designating the left and right middle symbol, the display control means executes control for displaying the symbol designated by the command for designating the left and right middle symbol as an initial symbol. Until the confirmation command is received, the design is temporarily stopped (swinging motion). In this case, an error flag is set. Furthermore, when a special symbol power-on display command is received, control for displaying predetermined left and right middle symbols is performed. In this case, the error flag is not set.

  As described above, based on the special symbol power-on display command received from the main board 331 at the time of power-on, the command for specifying the left and right middle symbols and the confirmation command, or the special symbol power failure recovery display command and the command for designating the left and right middle symbols. By performing the initial symbol display control, the initial display when the power is turned on is surely and quickly realized.

  As already described, the game control means sends a special symbol power-on display command when the game state is not stored in the backup RAM. When the game state is stored in the backup RAM, but the stored game state indicates that the symbol is not changing, the commands are sent in the order of the command for designating the left and right middle symbols and the confirmed command. Further, when the gaming state stored in the backup RAM is changing in symbol, the commands are sent in the order of a special symbol power failure recovery display command and a command for designating the left and right middle symbols. Note that the command for designating the left / right / middle symbol sent when the game state stored in the backup RAM is changing is the same as the command for designating the left / right / middle symbol sent last before the power is turned off. It is.

  Further, when the special symbol power failure recovery display command is received, the middle symbols on the left and right are temporarily stopped (swaying motion) with the stop symbol until the confirmation command is received. Therefore, the player can easily visually recognize that the power failure recovery process is being performed. When the special symbol power failure recovery display command is received, the drum lamp extinction request flag is set until the confirmation command is received. Accordingly, during this period, all the drum lamps 151A to 151C are turned off by the drum lamp process. Therefore, also from this point, the player can easily visually recognize that the power failure recovery process is being performed.

  In addition, when the special symbol power failure recovery display command is received, the time until the shaking operation stops corresponds to the unexecuted variation time of the symbol variation that was being performed when the power was turned off. The game control means sends out the special symbol power failure recovery display command when the gaming state is stored in the backup RAM and the stored gaming state is changing in symbol. The game control means performs the game state restoration process in the game state restoration process, and the unexecuted variation time is also restored in the process. When the restored fluctuation time has elapsed, a command for stopping the fluctuation of the symbol (in this example, a confirmation command) is sent to the display control means. The display control means shakes and changes the symbol until the command is received. Therefore, when the time corresponding to the unexecuted variation time of the symbol variation that was being executed at the time of power-off elapses, the fluctuation variation ends.

  However, if the variation time that has not been executed is relatively short, or if the variation time of a newly started symbol variation is short, etc., it is determined when the drum motor is still rotating toward the stop symbol. A command may be received. In this case, since the reception of the confirmation command is performed after the timer until the stop symbol is displayed (see step S745), the symbol is changed beyond the unexecuted change time. When a confirmation command is received while the drum motor is rotating, in order to display the stop symbol as soon as possible, select the direction where the distance between the currently displayed symbol and the stop symbol is short as the rotation direction of the drum motor. May be. That is, it may be allowed to reverse the rotation of the motor. The display of the stop symbol means that the stop symbol is displayed in the middle of the special symbol display area in the left and right.

  If a variation pattern command is received during the symbol display initialization process, the display control unit interrupts the initialization process and proceeds to step S704. Since the processing after step S704 is normal variable display control processing, when a variation pattern command is received, the routine immediately shifts to normal variable display control processing. As a result, unnecessary initialization processing is suppressed, and game control can be speeded up.

  FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a symbol data storage area in the display control means. In this example, the command indicating the left and right middle symbols received from the main board 331 is stored in the current symbol area (first identification information storage area). However, what is stored is EXT data (1 byte) in a 2-byte command. In this example, the content of the EXT data corresponds to the symbol number. Then, a validity flag indicating that the contents of the symbol area this time is valid is prepared. The contents of the current symbol area are copied to the previous symbol area (second identification information storage area), for example, when a confirmation command is received. At that time, the valid flag is cleared. That is, the current symbol area is initialized. It should be noted that the display control CPU 401 displays the left and right middle symbols designated by the symbol numbers stored in the symbol data storage area as stop symbols that are displayed in the middle of the left and right special symbol display areas in the variable display device 26, respectively. use. That is, the symbol designated by the symbol designation command is displayed in the middle of each special symbol display area.

  FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a specific example of command analysis processing (steps S705, S722, S726, S743, etc.). The display control command received from the main board 331 is stored in the reception command buffer. In the command analysis process, the content of the command stored in the reception command buffer is confirmed.

  In the command analysis process, the display control CPU 401 first checks whether or not a received command is stored in the command reception buffer (step S681). Whether it is stored or not is determined by comparing the value of the command reception counter with the read pointer. The case where both match is the case where the received command is not stored. When the reception command is stored in the command reception buffer, the display control CPU 401 reads the reception command from the command reception buffer (step S682). When read, the value of the read pointer is incremented by one.

  If the received received command is a left symbol designation command (step S683), the EXT data of the command is stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S684), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S685). ). Whether or not it is a left symbol designation command can be immediately recognized by the first byte (MODE data) of the 2-byte display control command.

  If the received received command is a middle symbol designation command (step S686), the EXT data of that command is stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S687), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S688). ). If the received received command is a right symbol designation command (step S689), the EXT data of the command is stored in the right stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S690), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S691). ).

  If the read reception command is another display control command, a flag corresponding to the reception command is set (step S695).

  FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S708) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process, any one of steps S800 to S804 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

Fluctuation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received by the command reception interrupt process. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not a flag indicating that the variation pattern command has been received is set. Such a flag is set when the received command stored in the received command buffer is a variation pattern command.
All symbol variation start processing (step S801): Control is performed so that variation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S802): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed) constituting the variation pattern, and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

  All symbol stop waiting setting process (step S803): When the display control command (deterministic command) instructing all symbols to stop is received at the end of the variation time, the symbol variation is stopped and the stop symbol (determined symbol) is displayed. Control.

  Big hit display process (step S804): After the end of the fluctuation time, the drum lamps 151A to 151C are used to control the probability variable big hit display or the normal big hit display.

  FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the random number value and the drum lamp lighting pattern. In this embodiment, a plurality of drum lamp lighting patterns are prepared for each of a plurality of prepared variation patterns. Then, the display control means extracts a random number and decides to use a drum lamp lighting pattern corresponding to the extracted value during symbol variation. FIG. 51 shows an example related to the variation pattern # 1, but the relationship between the random number value and each drum lamp lighting pattern is prepared as a ROM table for all the variation patterns.

  51 shows a comparatively simple drum lamp lighting pattern (only the lighting time and the lighting time), but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Luna light is provided as a lamp. Therefore, the game effect can be enhanced by making each drum lamp lighting pattern a more complicated pattern. In FIG. 51, one pattern is illustrated as each of the first to third patterns. However, since drum lamps 151A to 151C are provided for the left and right drums, Another pattern may be used.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern command reception waiting process in the display control process. The variation pattern command reception wait process display control CPU 401 confirms whether or not a variation pattern command has been received (step S811). If it has been received, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to all symbol variation start processing (step S812). Also, the valid flag in the current symbol area is reset (step S826). Here, the error flag is reset (step S827).

  If the variation pattern command has not been received, it is confirmed whether a confirmation command has been received (step S813). When the confirmation command is received, the symbol number corresponding to the valid flag on among the left and right middle symbol numbers in the current symbol area is loaded as the stop symbol number. For the symbols for which the valid flag is not turned on among the left and right middle symbols, the symbol number stored in the previous symbol area is loaded as the stop symbol number. (Step S814). When the symbol number stored in the previous symbol area is used, a temporary symbol use flag is set (step S815). A provisional symbol use flag is prepared for each of the left, right, and middle symbols.

  When the temporary symbol use flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not each symbol combination by the loaded symbol number is a big hit (steps S816 and S817). If it is a big hit combination, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set among the left and right middle symbols is incremented by 1 and the numerical value is set as the symbol number (step S818). By performing such control, even if the data of the previous symbol area (the stopped symbol used in the previous change) is temporarily used, the combination of big hits is prevented.

  For example, when the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to one of the left, right, middle symbols, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left and right symbols, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left middle symbol, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the middle right symbol, the symbol number of the right symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left and right middle symbols, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. In this way, the symbol whose symbol number is incremented by 1 is determined in advance. However, the above selection method is merely an example, and the symbol whose symbol number is +1 among the left and right middle symbols may be determined in any way.

  Next, the display control CPU 401 stops the rotation of the drum motor with the stop symbol displayed in accordance with the difference between the data indicating the left and right stop symbols (symbol number) and the data indicating the currently displayed symbol data. Calculate the time until. Further, in order to display the stop symbol early, the direction in which the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol is short is selected as the rotation direction of the drum motor (step S819). Then, in order to notify the determined fluctuation direction to the motor control process, data specifying the fluctuation direction is set in a predetermined data area (step S820), and the calculated time is set in the fluctuation timer (step S821). Further, an error flag is set (step S828). The variation time timer set here is a timer for setting each variation time in the left and right for setting the display symbol as the designated stop symbol. Therefore, the time is determined from the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol and the drum motor rotation speed. In addition, it is preferable that the time is shorter than the interval time when the symbol variation is continuously performed (stop time = determined command in game control means to sending variation pattern command regarding next variation). Therefore, when the rotational speed of the drum motor at that time is low, for example, the rotational speed is gradually increased and controlled to rotate at the maximum speed. In this embodiment, for example, the drum motors 200A, 200B, and 200C having such a performance that can display a stop symbol within the stop time even when the distance between the currently displayed symbol and the stop symbol is the maximum are used. It has been. Further, when the change direction is determined (step S819), if the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol is the same in any direction, the predetermined direction is set as the change direction. The predetermined direction is, for example, the normal rotation direction (the direction in which the pattern fluctuates from top to bottom). If the currently displayed symbol and the stopped symbol are the same among the left and right middle symbols, 0 is set to the variation timer for the symbol. That is, no changes are made for such symbols. Further, among the left and right middle symbols, the symbols for which the temporary use flag is set may be set to 0 in the variation timer. In other words, among the left and right middle symbols, the symbols that have not received the symbol designation command may not be changed.

  If a confirmation command is received without receiving a variation pattern command, an error flag is set (step S828). When the error flag is set, a test signal indicating an error is output as will be described later. Therefore, it can be easily observed that an error has occurred outside the gaming machine. When the power is turned on, no error is generated even if the variation pattern command is not received (step S723). This is because, as already explained, when the power is turned on, the game control means sends a confirmation command without sending a variation pattern command.

  Next, the contents of the current symbol area are copied to the previous symbol area (step S822), and the valid flag is reset (step S823). Further, the driving of the drum motor is started (step S824), and the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S825).

  As a case where the confirmation command is received without receiving the variation pattern command, for example, the variation pattern command may not be received for some reason. Even in that case, as described above, the display control means can perform the variation control of the symbols so that the stopped symbols are displayed.

  And when the command which shows a stop symbol is not received, the stop symbol used in the last symbol change is used. Therefore, even when the display control command indicating the stop symbol cannot be received, the symbol variation control is not interrupted or stopped.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing all symbol variation start processing in the display control process. In the all symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 401 first checks whether or not a delay is in progress for a predetermined period (step S830). If not in operation, it is confirmed whether or not there is a delay request for a predetermined period (step S831). The predetermined period delay request is set when step S761 in the initialization process, that is, when a variation pattern command is received during the symbol display initialization process.

  If there is a delay request for a predetermined period, a delay timer for performing a delay operation for a predetermined period is set (step S832). By such processing, when a variation pattern command is received during the symbol display initialization processing, the drum motor drive is stopped for a predetermined period, and symbol variation is interrupted. During this time, the change transition notification pattern is used as the drum lamp lighting pattern. Therefore, the player can easily recognize that the normal symbol change has occurred during the initialization process. Further, as will be described later, a lamp lighting pattern corresponding to the fluctuation pattern is used after the fluctuation (rotation) is actually started. That is, at that stage, the lamp lighting pattern is changed. Therefore, the player can easily recognize that the actual symbol change (not the initialization process) has been performed.

  The case where the variation pattern command is received during the initialization process is a case where the starting condition is satisfied by winning the game ball in the start winning port 48 while the display control means is performing the initialization process. In addition, when the gaming state stored in the backup RAM is restored, the starting memory number may not be zero. When the start condition is satisfied or the start memory number is not 0, the game control means immediately sends a variation pattern command to start the symbol variation, but the display control means side performs an initialization process. Since it is configured to shift to normal symbol variation as soon as the variation pattern command is received, there is no disadvantage to the player.

  If there is no delay request for a predetermined period, or if the delay for the predetermined period has ended, the display control CPU 401 extracts a random number and determines a lamp lighting pattern according to the extracted value (step S834). It is determined that the table in which the determined pattern is set is used as the lighting pattern table (step S835).

  Next, a symbol designation command waiting timer (0.5 seconds in this example) is set (step S836), the drum motor is started (step S837), and the value of the display control process flag corresponds to the symbol variation processing. (Step S838).

  FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a process during symbol change in the display control process. In the symbol variation processing, the display control CPU 401 first checks whether or not the time of 0.5 seconds set in step S836 has elapsed (step S840). If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S873. If it has not elapsed, it is confirmed whether or not the timer set in step S836 has timed out (step S841). If it has timed out, stop symbol determination processing is performed as follows. Note that the value of 0.5 seconds in this embodiment is an example, and a different value is used depending on the difference in the structure of the gaming machine.

  That is, if the valid flag related to the left symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S842), the symbol number stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the current symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the left stop symbol (step S842). S843). If the valid flag for the left symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the left stop symbol (step S844), and the temporary symbol use flag is set. (Step S845).

  If the valid flag related to the middle symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S846), the symbol number stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the current symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the middle symbol (step S846). S847). If the valid flag relating to the middle symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the middle stop symbol (step S848), and the temporary symbol use flag is set. (Step S849).

  If the valid flag for the right symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S850), the symbol number stored in the right stop symbol storage area in the current symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the right stop symbol (step S850). S851). If the valid flag for the right symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the right stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the right stop symbol (step S852), and the provisional symbol use flag is set. (Step S853).

  As a result of the processing as described above, for example, when 0.5 seconds elapses after receiving the variation pattern command, the received symbol designation command is checked. Since the command to specify the stop symbol in the left and right is output following the fluctuation pattern command, generally, when 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the command to specify the stop symbol in the left and right has already been received, The corresponding symbol number is set in the symbol area this time. And when they receive a command to specify the left and right stop symbols, they are not checked immediately, but are checked after a certain time after reception. It will be good. For example, even when the symbol designation command is received in the order of middle → left → right, the left and right middle symbols are recognized by the display control means without any problem by the processing of steps S841 to S853.

  In addition, if there is a stop symbol designation command that has not been received among the left and right stop symbols after 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the stop symbol used in the previous change is used. Therefore, even when a command for designating a stop symbol is not received for some reason, the symbol variation control is continued. In addition, as the symbol area this time, two areas of an area used before a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example) elapses and an area used after the predetermined period elapses may be provided. In that case, when the reception of the symbol designation command is confirmed by the command analysis processing shown in FIG. 49, symbol numbers are stored in different symbol areas before and after a predetermined period. In addition, the current symbol area handled in steps S843, S847, and S851 is an area that is used before a predetermined period of time has passed.

  When the temporary symbol use flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not each symbol combination by the loaded symbol number is a big hit (steps S861, S862). If it is a big hit combination, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set is set to +1 among the left and right middle symbols, and the numerical value is set as the symbol number (step S863). Further, the display control CPU 401 sets a drum motor driving time corresponding to the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern (step S864). Here, after performing the delay operation for a predetermined time, the drum motor driving time is set by subtracting the time.

  With the above processing, if the display control means does not receive the symbol designation command within a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example) after receiving the variation pattern command, the symbol designation command not received is received. For symbols corresponding to the symbol (one or more of the left, right, and middle symbols), as a predetermined control, the symbol designating command received previously and the symbol corresponding to the latest symbol designating command is regarded as the designated stop symbol. For a symbol that has received a symbol designation command, control is performed such that the symbol designated by the command is a stop symbol. Further, variation control is performed using these symbols as stop symbols.

  Therefore, when the variation time has elapsed, the symbols loaded in steps S843 or S845, S847 or S848, and S851 or S852 are displayed on the variable display device 26. Therefore, if the symbol designation command is not received within a predetermined period after the fluctuation pattern command is received by the above processing, the symbol corresponding to the symbol designation command not received at the end of the variation (left and right middle symbols). For one or more of the above, the symbol designating command received previously and the symbol corresponding to the latest symbol designating command (the symbol used in the previous change) is displayed on the variable display device 26 as the stop symbol. For a symbol that has received a symbol designation command, the symbol designated by the command is displayed on the variable display device 26 as a stop symbol.

  Note that the fluctuation speed (motor rotation speed) is not always constant during the fluctuation time corresponding to one fluctuation pattern. In one fluctuation pattern, there may be low speed fluctuation, medium speed fluctuation, high speed fluctuation, and the like. The motor drive time set in step S836 is the time of the entire period, but actually, the display control CPU 401 needs to recognize each period of each variable speed. Then, in the process of changing the symbol of the display control process, the speed after switching is notified to the motor control process at the time of switching of the changing speed. In the motor control process, the motor rotation speed is adjusted to the fluctuation speed by adjusting the excitation pattern output interval, for example, according to the notified fluctuation speed.

  In general, it is necessary to adjust the length of the variation period at each speed in order to make the determined stop symbol in the left and right as the final stop symbol. In order to realize such adjustment control, the motor control process may be instructed to adjust the switching point of the fluctuation speed. In that case, it is preferable to adjust the length of the fluctuation period by adjusting the length of the high-speed fluctuation period. In step S864, when the drum motor driving time is set by subtracting the delay time, it is preferable to realize the subtraction process by shortening the length of the high-speed fluctuation period.

  Next, the display control CPU 401 sets a variation time timer (step S865), and waits for reception of a confirmation command and timeout of the variation time timer (steps S875 and S873). When the confirmation command is received, it is confirmed whether or not the provisional symbol use flag is on (step S876). If it is turned on, it is confirmed whether or not all the valid flags are turned on (for right and left middle) (step S877). If all the valid flags are turned on, the temporary symbol use flag is turned off (step S878), and the same processing as in steps S867 to S869 is performed. The provisional symbol use flag being on means that the symbol designation command has not been received when 0.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the fluctuation. In this state, if all the valid flags are on, it means that the symbol designation command has been received before the confirmation command is received. Therefore, in such a case, control for displaying a stop symbol is performed based on the received symbol designation command instead of the provisional symbol. In this embodiment, the stop symbol can be displayed early by performing the processing of steps S867 to S869. When the confirmation command is received (step S875) and the temporary symbol use flag is not turned on, or when all the valid flags are not turned on even if turned on, the reception timing of the confirmation command is higher than the predetermined timing. It is confirmed whether it is early (step S866). The predetermined timing is, for example, around the time when the variable time timer is timed out, or slightly earlier than the time when the variable period timer times out.

  Even if all the valid flags are not turned on in step S877, they are not turned on when a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example) has elapsed since the start of fluctuation, and turned on when a confirmation command is received. If there is, the processing after step S878 may be performed. Even when the variation control is performed by considering the symbol used in the previous variation as a stopped symbol by the processing after step S876, the symbol designation command is received before the confirmation command is received after the predetermined period has elapsed. For a symbol that is present, control is executed with the symbol designated by the command as a stop symbol. For the symbols that have not received the symbol designation command until the confirmation command is received, the stop symbol used in the previous change is set as the stop symbol in the current change.

  Since the right and left middle symbols have different stop timings, the variation time timer is actually a timer that measures the variation time corresponding to the symbol that stops last among the left and right middle symbols. For example, if the middle symbol is the symbol that stops last, the stop timing of the left symbol and the right symbol is determined according to the variation pattern. Therefore, in the symbol variation processing during the display control process, the display control CPU 401 When the stop timing of the left symbol arrives, control is performed to stop the drum motor 200A, and when the stop timing of the right symbol arrives, control is performed to stop the drum motor 200C.

  When the reception timing of the confirmation command is earlier than the predetermined timing, control is performed such that the display symbol is set to the stop symbol (the symbol set in the current symbol area) earlier. That is, in order to display the stop symbol early, the direction in which the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol is short is selected as the rotation direction of the drum motor (step S867). However, in consideration of the characteristics of the drum motor and the like, the same rotation direction as that at that time may be determined as the rotation direction of the drum motor. Then, in order to notify the determined fluctuation direction to the motor control process, data specifying the fluctuation direction is set in a predetermined data area (step S868), and the calculated time is set in the fluctuation time timer (step S869). Note that the stop symbol in step S867 is the symbol used in the previous change when the temporary symbol use flag is on.

  The variable time timer set here is a timer for setting a variable time for setting a display symbol as a designated stop symbol. Therefore, the time is determined from the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol and the drum motor rotation speed. In addition, it is preferable that the time is shorter than the interval time (stop time) in the case where the symbols are continuously changed. Therefore, when the rotational speed of the drum motor at that time is low, for example, control is performed so that the rotational speed is gradually increased to rotate at the maximum speed. When the change direction is determined (step S867), if the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol is the same in any direction, the predetermined direction is set as the change direction. The predetermined direction is, for example, the normal rotation direction (the direction in which the pattern fluctuates from top to bottom). If the currently displayed symbol and the stopped symbol are the same among the left and right middle symbols, 0 is set to the variation timer for the symbol. That is, no changes are made for such symbols. Further, among the left and right middle symbols, the symbols for which the temporary use flag is set may be set to 0 in the variation timer. In other words, among the left and right middle symbols, the symbols that have not received the symbol designation command may not be changed.

  Then, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S872).

  When the variable time timer times out while waiting for the reception of the confirmation command and the fluctuation time timer, the display control CPU 401 sets a confirmation command non-reception flag (step S874), and the value of the display control process flag Is set to a value corresponding to all symbol stop waiting processing (step S872).

  FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process in the display control process. In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 401 first checks whether or not the variable time timer is on and the timeout is waiting (step S880). As the case where the variation time timer is set, there is a case where the confirmation command is received earlier than the predetermined time in the symbol variation processing shown in FIG. 55 (step S866), or the case where the display symbol correction processing described later is started. is there. If the variable time timer is set, the process proceeds to step S885.

  If the variable time timer has not been set, it is checked whether or not it is in a waiting state for receiving a confirmation command (step S881). The state of waiting for the confirmation command reception is a state after steps S891 to S893 described later are executed. If it is not in the state of waiting for the confirmation command reception, it is confirmed whether or not the confirmation command non-reception flag is set (step S882). If it is not set, it is checked whether any one or more of the temporary symbol use flags corresponding to the left and right middle symbols are set (step S883). The provisional symbol use flag being set means that the previous symbol area data was used.

  Therefore, in order to notify that, a lamp turn-off request flag is set for the drum lamp corresponding to the set temporary symbol use flag (step S884). Instead of the drum lamp turn-off request, a request may be made so that the drum lamp blinks in a lighting pattern, turns on, or turns off. However, such a pattern is different from the lighting pattern used at the time of normal symbol variation. That is, a lighting pattern is used that can identify a drum corresponding to a symbol that has failed to receive a symbol stop command among the left and right middle symbols. Further, lighting or extinguishing may be performed only on white luna lights or only on red luna lights.

  If the variable time timer has timed out (step S885), it is confirmed whether the left and right middle symbols stopped and displayed on the variable display device 26 match the memory symbols (step S886). The memory symbol is stored in the previous symbol area for the symbol indicated by the data stored in the current symbol area (the one for which the valid flag is set) or the symbol for which the valid flag is not set in the current symbol area. It is a pattern indicated by the data. In general, the symbol that is stopped and displayed matches the memory symbol. Designation does not match any of the left or right (or two or all of them) between 0.5 seconds after the start of symbol variation and before the time-out of the variation timer. This is a case where the contents of the symbol area are updated this time when a command is received. When the symbol designating command is received a plurality of times for each of the left and right middle symbols by the command analysis processing shown in FIG. 49, the corresponding stop symbol storage area in the current symbol area is overwritten.

  When the left and right middle symbols that are stopped and displayed on the variable display device 26 match the memory symbols, the display control CPU 401 stops driving the drum motor (step S887), and changes the contents of the current symbol area to the previous time. While copying to the symbol area (step S888), the valid flag is reset (step S889). Further, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process (step S888). If two current symbol areas are provided, the latest data relating to the left and right middle symbols among the data relating to the left and right middle symbols stored in these current symbol areas is copied to the previous symbol area. That is, shift. Generally, when received data is stored in the current symbol area that is used after a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example), that data is the latest data.

  If it is confirmed in step S882 that the confirmation command non-reception flag is on, the display control CPU 401 sets the corresponding drum shaking operation instruction flag if the provisional symbol use flag is set. (Step S893). Then, the internal state is set to a state waiting for a confirmation command.

  If reception of the confirmation command is confirmed in this state (step S894), the process proceeds to step S886. Accordingly, the contents of the current symbol area are shifted to the previous symbol area when the confirmation command is received. Also, the valid flag is invalidated. In this embodiment, when the confirmation command is received before the variable time timer times out (step S866), when the variable time timer times out (step S885), the contents of the current symbol area are Although it is shifted to the symbol area last time, there is no change in the shift process being triggered by the confirmation command.

  In step S886, when it is confirmed that the left and right middle symbols stopped and displayed on the variable display device 26 do not match the memory symbols, the display control CPU 401 performs control for display symbol correction. Specifically, the same control as step S879, that is, the direction in which the distance between the current display symbol and the stop symbol (memory symbol) is short is selected as the rotation direction of the drum motor. However, in consideration of the characteristics of the drum motor and the like, the same rotation direction as that at that time may be determined as the rotation direction of the drum motor. Then, in order to notify the determined change direction to the motor control process, data specifying the change direction is set in a predetermined data area, and the calculated time is set in the change time timer. Therefore, in this embodiment, control of the stop symbol is executed based on the symbol designation command received last. Therefore, even when a plurality of symbol designation commands are received for some reason for each of the left and right middle symbols, the display control means can control the stop symbol without any problem. When two areas are prepared as the current symbol area, a reception command is set in the current symbol area to be used after a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example) has elapsed, instead of the process of S886. A determination is made whether or not. If set, the process of S879 is performed to correct the display symbol.

  FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lamp control table in which a drum lamp lighting pattern is set. Here, a relatively simple drum lamp lighting pattern (only the lighting time and the light-off time) is shown, but as shown in FIGS. 7 and 39, luna lights as a number of drum lamps are provided for each drum. Yes. Therefore, the game effect can be enhanced by making each drum lamp lighting pattern a more complicated pattern. Since the drum lamps 151A to 151C are provided for the left and right drums, different patterns may be used for the respective drums. In the example shown in FIG. 57, FF (H) indicates an end code.

  FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating an example of drum ramp processing. In the drum lamp process, the display control CPU 401 first checks whether or not a lamp turn-off request is set (step S901). If set, the drum lamp is turned off (step S902). If the drum lamp is requested to flash, turn on or turn off in a predetermined lighting pattern instead of the drum lamp turn-off request, it is determined in advance according to the pattern. The lamp lighting table is set to be used as the lamp control table.

  If the lamp turn-off request is not set, control according to the setting data of the lamp control table is performed. Note that which lamp control table is used is designated by the display control process processing or the like. First, the display control CPU 401 checks whether the lamp timer is operating (step S904). If it is in operation, it is confirmed whether or not the lamp timer has timed out (step S905). When the timeout has occurred, the value of the pointer indicating the data in the lamp control table is incremented by 1 (step S906).

  Then, the lamp control table data pointed to by the pointer is loaded (step S907). If the loaded data is an end code (step S908), the pointer value is returned to 0 (step S909). If the loaded data is not an end code, the loaded data is set in the ramp timer (step S910), and the pointer value is incremented by 1 (step S911). Then, the data of the lamp control table pointed to by the pointer is loaded, and the drum lamp is turned on or off according to the loaded data (step S912).

  In the above embodiment, the case where the variable display device 26 is realized by a drum mechanism is taken as an example, but the present invention is applied even when the variable display device 26 is realized by another rotating mechanism such as a belt. Can do. In the above embodiment, the main board 331 and the display control board 165 are provided separately. However, the present invention can be applied even when they are formed as one board.

  In the above embodiment, the variable display device 26 exemplifies a game machine in which the symbol is variably displayed by the rotation of the drum. However, among the control methods in the above embodiment, the variable display device is a CRT or LCD. There are some that can be applied to gaming machines realized in For example, when the game control means does not store the game state in the backup RAM, or when the stored game state indicates that the symbol is not changing, a command for specifying the left and right middle symbols and the confirmation Sending the command to the display control means can also be applied to a gaming machine in which the variable display device is realized by a CRT or LCD. In addition, when the game state stored in the backup RAM is changing, the variable display device can send a special symbol power failure recovery display command and a command for designating the left / right middle symbol to the display control means. It can also be applied to gaming machines that are realized with LCDs.

  Furthermore, in the display control means, using the data of the previous symbol area for the missed symbol designating command using the current symbol area and the previous symbol area, the variable display device can be realized by a CRT or LCD. It can be applied to. In addition, the copy control of data between both areas and the control for preventing the occurrence of a big hit when using the data of the previous symbol area can be applied to a game machine in which the variable display device is realized by a CRT or LCD. When a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in the above example) has passed since the fluctuation pattern was received, the validity flag of the current symbol area is checked, and the previous symbol area data can be used for the missing symbol designation command. The present invention can be applied to a gaming machine in which a display device is realized by a CRT or an LCD. In the above embodiment, the content of the current symbol area has been shifted to the previous symbol area on the condition that the confirmation command has been received, but the predetermined condition that is the condition for starting the execution of the shift process is to start the fluctuation. It may be that a command (variation pattern command) is received. Further, when the left and right middle symbol designation commands are received, the corresponding data in the current symbol area may be shifted to the previous symbol area. Even if a command indicating a change start or a symbol designating command is received instead of receiving a confirmed command, the content of the current symbol area is reliably shifted to the previous symbol area as long as no command reception error occurs. Furthermore, the contents of the current symbol area may be shifted to the previous symbol area, either when a command indicating change start is received, when a symbol designation command is received, or when a confirmation command is received. Of these two commands (command indicating change start, symbol designating command, confirmation command), the contents of the current symbol area may be shifted to the previous symbol area when a command is received.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, when the game state is not stored in the backup RAM of the game control means, the game control means sends a power-on display command to the display control means, and the backup RAM If the game state is stored in FIG. 5 and the game state is not changing, the game control means sends a command specifying the left and right middle symbols and a confirmation command to the display control means. The means can reliably display the initial symbol on the variable display device 26 when the power is turned on.

  In addition, when the game control means stored in the backup RAM is changing symbols, the game control means sends a special symbol power failure recovery display command and a command for designating the left and right middle symbols to the display control means. Even during recovery from the above, the display control means can reliably display the initial symbol on the variable display device 26.

  Furthermore, if the variation pattern command is received while the control for displaying the initial symbol is being performed, the display control means immediately shifts to the normal variable display control state, so that useless initial display control is executed. This prevents the player from being disadvantaged. In addition, since the display control means is controlled so that the display control command reception order indicating the left and right middle symbols is stopped, the display control command sending control of the game control means can be flexible. The display control command transmission control can be simplified.

  When the variation pattern command is received, the symbol variation in the variable display device 26 is immediately stopped, and a temporary stop period is provided until the variation according to the received variation pattern is started. Also, the suspension period is always constant. Therefore, the processing is speeded up, and the operation is also stabilized by the temporary stop period. Further, since the drum lamp notifies that the initial display process has shifted to the normal variation pattern, the player can easily recognize this.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of each of the above embodiments, when a special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display device 26 based on the start winning is a combination of a predetermined symbol, a predetermined game value is given to the player. The first type pachinko gaming machine that can be granted, the second type pachinko that can be given a predetermined game value to the player if there is a winning in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start winning A third-class pachinko machine where a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when a stop symbol of a symbol that is variably displayed based on a starting prize is a combination of a predetermined pattern The present invention can be applied even to a gaming machine. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko gaming machines but also to slot machines and the like.

  The present invention can be applied to a pachinko gaming machine or the like in which a game is played in accordance with a player's operation.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is the front view which looked at the game board of the pachinko machine from the front. It is the rear view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the back. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a power supply board. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure in a main board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a display control circuit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one structural example of the variable display apparatus drive part of a variable display apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a variable display apparatus drive part. It is a perspective view which shows a display control board. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of CPU periphery of the main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between a backup flag and whether to perform a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows 2 ms timer interruption processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a left-right middle symbol. It is a flowchart which shows special symbol process processing It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines that the hit ball won the start winning opening. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the stop symbol of variable display, and the process which determines a fluctuation pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the process of jackpot determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal line of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command form of a control command. It is a timing chart showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal constituting a control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of a command transmission table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a display command control process. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission routine. It is a flowchart which shows the display control command transmission part in the sub board | substrate initialization process of a main process. It is a timing chart showing an example of sending a display control command related to a special symbol sent from the main board to the display control board at the start of power supply. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process at the time of an electric power supply stop. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process at the time of an electric power supply stop. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a display control command transmission process in the control command transmission process of a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a display control command transmission process in the control command transmission process of a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a display control command transmission process in the control command transmission process of a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a display control command transmission process in the control command transmission process of a game state restoration process. FIG. 10 is a timing diagram showing an example of sending a display control command related to a special symbol sent from the main board to the display control board when the game state is stored in the backup RAM and the special symbol is changing at the previous power-off. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of sending a display control command related to a special symbol sent from the main board to the display control board when the gaming state is stored in the backup RAM and the special symbol is not changing at the previous power-off. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the part regarding the drive of the drum motor in a display control board. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the part regarding the drive of the drum lamp in a display control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the command reception buffer in a payout control means. It is a flowchart which shows a command reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process which CPU for display control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the symbol data storage area in a display control means. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between a random number value and a drum lamp lighting pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the variation pattern command reception waiting process of a display control process. It is a flowchart which shows all the design variation start processes of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol change of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol change of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows all the symbol stop waiting processes of a display control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the lamp control table in which the drum lamp lighting pattern was set. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a drum lamp process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 26 Variable display apparatus 100 Variable display apparatus drive part 122A-122C Rotary drum 165 Display control board 176 Motor drive circuit 178 Light drive circuit 200 Drum motor (stepping motor)
331 Main board 356 CPU
401 CPU for display control

Claims (10)

A game is performed by a player launching a game ball into the game area, and includes a variable display device having a plurality of display areas in which the identification information can be variably displayed. A gaming machine capable of giving a specific game value when starting a variable display and the display result of the identification information is in a predetermined specific display mode,
A game control board equipped with a game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
A display control board equipped with display control means for performing display control of the variable display device based on a display control command transmitted from the game control means by one-way communication,
The game control means includes
Display mode determining means for determining whether or not the display result of the identification information is to be the specific display mode based on the fact that the game ball has won the start winning opening provided in the game area;
Identification information determining means for determining identification information to be stopped and displayed on the variable display device;
Display control command transmission means for transmitting the display control command to the display control means,
The display control command transmitting means specifies a variable display command for instructing start of variable display as the display control command and identification information to be stopped and displayed in each of the plurality of display areas when starting variable display of identification information. Each possible identification information designation command is transmitted, and when the variable display period has elapsed, a confirmation command for instructing stop of the identification information is transmitted as the display control command,
The display control means includes
Variable display starting means for starting variable display of identification information in the variable display device when receiving the variable display command;
Variable display ending means for stopping variable display when receiving the confirmation command;
After starting variable display of identification information, one or more of the identification information designation commands is not received, and the confirmation command is not received even after the variable display period has elapsed. A swing variable display control means for swingably displaying the identification information specified by the previously received identification information designation command in the display area corresponding to the identification information designation command not received,
Storage means for storing, in the first identification information storage area, data indicating identification information specified by the identification information designation command in response to reception of the identification information designation command;
When the variable display command is received, data stored in the first identification information storage area is stored as second identification information as data indicating identification information specified by the previously received identification information designation command. And a data shift means for shifting to an area. Display control means, as the first identification information storage area, an area for storing the data indicating the identification information identified from the reception of the variable display command from the game controller identification information designation command received within a predetermined time period the gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising an area for storing the data indicating the identification information specified by the identification information designation command received after the predetermined time period has elapsed. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control means performs control based on the data stored in the second identification information storage area when the identification information designation command is not received from the game control means. . When the display control means does not receive the identification information designation command within a predetermined period after receiving the variable display command, the display control means changes the identification information according to the data stored in the second identification information storage area. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein control is performed on the assumption that the stop identification information is displayed on the display device. When the display control means receives the identification information designation command after a predetermined period and then receives a confirmation command indicating the end of variable display of the identification information, the display control means stores the data stored in the first identification information storage area. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein control is performed so that the corresponding identification information is stop identification information displayed on the variable display device. When the display control means receives the confirmation command indicating the end of variable display of the identification information without receiving the identification information designation command after the predetermined period, the display control means responds to the data stored in the second identification information storage area. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein control is performed so that the identification information is stop identification information displayed on the variable display device. When the data stored in the second identification information storage area is used for at least one display area and the combination of the identification information is in the specific display mode, the display control means displays any one identification information as data The gaming machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein control is performed so as to be different from the identification information based on the information. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the display control means performs control for differentiating from the specified identification information by using identification information corresponding to a value obtained by adding 1 to data specifying any one identification information. The game control unit has a ring buffer type command storage area capable of storing a plurality of commands, reads out the command from the command storage area, and transmits the command to the display control unit. A gaming machine according to any of the above. The display control means has a received command storage area in a ring buffer format capable of storing a plurality of received commands, stores received commands in the received command storage area, and reads from the received command storage area The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein display control is performed based on the command.

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