JP4099241B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a ball game machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a control system for a ball game machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ball game machine has a game area formed on a flat game board with nails, windmills and various winning holes that guide or obstruct the flow of hit balls, and fires hit balls from the hit ball operation handle. Is to flow down.
[0003]
As for the form of the prize opening, it is a pocket-shaped one, one having a variably opening / closing operation, and various shapes of varieties or rotating bodies that variably perform a reciprocating operation and a rotating operation for guiding and eliminating a hitting ball. There are a prize opening provided with a participating character, an attacker prize opening exhibiting a variable open / close state, and the like, and there are various prize openings combining these forms.
[0004]
In addition, there is a warp winning opening in which a hit ball once won is led to a path provided on the back of the game board and discharged from another ball exit provided on the game board. In response to the winning of the hitting ball, the variable display of the variable image display device is started, the start chucker involved in the change of the operation and arrangement of the accessory, the predetermined number of paying balls, etc. There is a setting.
[0005]
The variable image display device is usually provided near the center of the game area. When a hitting ball wins a start winning opening set in advance as a starting chucker of the variable image display device, a winning ball is detected by the start opening switch, and the variable image display device starts variable display. In general, the display unit of a variable image display device has two or three screens, each of which is composed of a slot reel, one composed of a digital light board (LED), and a liquid crystal display (LCD). And those using a cathode ray tube (CRT).
[0006]
In the case of a slot reel, variable display is performed by rotating a reel drawn by connecting various design surfaces including numbers and symbols. In the case of a digital lightning board or a liquid crystal display, the lightning output and the liquid crystal screen output are continuously switched to replace the screen display presented by a rotating slot reel. If you look at each screen at the time of stop, each picture is displayed in a state where three pictures are arranged vertically by adding one picture or top and bottom.
[0007]
Immediately after the variable display is started, the variable display stop control is activated, and the second and third screens are stopped while any of the picture planes are displayed. The variable display stop control of a ball game machine using a digital lightning board, a liquid crystal display, or a CRT display assigns a numerical value generated by a time counter or a random number generator to a starting winning ball and determines the given numerical value. The stop picture plane is controlled by.
[0008]
The numerical value to be generated includes a so-called winning specific numerical value, and when the assigned numerical value is determined to be a winning value, the screens of a predetermined combination are displayed horizontally or diagonally on two or three screens. Stop in line. In the case of using a liquid crystal display, there is a case in which split display of the screen is stopped and one image is displayed on the entire display.
[0009]
In the case of a win, a specific game value is given to the operator, and an attacker winning hole or a bonus winning hole is opened for a certain period of time only for the number of winning balls, thereby giving a preferential treatment for hitting a ball. In addition, there are things such as a prize winning slot and an attacker winning prize slot for distributing the hit balls. The winning balls are distributed by means such as setting a specific area in the winning opening, or making the winning balls correspond to random numbers generated by a counter. When the winning ball passes through a specific area or when a specific value is assigned, a specific game value is given.
[0010]
All of the above-mentioned gaming machines have been devised to enhance the gaming effect by various methods, such as adding diversity to the variably displayed pattern, flashing sound effects and electrical decorations, and decorating the game board and main body. . In addition, new models have been developed that combine game values with different settings to give changes to the manner of giving game values.
[0011]
There are three types of current ball game machines. The first model is a type of model that generates a jackpot by arranging several symbols of the variable image display device and gives a game value advantageous to the player. It is a model generally called a fever type.
[0012]
The second model opens the wings when a ball or ball hits a specific winning opening, and the wings open and close for the number of times determined to win a specific winning opening, which is advantageous to the player. It is a model that gives game value. It is a model of the type generally called honey.
[0013]
The third model is a model that adds a game value advantageous to the player when a specific condition is satisfied. It is a model of a type generally called right goods. Recently, all models are equipped with a variable image display device, and there are increasing forms of giving game value advantageous to the player by arrangement of symbols or numbers.
[0014]
As described above, a ball game machine, particularly a ball game machine, imparts an advantageous game value to a player when a specific condition is satisfied. Such a game is created by a computer.
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-mentioned ball game machines, particularly fever type ball game machines, give a game value advantageous to the player when a specific condition is satisfied. Such game characteristics are created by a computer, and management and monitoring of gaming machines are performed. Various ideas are required to create diversified advanced control systems.
[0016]
For example, in order to realize diversified game characteristics, each control system is created independently, so there is a one-to-one correspondence between models and control systems, and a new control system must be built each time. Don't be. In addition, the sound data is changed to speech synthesis in order to use the data area effectively, or the symbol sub CPU is used in order to use the control area effectively.
[0017]
In addition, routines that can be shared by subdividing each processing are shared, and where the program can be converted to data is tabulated. However, logical processing such as jumping is described in the control area. In addition, if the execution results are the same, an operation of replacing the processing with a smaller number of instructions (the number of translated codes) is performed.
[0018]
Control systems can be broadly divided into processing parts that describe logic using data and data. In particular, a gaming machine system is configured using an assembler as a language because high speed and effective use of memory are required. In the case of an assembler, all data storage areas to be used must be defined before use.
[0019]
Conventionally, a control system has been configured by describing a data portion and a processing (logic) portion as one program. Even so, every time a process is described, the necessary data area has been defined. For this reason, it was not possible to clearly determine which data was used for which purpose. As a result, the program has become complicated, difficult to read, and difficult to understand. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a ball game machine equipped with a control system that is simple and easy to change.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, in the control system of a ball game machine, the data part and the processing part are separated, and the data is divided into modules according to states and functions in order to clarify the purpose of use of the data. In two stages. Here, the two-stage is a form constituted by a table data name storage area in which data names are registered and an output data storage area in which actual data values are registered.
[0021]
In the processing part (program logic), if only the data name of the table data name storage area is specified, the actual data can be used. In this way, when it is desired to change the set value, it is only necessary to replace the value in the output data storage area, and there is no need to change the processing (logic) part of the program. In addition, since data is managed by function, it can be seen at a glance which data should be changed.
[0022]
【Example】
A bullet ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A game area 2 is formed on the front surface of the game board 1 of the ball game machine. The ball ball game machine is provided with a game handle 3 for the player to hit the ball at the bottom, and the ball can be launched by operating the game handle 3 by the operator.
[0023]
The fired ball is guided into the game area 2 by the partition rail 4. A valve-like backflow prevention member 5 is provided at the exit portion from the partition rail 4 to the game area 2. The backflow prevention member 5 prevents the hit ball once driven into the game area 2 from returning back into the partition rail 4 and controls the speed of the hit ball driven into the game area 2.
[0024]
In the game area 2, a variable image display device 6 capable of changing the display state of a plurality of types of image information is provided. In this variable image display device 6, a hit ball that is driven into the game area 2 wins a start winning opening 7, and the start winning ball is detected by a start ball detector (not shown), and image display is started. .
[0025]
Immediately after the display result of the variable image display device 6 is output, the opening / closing plate 9 of the variable winning ball device 8 is opened and the hitting ball can be won if the display result is in a predetermined specific display mode. This is a first state that is advantageous to a new player, and a jackpot state occurs.
[0026]
The variable winning ball device 8 is normally in a second state that is disadvantageous for a player who cannot close the opening and closing plate 9 and cannot hit the ball. Is excited, the opening / closing plate 9 is opened, and the opening / closing plate 9 is opened. The first state of the variable winning ball apparatus 8 is ended when the predetermined period has elapsed or the predetermined number of hitting balls are won, whichever comes first, and then returns to the second state.
[0027]
A hit ball that has won a prize in the attacker opening is detected by a specific ball detector and a winning ball detector (not shown), and the detected number is displayed on a winning number display or a variable image display device. When a ball hits the variable winning ball apparatus 8, 15 winning balls are paid out.
[0028]
In addition, a predetermined special prize area is provided in the attacker opening. When a hit ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device 8 in the first state wins in this specific winning area, the specific winning ball is detected by the specific ball detector, and the variable winning ball device 8 at that time. When the first state is completed, the repeated continuation control for controlling the variable winning ball apparatus 8 to the first state is executed again. The upper limit number of this repetitive control is set to 16 times, for example.
[0029]
The variable image display device 6 includes a display unit 10 made of a CRT. A warp inlet 11 is provided at the upper left and right of the variable image display device 6. The hit ball entering the warp inlet 11 is sent out from a warp outlet 12 provided at a position below the variable image display device 6, that is, a position directly above the variable winning ball device 8. Thus, the hit ball that has entered the warp inlet 11 falls from the warp outlet 12 so that the hit ball can easily win the variable winning ball apparatus 8.
[0030]
When the variable image display device 6 displays an image and the hitting ball wins again at the start winning opening 7, the start winning is stored, and after the display result is output to the variable image display device 6, the image display can be started. The display of the variable image display device 6 is started again based on the start winning memory. The upper limit value of the start winning memory is set to 4, for example, and the start winning number at the present time is displayed by the start memory display 13.
[0031]
In addition, a decorative pattern 14 is provided on the upper portion of the variable image display device 6. The decorative symbol 14 is used for determining whether the game hall exchanges a prize ball given at the time of a big hit according to the type of symbol displayed on the decorative symbol 14, or uses the prize ball as it is for the game.
[0032]
In the game area 2, an ordinary winning opening 15 is further provided. A hit ball that is driven into the game area 2 and does not win any of the winning areas or the variable winning ball apparatus 8 is guided to an out port provided at the bottom of the game area 2 and is used as an out ball. It is collected from. In the game area 2, various lamps such as a lamp windmill, a side lamp, a decoration LED, a rail decoration lamp, a frame lamp, and a game display lamp are provided for enhancing the gaming effect.
[0033]
When a ball wins a winning opening, a starting winning opening or a winning opening of a variable winning ball apparatus, the winning ball is discharged to the upper plate 16 as a result of winning. Although the number of payouts varies depending on the winning award, it is usually 7 and is 15 when winning from the winning award of the variable winning device.
[0034]
When the hit ball that has been paid out fills the upper plate and does not enter, the remaining balls are paid out to the lower plate 17. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. When the lower plate is also filled with balls, the hitting motor 18 stops, and the operation of the hitting bar 19 stops and it becomes impossible to hit. In current ball game machines, most of these operations are controlled by a computer. On the back side, a main control board 20 serving as a control center of the ball game machine is installed.
[0035]
A control circuit of the ball game machine of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. The control circuit of the ball game machine has a main basic circuit for controlling the ball game machine according to a program for controlling various devices, detection from the start winning ball detector, the specific ball detector, and the winning ball detector. A switch circuit for supplying a signal to the main basic circuit, a solenoid circuit for driving the solenoid in accordance with a command of the main basic circuit, and a jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a jackpot according to data supplied from the main basic circuit and an image display of the image display device And an information output circuit for outputting effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used for the start to a host computer such as a hall management computer.
[0036]
Furthermore, the control circuit switches the blinking of the LED circuit for driving the V display LED according to the data given from the main basic circuit and various decoration lamps such as the lamp windmill, side lamp, shoulder lamp attacker lamp, rail decoration lamp, etc. A ramp circuit for performing.
[0037]
The control circuit is provided with a CRT circuit that provides a display control signal to the CRT display of the image display device in accordance with a control command signal from the main basic circuit. Inside the main basic circuit, there are a ROM storing a control program, a CPU for performing a control operation according to the program, a RAM as a work memory of the CPU, an I / O port, and a clock generation circuit. Is provided.
[0038]
The control circuit includes an initial reset circuit for resetting the main basic circuit when the power is turned on, and a reset pulse is given to the main basic circuit periodically (for example, every 2 ms) to repeat a predetermined game control program from the top. A periodic reset circuit for execution and an address signal given from the main basic circuit are decoded, and a signal for selecting any one of ROM, RAM, I / O port, etc. included in the main basic circuit is output. An address decode circuit for outputting the command and a sub CPU command output circuit for outputting a command to a sub CPU circuit to be described later. The control circuit is connected to an AC 24V AC power supply and includes a power supply circuit for generating a plurality of types of DC.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows a sub CPU circuit connected to the control circuit. The sub CPU circuit includes a sub basic circuit for controlling the entire sub CPU circuit in accordance with command data output from the sub CPU command output circuit of the control circuit and signals output from the periodic reset circuit and the initial reset circuit. It is included. Further, the sub CPU circuit is provided with an LED circuit for driving a start memory display, a decorative symbol, a winning number indicator, an attacker LED, and other decorative LEDs in response to a command signal from the sub basic circuit. ing.
[0040]
The sub CPU circuit has a voice synthesis circuit for synthesizing a sound such as a sound effect in accordance with a control command given from the sub basic circuit, and amplifies the voice generated by the voice synthesis circuit and outputs the amplified voice to the speaker. Are provided.
[0041]
The CPU used in the ball game machine of this embodiment is a C-MOS type 8-bit microcontroller with a built-in security function (fraud prevention function), and is connected to a sound generator, a user program ROM, a peripheral device control driver, and the like. Is performed via the system bus. In addition to the CPU core, the CPU has a 256-byte RAM, a 16-bit timer system, a clock monitor function, and the like as shown in FIG.
[0042]
FIG. 6 is a system diagram relating to the data flow in the control circuit of the ball game machine of the present embodiment. The CPU 101 controls game operations of various devices of the ball game machine based on a control program. The RAM 102 stores various parameters necessary for operating the gaming machine. The oscillation circuit 103 generates a clock pulse that operates the CPU 101. The power supply circuit 104 supplies power to each unit of the gaming machine.
[0043]
The ROM 105 stores basic data, fixed data such as display patterns of various display lamps and sound generation patterns output from a speaker, or probability setting values set in advance in a plurality of stages. The bus 110 is a circuit that connects the units and exchanges data. The EPROM 106 selectively reads out a plurality of stages of probability setting values stored in advance in the ROM 105 and stores the probability values to be switched and set. The sound generator 107 generates a predetermined audio signal, amplifies it with the amplifier 108, and outputs a game sound from the speaker 109.
[0044]
First type start start switch (SW1, SW2, SW3) 111, continuation switch (SW4) 112, counter switch (SW5) 113 or discharge request signal 114 from the discharge control circuit, probability setting switch (SW-Y) 115, probability A signal from the set value display switch (SW-X) 116 is input to the low pass filter 117 and sent to the CPU 101 via the buffer gate 118.
[0045]
Based on information from various switches and various signals, the CPU 101 generates an operation control signal, passes through the bus, sends it to the output port, and via the driver 120, the fixed set value display LED 121, the big prize opening 122, the LED 123, and the lamp 124. The high-probability LED 125 is operated. For the hall side management device, etc., the jackpot signal 126, special symbol rotation signal 127, start opening winning signal 128, data signal 129, control code signal 130, strobe signal 131, transmission clock signal 132, prize ball data signal 133 is output.
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a memory map in the system of the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Addresses $ 0000 to $ 0100 are built-in RAM, and addresses $ E000 to $ FFFF are user ROM areas. The user ROM area is a storage area for registering user programs.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation mode transition mode depending on the chip type. Based on the password in the program management area, the CPU determines any one of the development user mode, the user mode, and the user test mode, and executes the program.
[0048]
If a password other than that allowed is set, the CPU stops. This is already set when the chip (ROM) is shipped, so that the user cannot change it freely. The program management area limits the user program area in the user ROM. When an instruction other than this area is fetched, a user reset occurs. In other words, instructions outside the limited area cannot be executed. Of course, the program cannot be stored in the built-in RAM and executed.
[0049]
The security check mode is executed at the time of system reset input regardless of the chip type or the user ROM type, and the user ROM type is determined by the security check function. In any of the development user mode, the user mode, and the user test mode, the game control program in the user ROM is executed. In the user test mode, the game control program is executed for a certain period of time, and then stops.
[0050]
FIG. 9 is a memory map of the user ROM area. The gaming machine is provided with a security (fraud prevention) function so that the user cannot easily rewrite the contents of the program. The part that controls the function is the program management area of addresses $ E000 to $ E0FF. If no password is set in this area, the CPU does not shift from the security check mode to the user mode.
[0051]
The program management area 134 includes a header (HDR, 8 bytes), a program code start address (PCS, 2 bytes), a program code end address (PCE, 2 bytes), and an interval reset clock division ratio setting (ICP, 1 byte). It has become.
[0052]
HDR is a security password as described above. PCS indicates the start address of the program code area 136, PCE indicates the end address of the program code area 136, and the CPU stops when an instruction outside the range of PCS to PCE is fetched. ICP is set with a frequency division ratio for the E clock output from the ICLK terminal.
[0053]
The program code area 136 is a storage area in which a control program is coded and registered, and a data storage area used by this program is a program data area 135. In the present invention, the program data area 135 is further divided into a table data name storage area 137 for storing table data names of output data for each gaming state, and an output data storage area for storing output data corresponding to the table data names in a table format. Divide into 138.
[0054]
FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of the program data area 135. The table data name area 137 is used for lamp control in which a series of variable names used for lamp control are registered, display control in which a series of variable names used for display control of symbols are registered, and various flags. This is an area for storing a process flag value and the like in which a series of variable names are registered. The actual value is registered in the output data area 138. In the program, the program is described using a variable name registered in the table data name area 137. Therefore, when changing the data value, only the data value in the output data area 138 is replaced, and the program can be used as it is without reorganization.
[0055]
In the above-mentioned fever type, recently, two types of prepaid card-compatible CR units and conventional units are often developed at the same time, and their functions are very similar. There are some differences such as and reach pattern. In general, the CR table often has a lower probability of hitting than the conventional table. The conventional table is about 1/200 to 1/240, whereas the CR table is about 1/300 to 1/400. . In this case, the storage area for storing the denominator of the jackpot occurrence probability, that is, the upper limit value +1 of the hit determination counter is configured with 2 bytes for both the conventional table and the CR table (for example, in the case of the conventional table, the probability is 1/200). In this case, the upper limit value of the counter is set to 399 and the hit determination value is defined as two), thereby making the data area structure common and further improving the efficiency of function development.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
The current method for creating a program in a ball game machine has defined the variables that are required each time the process is described. As a result, it was difficult to find out which variable was used where and which value was set for which variable. That made the program difficult to understand.
[0057]
In the present invention, the data and the program are completely separated, and the data is a table data name area (storage area) in which variable names are registered in a table format according to gaming states and functions, and the actual contents corresponding to the variable names, ie, data values Are divided into output data areas (storage areas) for recording.
[0058]
On the other hand, programs are also developed as modules by function such as gaming state and lamp display control. Therefore, by using the method of the present invention, it is possible to know which variable is used in which program and to read the program while comparing the table with the program. This makes it easier to understand than the conventional method of defining data values ad hoc.
[0059]
Of course, in order to make such a data structure, it is necessary to analyze the processing contents sufficiently before building the program, modularize the program, identify the names of the data variables used, and design the entire program. . In this respect, a certain level of system design capability is required, and extra time for analysis and design is required before programming.
[0060]
However, once the design is complete, programming only needs to follow the design document, and development is possible for each module, so that multiple people can develop a system simultaneously. Unlike the conventional ad hoc programming, the method of the present invention makes it easy to understand the program, so that it is easy to debug and the test period can be shortened. As a result, the development time of the entire system is shortened compared with the conventional method.
[0061]
Another feature of the present invention is that the data is easy to change. For example, taking a fever-type ball game machine as an example, recently, two types of CR cards for prepaid cards and a conventional table are often developed at the same time, and their functions are very similar. The differences are slight differences such as jackpot probability and reach pattern. In this case, the same program can be used as it is simply by replacing the control data in the output data area. Since it is sufficient to change a series of data corresponding to the gaming state and function, it is easy to change.
[0062]
In addition, the ball game machine is inspected as a gaming machine by a third party before shipment, but the program that is easy to read and understand at that time is easy to inspect, leading to a shortened inspection period. effective.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a sub CPU connected to the control circuit of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the CPU of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram relating to the data flow in the control circuit of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a memory map of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of operation modes and transitions of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a memory map of a user ROM of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration of a control data storage area of the ball game machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Game board
2 game areas
3 game handle
4 division rails
5 Backflow prevention member
6 Variable image display device
7 Start prize opening
8 Variable winning ball equipment
9 Opening and closing plate
10 Display section
11 Warp entrance
12 Warp exit
13 Start memory indicator
14 decorative patterns
15 Regular winning entrance
16 Fine dishes
17 Lower plate
18 Hitting ball motor
19 Hitting ball
20 Main control board
101 CPU
102 RAM
103 Oscillator circuit
104 Power supply circuit
105 ROM
106 EPROM
107 Sound generator
108 amplifiers
109 Speaker
110 bus
111 Type 1 start switch (SW1, SW2, SW3)
112 Continuation switch (SW4)
113 Counter switch (SW5)
114 Request signal
115 Probability setting switch (SW-Y)
116 Probability setting value display switch (SW-X)
117 Low-pass filter
118 Buffer Gate
119 output port
120 drivers
121 Probability setting value display LED
122 grand prize opening
123 LED
124 lamp
125 High probability LED
126 jackpot signal
127 Special symbol rotation signal
128 Start opening prize signal
129 Data signal line
130 Control code signal line
131 Strobe signal line
132 Transmission clock
133 Prize ball data signal
134 header
135 Program data area
136 Program code area
137 Table data name area
138 Output data area

Claims (1)

  In a computer controlled bullet ball machine,
Storage means for storing at least a data value indicating a display pattern of various display lamps provided in the gaming machine and a program describing a logic using the data value;
  Game control means for controlling the game operation of the ball game machine by executing a program stored in the storage means;
  With
  The storage means
  The variable name used in the program depends on whether the program using the variable name is a program used for controlling various lamps provided in the gaming machine or a program used for other control. Table data name area defined and registered,
  An output data area in which data values used for variable names stored in the table data name area are stored;
  Including
  The game control means controls a game using a data value stored in the output data area in accordance with the variable name described in the program.
  A ball game machine characterized by that.

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