JP4309029B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of storing and holding game control information even when the power is shut off.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gaming machines (pachinko gaming machines) are provided with a game control device that controls the progress of a game in accordance with the execution of a control program. In addition, a command signal (command) is transmitted from the game control device to the subordinate control device (display control device, decoration control device, sound control device, etc.), and the subordinate control device is configured to perform various devices (discharge device, display device, Decorative devices such as lamps and LEDs, sound output devices, and the like).
[0003]
In such a gaming machine, when a power failure or the like occurs while a game is being performed and power supply to the gaming machine is cut off, the control information of various control devices will disappear, Even if the supply of electric power is resumed, there is a disadvantage that the game cannot be resumed from the state that was being executed when the power failure occurred.
[0004]
Therefore, it has been proposed to provide a memory holding means for holding information stored in the game control device when the supply of power is cut off. In this type of gaming machine, when a power failure is detected as shown in FIG. 11, program control information such as a program counter and a register is stored in the RAM by corresponding interrupt processing, and then the CPU is controlled to stop. The RAM stores stored contents even when the power is shut off by supplying backup power. When the power failure is restored and the power is turned on, the control is resumed from the point of time when the interrupt process is performed based on the information stored in the RAM.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the control based on the interruption process at the time of such a power failure, the resumed control may not always function normally. The case of command transmission processing will be described with reference to a timing chart showing power failure detection timing during command transmission in FIG. This is where a command is transmitted from the game control device to the subordinate control device. The subordinate control device captures DATA at the rising edge of the STB (strobe) signal during DATA output after transmitting the START (start) signal. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs at the timing of {circle over (2)} or {circle over (3)}, and the game control resumes at the same timing when the power is turned on again, the subordinate control device will miss the START signal and STB signal and lose the data received before the power failure There is a possibility that the command cannot be received normally.
[0006]
This is not limited to the command transmission process, and there is a case where the input of the information cannot be confirmed even with a part of the input process or the output process with a power failure. In the input process, the input information may not be determined. In the motor position control process, the position at the time of power-on cannot be determined, so an initialization process is required.
[0007]
Thus, some processes may not function normally due to a power failure during the process.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can normally resume from a power-off state.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The first invention isBased on the command from the game control means for transmitting the command edited based on the winning ball data set based on the winning prize to the winning opening of the game board and controlling the game in an integrated manner, and the command from the game control means A discharge control means for controlling the discharge device, wherein the game control means includes a game information storage holding means capable of storing and holding the command even after the gaming machine is powered off. The game information storage and holding means includes an access area for storing and holding the command, a backup area for storing and holding the command stored and held in the access area, and data of a register, a stack pointer, and a program counter. The game control means, before sending the command to the discharge control means, the command, the register, and the stack pointer. The command and the program counter are stored in a backup area and then the command is transmitted to the discharge control means, and after execution of command transmission to the discharge control means, the command and the register stored in the backup area, The stack pointer and program counter data are invalidated.
[0010]
  The second invention isA variable display device for displaying a variable display game for variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a plurality of variable display areas based on a winning of a game ball at a start opening; and a display control means for controlling display in the variable display device; And a game control means for comprehensively controlling a game while editing a command of display data to be transmitted to the display control means, and the game control means outputs the command even after the gaming machine is powered off. In a gaming machine comprising game information storage and holding means capable of storing and holding, the game information storage and holding means includes an access area for storing and holding the command, the command stored and held in the access area, a register, and a stack pointer And a backup area for storing and holding data of the program counter, and the game control means includes the display Before sending the command to the control means, the command and the register, stack pointer, and program counter data are stored in a backup area, and then the command is sent to the display control means. After execution of command transmission, the command stored in the backup area and the data of the register, stack pointer, and program counter are invalidated.
[0011]
  The third invention isA power failure detection means for detecting the occurrence of a power failure at a voltage drop of a predetermined level or more by monitoring the power supply voltage of the gaming machine and outputting a power failure detection signal; and configuring the subordinate control means by the discharge control means and the display control means, The game control means includes a backup means for storing the command and the data of the register, the stack pointer, and the program counter in a backup area before transmitting the command to the subordinate control means, and a power failure based on the power failure detection signal. The power failure processing backup means for saving the command and the register, stack pointer and program counter data at the time of detection in the access area, and the register, stack pointer and program counter data saved by the backup means or the power failure processing backup By means Recovery address selection means for selecting whether to recover from a power failure based on stored data of the register, stack pointer, and program counter, and the recovery address selection means by the backup means when power is turned on again When the stored data of the register, stack pointer and program counter is valid, the power saving recovery based on the data of the register, stack pointer and program counter is selected, while the register and stack stored by the backup unit are selected. When the pointer and program counter data are invalid, the power failure recovery based on the register, stack pointer and program counter data saved by the power failure processing backup means is selected.
[0012]
  The fourth invention is:The game control means restores the command in the access area upon recovery from a power failure based on the command stored in the backup area and data of the register, stack pointer and program counter, and the register, stack A restoration means for restoring pointer and program counter data is provided, and a power failure occurs during the process of sending a command to the slave control means by setting a return address in advance in the program counter data stored in the backup area. In this case, the game control can be resumed from a predetermined position of the command transmission process at the time of recovery from the power failure.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
  In the first invention,The game information storage and holding means includes an access area for storing and editing a command edited based on the winning ball data set based on winning in the winning slot of the game board, a command stored and held in the access area, a register And a backup area for storing and holding stack pointer and program counter data, and the game control means sends the command, register, stack pointer and program counter data before sending the command to the discharge control means. Since the command is sent to the discharge control means after being saved in the backup area, and the command, register, stack pointer and program counter data saved in the backup area are invalidated after execution of command transmission to the discharge control means. , Even if a power failure occurs, It is possible to perform de transmission process, the decisions of the return address when returning from a power failure.
[0017]
  In the second invention,The game information storage and holding means stores an access area for storing and holding commands of display data to be transmitted to the display control means, a command stored and held in the access area, and data of registers, stack pointers, and program counters. The game control means saves the command and the register, stack pointer and program counter data in the backup area before sending the command to the display control means, and then sends the command to the display control means. After the command transmission to the display control means, the command and the data stored in the backup area and the register, stack pointer and program counter data are invalidated. Command transmission processing can be performed The decisions of the address to return to when returning from a power failure.
[0018]
  In the third invention,A power failure detection means for detecting the occurrence of a power failure at a voltage drop of a predetermined level or more by monitoring the power supply voltage of the gaming machine and outputting a power failure detection signal is provided. The means includes backup means for storing the command and the register, stack pointer and program counter data in a backup area before sending the command to the subordinate control means, and a command and register at the time of power failure detection based on the power failure detection signal. , A power failure processing backup means for storing the stack pointer and program counter data in the access area, a register saved by the backup means, a stack pointer and program counter data or a register saved by the power failure processing backup means, a stack pointer, and Recovery address selection means for selecting whether to recover from a power failure based on the data of the program counter, and the recovery address selection means includes a register, a stack pointer, and a program counter stored by the backup means when the power is turned on again. When the data is valid, the power failure recovery based on the data of the corresponding register, stack pointer and program counter is selected. On the other hand, when the data of the register, stack pointer and program counter stored by the backup means is invalid, the power failure is selected. Since the power failure recovery based on the register, stack pointer and program counter data saved by the processing backup means is selected, an appropriate recovery method can be selected depending on the processing.
[0019]
  In the fourth invention,The game control means restores the command in the access area upon recovery from a power failure based on the command stored in the backup area and data of the register, stack pointer and program counter, and the register, stack A restoration means for restoring pointer and program counter data is provided, and a power failure occurs during the process of sending a command to the slave control means by setting a return address in advance in the program counter data stored in the backup area. In this case, since the game control can be resumed from the predetermined position of the command transmission process at the time of recovery from the power failure, after returning from the power failure, the command transmission process should normally return from the predetermined position. Can do.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a gaming board 1 of a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine).
[0025]
A game area 3 surrounded by an arcuate guide rail 2 is formed on the surface of the game board 1, and a variable display device (special symbol display device) 4 is disposed almost at the center thereof. The variable display device 4 includes a display screen portion made up of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), a CRT (CRT), etc., and displays an image corresponding to the progress of the game.
[0026]
In the vicinity of the lower part of the game area 3, a special variable winning device 5 having a large winning opening inside is arranged. The special variable winning device 5 is opened by energizing the special winning opening solenoid 6 (see FIG. 2).
[0027]
At a position between the variable display device 4 and the special variable winning device 5, a start port 7 having a normal variable winning device (normal electric accessory) 8 is disposed. In the normal variation winning device 8, the entrance to the start port 7 is expanded by energizing the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 10 (see FIG. 2).
[0028]
The game area 3 is provided with N (only four are shown in FIG. 1) general winning ports 11. An out port 12 is provided at the lowermost end of the game area 3.
[0029]
A game ball (pachinko ball) is launched from a not-shown hitting ball launching device toward the game area 3 along the guide rail 2, and the game balls that have been launched are arranged at various locations within the game area 3. The surface of the game area 3 flows down while the rolling direction is changed by the rolling guide member 13 such as a windmill, and wins the special variable winning device 5, the start port 7, the general winning port 11, or is discharged from the out port 12. Is done.
[0030]
The winning at the start port 7 is detected by a special symbol start sensor 14 (see FIG. 2). Winnings to the N general winning ports 11 are detected by the N winning sensors 15A to 15N provided for the respective general winning ports 11. Further, the winning to the special variable winning device 5 is detected by the count sensor 16 and the continuation sensor 17 (see FIG. 2).
[0031]
When a game ball wins in the start port 7, the general winning port 11, and the special variable winning device 5, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of winning device won is not shown by the control of the discharge control device 150 (see FIG. 2). It is discharged from the payout unit (discharge device) and supplied to a supply tray (a tray from which a prize ball or a rental ball is paid out to a player) (not shown).
[0032]
The winning of the game ball to the start port 7 is stored as a special symbol start memory up to a maximum of four times, and the number of special symbol start memories is stored in a special symbol memory display 18 provided at the bottom of the variable display device 4. Is displayed.
[0033]
The game ball winning (special symbol starting memory) to the starting port 7 is detected by the special symbol starting sensor 14, and based on the winning, a predetermined random number is extracted by a game control device 100 to be described later, and a big hit lottery is performed. In addition, a variable display game (variable display game) of the variable display device 4, that is, a variable display (variable display) of a plurality of identification information (designs) is performed in a plurality of variable display areas of the variable display device 4. If the jackpot lottery result is a jackpot, the identification information is stopped in a predetermined jackpot combination, and a jackpot (jackpot game) is generated. When the jackpot game occurs, the special variable winning device 5 is converted from a closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) that does not accept the ball to an open state (a state advantageous to the player) that accepts the ball for a predetermined period. A game is performed. This special game is executed with a predetermined number (for example, ten) of game balls to be awarded to the special variable winning device 5 or a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) as one unit (one round). A predetermined round (for example, 16 rounds) is repeated on condition that a winning at a continuous winning opening (continuation sensor 17) is received.
[0034]
In this case, if the jackpot is a specific jackpot, a specific gaming state is generated after the jackpot game, which is a favorable state for the player (that is, a state where the probability of the next jackpot occurrence is high). Or open conversion rate of the normal variation winning device 8 of the starting port 7 based on the normal symbol start memory, which will be described later, is increased (the time until the normal symbol display 23 is displayed or lost display is performed based on the normal symbol start memory). Shortening or increasing the probability of winning, changing the expansion pattern of the normal variation winning device 8 in an advantageous manner to the player, etc., or shortening the time (that is, the variable display game of the variable display device 4 based on the special symbol start memory) (Variable display time is reduced).
[0035]
A normal symbol start gate 20 is disposed at a predetermined position in the game area 3. The passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 20 is detected by a normal symbol start sensor 21 (see FIG. 2), and is stored as a normal symbol start memory up to a maximum of four times. And displayed on the normal symbol memory display 22 arranged on the right side of the special variable winning device 5.
[0036]
Based on the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol start gate 20 (normal symbol start memory), a random number related to the normal symbol is extracted. If the random number is correct, the normal symbol arranged on the left side of the special variable winning device 5 is extracted. A hit display is performed on the display 23, and the normal variation winning device 8 of the starting port 7 is expanded for a predetermined time, so that the winning to the starting port 7 is facilitated.
[0037]
The key points of the gaming machine are provided with decorative light emitting devices such as side lamps 24 and decorative LEDs. The gaming machine is also provided with a sound output device (speaker).
[0038]
FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of the control system. The game control device (main board) 100, the discharge control device (payout control board) 150, the display control device (display control board) 200, and the decoration control device (lamp control board). 250, a sound control device (sound control board) 300, a launch control device (launch control board) 350, a power supply device (power supply board) 400, and the like.
[0039]
The game control device 100 detects a control program and various sensors (special symbol start sensor 14, winning sensors 15A to 15N, count sensor 16, continuation sensor 17, normal symbol start sensor 21, and overflow state of the discharged ball. A lottery lottery based on detection signals from an overflow sensor 25, a shot ball break sensor 26 for detecting a ball break of a ball guiding chute to a discharge device, a glass frame opening sensor 27 of a gaming machine, and a prize ball detection sensor 28) In addition to determining the specific gaming state, determining the occurrence of an abnormality, etc., various control devices (discharge control device 150, display control device 200, decoration control device 250, sound control device 300, launch control device 350), large prize opening solenoid 6. By sending a command signal to the normal electric accessory solenoid 10, normal symbol display 23, etc. Overall control of the game.
[0040]
Furthermore, the game control device 100 has a function of storing game control information at the time of a power failure such as power interruption.
[0041]
Communication from the game control device 100 to various subordinate control devices (discharge control device 150, display control device 200, decoration control device 250, sound control device 300) is unidirectional from the game control device 100 to the subordinate control device. Only communication is allowed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an illegal signal from being input to the game control device 100 from the dependent control device side.
[0042]
The display control device 200 controls display on the variable display device 4 based on the display command signal from the game control device 100. The display control device 200 is provided with a symbol arrangement table or the like in which display data of a plurality of symbols to be displayed in a plurality of variable display areas of the variable display device 4 is stored in a predetermined storage area in a display order. The predetermined storage area is provided with effect data of a variable display game, effect data such as background images, characters, character information, etc. at the time of waiting for a customer, at the time of a variable display game, and at a big hit.
[0043]
Although not shown, a buffer circuit serving as a signal transmission direction restricting means is provided in front of the interface of the display control device 200, and only signal input from the game control device 100 to the display control device 200 is allowed. Signal output to the game control device 100 is prohibited
Based on a prize ball command signal from the game control device 100 or a ball rental request from the prepaid card unit 450, the discharge control device 150 and a discharge flow switching unit (discharge switching motor) The operation of the solenoid) is controlled so that the winning ball or the rental ball is discharged.
[0044]
Based on the decoration command signal from the game control device 100, the decoration control device 250 controls the decoration devices 30 such as the decoration lamps (side lamps 24, etc.), LEDs, etc., and the special symbol memory display 18, the normal symbol. Controls the display of the storage display 22. The decoration control device 250 is provided with effect data of the decoration device 30 (blinking of each decoration lamp, LED, etc., lighting pattern) in a predetermined storage area at the time of waiting for a customer, at the time of a variable display game, at the time of a big hit.
[0045]
The sound control device 300 controls the sound effect output of the sound output device 31 based on the sound command signal from the game control device 100. The launch control device 350 controls the hit ball launch device.
[0046]
The power supply apparatus 400 is an apparatus that converts an external AC power supply into a DC power supply or the like and supplies it to various devices, and includes a backup circuit 401 and a power failure detection circuit 402. When the power failure detection circuit 402 detects a predetermined voltage drop in the power supply device 400 at the time of a power failure, the power failure detection circuit 402 outputs a power failure detection signal and a reset signal in order to the game control device 100, the discharge control device 150, and the like. The game control device 100 and the discharge control device 150 perform a predetermined power failure process when receiving a power failure detection signal, and stop the operation of the CPU when receiving a reset signal. The backup circuit 401 supplies backup power to the RAMs of the game control device 100 and the discharge control device 150 to back up game data (game information) and prize ball data (prize ball information).
[0047]
Reference numerals 500 and 550 denote board external connection terminal boards and frame external connection terminal boards for connecting to host computers (not shown) (management devices that collectively manage a plurality of gaming machines in the store). is there.
[0048]
FIG. 3 shows a main loop of the control contents of the game control device 100. In each of the winning opening switch monitoring processes in step S1, is there a winning at the winning board (that is, the starting port 7, the special variable winning device (large winning port) 5, the general winning port 11, the normal symbol starting gate 20) of the game board? Whether or not, and based on the monitoring results, update the start memory of special symbol fluctuations and normal symbol fluctuations, extract random numbers related to special symbols and normal symbols, memorize the number of winning balls, set the continuation of the round at the big hit Process such as.
[0049]
In the special symbol game process in step S2, processing corresponding to any one of start memory monitoring, symbol variation, symbol stop monitoring and jackpot processing before the special symbol is scrolled is performed.
[0050]
In the normal symbol game processing in step S3, any one of start memory monitoring, symbol stop monitoring, and normal symbol hitting processing before changing the normal symbol is performed. For example, in symbol stop monitoring, processing is performed based on a fluctuation display result (for example, per normal symbol / out of normal symbol) of a normal symbol (for example, a single digit number) of a normal symbol display device. For example, a game is held in which a pair of normal variation winning devices 8 in FIG.
[0051]
The normal symbol change process in step S4 displays the normal symbol (for example, a one-digit number) of the normal symbol display device in a variable manner when the game ball wins (passes) the normal symbol gate.
[0052]
The fraud monitoring process in step S5 performs no count monitoring and other fraud monitoring for the variable winning device. In the case of fraud, etc., editing is performed such that an error signal is output to an external management device in step S6 described later, for example.
[0053]
In the output editing process in step S6, external terminal information (for example, jackpot signal) transmitted from the gaming computer to an external management device via the external information terminal board is edited.
[0054]
The command editing process in step S7 performs prize ball command editing, display command editing, decoration command editing, and voice command editing. In the prize ball command editing, the prize ball data is set based on the prize winning to the prize slot 7 of the game board, and the prize ball command for discharging the prize ball corresponding to the prize ball data is edited. In the display command editing, a display data command transmitted from the game control device 100 to the display control device 200 is edited. In the decoration command editing, a decoration data command to be transmitted from the game control apparatus 100 to the decoration control apparatus 250 (for example, editing of how to decorate a side lamp or the like) is edited. In the voice command editing, a command of sound data (including voice data) transmitted from the game control apparatus 100 to the sound control apparatus 300 is edited.
[0055]
The command transmission process in step S8 performs prize ball command transmission, display command transmission, decoration command transmission, and voice command transmission. This is to transmit each command edited in step S7 from the game control device 100 to the discharge control device 150, the display control device 200, the decoration control device 250, and the sound control device 300. As a result, each control device is controlled based on a unidirectional command from the game control device 100, and, according to the progress of the game, prize ball discharge, special symbol variation display, decoration, sound output, and the like are performed.
[0056]
After the command transmission process in step S8, the process returns to each winning mouth switch monitoring process in step S1, and the routine is repeated.
[0057]
FIG. 4 shows a subroutine for interrupting the main loop shown in FIG. 3 every predetermined time, for example, every 2 ms.
[0058]
In step S10, an interrupt process is started every specified time.
[0059]
In subsequent step S11, a random number update process is executed, and the values of the special symbol random number counter and the normal symbol random number counter are respectively updated by +1.
[0060]
In the input process of step S12, chattering removal and logical conversion of the input signal from the switch provided in the special variation winning apparatus 5 and the like are performed, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0061]
In the output process in step S13, the output data set in the special symbol game process in step 2, the normal symbol game process in step 3, the normal symbol variation process in step 4, the output editing process in step 6, and the like are output.
[0062]
FIG. 5 shows the details of the command transmission processing in step S8, and shows the command transmission processing with the characteristic control contents of the present invention. That is, the control contents include a step of backing up the memory and control data related to the command transmission process in the previous step of the command transmission process.
[0063]
In step S15, data such as a RAM, a register, a stack pointer, and a program counter used during the transmission process are stored in the backup area of the game information storage holding means having an access area and a backup area by the backup means. Here, if a return address (predetermined) is set in the backup data of the program counter, it can be resumed from any place. The game control device 100 has the functions of the backup means and the game information storage holding means.
[0064]
In step S16, command transmission processing for transmitting the command edited in the command editing processing in step S7 to the discharge control device 150, the display control device 200, the decoration control device 250, and the sound control device 300 is performed.
[0065]
In step S17, the backup data saved in step 15 is invalidated. Whether the backup data is valid / invalid is determined by a flag. A flag is set when backup data is saved, and cleared when invalidated. If the flag is set, the backup area is restored and the game is resumed when the power failure is restored, and if the flag is cleared, the game is resumed based on the power failure process. Further, the determination may be made based on check data in a predetermined backup area instead of the flag. In that case, the check data may be destroyed and invalidated.
[0066]
With this command transmission process, even if the power is shut off due to a power failure or the like during the command transmission process in step S16, the game information in the access area before starting the transmission process, and the register, stack pointer, program counter Data is stored in the backup area. Therefore, when the power is restored, the backup data can be read and restored, and the process suspended in the middle can be resumed normally from the beginning (predetermined) of the process.
[0067]
In the conventional control content, control information at the time of power failure is stored by interruption processing based on a power failure detection signal when a power failure occurs. For example, FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a power failure detection timing during command transmission. In FIG. 6, START represents a start signal, and STB represents a strobe signal. The start of command transmission is indicated by the start signal, and the data read timing is indicated by the strobe signal. Timings {circle over (1)} to {circle around (3)} indicate a power failure detection timing, timing {circle around (1)} indicates a start signal detection, timing {circle around (2)} or {circle around (3)} indicates a power failure detection timing during the command. If a power failure occurs at timing (2) or (3), even if game control resumes from the same timing when the power is turned on again, the subordinate control device will miss the START signal and STB signal and receive the data received before the power failure. The command may not be received normally due to loss of
[0068]
This is not limited to the command transmission process, and the process may not be normally performed due to a power failure even in a part of the input process or the output process.
[0069]
However, in the control of the present invention, the data in the access area used during the process and the CPU control information (register group, etc.) are stored in the backup area before the predetermined process is executed, and the data in the backup area is accessed when the power is restored. Since the CPU control information is restored together with the area, the process can be resumed normally from the beginning of the process interrupted by the power failure.
[0070]
FIG. 7 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to input processing, and backup data at the time of power-off is stored in the input processing in step S12.
[0071]
In step S20, backup data similar to that in step S15 in FIG. 5 is stored.
[0072]
In step S21, the physical state of the backup area is initialized by the game control device 100 as the backup data initialization means provided in the backup means.
[0073]
In step S22, input data in the access area is read, and logical conversion is performed in step S23.
[0074]
In step S24, chattering is removed.
Subsequently, the physical state is stored in step S25, and the logical state is stored in step S26.
[0075]
In the case of this input process, recovery from the power failure is performed from step S22.
[0076]
In step S27, the backup data is invalidated and restored.
[0077]
As such processing, normal recovery is possible by resuming the processing from step S22 upon recovery from a power failure.
[0078]
FIG. 8 is a general form of the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0079]
In step S30, data such as an access area, a register, a stack pointer, and a program counter used in processes 1 to n after step S31 are stored in the backup area of the game information storage holding means by the backup means.
[0080]
The processing from processing 1 to processing n is executed after step S31, and the backup data is invalidated by the invalidating means at step S34 and returned. Specifically, the game control device 100 has the function of the invalidation means.
[0081]
If a power failure occurs during the processing from step 31 onward, the process returns from the beginning of step 31 at the time of power failure recovery based on the data stored in the backup area in step 30.
[0082]
As described above, the backup process that can be dealt with when the power is turned off according to the present invention is not limited to the input process and the command transmission process, and the backup data may be saved by other processes.
[0083]
On the other hand, the power failure process shown in FIG. 11 is a power failure process that has been conventionally performed, and is performed by the game control device 100 corresponding to a power failure process backup means. In this case, program control information is stored in the RAM by interrupt processing when a power failure is detected, and control can be resumed from the time when interrupt processing is performed based on the information stored in the RAM when the power failure is restored. Explaining the processing contents, when a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit 402, first, all outputs are turned off in step S101. Specifically, the normal symbol display device 200 is turned off, all solenoids are demagnetized, and all command transmission ports are turned off. In step S102 to step S104, the stack pointer, the interruption address when a power failure occurs, and all registers are saved in the RAM, and in step S105, access to the RAM is prohibited. In step S106, a standby state is set and the power supply is cut off.
[0084]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the control contents of the game control device 100 when the power failure is restored.
[0085]
When the power is turned on and the operation is started, interrupt processing is first prohibited in step S41. In step S42, all outputs are turned off. In step S43, the CPU provided in each control device is initialized. In the initialization of the CPU, settings of the internal device register and the external device decoder are performed.
[0086]
After permitting access to the RAM in step S44, in step S45, using the game control device 100 as the return address selection means, it is determined whether the return process is recovery from power failure or normal power-on. To do.
[0087]
In this case, when the check data in a predetermined backup area of the RAM is a normal value, it is determined that the power is restored when the power is restored, and when the abnormal data is an abnormal power-on.
[0088]
In the case of a recovery process from a power failure, the process proceeds from S46 to S52.
[0089]
In the case of recovery processing from a power failure, in step S46, a command at the time of power failure recovery is transmitted from the game control device 100 to various control devices. By transmitting this command, various control devices can grasp the control start of the game control device 100.
[0090]
In step S47, if the data stored in the backup area is valid, the game control apparatus 100 as the restoring means restores the data saved in the predetermined backup area of the RAM.
[0091]
In step S48, if the control information saved in the backup area is valid, the restoring means restores the control data based on the control information saved in the backup area.
[0092]
In step S49, all the registers are restored, and in step S50, the restoring means restores the stack point.
[0093]
In step S51, an interrupt is permitted, and in step S52, the address is restored. The control information such as the register, stack pointer, and program counter (return address) to be restored here is restored based on the control information when the control information stored in the backup area is valid. Return based on the control information saved in the power failure process.
[0094]
On the other hand, in the case of normal power-on, all RAM area data (access area, backup area) is cleared to 0 (invalidated) in step S53, and initial values are set in areas where initial values are required in step S54.
[0095]
In step S55, a normal power-on command is transmitted to various control devices.
[0096]
In step S56, a stack pointer is set. In step S57, an interrupt is permitted, and the process proceeds to normal processing.
[0097]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a storage area in the RAM of the game information storage holding means. The storage area is divided into an access area and a backup area, and as described above, the backup area stores data used when a power failure is restored.
[0098]
It is desirable from the viewpoint of data processing (reading and writing processing to the backup area is easy) that the access area and the backup area are configured on a one-to-one basis. In this example, the address of the access area plus 1000 is the address of the backup area corresponding to the address of the access area.
[0099]
The access area and the backup area do not necessarily have to be configured one-to-one, but data processing becomes difficult.
[0100]
Although the present invention has been described as an example in the case of command transmission processing and input processing as the present embodiment, it can also be applied to output control processing such as motor position control processing, for example. Moreover, you may perform with respect to processes other than this.
[0101]
In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine as a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to other gaming machines such as a pachislot machine and an arrangement ball.
[0102]
Moreover, it should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing normal processing of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing for normal processing.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of command transmission processing;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating power failure detection timing during command transmission.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of input processing.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a general processing flow of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a return process upon return from a power failure.
FIG. 10 is a table showing examples of commands.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of conventional power failure processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Game board
4 Variable display device
5 Special variable prize-winning equipment
7 Starting port
100 game control device
200 Display control device

Claims (4)

A game control means for transmitting a command edited based on the winning ball data set based on winning in the winning opening of the game board, and for overall control of the game;
Discharge control means for controlling the discharge device based on a command from the game control means,
In the gaming machine comprising gaming information storage and holding means capable of storing and holding the command even after the gaming machine is powered off,
The game information storage means is
An access area for storing and holding the command ;
The command is stored and held in the access area, and is composed of a backup area that stores and holds data of a register, a stack pointer, and a program counter .
The game control means transmits before transmitting the command to the discharge control means, wherein the said command register, the command to the discharging control means to save the data of the stack pointer and the program counter in the backup area And
A gaming machine , wherein after execution of command transmission to the discharge control means, the command and data of the register, stack pointer and program counter stored in a backup area are invalidated .   A variable display device for displaying a variable display game for variably displaying a plurality of identification information in a plurality of variable display areas based on winning of a game ball at a start opening;
  Display control means for controlling display in the variable display device;
  A game control means for editing a command of display data to be transmitted to the display control means and for overall control of the game,
  In the gaming machine comprising gaming information storage and holding means capable of storing and holding the command even after the gaming machine is powered off,
  The game information storage means is
  An access area for storing and holding the command;
  The command is stored and held in the access area, and is composed of a backup area for storing and holding the register, stack pointer, and program counter data.
  The game control means saves the command and the register, stack pointer, and program counter data in a backup area before sending the command to the display control means, and then sends the command to the display control means. And
  A gaming machine, wherein after executing command transmission to the display control means, the command and data of the register, stack pointer and program counter stored in a backup area are invalidated. Power failure detection means for detecting the occurrence of a power failure at a voltage drop of a predetermined level or more by monitoring the power supply voltage of the gaming machine and outputting a power failure detection signal,
The discharge control means and the display control means constitute subordinate control means,
The game control means includes
Before sending the command to the slave control unit, and the backup means for storing said with the command register, and a data stack pointer and a program counter in the backup area,
A power failure processing backup means for storing the command and data of the register, the stack pointer and the program counter at the time of power failure detection in the access area based on the power failure detection signal;
Return to select whether to recover from power failure based on the register, stack pointer and program counter data saved by the backup means or the register, stack pointer and program counter data saved by the power failure processing backup means An address selection means,
The return address selection means, when power is turned on again,
When the data of the register, stack pointer, and program counter stored by the backup unit is valid, while selecting the power failure recovery based on the data of the register, stack pointer, and program counter ,
When the register, stack pointer, and program counter data stored by the backup unit is invalid, the power failure recovery based on the register, stack pointer, and program counter data stored by the power failure processing backup unit is selected. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. The game control means restores the command in the access area upon recovery from a power failure based on the command stored in the backup area and data of the register, stack pointer and program counter , and the register, stack A restoring means for restoring the data of the pointer and the program counter ;
If a power failure occurs in the middle of the process of sending a command to the subordinate control means by setting a return address in the program counter data stored in the backup area, the command transmission process 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3 , wherein game control can be resumed from a predetermined position.

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