JP4359842B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for suppressing malfunction of a lower control device in a gaming machine including upper and lower control devices.

  Control of the operation of pachinko machines and other gaming machines is realized by distributed processing of a plurality of control devices so that various complicated controls can be realized even by a CPU with low processing capability. Such control devices include, for example, a lower level control device for controlling the output of voice, display, etc. of a gaming machine, a process at the time of winning a game, and a higher level control device that controls the lower level control device in an integrated manner. . Some gaming machines are configured such that, in order to prevent fraud, input from the lower level control device to the higher level control device is restricted, and the lower level control device is controlled to be opened from the higher level control device.

  In the manufacturing process of the gaming machine, it is required to test the operation state of these control devices. The test is performed by installing a test program in advance in the lower level control device, inputting a test command from a test-dedicated device called a tester, and checking whether the obtained output is normal or not. . Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for easily realizing a test in a completed gaming machine state by outputting a test command from a host control device.

JP 2002-159713 A

  In general, a gaming machine is often installed in a poor environment in terms of operation of a control device such as noise and static electricity. For this reason, there is a risk that a lower-level control device preinstalled with a test program may start a test of the operating state due to a malfunction during the game. Examples of the cause of the malfunction include a possibility that a signal corresponding to a test command is generated due to the influence of noise or the like, and a possibility that the lower-level control device runs out of control and starts executing the test program.

  If a test is started during a game, a test display is made instead of the original display or sound, which causes a problem in continuing the game. In addition, when a test is accidentally started in this way, there is no guarantee that the test will automatically end and the normal operation will be restored. Eventually, the administrator must manually restore it, which will hinder the game and cause the negative effect of a decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress adverse effects of a test start due to a malfunction in a gaming machine.

  The present invention is directed to a gaming machine having a host control device and a lower control device. The lower control device operates by inputting a command from the higher control device. The subordinate control device can take a plurality of operation modes including a test mode for testing the operation, and controls switching of the operation mode according to the command, and for each operation mode, a predetermined control corresponding to the command is performed. Realize operation. At least some of the commands related to the test execution are “ambiguous commands” for realizing different operations depending on the operation mode. According to the present invention, the operation for the same command can be switched according to the operation mode by using the ambiguous command. By doing so, the test is executed only when both the operation mode and the command are appropriate, so that the test execution due to malfunction can be suppressed.

  The ambiguous command functions as, for example, a command for causing the lower-level control device to perform a test operation during the test mode (hereinafter referred to as “test command”), and in other modes, it is simply an invalid command or game It can be a command that functions as a command for realizing a predetermined operation required during the operation. In this way, the opportunity for the test to be executed can be suppressed during the test mode.

  As another aspect, at least a part of the game commands for operation control at the time of gaming out of the commands output to the lower control device may be ambiguous commands. For example, the game command may function as a test command in the test mode. As another example, a game command may be made to function as a command indicating forced termination of a test in the test mode. In this way, even when a test is started due to a malfunction, it is possible to recover from the test state using a command that is inevitably output during the game. Here, an example of forcibly ending using a game command has been shown, but various commands other than a game command and a test command used in a gaming machine can be used as commands that indicate the forced termination of a test under test mode. It can also be used.

  The lower-level control device may further suppress the transition to the test mode by attaching a condition to the execution of the test mode start command instructing the transition to the test mode. For example, the transition to the test mode may be performed under a condition that a predetermined number of times (for example, the first time) command is a test mode start command based on a predetermined operation on the lower level control device. Examples of the predetermined operation include turning on the lower control device, operating a reset button, and inputting a preset signal. The “predetermined number of times” need not be limited to only one, and can be set to correspond to a plurality of times such as an odd number and an even number. By using conditions based on the number of command receptions as described above, the transition to the test mode can be suppressed relatively easily without using a complicated configuration for measuring the elapsed time from a predetermined operation. be able to.

  When the ambiguous command is used, the lower control apparatus may operate differently from the intention of the upper control apparatus depending on the operation mode. In order to avoid such an adverse effect, the lower control apparatus may start the operation in the test mode by a predetermined operation on the lower control apparatus. For example, there is a mode in which the operation in the test mode is started as an initial state after power-on or a reset button operation. By doing so, the host control device can stably end the test of the lower control device by transmitting a command for ending the test under the test mode.

  In the above-described aspect, for example, an operation mode during a game (hereinafter referred to as “game mode”) can be set to an initial state. In this case, if a malfunction occurs, the lower-level control device may fall into a mode other than the game mode, that is, the test mode. In such a case, depending on the command system, there is a possibility that the test cannot be terminated even if the host controller outputs a command on the assumption that the host controller is operating in the initial state, that is, the game mode. is there. On the other hand, the initial state of the subordinate control device may be set to the test mode. In this way, when a malfunction occurs, the lower-level control device operates in a mode other than the test mode, that is, the game mode, so that there is an advantage that there is no problem in the execution of the game. Further, if the initial state is the test mode, it is not necessary to incorporate a program for shifting to the test mode in response to any command into the lower-level control device, so the test starts with a malfunction based on the command received during the game. There is also an advantage that fear can be suppressed.

  The lower-level control device of the present invention may be configured to preferentially execute the latest command when a new command is received during a series of operations according to any command, or treat the latest command as invalid. You may comprise. According to the former configuration, there is an advantage that the test can be forcibly terminated by a command from the host control device even while the test is being executed due to a malfunction. In the latter configuration, in order to realize such an advantage, the latest command is treated as invalid unless the lower-level control device is operating in the test mode. In other words, the latest command is in operation in the test mode. It is desirable to have a configuration that interprets and executes.

  The present invention may be configured as the lower level control device described above, or may be configured as a gaming machine including such a lower level control device and a higher level control device. When configured as a gaming machine, the host control device may be configured to output a command capable of terminating the test to the lower control device at a predetermined timing. In this way, even if the lower control apparatus starts a test due to a malfunction, it is possible to quickly end the test. This aspect is particularly suitable when the host controller is configured to open control the lower controller, that is, when the host controller does not know the operation mode of the host controller. Is suitable.

  The output timing of the command that can end the test can include, for example, the time when the first command is output after the gaming machine is turned on. By doing so, it is possible to stably ensure a state in which the test is not being executed in the lower control device as the initialization processing of the gaming machine regardless of the operation mode of the lower control device. This aspect is particularly suitable when a low-order control device that adopts a test mode as an initial state is employed.

  Further, the output of the command is not limited to once, and may be repeatedly output under a predetermined condition during the game. In this way, even when a test is started due to a malfunction during a game, it is possible to quickly recover. The predetermined condition can be set based on, for example, a time interval, the number of command outputs, and the like. As described above, the lower-level control device can handle the game command as an ambiguous command and can adopt a configuration in which the test is forcibly terminated based on the game command in the test mode. In such a configuration, the host control device may set the predetermined condition described above based on the elapsed time from the latest game command. In this way, if the test is started due to a malfunction during the game, even if the player feels abnormal and interrupts the game, the test is terminated by a command output from the host controller after a predetermined elapsed time. It becomes possible.

  The present invention does not necessarily have all the various features described above, and some of them may be omitted or combined as appropriate. Further, the present invention may be configured as a control method of these devices in addition to the configuration as a lower control device and a gaming machine. Furthermore, the present invention can be configured as a computer program for realizing such control by a computer and a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. Here, as a recording medium, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (RAM, ROM, etc. Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. In the present embodiment, a configuration as a pachinko machine is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various game machines equipped with upper / lower control devices such as a rotary game machine.
A. Hardware configuration:
B. Program structure:
C. Control processing in the first embodiment:
D. Variations:
E. Control processing in the second embodiment:

A. Hardware configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a gaming machine as an embodiment. The mechanism that controls the operation of the gaming machine is mainly shown. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming machine is controlled by distributed processing of each control board such as the main control board 100, the payout control board 200, and the sub control board 300. Each control board is configured as a one-chip microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. therein, and implements various control processes according to programs recorded in the ROM. The main control board 100 functions as a host control device that performs overall control of the entire operation. The payout control board 200 and the sub control board 300 correspond to lower control devices that operate in response to commands from the main control board 100.

  In the gaming machine of the embodiment, input from the outside to the main control board 100 is restricted in order to prevent various frauds during the game and in the manufacturing process. As shown in the figure, the main control board 100 and the sub control board 300 are connected by a unidirectional bus, and the main control board 100 controls the sub control board 300 to be opened by command transmission. The main control board 100 and the payout control board 300 are connected by a bi-directional bus for the necessity of control processing, and the main control board 100 controls the operation of the payout control board 200 by sending and receiving commands.

  When a ball enters a winning slot provided on the game board surface based on the control of the main control board 100, the pachinko machine determines whether the ball is paid out, hits / displaces based on random numbers, and is determined to be a win Operates to release the special winning opening provided on the game board surface for a predetermined period. In order to realize the operation at the time of a game, the main control board 100 receives the detection result of the winning detector 101 that detects the winning of a ball in the winning opening. Further, the main control board 100 outputs a control signal for the big prize opening solenoid 102 for releasing the big prize opening.

  Control of each operation during other games is performed via the payout control board 200 and the sub control board 300. The payout control board 200 controls the launching and payout of the ball being played in the following procedure. The launch of the sphere is controlled directly by the launch control board 202. That is, when the player operates the launch handle 201 provided on the game board surface, the launch control board 202 controls the launch motor 203 to launch a ball. The payout control board 200 indirectly controls the launch of the sphere by sending a launch control signal to the launch control board 202.

  When receiving a command indicating that a prize has been won during the game from the main control board 100, the payout control board 200 controls the payout motor 220 and pays out a specified number of balls while counting the number of balls. The payout control board 200 detects whether or not the balls stored for payout are insufficient by the ball break switch 210, and outputs a ball shortage detection signal to the main control board 100 when there is a shortage.

  The sub control board 300 controls effects such as voice, display, and lamp lighting during the game. These effects vary according to the status during the game, such as during normal times, when winning a prize, or when winning a big hit. When an effect command corresponding to each status (hereinafter referred to as “game command”) is transmitted from the main control board 100, the sub-control board 300 activates a program corresponding to each command and performs main control. An effect instructed from the substrate 100 is realized.

  In the present embodiment, as illustrated, the sub-control board 300 directly controls the speaker 350. A plurality of speakers 350 may be connected. A liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 361 is controlled via a display control device 360. The display control device 360 generates and stores symbols to be displayed on the LCD 361 on the buffer, and based on this, the one-chip microcomputer and the VDP (VDP) having a function of driving and controlling each cell of the LCD 361 to display a desired symbol. Video Display Processor). The lamps to be controlled by the sub-control board 300 include a panel decoration lamp 371 provided on the game board surface and a frame decoration lamp 376 provided on the frame of the game board. The sub-control board 300 is connected to these lamps 371 and 376 via lamp relay boards 370 and 375 which are signal distribution boards, and each lamp can blink individually.

  The hardware configuration described above is an example of a gaming machine. The connection destination of each hardware module is not limited to the illustrated example, and various configurations can be adopted. Further, a configuration in which a part of the illustrated hardware module is omitted or a configuration in which a separate hardware module is added may be employed depending on the function required for the gaming machine.

B. Program structure:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a program configuration. Configurations of a program recorded in the ROM of the main control board 100 (hereinafter referred to as “main control program”) and a program recorded in the ROM of the sub control board 300 (hereinafter referred to as “sub control program”). Indicated. Similarly, a control program is stored in the ROM of the payout control board 200, but the illustration thereof is omitted here because the relation to the processing contents in the present embodiment described below is low.

  The sub-control program includes a system module 310 that controls the overall operation, and the following modules are provided therein. The command input module 311 inputs an external command via an input port from the main control board 100. The sub-control program of this embodiment includes an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as “game mode”) when a game is being executed on a gaming machine, and an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as “test mode”) for testing the operation of the gaming machine. It operates in two modes. The mode switching control module 312 controls switching between the game mode and the test mode according to a command input from the outside.

  In addition to the system module 310, the sub-control program is provided with individual modules for realizing individual operations required for the game mode and the test mode. In the game mode, the following modules operate under the control of the game mode control module 313. During the game, the scheduler module 321 controls blinking of the lamp and sound output in a prescribed order according to the game command input from the main control program. The symbol module 322 controls the display screen of the LCD 361 according to the game command. The motor module 323 controls the drive motor of the movable part as an effect during the game when the movable part is provided on the game board. The game mode control module 313 in the system module 310 activates the individual modules 321 to 323 in accordance with the game command during the game to realize various effects.

  In the test mode, the following modules operate under the control of the test mode control module 314. The push button module 324 inputs push button operations during the test. This push button is used, for example, for an operator to individually turn on the lamp during a test. The test operation module 330 executes a test operation such as blinking of a lamp, output of sound, display of a test pattern on the LCD, etc., according to a test command prepared in advance. The test operation module 330 includes individual modules for realizing an operation corresponding to each test command. However, in order to avoid complication of the figure, the test operation module 330 is shown here as an aggregate of these individual modules. It was. The test mode control module 314 in the system module 310 activates the push button module 324 and the test operation module 330 in accordance with the test command during the test, thereby realizing the respective test operations.

  Although it is possible to issue a test command to the sub-control program from the main control board 100, in the present embodiment, in order to suppress malfunction during the game, the test command is not sent from the main control board 100. It was. When executing the test, a test-dedicated device (hereinafter referred to as “tester”) is connected to a port to which the main control board 100 is connected in the sub-control board 300, and a test command is sent from the tester.

  However, since the sub-control program includes a module for a test operation, there is a possibility that the test operation is started due to a malfunction even during a game. The cause of the malfunction includes, for example, the possibility that the game command sent from the main control board 100 changes to a signal corresponding to the test command due to the influence of noise, and the possibility that the sub control program runs away due to the influence of noise or the like.

  The main control program of this embodiment includes a test inhibition module 112 in order to suppress the execution of the test operation due to such a malfunction. The test inhibition module 112 issues a command for forcibly terminating the test operation of the sub-control program under a predetermined condition based on the time measured by the timer 114. Details thereof will be described later. In addition to the main control program, modules for realizing various processes during the game are prepared.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a command list. Examples of test commands and game commands are given. In this embodiment, these commands are configured as ambiguous commands having different meanings in the test mode and the game mode. For example, the test command T1 means execution of a “voice test” in the test mode, but is treated as an “invalid” command in the game mode. The same applies to the other test commands T2, T3 and the like. The test command T0 means “test start” in both the test mode / game mode. However, in the gaming mode, this is interpreted only in the case of the first command received in this mode, and is treated as an “invalid” command at other timings.

  The game commands P0 to P3 and the like in the game mode each mean a production effect during the game such as “power-on production”, but in the test mode, it means “test mode release”, that is, forced termination of the test. Therefore, when a test is started due to a malfunction, if a game command is input from the outside, the test operation of the sub-control program is forcibly terminated and the game mode is entered.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which all of the test command and the game command are ambiguity commands is shown, but a configuration in which only one of them is an ambiguity command is also possible. In addition, a configuration in which only a part of the test command and the game command is an ambiguous command is possible.

C. Control processing in the first embodiment:
A specific control process realized based on the hardware configuration and the program configuration described above will be described. In the following, for convenience of explanation, control processing executed by the sub control program (hereinafter referred to as “sub control processing”) will be described first, and then control processing executed by the main control program (hereinafter referred to as “main control processing”). Will be described. The sub-control board 300 operates in the “game mode” in the initial state after the power is turned on, and if a command is input from the outside during the execution of each individual process in the test mode and the game mode, the sub-control board 300 is allocated. It is assumed that the latest command is always prioritized and executed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sub control process in the first embodiment. The sub-control board 300 periodically repeats this process after the power is turned on. The CPU of the sub control board 300 (hereinafter referred to as “sub CPU”) first confirms whether the in-test flag is ON / OFF (step S10). The in-test flag is a flag that is ON in the test mode, and is OFF in the initial state as described above.

  When the in-test flag is ON, the sub CPU executes a process for realizing the test operation as described below. If there is an input command from the outside (step S20), the sub CPU executes command analysis corresponding to the test mode (step S21). That is, the meaning content of the command is analyzed in accordance with the “test mode” shown in FIG.

  If the command is a test command (step S22), various test processes corresponding to the command are executed (step S23). If it is not a test command (step S22), that is, if it is a game command, it means that the test mode is canceled, and the sub CPU resets the in-test flag (step S24). If there is no external input command during the test mode (step S20), the previous processing is continued as it is (step S23).

  On the other hand, when the in-test flag is not ON (step S10), the sub CPU executes processing in the game mode. When there is an input command from the outside (step S30), the sub CPU executes command analysis corresponding to the game mode (step S31). That is, the meaning content of the command is analyzed in accordance with the “game mode” in FIG.

  When the command is a game command (step S32), various game time processes corresponding to the command are executed (step S33). If it is not a game command (step S32), it is determined whether the command is input for the first time after the power is turned on or after the second time (step S34). If it is the first command (step S34), if the input command is a test start command (command T0 in FIG. 3) (step S35), a test flag is set (step S36). The determination of whether or not the command is the first command can be easily realized by using, for example, a “first command flag” that is turned on after the power is turned on until the processing of the first command is completed. From the next time onward, when the sub-control processing is executed, the processing in the test mode is performed by “setting the flag under test” in step S36. If it is not the first command (step S34), or if it is not a test start command (step S35), the setting of the in-test flag is skipped.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the transition to the test mode is permitted under the limited condition that the initial command after power-on is the test start command. By tightening the conditions for shifting to the test mode in this way, the possibility of shifting to the test mode due to malfunction can be suppressed.

  When the above process is completed, the sub CPU executes a steady interruption process during the game (step S37). The steady interruption process is a process that is periodically executed during a game for the detection, suppression, and post-processing of an abnormality. For example, it includes a history creation process for various sensors, a refresh process for noise countermeasures, a lack of commands related to effects, and a process for determining consistency. The steady interruption process may be executed less frequently than the sub control process. It is also possible to omit the steady interrupt process.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main control process. When the gaming machine is powered on, the CPU of the main control board 100 (hereinafter referred to as “main CPU”) executes an initialization process (step S100). The initialization process includes various processes such as clearing the memory. As part of the initialization process, the variable ET representing the elapsed time since the last game command was output is also reset to zero. This variable ET is used for processing for forcibly terminating the test operation when the sub-control board 300 starts the test operation due to a malfunction as described later.

  When the initialization process is completed, the main CPU executes a game control process (step S101). In other words, the determination of whether or not the ball fired by the player's operation has been won, jackpot determination or payout determination at the time of winning, operation of the big winning opening at the time of jackpot, production control at the time of game, etc. according to the game situation Run as appropriate. As described above, when a ball is paid out, a command is output to the payout control board 200, and a game command is output to the sub control board 300 for an effect during the game.

  The sub-control process is shown on the right side of the figure. This process corresponds to the process shown in FIG. When a game command is transmitted from the main control board 100, the sub-control board 300 receives this command and executes various game processing and the like according to the flowchart of FIG. Further, when the sub control board 300 enters the test mode due to a malfunction, it is released from the test mode by a game command output from the main control board 100 (see step S24 in FIGS. 3 and 4). .

  When the main CPU transmits the game command, the main CPU resets the elapsed time ET to 0 (step S101). While the game command is not output, the elapsed time ET increases with time. When the elapsed time ET exceeds the predetermined threshold Th, the main CPU transmits a dummy game command to the sub control board 300 (step S103). This game command is output for the purpose of forcibly terminating the test operation being executed by the sub-control board 300 due to a malfunction. Any game command can be used, but the sub-control board 300 may be operating normally in the game mode, so it is preferable to use a command that does not interfere with the game. As such commands, for example, lighting commands for relatively inconspicuous parts, commands for production such as sound output at a low volume, and instructions for refresh processing for noise countermeasures are performed inside the sub-control board 300. For example, a command for instructing the processing to be performed.

  When the main CPU finishes the above processing, the main CPU repeats the processing from step S101 again. If the elapsed time ET is less than the predetermined threshold Th (step S102), the dummy game command transmission (step S103) is skipped, and the process is repeated from step S101.

  The relationship between the main control process and the operation mode of the sub control board 300 is shown below the figure. In this example, the transition of the operation mode of the sub-control board 300, the output of the game command from the main control board 100, and the change of the elapsed time ET are shown with respect to the time after t0. In the figure, filled triangular marks represent the output of game commands.

  During the game, as shown in the figure, game commands are output at various timings. The elapsed time ET increases with time after the game command c1 is output. Thereafter, when the game command c2 is output, it is reset and increased again.

  Assume that the sub-control board 300 shifts to the test mode due to malfunction at time t1. After that, at time t2 before the elapsed time ET reaches the threshold Th, a game command c3 triggered by a winning or the like occurring during the game is output. As described above, in the test mode, the sub-control board 300 interprets the game command c3 as release of the test mode, so that the operation mode is restored to the game mode again.

  Assume that at time t3, the sub-control board 300 shifts to the test mode due to a malfunction. Thereafter, it is assumed that the elapsed time ET reaches the threshold value Th at time t4 without any opportunity to generate a game command. At this time, a dummy game command is transmitted by the process of step S103 in FIG. As a result, the sub control board 300 is restored to the game mode again.

  In this way, in the main control process, by outputting a game command based on the elapsed time from the last game command output, when the sub control board 300 shifts to the test mode due to malfunction, the game command interval is increased. However, recovery from the test mode to the game command can be realized. For example, even when an abnormal display is started as a game is being played in the test mode and the player interrupts the game, the game mode can be restored if the elapsed time ET is equal to or greater than the threshold Th. .

  According to the gaming machine of the first embodiment described above, by using ambiguous commands, even if a test command is received during the gaming mode, it can be treated as an invalid command, and a test due to malfunction is suppressed. Can do. In addition, when a game command is received in the test mode, the test can be forcibly terminated, so that even if a test operation is entered due to a malfunction, it is possible to quickly recover from such a test operation. Since the game command is transmitted at various occasions during the game, even when the main control board 100 performs the open control in which the operation mode of the sub control board 300 is not recognized, it is possible to realize a relatively quick recovery. There are advantages you can do.

  The control processes described in the first embodiment are not necessarily all provided. For example, in the main control process, transmission of a game command based on the elapsed time ET (step S103) may be omitted. The ambiguous command may be only one of a test command and a game command. In addition, regarding the transition to the test mode, it is possible to remove the limitation condition that only when the first command is received (step S34 in FIG. 4).

D. Variations:
In the first embodiment, the sub-control board 300 is configured such that when a command is input from the outside during execution of each individual process, an interrupt is generated and the latest command is always prioritized and executed. Exemplified case. On the contrary, the present embodiment can also be applied to a sub-control board configured to ignore the latest command during execution of individual processing. Such a configuration will be described as a modification.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of command reception processing in the modification. This is a process that is periodically executed by the sub CPU regardless of whether or not the individual process is being executed. First, the sub CPU confirms whether or not a command has been received (step S50). If no command has been received, the sub CPU ends the process without performing anything.

  When a command is received, if the game process is being executed (step S51), the received command is ignored and the process ends. In other cases (step S51), an interrupt is generated and the sub control process (the process of FIG. 4 of the first embodiment) is executed (step S52). On the right side of the figure, a list of occurrences of interrupts is shown. As shown in Case 2, if a game process is being executed, no interruption occurs. That is, the newly received command is ignored. In other cases, that is, when the test process is executed (case 1) and when neither the test process nor the game process is executed (case 3), an interrupt is generated.

  According to the modification, since the latest command is processed without being ignored during the execution of the test process, quick recovery can be realized even when the test mode is entered due to a malfunction.

E. Control processing in the second embodiment:
FIG. 7 shows control processing in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the sub-control board 300 operates in the “test mode” as an initial state after the power is turned on. Similarly to the first embodiment, when a new command is received during individual processing, the latest received command is preferentially executed. However, it is also possible to apply to a configuration in which the latest command is ignored by executing the process shown in FIG. 6 as the command reception process.

  In the figure, the flowchart of the sub control process is shown on the right side, and the main control process is shown on the left side. For convenience of explanation, the sub-control processing will be described. In the sub control process, the sub CPU executes the process in the test mode if the in-test flag is ON, and executes the process in the game mode if it is OFF (step S10A). Since the processing in the test mode (steps S20A to S24A) is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), description thereof is omitted.

  In the gaming mode, if there is a new command (step S30A), the sub CPU executes command analysis in the gaming mode as in the first embodiment (step S31A). If there is no new command, this process is skipped.

  Next, the sub CPU executes various gaming processes (step S33A). That is, when a game command is newly received, individual processing corresponding to the command is started. If the newly received command is a test command, it is treated as an “invalid command”, and thus the previously executed process is continued. The same applies when there is no new command.

  In the first embodiment, even in the game mode, the command T0 (see FIG. 3) meaning “test start” is treated as valid only for the first time after power-on, but in the second embodiment, it is always invalid in the game mode. And handle. Since the sub-control board 300 sets the test mode to the initial state, the test can be executed if necessary even in such handling. In the second embodiment, the “start test” command itself may be deleted.

  On the other hand, in the main control process, as an initialization process after turning on the power, a process of shifting the operation mode of the sub-control board 300 from the initial “test mode” to the “game mode” is executed (step S100A). In this example, a dummy game command is transmitted. At this time, since the game has not yet started, there is no suitability for the type of game command.

  According to the gaming machine of the second embodiment described above, it is possible to eliminate the transition process to the test mode by the test start command, so there is a possibility that the test may be started by a malfunction based on the command received during the game. Can be suppressed.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the embodiment, the control of the test operation in the sub-control board 300 is exemplified, but the same configuration can be applied to the payout control board 200 and other lower-level control boards. Various processes implemented in software in the embodiment may be implemented in hardware by an ASIC or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game machine as an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a program structure. It is explanatory drawing which shows a command list. It is a flowchart of the sub control process in 1st Example. It is a flowchart of a main control process. It is a flowchart of the command reception process in a modification. It is a control process in 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Main control board 101 ... Winning detector 102 ... Grand prize opening solenoid 112 ... Test suppression module 114 ... Timer 200 ... Discharge control board 201 ... Firing handle 202 ... Firing control board 203 ... Firing motor 210 ... Ball break switch 220 ... Dispensing Motor 300... Sub control board 300... Discharge control board 310. System module 311. 324 ... Button module 330 ... Test operation module 350 ... Speaker 360 ... Display control device 361 ... LCD
370, 375 ... Lamp relay board 371 ... Panel decoration lamp 376 ... Frame decoration lamp

Claims (10)

A lower level control device of a gaming machine,
A command input unit for inputting a command from the host controller;
In response to the command, a mode switching control unit for switching a plurality of operation modes including a test mode for testing the operation of the lower-level control device;
A command execution unit that realizes a predetermined operation according to the command for each operation mode;
At least a part of the commands related to the execution of the test is a low-level control device in which the command execution unit is an ambiguous command for realizing different operations depending on the operation mode. The low-order control device according to claim 1,
The command includes a game command for motion control during gaming,
A lower control apparatus in which at least a part of the gaming command is the ambiguous command. The subordinate control device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least a part of the ambiguity command is a lower-level control device that represents the forced termination of the test in the test mode. The lower-level control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The command includes a test mode start command for instructing transition to the test mode,
The mode switching control unit is a lower level control device that shifts to a test mode when a predetermined number of commands from the predetermined operation on the lower level control device is the test mode start command. The lower-level control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The mode switching control unit is a lower-level control device that starts an operation in the test mode by a predetermined operation on the lower-level control device. It is a low-order control apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5,
The command execution unit is a subordinate control device that preferentially executes the latest command when a new command is received during the operation. It is a low-order control apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5,
The command control unit is a lower-level control device that treats a new command received during the operation as invalid unless the command execution unit is operating in the test mode. A gaming machine,
The lower control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A host control device that controls the lower control device by outputting a command;
The gaming machine includes a test inhibition unit that outputs a command that can terminate the test to the lower-level control device at a predetermined timing. A gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein
The predetermined timing is a gaming machine including a first command output time after the gaming machine is turned on. A gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein
The test inhibiting unit is a gaming machine that repeatedly outputs the command under a predetermined condition during a game.