JP4376949B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation, and more particularly to a gaming machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation in a gaming area on a gaming board. .

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

  The display result of the variable display unit that displays the special symbol is a combination of a specific display mode that is determined in advance. Note that the game value is the right that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the gaming area of the gaming machine is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a ball, or the advantageous state for a player. It is to generate.

  When a big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state in which a hit ball is easy to win. And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. Further, when a predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit gaming state is ended.

  In addition, among the combinations of display modes other than the “big hit” combination, the variable display in which the display result has already been derived and displayed at the stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display units have not yet been derived and displayed. A state in which the display mode of the part satisfies a display condition that is a combination of specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. Then, if the display result of the identification information variably displayed on the variable display portion does not satisfy the condition of “reach”, it becomes “missing”, and the variable display state ends. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  Various gaming device control means including game control means are mounted on the gaming machine. Generally, each gaming device control means is constituted by a microcomputer. That is, a program is stored in a ROM or the like, and data temporarily generated for control or data that changes as control proceeds is stored in the RAM. Then, when the power-off state due to a power failure or the like occurs in the gaming machine, the data in the RAM is lost. Therefore, when recovering from a power outage or the like, the player must return to the initial state (for example, the state when the game machine was first turned on at the game store for the first time in the day), which may cause a disadvantage to the player. There is. For example, if a power failure occurs during a jackpot game and the gaming machine returns to the initial state, the player cannot enjoy the benefits based on the jackpot.

  In order to avoid such a situation, when an unexpected power cut such as a power failure occurs, the necessary data is saved in the power backup RAM, and the data saved when the power is restored is restored. Can be resumed. However, if the saving method and the restoring method are inappropriate when saving necessary data when the power is turned off, the restored data may not match the data when the power is turned off. In such a case, it may still give the player an unexpected disadvantage.

  Therefore, the present invention saves necessary data when an unexpected power failure such as a power failure occurs, and when the power is restored, the game can be resumed from the state at the time of power failure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be reliably stored and that can use the stored data after the power is restored.

A gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine in which a player can play a predetermined game using a game medium, and includes an electrical component that includes variation data storage means for storing variation data generated when control is performed. Control means, storage contents holding means capable of holding the storage contents of the variable data storage means for a predetermined period even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, and monitoring a predetermined power supply voltage used in the gaming machine And a power supply monitoring means for outputting a voltage drop signal to the electric component control means when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less, and an output port is provided for the electric component control means to output predetermined data. The electric component control means controls the electric parts provided in the gaming machine, and includes electric power including processing for storing the control state in the fluctuation data storage means in response to the input of the voltage drop signal from the power supply monitoring means. Serving Output port clear processing that executes processing at stop and clears the signal output to the output port in the power supply stop processing, and creation of check data used to determine whether the stored contents of the fluctuation data storage means are normal The output port clear process is executed before the creation process is executed .

According to the present invention, the power supply stop process includes a process in which the electrical component control means stores the control state in the fluctuation data storage means in response to the input of the voltage drop signal from the power supply monitoring means. In the power supply stop process, an output port clear process for clearing the signal output to the output port, and a check data creation process used to determine whether or not the storage contents of the fluctuation data storage means are normal Executed and configured to execute the output port clear process before executing the creation process, so that necessary data can be reliably stored when an unexpected power failure such as a power failure occurs. There is an effect that the stored data can be used reliably after the power is restored.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine. It can also be applied to image-type gaming machines and slot machines.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear side of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided in front of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device 8 including a variable display unit 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a variable display 10 using 7 segment LEDs. In this embodiment, the variable display section 9 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. A passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided on the side of the variable display device 8. The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the start winning opening 14 through the ball outlet 13. In the passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball exit 13, there is a gate switch 12 that detects a hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 17. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An open / close plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. In this embodiment, the opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V zone) is detected by the V count switch 22. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the bottom of the variable display device 8, a start winning memory display 18 having four display units for displaying the number of winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14 is provided. In this example, with the upper limit being four, each time there is a start prize, the start prize storage display 18 increases the number of lit display units one by one. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display unit 9 is started, the lit display unit is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 19, 24, and winning of the game balls to the winning openings 19, 24 is detected by winning opening switches 19a, 24a. Decorative lamps 25 blinking during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c are provided.

  In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is lit when the prize ball is paid out is provided in the vicinity of one speaker 27, and a ball break lamp 52 that is lit when the supply ball is cut is provided in the vicinity of the other speaker 27. Is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables ball lending by inserting a prepaid card.

  The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 indicating whether or not it is in a usable state, and when the remaining amount information recorded in the card has a fraction (a number less than 100 yen), the fraction is indicated as a hitting tray. 3, a fraction display switch 152 for displaying on a frequency display LED provided in the vicinity of 3, a connecting table direction indicator 153 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit 50, in the card unit 50 Check the card insertion indicator lamp 154 indicating that a card is inserted, the card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and the mechanism of the card reader / writer provided on the back of the card insertion slot 155. In some cases, a card unit lock 156 is provided for releasing the card unit 50.

  The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 changes continuously. Further, when the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, the symbol in the variable display portion 9 starts to rotate if the variation of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the change of the symbol can be started, the start winning memory is increased by 1.

  The rotation of the image in the variable display unit 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of the stop is a combination of jackpot symbols, the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the specific winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a right to continue is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of images in the variable display section 9 at the time of stop is a combination of jackpot symbols with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in a high probability state. Further, when the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol in the variable display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a prize ball tank 38 is provided on the top of the mechanism plate 36, and the prize ball is placed from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. It is supplied to the prize ball tank 38. The prize balls in the prize ball tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and reach the ball dispensing device.

  The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the variable display unit 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board (main board) 31 covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, etc. A relay board 33 for relaying signals between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball control board 37 on which a prize ball control microcomputer for performing payout control of prizes is mounted. Has been. Further, at the lower part of the mechanism plate 36, a hitting ball launching device 34 that launches a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c, a prize ball lamp 51, and a ball break lamp A lamp control board 35 for sending a signal to 52 is installed.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball passing through the guide rod 39 passes through the ball break detectors 187a and 187b and reaches the ball dispensing device 97 via the ball supply rods 186a and 186b. The prize balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hit ball supply tray 3 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the connection port 45. A surplus ball passage 46 communicating with the surplus ball receiving tray 4 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed on the side of the communication port 45. A lot of premium balls based on the winnings are paid out and the hitting ball supply tray 3 becomes full. Finally, when the premium balls are paid out after the premium balls reach the contact port 45, the premium balls pass through the surplus ball passage 46 and surplus. It is guided to the ball receiving tray 4. When the prize ball is further paid out, the sensing lever 47 presses the full tank switch 48 and the full tank switch 48 is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the stepping motor in the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, the operation of the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, and the driving of the ball striking device 34 is stopped as necessary. In this embodiment, the ball payout device 97 for paying out the game ball by the rotation of the stepping motor is exemplified as the ball payout device for paying out the game ball by driving the electric drive source. A ball dispensing device having a structure for delivering a ball may be used, or a ball dispensing device having a structure in which a stopper is removed by driving of an electric drive source and the game ball is dispensed by its own weight.

  In order to perform prize ball payout control, signals from the prize opening switches 19 a and 24 a, the start opening switch 17 and the V count switch 22 are sent to the main board 31. The CPU 56 of the main board 31 knows that a winning corresponding to six prize ball payout has occurred when the start port switch 17 is turned on. Further, when the count switch 23 is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to 15 prize ball payouts has occurred. Then, when the winning opening switch is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to ten winning ball payouts has occurred. In this embodiment, for example, a game ball won in the winning opening 24 is detected by a winning opening switch 24 a provided in a winning ball flow path from the winning opening 24 and won in the winning opening 19. Is detected by a winning port switch 19a provided in a winning ball flow path from the winning port 19.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 4 also shows a prize ball control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80. On the main board 31, the basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the program and the signals from the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23 and the winning port switches 19a and 24a are the basic circuit. 53, a solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20 according to a command from the basic circuit 53, and lighting of the start memory display 18 A lamp / LED circuit 60 that carries out the extinction lamp and drives the variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED and the decorative lamp 25 is mounted.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the image display of the variable display unit 9, and the fact that the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting the probability variation information and the like to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 that is an example of volatile storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 that performs a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. Including. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to incorporate at least the RAM 55, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built-in. The I / O port unit 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

Further, the main board 31 includes an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when power is turned on, and an address signal supplied from the basic circuit 53 to decode any I / O port 57. An address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting the / O port is provided.
Note that there is also switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball dispensing device 97, but these are omitted in FIG.

  A ball hitting device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration around the CPU 56 for power supply monitoring and power supply backup. As shown in FIG. 5, the voltage drop signal from the first power supply monitoring circuit (first power supply monitoring means) mounted on the power supply board is input to the non-maskable interrupt terminal (NMI terminal) of the CPU 56. Yes. The first power supply monitoring circuit is a circuit that monitors the voltage of any one of the various DC power supplies used by the gaming machine and detects a power supply voltage drop. Therefore, the CPU 56 can confirm the power-off state by a non-maskable interrupt (NMI).

  A second power supply monitoring circuit 903 is mounted on the main board 31. In this example, in the second power supply monitoring circuit 903, the power supply monitoring IC 904 monitors the + 30V power supply voltage, which is the same as the power supply voltage monitored by the first power supply monitoring circuit, and the voltage value falls below a predetermined value. Then, a low level voltage drop signal is generated. For example, the detection voltage of the first power supply monitoring circuit mounted on the power supply board (the voltage that outputs the voltage drop signal) is + 16V, and the detection voltage of the second power supply monitoring circuit 903 is + 8V. In such a configuration, since the same voltage is monitored, the difference between the timing at which the first voltage monitoring circuit outputs the voltage drop signal and the timing at which the second voltage monitoring circuit outputs the voltage drop signal is desired. Can be reliably set in a predetermined period. The desired predetermined period is a period from when the power-off process is started according to the voltage drop signal from the first power supply monitoring circuit until the power-off process is reliably completed.

  The voltage drop signal from the second power supply monitoring circuit 903 is logically summed with the initial reset signal from the initial reset circuit 65 and then input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56. Therefore, when the initial reset signal from the initial reset circuit 65 has a low level or when the voltage drop signal from the second power supply monitoring circuit 903 has a low level, the CPU 56 (Non-operational state).

  Note that the reset IC 651 of the initial reset circuit 65 sets the output signal to a high level when the + 5V power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or more when the gaming machine is turned on and the voltage of the + 5V power supply rises. That is, the initial reset signal is turned off.

  While power is not supplied from the + 5V power source that is the driving power source of the CPU 56 or the like, at least a part of the RAM is backed up by the backup power source supplied from the power supply board, and the contents are preserved even if the power source for the gaming machine is cut off. The When the + 5V power supply is restored, a reset signal is issued from the initial reset circuit 65, so that the CPU 56 returns to a normal operation state. At that time, since necessary data is backed up, it is possible to return to the gaming state at the time of the power failure when recovering from the power failure.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power supply substrate 910. The power supply board 910 is installed independently of the gaming machine control boards such as the main board 31, the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, the lamp control board 35, and the prize ball control board 37, and each gaming machine control board in the gaming machine. And the voltage used by the mechanical components. In this example, AC24V, DC + 30V, DC + 21V, DC + 12V and DC + 5V are generated. A capacitor 916 serving as a backup power supply is charged from a line of power supply for driving DC + 5V, that is, an IC or the like on each substrate.

  The transformer 911 converts AC voltage from the AC power source into 24V. The AC 24V voltage is output to the connector 915. The rectifier circuit 912 also generates a DC voltage of +30 V from AC 24 V and outputs it to the DC-DC converter 913 and the connector 915. The DC-DC converter 913 generates + 21V, + 12V, and + 5V and outputs them to the connector 915. The connector 915 is connected to, for example, a relay board, and power of a voltage necessary for each gaming machine control board and mechanism parts is supplied from the relay board. Note that a power switch 918 for stopping or starting the power supply to the gaming machine is installed on the input side of the transformer 911.

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

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

  The power supply board 910 is mounted with a power monitoring IC 902 that constitutes the first power supply circuit described above. The power supply monitoring IC 902 detects the occurrence of power interruption by introducing the + 30V power supply voltage and monitoring the + 30V power supply voltage. Specifically, when the + 30V power supply voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value (+ 16V in this example), a voltage drop signal is output because the power supply is cut off. The + 30V power supply voltage is a voltage immediately after being converted from AC to DC. The voltage drop signal from the power monitoring IC 902 is supplied to the main board 31, the prize ball control board 37, and the like.

  The predetermined value for the power monitoring IC 902 to detect the power interruption is lower than the normal voltage, but is a voltage that allows the CPU on each gaming device control board to operate for a while. Further, since the power monitoring IC 902 is configured to monitor a voltage that is higher than the voltage for driving the CPU (+5 V in this example) and immediately after being converted from AC to DC, the CPU The monitoring range can be expanded for the required voltage. Therefore, more precise monitoring can be performed. Further, when + 30V is used as the monitoring voltage, the voltage supplied to the various switches of the gaming machine is + 12V, so that it can be expected to prevent erroneous switch-on detection at the time of instantaneous power interruption. That is, when the voltage of the + 30V power supply is monitored, it is possible to detect a decrease in the level before + 12V created after the creation of + 30V starts to drop. Therefore, when the voltage of the + 12V power supply decreases, the switch output becomes in the on state. However, if the power supply interruption is recognized by monitoring the + 30V power supply voltage that decreases faster than + 12V, the switch output becomes the power It is possible to enter a state of waiting for recovery and not detect switch output.

  Further, since the power monitoring IC 902 is mounted on the power supply board 910 separate from the gaming apparatus control board, a voltage drop signal can be supplied from the first power monitoring circuit to the plurality of gaming apparatus control boards. Even if there are any number of gaming device control boards that require a voltage drop signal, it is only necessary to provide one first power supply monitoring means. Doing so does not increase the cost of the gaming machine.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the CPU 56 on the main board 31. When the power to the gaming machine is turned on, in the main process, the CPU 56 first confirms whether or not it is a time of recovery from a power failure (step S1). Whether or not the power failure has been recovered is confirmed by, for example, a power-off flag set in the backup RAM area when the power is cut off.

  That is, when power is turned on again in the state where the RAM area is backed up, the power-off flag is accurately stored in the RAM because the state when the power is turned off is stored in the RAM. If the gaming machine is turned on while the RAM area is not backed up, the contents of the RAM are indeterminate, so the value of the power-off flag is incorrect. Therefore, it can be confirmed whether or not it was at the time of recovery from the power failure according to the set state of the power-off flag. Even if the power-off flag is set when the gaming machine is turned on without being backed up, it is erroneously assumed that it was at the time of recovery from a power failure by the parity diagnosis described later. It is prevented from being judged.

  When it is at the time of recovery from a power failure, the CPU 56 executes a power failure recovery process described later (step S4). If it is not time to recover from a power failure, the CPU 56 executes normal initialization processing (step S2). Thereafter, in the main process, the process proceeds to a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S6). In the loop, a display random number update process (step S5) is also executed.

  In the normal initialization process, as shown in FIG. 8, after the register and RAM clear process (step S2a) and the necessary initial value setting process (step S2b) are performed, the timer allocation is periodically performed every 2 ms. Initial setting of the timer register provided in the CPU 56 (setting that the time-out is 2 ms and the timer repeatedly operates) is performed so as to cause a delay (step S2c). That is, in step S2c, processing for activating a timer interrupt and processing for setting a timer interrupt interval are executed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the internal timer of the CPU 56 is set to repeatedly generate a timer interrupt. In this embodiment, the repetition period is set to 2 ms. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when a timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S11).

  When detecting that the timer interrupt flag is set in step S6, the CPU 56 resets the timer interrupt flag (step S7) and executes a game control process (step S9). With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the game control process is executed in the main process, but the game control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the game control process. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first performs a process of setting a display control command sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 (display control data setting process: step S21), and then displays the display control command. An output process is performed (display control data output process: step S22).

  Next, a process of outputting the contents of the storage area for various output data to each output port is performed (data output process: step S23). Also, output data setting processing is performed for setting output data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information, etc., output to the hall management computer in the storage area (step S24). Further, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S25).

  Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S26).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S27). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S28). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with the normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Further, the CPU 56 inputs the states of the gate sensor 12, the start port sensor 17, the count sensor 23, and the winning port switches 19a and 24a via the switch circuit 58, and determines whether or not there has been a winning for each winning port or winning device. (Switch processing: step S29). The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating a display random number such as a random number that determines the type of stop symbol (step S30).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs signal processing with the prize ball control board 37 (step S31). That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a prize ball control command is output to the prize ball control board 37. The prize ball control CPU mounted on the prize ball control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the prize ball control command.

  As described above, the main process includes a process for determining whether or not to shift to the game control process, and the timer control process based on the timer interrupt periodically generated by the internal timer of the CPU 56 is used for the game control process. Since a flag for determining whether or not to shift is set, all the game control processes are executed reliably. In other words, until all the game control processes are executed, it is not determined whether or not to shift to the next game control process, so it is guaranteed that all the processes in the game control process are completed. ing.

  Conventional general game control processing is forcibly returned to the initial state by an external interrupt that occurs periodically. If it demonstrates in accordance with the example shown by FIG. 10, for example, even if it was during the process of step S31, it was forcibly returned to the process of step S21. In other words, there is a possibility that the next game control process will be started before all the processes in the game control process are completed.

  Here, the game control process executed by the CPU 56 of the main board 31 is executed according to the flag set in the timer interrupt process based on the timer interrupt that the internal timer of the CPU 56 periodically generates. A hardware circuit that generates a signal periodically (for example, every 2 ms) is provided, a signal from the circuit is introduced into an external interrupt terminal of the CPU 56, and it is determined whether or not to shift to a game control process by the interrupt signal. A flag may be set for this purpose. Even in such a configuration, the determination of the flag is not performed until all of the game control processes are executed, so that it is guaranteed that all the processes in the game control process are completed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a power failure occurrence NMI process executed in response to the NMI based on the voltage drop signal from the first power supply monitoring circuit of the power supply board 910. In the power failure occurrence NMI process, the CPU 56 first sets the interruption prohibition (step S41). In the power failure occurrence NMI processing, checksum generation processing is performed to ensure the storage of the RAM contents. If another interrupt process is performed during the process, the CPU may not be able to operate before the checksum generation process is completed. Settings are made so that no interruption occurs.

  Next, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the power-off flag has already been set (step S42). If the power-off flag is already set, the subsequent processing is not performed. If the power-off flag is not set, the following power-off processing is executed. That is, the processing from step S43 to step S49 is executed. First, all output ports are turned off (step S43). If necessary, the contents of each register are stored in the backup RAM area (step S44). Further, an appropriate initial value is set in the backup check data area of the backup RAM area (step S45), the exclusive value is sequentially obtained for the initial value and the data in the backup RAM area (step S46), and the final calculation value is obtained. Is set in the backup parity data area (step S47). Thereafter, the power-off flag is set (step S48). Further, the RAM access is prohibited (step S49). When the power supply voltage is lowered, the level of various signal lines may become unstable and the contents of the RAM may be altered, but if the RAM access is prohibited in this manner, the data in the backup RAM will be altered. There is no.

  Next, the CPU 56 enters a loop process. That is, no processing is performed. Therefore, the operation is internally stopped before the operation is prohibited from the outside by the reset signal from the power monitoring IC 904 shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 56 reliably stops operation when the power is turned off. As a result, the RAM access prohibition control and the operation stop control described above can reliably prevent the RAM contents from being destroyed due to an abnormal operation that may occur as the power supply voltage decreases. .

  In this embodiment, in the power failure occurrence NMI processing, the program is looped at the final part, but a halt (HALT) instruction may be issued.

  Further, as described above, the power-off flag that is set before the RAM access is prohibited is used when determining whether or not to recover from a power failure when the power is turned on. Further, the processing of steps S41 to S49 is completed before the second power supply monitoring unit generates the voltage drop signal. In other words, the detection voltages of the first voltage monitoring means and the second voltage monitoring means are set so that the second power supply monitoring means is completed before generating the voltage drop signal.

  In this embodiment, the power-off flag is checked at the start of the power-off process. If the power-off flag is already set, the power-off process is not executed. As described above, the power-off flag is a flag indicating that the power-off process has been completed. Therefore, for example, even if an NMI occurs again for some reason in a loop waiting for resetting, the power-off process is not repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power failure recovery process (step S4). In the power failure recovery process, the CPU 56 first performs data check (parity check in this example) in the backup RAM area (step S51). In the case of recovery after an unexpected power failure, the data in the backup RAM area should have been saved, so the check result is normal. If the check result is not normal, the internal state cannot be returned to the state at the time of power-off, so the initialization process similar to the initialization process (step S2) executed at the time of power-on not at the time of power failure recovery is executed. (Steps S52 and S54).

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state to the state at the time of power-off (step S53) and clears the power-off flag (step S55).

  Here, it is confirmed in step S1 whether or not the recovery from the power failure, and if the recovery from the power failure, the parity check is performed. First, the parity check is performed and the check result is not normal. If it is determined that the power is not recovered from the power failure, the initialization process of step S2 is executed. If the check result is normal, the game state return process may be performed. That is, it may be determined whether or not recovery from a power failure is made based on the result of the parity check.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a backup parity data creation method. However, in the example shown in FIG. 13, for the sake of simplicity, the size of the data in the backup data RAM area is 3 bytes. In the power failure generation process based on the power supply voltage drop, as shown in FIG. 13A, initial data (00H in this example) is set in the backup check data area. Next, an exclusive logical sum of “00H” and “F0H” is taken, and an exclusive logical sum of “16H” is obtained. Further, an exclusive OR of the result and “DFH” is taken. Then, the result (“39H” in this example) is set in the backup parity data area.

  When power is turned on again, parity diagnosis is performed in the power failure recovery process. FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of parity diagnosis. If all the data in the backup area is stored as it is, data as shown in FIG. 13A is set in the backup area when the power is turned on again.

  In the processing of step S51, the CPU 56 sequentially performs exclusive OR for each data in the backup data area using the data (in this example, “39H”) set in the backup parity data area in the backup RAM area as initial data. Process. If all the data in the backup area is stored as it is, the final calculation result matches “00H”, that is, the data set in the backup check data area. If a bit error has occurred in the data in the backup RAM area, the final calculation result is not “00H”.

  Therefore, the CPU 56 compares the final calculation result with the data set in the backup check data area, and if they match, the parity diagnosis is normal. If they do not match, the parity diagnosis is abnormal.

  In this embodiment, check data (parity data in this example) is generated in the power failure generation process, but check data is not generated and only the power-off flag is set. Good.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the game control means is provided with the backup RAM that is backed up for a predetermined period of time even when the power of the gaming machine is cut off, and when the power is turned on, the CPU 56 (specifically, the CPU 56). ) Is configured to perform a game state recovery process (step S53) for recovering the game state based on the backup data if the backup RAM is in the backup state. Therefore, a gaming machine that can prevent a player from being disadvantaged even if the power is cut off is provided.

Hereinafter, the gaming state restoration process will be described.
First, in this embodiment, the display control command, the sound control command, and the lamp control command sent from the CPU 56 of the main board 31 to the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 will be described. Each control command is determined to be sent according to the game progress in the special symbol process (step S28) in the game control process shown in FIG. 10, and specific data is displayed in the display control data setting process (step S21). Is set and is output by being output from the output port in the display control data output process (step S22).

  FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transmission timing of each control command related to symbol variation in the variable display unit 9. In this embodiment, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a change start command to each of the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 when starting the pattern change. Further, a symbol designating command indicating the determined symbols of the left and right middle symbols is transmitted to the display control board 80.

  When the symbol variation is determined, a variation stop command is sent to each of the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35. Each CPU mounted on the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 performs display control, sound generation control, and lamp lighting control according to the variation mode specified by the variation start command. The change start command includes information indicating the change time.

  FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transmission timing of each control command related to the jackpot game executed when the display result of the variable display unit 9 is a predetermined jackpot symbol. In this embodiment, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a big hit start command to each of the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 when the big hit game is started. Further, after a predetermined time elapses, a one round (1R) designation command is transmitted. When the CPUs mounted on the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 receive the jackpot start command, they perform display control, sound generation control, and lamp lighting control at the start of the jackpot. When a one-round designation command is received, display control, sound generation control, and lamp lighting control during a big hit are performed. However, the CPU of the display control board 80 performs the first round display.

  Thereafter, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sequentially sends commands indicating each round to the display control board 80. The CPU of the display control board 80 performs corresponding display control according to these commands.

  At the end of the big hit game, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends a big hit end command to each of the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, a normal screen display command is sent out. Each game device control means, when receiving the normal screen display command, sets the control state to a game waiting state.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the gaming state recovery process performed in the power failure recovery process illustrated in FIG. In this example, if it is necessary to restore the register contents, the CPU 56 restores the value stored in the backup RAM to the register (step S61). Then, based on the data stored in the backup RAM, the game state at the time of power failure is confirmed. For example, the gaming state can be confirmed by the value of the special symbol process flag corresponding to the progress of the special symbol process.

  If the gaming state is changing in the design (step S62), control is performed to send a change start command to the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 (step S63). If the gaming state is a big hit game (step S64), control is performed to send the last sent control command to the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 before the power failure. (Step S65). If the game state is other than that, for example, control is performed to send a normal screen display command to the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 (step S66). Further, for example, the return of the state of the variable winning ball device 15 in the case of a big hit is automatically performed in the later game control process because the data in the RAM is stored.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a control state when the power is restored after a power failure. In FIG. 16, the variable display state is realized by the CPU (display control means) of the display control board 80, the sound state is realized by the CPU (sound control means) of the sound control board 70, and the lamp state is the lamp control board. This is realized by 35 CPUs (lamp control means).

  FIG. 16A shows an example in the case where the power is restored after a power failure occurs during symbol variation. In this case, when the power is restored, a change start command is sent from the main board 31 (step S63 in FIG. 16). Since the variation start command is a command sent at the start of symbol variation, the states of variable display control, sound control, and lamp control are returned to the state at the beginning of variation. In this embodiment, the change start command includes information for specifying the change time, and after sending the change start command, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 does not send anything until the confirmation command at the end of change (change stop command) ( Except for the designating command). Therefore, if a power failure occurs during symbol fluctuation, fluctuation cannot be resumed from the middle of fluctuation, but display control, sound control, and lamp control are synchronized by retransmitting the fluctuation start command. Return to.

  In the main board 31, various parameters used at the start of the change are stored in the backup RAM. Accordingly, the display result (determined symbol) or the like in the fluctuation after power restoration is the same as the display result or the like that should have been in the fluctuation interrupted by the power failure. Therefore, there is no disadvantage to the player.

  FIG. 16B shows an example in the case of recovery after a power failure occurs during a big hit game. In this case, when power is restored, the command sent from the main board 31 to the display control board 80, the sound control board 70, and the lamp control board 35 at the end before the power failure is re-sent (step S65 in FIG. 15). Therefore, the sound control and the lamp control are returned to the control state during the big hit game. In addition, the display control returns to the state performed at the time of power failure.

  In the main board 31, various parameters during the big hit game (number of times of opening of the big winning opening, number of winning balls of the big winning opening, etc.) are stored in the backup RAM. Therefore, the gaming state for the player also returns to the state before the power failure, so there is no disadvantage to the player.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the data storage process and the restoration process are performed in the game control means has been described. However, a part of the RAM in the prize ball control means, the sound control means, the lamp control means, and the display control means. Are also backed up, and the prize ball control means, display control means, sound control means and lamp control means may also perform the processing as described above. However, the prize ball control means, the display control means, the sound control means, and the lamp control means do not need to perform command transmission processing at the time of recovery.

  In this embodiment, two power supply monitoring circuits are provided. When the power supply voltage decreases, the second power supply monitoring means (power supply monitoring IC 904 in this example) generates a voltage drop signal when the first power supply monitoring means (power supply monitoring IC in this example) is generated. IC 902) is set to be later than the time when the voltage drop signal is generated. Further, the voltage drop signal from the second power supply monitoring means is input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 56 performs a power failure generation process (power failure process) based on a voltage drop signal from the first power supply monitoring circuit (power monitoring IC 902) and then waits for a power shutdown. However, in the power-off waiting state, the reset state is entered. That is, the operation of the CPU 56 is stopped. In the power supply waiting state, the + 5V power supply voltage value gradually decreases and the input / output state becomes indefinite. However, since the CPU 56 is in the reset state, the abnormal operation based on the indefinite data is prevented.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 executes the power-off process in response to the input of the detection output from the first power supply monitoring means, and from the second power supply monitoring means (power supply monitoring IC 904). Since the system is reset in response to the input of the detection output, it is possible to reliably store data when the power is turned off, and to prevent the player from being disadvantaged.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the power failure occurrence process (power-off process), when the power-off flag indicating that the power-off process has already been executed is set, the power-off process is not executed. It is configured as follows. Since the power supply voltage generally becomes unstable in the process of turning off the power supply, NMI may occur again as shown by the broken line in FIG. Then, when the power failure flag is not checked in the power failure occurrence process, the power interruption process is executed again by the NMI that has occurred again.

  In the normal power-off process executed first, for example, a process of storing the contents of the register in the backup RAM is performed (see step S44 in FIG. 11). Since the power supply voltage gradually decreases in the reset waiting state after the normal power-off process executed first, the contents of the register may be destroyed. That is, there is a possibility that the register value has changed from the state at the time when the power interruption is detected (when NMI first occurs). When the power-off process is executed again in such a state, a value different from the register value in the state when the power-off is detected is stored in the backup RAM. Then, in the power failure recovery process executed when the power is restored, a value different from the register value in the state when the power failure is detected is restored to the register. As a result, there is a possibility that a gaming state different from the gaming state when the power is turned off is reproduced.

  However, if the power-off process is not executed even if NMI occurs after the power-off process has already been executed as in this embodiment, the game at the time of power-off is restored when the power is restored. There is no possibility that a gaming state different from the state is reproduced.

  In the above embodiment, the first power monitoring means is mounted on the power board 910 and the second power monitoring means is mounted on the main board 31. However, the second power monitoring means is mounted on the power board 910. However, the first power supply monitoring unit may be mounted on the main board 31.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power supply board 910 on which the second power supply monitoring unit is mounted. In this example, a power supply monitoring IC 904 that outputs a voltage drop signal when the + 30V power supply voltage becomes + 8V, for example, is mounted as the second power supply monitoring means.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration around the CPU 56 of the main board 31 on which the first power supply monitoring unit is mounted. In this example, a power supply monitoring IC 902 that outputs a voltage drop signal when the +30 V power supply voltage becomes +16 V, for example, is mounted as the first power supply monitoring means. A voltage drop signal from the power monitoring IC 902 is input to the NMI terminal of the CPU 56. The voltage drop signal from the power monitoring IC 904 on the power supply board 910 is logically summed with the initial reset signal from the initial reset circuit 65 and then input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56.

  Even with such a configuration, the same control as in the above-described embodiment can be realized.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the detection signal from the first power supply monitoring means is input to the NMI terminal of the microcomputer and the power-off process is executed by the NMI process is taken as an example. A detection signal from the power supply monitoring means may be input to a maskable interrupt terminal (IRQ terminal), and the power interruption process may be executed by an interrupt process based on the interrupt signal to the IRQ terminal. In that case, the interrupt processing program, for example, first checks the power-off flag and terminates the process if the power-off flag is already set. It is configured to execute a loop or issue a HALT instruction after executing and setting a power-off flag. Alternatively, the interrupt mask is set first, the power-off process is executed, the power-off flag is set, and then a loop or a HALT instruction is issued.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to each of the above embodiments has a predetermined game value given to the player when the special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the start winning combination is a combination of the predetermined symbols. The first type pachinko game machine that can be granted, but the second type pachinko machine that can be given a predetermined game value to the player if there is a prize in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start winning prize A third-class pachinko machine where a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when a stop symbol of a pattern that is variably displayed based on a start prize is a combination of a predetermined pattern The present invention can be applied even to a gaming machine.

  In each of the above embodiments, the following gaming machines are also disclosed.

  The game control microcomputer sets a power-off flag indicating that the power-off process has been executed in the process according to the interrupt, and determines whether the power-off flag is set at the start of the process. If set, the power-off process is not executed.

  The power supply monitoring means is configured to monitor a voltage having a higher potential than the IC drive power supply.

  The power supply monitoring means is configured to monitor the voltage immediately after being converted from alternating current to direct current.

  The gaming machine is provided with second power supply monitoring means for detecting a power supply voltage drop after a predetermined period of time when the power supply monitoring means detects a voltage drop, and the game control microcomputer inputs the detection output from the second power supply monitoring means. The system is reset in response to the above.

  The power supply monitoring means is provided separately from the game control board and mounted on a power supply board that generates each voltage used on the game control board and other boards, and the second power supply monitoring means is mounted on the game control board. It is configured to be.

  The power supply monitoring unit and the second power supply monitoring unit monitor the same power supply voltage, and the voltage at which the second power supply monitoring unit detects a voltage drop is lower than the voltage at which the power supply monitoring unit detects a voltage drop. It is configured.

  The power-off process includes a process for preventing access to the storage means.

  The game control microcomputer sets a power-off flag indicating that the power-off process has been executed in the process according to the interrupt, and determines whether the power-off flag is set at the start of the process. If the game control microcomputer is configured not to execute the power-off process if it is set, the game control microcomputer easily determines whether or not to execute the power-off process in response to the occurrence of an interrupt. be able to.

  When the power supply monitoring means is configured to monitor a voltage having a higher potential than the IC drive power supply, the monitoring range can be expanded for the voltage required by the IC such as a game control microcomputer, More precise monitoring can be performed.

  When the power supply monitoring unit is configured to monitor the voltage immediately after being converted from alternating current to direct current, it is possible to quickly detect a voltage drop and to reliably execute the process when the power is turned off. .

  The gaming machine is provided with second power supply monitoring means for detecting a power supply voltage drop after a predetermined period of time when the power supply monitoring means detects a voltage drop, and the game control microcomputer inputs the detection output from the second power supply monitoring means. In the case where the system is reset in response to this, the operation of the game control microcomputer is stopped from the outside by the system reset, so that more reliable data storage can be performed when the power is turned off.

  The power supply monitoring means is provided separately from the game control board and is mounted on the power supply board for generating each voltage used on the game control board and other boards, and the second power supply monitoring means is mounted on the game control board. In such a configuration, since the detection output can be supplied to the plurality of control boards from the power supply monitoring means of the power supply board, the cost of the gaming machine does not increase so much.

  The power supply monitoring unit and the second power supply monitoring unit monitor the same power supply voltage, and the voltage at which the second power supply monitoring unit detects a voltage drop is lower than the voltage at which the power supply monitoring unit detects a voltage drop. When configured, the difference between the timing at which the power supply monitoring means generates the detection output and the timing at which the second power supply monitoring means generates the detection output can be reliably set in a desired predetermined period.

  When the power-off process includes a process for preventing access to the storage unit, the data in the storage unit can be more reliably prevented from being destroyed when the power is turned off.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is the front view which looked at the game board of the pachinko machine from the front. It is the rear view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the back. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of CPU periphery for a power supply monitoring and a power supply backup. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a power supply board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows the initialization process. It is a flowchart which shows a 2 ms timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process. It is a flowchart which shows a power failure generation process. It is a flowchart which shows a power failure recovery process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the backup parity data creation method. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of transmission timing of each control command from a main board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a game state restoration process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the control state at the time of recovering after a power failure generate | occur | produces. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the operation state of CPU based on the output of a voltage monitoring means. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of a power supply board. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of a main board | substrate.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 31 Main board 53 Basic circuit 56 CPU
902,904 Power supply monitoring IC
910 Power supply board

Claims (1)

A gaming machine in which a player can perform a predetermined game using a game medium ,
Electrical component control means including fluctuation data storage means for storing fluctuation data generated when performing control;
Storage content holding means capable of holding the storage content of the variation data storage means for a predetermined period even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped;
Power supply monitoring means for monitoring a predetermined power supply voltage used in the gaming machine, and outputting a voltage drop signal to the electrical component control means when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less,
An output port is provided for the electrical component control means to output predetermined data,
The electrical component control means includes
Control the electrical components provided in the gaming machine,
In response to the input of the voltage drop signal from the power supply monitoring unit, a power supply stop process including a process for storing the control state in the fluctuation data storage unit is performed.
In the power supply stop process, an output port clear process that clears the signal output to the output port and a check data creation process that is used to determine whether or not the storage contents of the variation data storage unit are normal are executed. The game machine is characterized in that the output port clear process is executed before the creation process is executed .

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