JP4556003B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and relates to a technique for performing a required display on a display unit by a display command transmitted from a game control unit to a display control unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A pachinko machine that is one of the gaming machines has a game control unit that outputs a display command for instructing a required display, and a display control unit that displays the display command on a liquid crystal display There is. In the pachinko machine, a display command is transmitted from the game control unit to the display control unit at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 1/30 seconds). This display command is command data (data length is, for example, 13 bytes) that designates a display symbol, a display mode, and the like. On the display control side, display is performed on the liquid crystal display through VDP (Video Display Processor) based on the received display command. Specifically, the VDP extracts and reads the corresponding characters, symbols, backgrounds, and other data from the character generator, performs image editing such as color specification and sprite processing, and develops the data on the VRAM (Video RAM). Is output to the liquid crystal display as a video signal.
[0003]
By the way, the display control unit must finish the required processing within a predetermined period after receiving the display command. In practice, it takes about the same time as the predetermined period to perform the required processing, and it is difficult to perform display aiming at various rendering effects on the display control unit side. Therefore, a display command is transmitted from the game control unit to the display control unit every time a game event (for example, special symbol change start, symbol confirmation, jackpot display, etc.) occurs in order to perform processing with a margin on the display control unit side. To do. In addition, the display command in this case is a minimum amount of information for realizing the function related to the gaming event. An example of a technique for transmitting a minimum amount of information each time a gaming event occurs is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-161759. According to the technology disclosed in the publication, when the display control unit receives a display command having a minimum amount of information, the command control unit creates command data according to a predetermined conversion rule based on the received display command. Then, by giving the created command data to the VDP, a necessary display is performed on the liquid crystal display through the processing as described above.
[0004]
Here, there is some cause (for example, liquid crystal display, static electricity accumulated in the game ball or inside / outside of the game machine) between the time when the display control unit receives a display command and the time when the next display command is received. The display control unit may temporarily not function normally due to electromagnetic waves, power supply voltage drop, ambient temperature rise, and the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique disclosed in the publication, when the display control unit recovers to function normally again after temporarily functioning normally, the display is displayed on the liquid crystal display based on the display command received after the recovery. I was doing it. For this reason, the display command received before the display control unit temporarily stops functioning normally is lost and is not displayed, and the screen of the liquid crystal display is temporarily displayed differently from normal (for example, nothing is displayed). Or an irregular pattern or the like is displayed). At this time, the player who is watching the screen of the liquid crystal display may feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable with the display.
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and even when the display control unit temporarily stops functioning normally and then recovers to function normally again, a smooth display is performed on the display unit. Therefore, it is to provide a gaming machine that prevents the player from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  A hand to solve the problemStage, As described in claim 1. Here, the terms described in claim 1 are interpreted as follows. InterpretationDepartThe same applies to the detailed description.
(1) The “display unit” may be a single display (display device), or may be composed of a plurality of displays.
(2) When the “display command” is composed of digital data, it may be fixed length data or variable length data.
(3) The “first recording unit”, “second recording unit”, and “third recording unit” may be provided in different parts of the same recording medium, or may be provided in different recording media.
(4) The “some cause” includes all causes that the display control unit cannot perform normal display on the display unit based on the display information. For example, a liquid crystal display,There are static electricity accumulated in game balls, electromagnetic waves generated inside and outside the gaming machine, power supply voltage drop, ambient temperature rise, and the like.
[0007]
  The handIn stepsAccording to this, the display control unit that has received the display command from the game control unit acquires the display information corresponding to the display command from the first recording unit, and displays the acquired display information.Recorded in the second recording unit for execution and displayed on the display unit in the non-volatile third recording unit for storageRecord.The monitoring unit monitors whether the control state of the display control unit is the first state in which the display control unit is functioning normally, or whether the control unit is in the second state in which the display control unit is restored so as to function normally again after functioning normally. When the control state of the display control unit is determined to be the first state by the monitoring unit, display is performed on the display unit based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit, and the control state of the display control unit is determined by the monitoring unit. When the second state is assumed, display is performed on the display unit based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit or the third recording unit.Therefore, even if the display control unit temporarily fails to function normally, smooth display can be performed on the display unit. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0008]
  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 1, when the display control unit records the display information in the second recording unit and the third recording unit, a check code for detecting or correcting an error in the display information is added. When the display control unit recovers to function normally again after it temporarily stops functioning normally for some reason, either display recorded in the second recording unit or the third recording unit You may make it display on a display part based on the display information without an error among the information, or the display information which corrected the error.
  ThisHereThe term “check code” is a code for detecting or correcting an error in display information. For example, checksum, error correcting code (ECC), error detecting code (EDC), parity check code, group count check code, hamming code, cyclic redundancy check code (CRC) Etc. InterpretationDepartThe same applies to the detailed description.
[0009]
  Like thisThen, the display control unit adds and records the inspection code when recording the display information in the second recording unit and the third recording unit. Then, the display control unit recovered to function normally again after being temporarily unable to function normally due to some cause, the error in the display information recorded in either the second recording unit or the third recording unit. Display is performed on the display unit based on no display information or display information in which an error is corrected. Therefore, even if the contents of the display information recorded in the second recording unit and the third recording unit are changed (destroyed) when the display control unit does not function normally, display information that has not been changed by the inspection code is displayed. Can be extracted. If the display information is displayed on the display unit based on the display information thus extracted, more accurate display can be performed.
[0010]
  In the gaming machine according to claim 1, the display command may include designation information for designating a recording position of the first recording unit in which corresponding display information is recorded in advance.
  ThisHereThe term “designation information” is not limited to information that directly designates the recording position of the first recording unit, but may be information that indirectly designates the recording position of the first recording unit. InterpretationDepartThe same applies to the detailed description.
[0011]
  Like thisThen, since the display command includes the designation information, the display control unit can acquire the corresponding display information from the first recording unit based on the designation information. Conventionally, a command has to be interpreted by a command interpreter, which takes time. However, according to the present invention, since the recording position of the first recording unit can be known from the designation information, display information can be easily acquired without taking time. . Therefore, since display information can be acquired and displayed on the display unit in a shorter time than before, display can be smoothly performed even when a display command is received at a short time interval.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a first type pachinko machine and will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the first type pachinko machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control board. 4 shows the contents of the display command process, FIG. 5 shows the contents of the reception interrupt process, FIGS. 6 to 7 show the contents of the start process, FIG. 8 shows the contents of the command data analysis process, and FIG. Shows the contents of the display process, and FIG. 12 shows the contents of the save process in a flowchart. FIG. 9 shows a process of acquiring display data based on command data. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of display data.
[0013]
First, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 has a game control unit 2, a display control unit 4, a display unit 6, and the like. The game control unit 2 outputs a display command for instructing a required display according to the game situation or the like. The output display command is received by the display control unit 4 and displayed on the display unit 6.
[0014]
The display control unit 4 includes a first recording unit 4a, a second recording unit 4c, a third recording unit 4d, a command translation unit 4b, a display execution unit 4f, a monitoring unit 4e, and the like. Display information corresponding to the display command is recorded in advance in the first recording unit 4a. The second recording unit 4c and the third recording unit 4d record the acquired display information. The command translation unit 4b receives the display command output from the game control unit 2, refers to the first recording unit 4a, acquires display information corresponding to the display command from the first recording unit 4a, and acquires the second recording unit 4c. And recorded in the third recording unit 4d. The monitoring unit 4e is in a state where the display control unit 4 is functioning normally (hereinafter referred to as “first state”), or after the display control unit 4 temporarily stops functioning normally, it functions normally again. Is recovered (hereinafter referred to as "second state"). The monitoring unit 4e outputs a first signal when in the first state, and outputs a second signal when in the second state. The display execution unit 4f that has received the first signal from the monitoring unit 4e performs display on the display unit 6 based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit 4c. On the other hand, the display execution unit 4f that has received the second signal from the monitoring unit 4e performs display on the display unit 6 based on the display information recorded in the third recording unit 4d.
[0015]
According to the gaming machine configured as described above, the display control unit 4 that has received the display command from the game control unit 2 acquires the display information corresponding to the display command from the first recording unit 4a, and acquires the acquired display information. Display information is recorded in the 2nd recording part 4c and the 3rd recording part 4d. When the display control unit 4 is functioning normally, the display execution unit 4f performs display on the display unit 6 based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit 4c. On the other hand, when the display control unit 4 recovers to function normally again after it temporarily stops functioning normally for some reason, the display execution unit 4f displays the display unit based on the display information recorded in the third recording unit 4d. Display. Therefore, even if the display control unit 4 temporarily stops functioning normally, a smooth display can be performed on the display unit 6. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0016]
Next, an example in which the present invention is applied to a first type pachinko machine that is one of gaming machines will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in FIG. 2, on the game board surface 12 of the pachinko machine 10, the composite device 14, the first type starting port 30, the big winning port 34, the lower starting port 62, a general winning port and the like are appropriately arranged.
[0017]
The first type starting port 30 has a starting port sensor 56, and when a pachinko ball wins, a payout ball (also referred to as “prize ball”) is paid out in the same manner as a normal winning port. The middle gate 32 has a gate sensor 54 and does not pay out a prize ball even if a pachinko ball passes.
The big prize opening 34 has a lid 66, a V zone 52, and the like. The lid 66 is opened and closed by the solenoid 50. The V zone 52 provided inside the big prize opening 34 has a V zone sensor 48. In the case of a big hit game, the lid 66 is opened, and if the pachinko ball wins the V zone 52, the big hit game can be continued within a required number of times (for example, 15 times). The period during which the lid 66 is opened (hereinafter referred to as the “big prize opening opening period”) corresponds to, for example, 10 pachinko balls in the big prize opening 34 or 30 seconds after opening, whichever comes first To do. Below the lid 66, there is a lower start port 62 having the same function as the first type start port 30. The lower start port 62 has a start port sensor 60 similar to the start port sensor 56.
Here, the start port sensors 56 and 60 detect pachinko balls that have won the respective start ports. The V zone sensor 48 detects a pachinko ball winning in the V zone 52. The gate sensor 54 detects the pachinko sphere that has passed through the middle gate 32. The gate sensor 54, the start port sensors 56 and 60, and the V zone sensor 48 are, for example, proximity sensors, microswitches, optical sensors (light emitters and light receivers) or the like.
[0018]
The composite device 14 includes a normal symbol holding ball lamp 20, a special symbol indicator 22, a special symbol holding ball lamp 28, and the like. The holding ball lamp 20 is a plurality of light emitters (for example, four LEDs) arranged in a substantially horizontal manner above the special symbol indicator 22, and normally the pachinko ball that has passed through the middle gate 32 during the variation of the symbol. The number is displayed.
The holding ball lamp 28 is a plurality of light emitters (for example, four LEDs) arranged in a substantially horizontal manner below the special symbol indicator 22, and won the first type start port 30 during the variation of the special symbol. Displays the number of pachinko balls.
In addition, the composite device 14 includes a light emitting body such as a lamp, a decorative plate, and the like, and exhibits a decorative effect to entertain the eyes of the player.
[0019]
The special symbol display 22 corresponds to the display unit 6 and uses, for example, a liquid crystal display. The special symbol display 22 displays a special symbol, a chance symbol, a background symbol, and the like. The special symbol is used to determine whether or not it is a big hit. The chance symbol (fourth symbol) is used to determine an additional privilege other than the bonus due to the jackpot, and the predetermined symbol is changed in a plurality of colors. The background symbol is a symbol displayed as the background of the special symbol or the chance symbol, and includes, for example, a moving image (video, animation, etc.) and a still image.
In addition to the liquid crystal display, the special symbol display 22 may be a display capable of displaying a special symbol such as a CRT, LED display, plasma display or the like.
[0020]
In addition, the game board surface 12 has one or more decoration gates. In the example of FIG. 2, a left gate 57 and a right gate 24 are provided. Unlike the middle gate 32, these decorative gates do not have a gate sensor that detects the passage of a pachinko ball. The right gate 24 normally has a symbol display 26, but the left gate 57 has nothing. The normal symbol display 26 has one or a plurality of light emitters (two LEDs in this example), and the lighting / light-off state of the light emitter is a normal symbol. The normal symbol starts blinking when the pachinko ball passes through the middle gate 32, and then turns on or off for each light emitter. Then, the lid of the lower start port 62 is opened for a certain period (for example, 4 seconds) in accordance with the lighting or extinguishing mode of the light emitting body (for example, when the right side of the two light emitting bodies is turned on).
The normal symbol display 26 may be another display capable of displaying normal symbols such as a liquid crystal display, a CRT, an LED display, a plasma display, or the like. In this case, for example, alphanumeric characters and symbols can be used as ordinary symbols. Furthermore, you may make it display a normal symbol and a special symbol on the same indicator (for example, special symbol indicator 22).
[0021]
Other than the game board surface 12, a lower plate 40 for temporarily storing pachinko balls including prize balls, an ashtray 42 for storing cigarette butts, a speaker 44 for producing sound effects and music, and the player's hand on the handle 36. A touch sensor 38 for detecting whether or not the touch is touching, a metal frame sensor 58 for detecting the opening of the glass frame 18, and the like are provided. The speaker 44 is provided inside an upper plate 46 that is a tray for receiving a prize ball, and the touch sensor 38 and the metal frame sensor 58 are provided at required positions. The lamps 16 use light bulbs, LEDs, or the like, and are not limited to the illustrated positions, and are disposed at appropriate positions according to the type of pachinko machine 10, game content, and the like.
[0022]
Next, the configuration and operation of the main control board 100 and the display control board 200 that realize the pachinko game by the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control board 100 and the display control board 200 are both provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 10.
3 includes a CPU (processor) 110, a ROM 112, a RAM 114, an input processing circuit 102, an output processing circuit 104, a display control circuit 106, a communication control circuit 116, and the like.
The CPU 110 controls the pachinko machine 10 by executing a game control program stored in the ROM 112. The game control program includes a program for realizing display command processing and the like which will be described later. Although the ROM 112 uses an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like may be used. The RAM 114 stores data such as various random numbers and various sensor information or input / output signals. A DRAM is used as the RAM 114, but a nonvolatile memory such as an SRAM or a flash memory may be used.
[0023]
The input processing circuit 102 receives respective signals sent from the gate sensor 54, winning sensors (V zone sensor 48, starting port sensors 56, 60, etc.) or other sensors (touch sensor 38, metal frame sensor 58, etc.). Then, the data is converted into a data format that can be processed in the main control board 100, and the data is sent to the CPU 110 and the RAM 114 via the bus 118.
The output processing circuit 104 receives operation data sent from the CPU 110 via the bus 118 and operates various operation devices provided in the pachinko machine 10 such as the solenoid 50.
The display control circuit 106 receives the display data sent from the CPU 110 via the bus 118, turns on / off the normal symbol display 26, and holds the number of reserved balls (for example, 0 ≦ retained ball) in the reserved ball lamps 20 and 28. The number of lamps corresponding to the number ≦ 4) is displayed, or the lamps 16 are appropriately turned on / off although not shown.
The communication control circuit 116 is a circuit for transmitting data to and from the display control board 200 (or a frame control unit or a hall computer (not shown) if necessary).
All of the above components are coupled to each other by a bus 118.
[0024]
Next, the display control board 200 receives a display command sent from the main control board 100 and performs a process of appropriately processing characters, symbols, images, etc. to be displayed and displaying them on the special symbol display 22. The display control board 200 includes a CPU 210, ROM 202, RAM 204, communication control circuit 206, nonvolatile memory 208, watchdog timer 212, character generator 214, VDP 216, and the like.
The CPU 210 performs display control of the special symbol display 22 according to a display control program stored in the ROM 202. In addition to the above display control program, the ROM 202 stores in advance display information corresponding to the display command and all display data necessary for playing pachinko games such as special symbols, multiple variation patterns, decorative symbols, etc. To do. Although the ROM 202 uses an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory may be used. The RAM 204 stores data such as display commands and display information, and input / output signals. A DRAM is used as the RAM 204, but an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like may be used.
The non-volatile memory 208 stores data such as display information. As the nonvolatile memory 208, a DRAM backed up by a battery (not shown) is used, but an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like that does not require a battery may be used.
[0025]
The communication control circuit 206 receives data from the main control board 100.
The watchdog timer 212 monitors the operating state of the CPU 210 and uses, for example, M5295L manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric. The watchdog timer 212 is reset by outputting a reset signal when the CPU 210 does not function normally.
Character generator 214 stores characters (alphanumeric characters, kanji characters, etc.), designs (including characters), images (moving images such as still images and animations), and the like in advance.
The VDP 216 includes a VRAM, a palette RAM, and the like, receives display information sent from the CPU 210 via the bus 218, and controls the special symbol display 22 to process and display symbols and images. Specifically, data such as characters, designs, and backgrounds corresponding to display information is read from the character generator 214, image editing such as coloration designation and sprite processing is performed, and the data is expanded on the VRAM and palette RAM. Outputs a video signal, a synchronization signal, and the like to the special symbol display 22.
All of the above components are coupled to each other by a bus 218. In the above configuration, the ROM 202 corresponds to the “first recording unit 4a”, the RAM 204 corresponds to the “second recording unit 4c”, the nonvolatile memory 208 corresponds to the “third recording unit 4d”, and the watchdog timer 212 corresponds to the “monitoring unit 4e”.
[0026]
Next, the processing procedure for realizing the present invention in the pachinko machine 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12, respectively. explain. Among the processes shown in these flowcharts, the CPU 110 shown in FIG. 3 executes the display command process, and the CPU 210 shown in FIG. 3 receives the reception interrupt process, the start process, the command data analysis process, the display process, and the save process. Is realized by executing.
[0027]
First, a method of transmitting command data from the main control board 100 to the display control board 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
On the main control board 100 side, when the timing for displaying a symbol or the like on the special symbol display 22 is reached, a display command process shown in FIG. 4 is executed. In this display command process, command data is set [step S10], and the set command data is transmitted to the display control board 200 [step S12]. The command data is a fixed length or variable length data structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the command data 300 includes a screen display mode 302, target screen information 304, and the like. A screen display mode 302 designates an address table stored in the ROM 202. The target screen information 304 designates an element in the address table designated in the screen display mode 302. The contents stored in the address table will be described later.
On the other hand, on the display control board 200 side, an interruption due to the reception of the command data occurs, and the reception interrupt process shown in FIG. In this reception interrupt process, the received command data is stored (written) in a reception buffer provided in the RAM 204 [step S20], and prepared for the subsequent process. Therefore, the command data transmitted from the main control board 100 can be stored in the reception buffer by the reception interrupt to the CPU 210.
[0028]
Next, the starting process performed before displaying a symbol etc. on the special symbol display 22 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 6 and FIG. The start process is executed when the pachinko machine 10 is turned on or when the display control board 200 is reset. Note that FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are connected by a connector A, and the processing continues.
In FIG. 6, after the initialization process is first performed (step S30), the watchdog timer 212 is started to monitor the operation state of the CPU 210 (step S32). The initialization process is a process performed to make each element included in the display control board 200 function. For example, a required area in the RAM 204 or the nonvolatile memory 208 is cleared. The watchdog timer 212 can be activated by sending a required signal via the bus 218.
[0029]
Then, in order to check the validity of the data stored in the RAM 204 corresponding to the main memory, the checksum of the data stored in the RAM 204 is calculated [step S34], and the calculated checksum and checksum storage area are calculated. It is determined whether or not the checksum stored in the table matches (step S36).
If the two checksums match (YES), since the data stored in the RAM 204 is valid, the process proceeds to step S48 described later to start displaying symbols and the like.
[0030]
If the checksums do not match in step S36 (NO), since at least a part of the data stored in the RAM 204 has been changed, correct display cannot be performed. Therefore, an attempt is made to display a symbol or the like with the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208. Specifically, in order to check the validity of the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208, a checksum of the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208 is calculated [step S38], and the calculated checksum and It is determined whether or not the checksum stored in the checksum storage area matches (step S40). If the two checksums match (YES), since the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208 is valid, the data is transferred to the RAM 204 [step S42]. Thus, since preparations for displaying symbols and the like on the special symbol display 22 are completed, the process proceeds to step S48 described later to start the display.
If the checksums do not match in step S40 (NO), at least a part of the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208 has also been changed. In this case, depending on the data stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208, symbols and the like cannot be displayed correctly. Therefore, all the memories are cleared with initial values to display based on newly received command data [step S44], and after initial setting [step S46], the display will be described later to start the display. Proceed to step S48. The initial setting includes initial setting of an I / O port of the CPU 210, setting of default values to various registers provided in the work area of the RAM 204 and the VDP 216, and the like.
[0031]
In step S48, the process waits until a display timing (for example, vertical synchronization; VSYNC) for displaying a symbol or the like is reached. When the display timing is reached (YES), the command data analysis process shown in FIG. 8 is executed [step S50]. In the command data analysis process, the received command data is analyzed to obtain display data including parameters necessary for displaying symbols and the like. That is, in FIG. 8, the command data stored in the reception buffer in step S20 of FIG. 5 is acquired (read) [step S60], and display data is acquired based on the acquired command data and stored in the RAM 204 [step S62]. . More specifically, an address on the ROM 202 where the display data is stored is acquired from the screen display mode 302 and the target screen information 304 included in the command data 300, and the display data is acquired from the address. The ROM 202 stores a plurality of address tables in advance. One address table has a plurality of elements, and each element stores an address of display data stored in the ROM 202.
[0032]
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the address tables 310, 312, 314, 316, 318,... And the display data α, β, γ, δ, ε,.
These address tables 310, 312, 314, 316, 318,... And display data α, β, γ, δ, ε,... Are stored in advance in the ROM 202 continuously or discretely. In the memory map 320, the hatched portion indicates that no data is stored or other data is stored.
For example, when the address table 310 is specified by the screen display mode 302 of the command data 300 and the third element is specified by the target screen information 304, the address a14 in which the display data γ is stored can be acquired. In this way, target display data γ can be acquired.
[0033]
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the display data α, β, γ, δ, ε,. The display data 350 in the example shown in FIG. 10 includes a plurality of data elements and a checksum 374. The plurality of data elements include, for example, status number 352, left symbol number 354, left position coordinate 356, middle symbol number 358, middle position coordinate 360, right symbol number 362, right position coordinate 364, animation number 366, winning prize opening There are a prize number 368, a status flag 370, an animation timer 372, and the like. The checksum 374 is, for example, a value of the lower 1 byte with respect to a value (total) obtained by integrating the plurality of data elements.
[0034]
Returning to FIG. 7, when the command data analysis process is completed, the display process shown in FIG. 11 is executed [step S52]. In the display process, symbols and the like are displayed on the special symbol display 22 based on the display data acquired in step S62. That is, in FIG. 11, data such as characters, designs, and backgrounds are extracted from the character generator 214 based on the acquired display data [Step S70], and after image editing such as color designation and sprite processing [Step S72], Data is expanded on the VRAM or palette RAM [step S74]. Then, the developed data is converted into a video signal, a synchronization signal, etc., and output to the special symbol display 22 [step S76], and the display process is terminated. In this way, symbols and the like can be displayed on the special symbol display 22 based on the display data.
[0035]
Returning to FIG. 7 again, when the display process is completed, the save process shown in FIG. 12 is executed [step S54]. In the evacuation process, the data stored in the RAM 204 is evacuated to the non-volatile memory 208 in order to function normally again after the display control board 200 temporarily ceases to function normally due to the runaway of the CPU 210 or the like. That is, in FIG. 12, the checksum of the data stored in the RAM 204 is calculated [step S80], and the calculated checksum is stored in the checksum storage area [step S82]. When a part of data stored in the RAM 204 is changed by this checksum, the change can be detected. Then, after the data stored in the RAM 204 is transferred (copied) to the nonvolatile memory 208 [step S84], the saving process is terminated.
Further, returning to FIG. 7 again, when the saving process is completed, the process returns to step S48, and steps S50, S52, S54, and S48 are repeated. Thus, the display on the special symbol display 22 can be continued every time the display timing is reached.
[0036]
Here, even if the display control board 200 is functioning normally, the CPU 210 may run away if it is affected by static electricity, electromagnetic waves, voltage drop, temperature rise, or the like. In this case, the display control board 200 does not function normally. However, the operation state of the CPU 210 is monitored by the watchdog timer 212, and the watchdog timer 212 that detects the runaway of the CPU 210 sends a reset signal to the CPU 210. Receiving the reset signal, the CPU 210 is reset to stop the runaway, and executes the starting process shown in FIGS. In this case, as described above, if the data stored in either the RAM 204 or the non-volatile memory 208 is valid, the data is displayed using the data (steps S34 to S46 shown in FIG. 6), so that the special symbol display is performed. A smooth display is performed on the device 22. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0037]
  According to the above embodimentIfThe display control board 200 (display control unit) that has received the command data (display command) from the main control board 100 (game control unit) receives display data (display information) corresponding to the command data in the ROM 202 (first storage unit). The obtained display data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 208 (third storage unit) together with the RAM 204 (second storage unit) [step S62 shown in FIG. 8, step S84 shown in FIG. 12].Display control board 200Is functioning normally, display is performed on the special symbol display 22 (display unit) based on the display data stored in the RAM 204. On the other hand, when the display control board 200 is temporarily restored to function normally after being temporarily stopped due to some cause, the special symbol display 22 is displayed based on the display data stored in the RAM 204 or the nonvolatile memory 208. Display is performed (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 11). Therefore, even if the display control board 200 temporarily stops functioning normally, a smooth display can be performed on the special symbol display 22. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0038]
  MaTheWhen the display data is stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208, the display control board 200 adds and stores a checksum (check code). Then, the display control board 200 that has been restored so that it normally functions again after being temporarily unable to function normally due to some cause is displayed without any error in any display data stored in the RAM 204 or the nonvolatile memory 208. Display is made on the special symbol display 22 based on the data [steps S34 to S42 shown in FIG. 6]. Therefore, even when the contents of the display data stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208 are changed (destroyed) when the display control board 200 does not function normally, display data that has not been changed by the checksum is extracted. be able to. If the display data is displayed on the display unit using the display data thus extracted, more accurate display can be performed.
[0039]
  MoreIn addition,The display data includes designation information for indirectly designating the address of the display data stored in the ROM 202. Therefore, the display control board 200 can acquire corresponding display data from the ROM 202 based on the designation information. Conventionally, a command has to be interpreted by a command interpreter, and time is required. However, in the present invention, since the storage position of the ROM 202 is known by the designation information, display data can be easily acquired without taking time. Therefore, the display data can be acquired and displayed on the special symbol display 22 in a shorter time than before, so that the display can be smoothly performed even when the command data is received at a short time interval. The display data may include designation information that directly designates the address of the display data stored in the ROM 202. Even in this case, the above effect can be obtained.
[0040]
[Other Embodiments]
In the pachinko machine 10 (game machine) described above, the structure, shape, size, material, number, operating conditions, and the like of other parts are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, each of the following embodiments to which the above embodiment is applied can be implemented.
(1) In the said embodiment, this invention was applied with respect to the pachinko machine 10 which is a 1st kind pachinko machine. Instead of this form, the present invention can be similarly applied to other gaming machines having a game control unit and a display control unit. As other gaming machines, there are other types of pachinko machines, gaming machines other than pachinko machines (for example, slot machine machines, arrange ball machines, video game machines, etc.) and the like. Even in these gaming machines, even if the display control unit temporarily stops functioning normally, it is possible to display smoothly on the display unit, so that the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. .
[0041]
(2) In the above embodiment, display data (display information) is stored in the ROM 202 in advance, and display data acquired based on the command data (display command) is stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208. Instead of this form, only the RAM 204 or only the nonvolatile memory 208 may be stored. In this case, when only the RAM 204 or only the nonvolatile memory 208 is used as the second recording unit, the conceptual diagram of the invention corresponding to FIG. 1 is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Even in this aspect, the same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.
Further, the acquired display data may be recorded on another recording medium. Other recording media include VRAM and palette RAM in VDP 216, a computer (for example, a hall computer) connected to communication control circuit 206 via a communication line, an external recording medium accessible from communication control circuit 206, and the like. May be. Examples of the external recording medium include optical (magneto-optical) disks, flexible disks, IC cards, paper cards, magnetic cards, and other cards, or printed materials on which characters, codes, symbols (including bar codes) are printed. Even with these recording media, display data can be reliably recorded, and display can be performed on the special symbol display 22 (display) based on the recorded display data.
[0042]
  (3) In the above embodiment, when one command data is received, display data is acquired (see FIG. 8). Instead of (or in addition to) this form, multipleCommandDisplay data may be acquired only after data is received. In this way, multipleCommandSince display data can be acquired based on the data, the types of display data can be increased according to a combination of a plurality of command data. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the display control board 200 can be minimized while increasing the types of display data.
(4) In the above embodiment, display data corresponding to one command data is stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208 (step S62 shown in FIG. 8, step S84 shown in FIG. 12). Instead of (or in addition to) this form, display data corresponding to a plurality of command data received in sequence may be stored in the RAM 204 and / or the nonvolatile memory 208. In this case, the time interval between the command data received last time and the command data received this time is also stored in the RAM 204 and / or the nonvolatile memory 208. Then, after the display control board 200 is restored to function normally again after it temporarily stops functioning normally for some reason, the display is displayed on the special symbol display 22 in accordance with the plurality of stored display data and time intervals. Do. By doing so, the symbols and the like from a short time before the CPU 210 runs away are displayed on the special symbol display 22. Therefore, even when the CPU 210 runs out of control, a so-called playback function can be realized.
[0043]
(5) In the above embodiment, the special symbol display 22 is applied as the display unit. Instead of (or in addition to) this form, the present invention can be similarly applied to a normal symbol display capable of displaying symbols and the like. In this case, when the display control board 200 recovers after it temporarily stops functioning, symbols and the like are displayed on the normal symbol display based on the stored display data. Therefore, the display on the normal symbol display can be performed smoothly.
(6) In the above embodiment, the validity of the display data stored (recorded) in the RAM 204, the nonvolatile memory 208, etc. is checked by the checksum [Steps S34 to S42 shown in FIG. 6]. For this reason, the correctness of the display data can be similarly checked with an error detection code or the like. Further, instead of the checksum or the like, the validity of the display data stored in the RAM 204 or the like may be inspected with another inspection code. For example, FIG. 14 shows an example of start processing that replaces FIG. In FIG. 14, the same processing elements as those in FIG. 14 differs from FIG. 6 in that the display data stored in the RAM 204 is corrected with an error correction code or the like [step S90] to determine whether or not the error correction is completed [step S92]. When correction is possible, display on the special symbol display 22 is performed. When the error correction is not completed (NO in step S92), the display data stored in the nonvolatile memory 208 is similarly performed [steps S94 and S96]. In this way, even if the contents of the display data stored in the RAM 204 and the nonvolatile memory 208 are changed due to the runaway of the CPU 210, the error is corrected by the error correction code or the like, and the original valid data is restored. Therefore, the accuracy of data can be improved and a smoother display can be performed.
[0044]
[Other Embodiments]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment has not only the embodiment of the invention described in the claims but also other embodiments of the invention. Aspects of the present invention are listed below, and related explanations are given as necessary.
[0045]
[Aspect 1] In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display control unit records a plurality of display information acquired in order, and the time interval between the previous display information and the current display information in the recording unit,
When the display control unit recovers to function normally again after being temporarily unable to function normally for some reason, the display control unit sequentially displays on the display unit based on a plurality of display information and time intervals recorded in the recording unit. A gaming machine that performs.
[Related Description of Aspect 1] According to this aspect, after the display control unit temporarily stops functioning normally for some reason and then recovers to function normally again, a plurality of stored display data and time intervals are stored. And display on the display unit. In this way, it is possible to display a symbol or the like from a short time before the display control unit does not function normally on the display unit. Therefore, a so-called playback function can be realized.
[0046]
[Aspect 2] In a gaming machine having a game control unit that outputs a display command for commanding a required display, and a display control unit that receives the display command and displays on the display unit.
Display information corresponding to the display command is recorded in advance in the first recording unit,
The display control unit records the received display command in the second recording unit, acquires display information based on the display command and displays it on the display unit,
A game in which the display control unit acquires display information based on a display command recorded in the second recording unit and displays it on the display unit when the display control unit recovers to function normally again after it has stopped functioning normally for some reason Machine.
[Related description of aspect 2] According to this aspect, the display control unit that has received a display command from the game control unit acquires display information corresponding to the display command from the first recording unit, and the acquired display information is displayed. Record in the second recording unit. When the display control unit is functioning normally, display is performed on the display unit based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit. On the other hand, when the display control unit recovers to function normally again after it temporarily stops functioning normally for some reason, display is performed on the display unit based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit. Therefore, even if the display control unit temporarily fails to function normally, smooth display can be performed on the display unit. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[0047]
  [Aspect 3] Claim1In the described gaming machine, the display control unit acquires display information based on a plurality of display commands sequentially output from the game control unit.
[Related description of aspect 3] According to this aspect, a display control part acquires display information about a specific display command based on a plurality of display instructions outputted in order from a game control part. That is, only when a plurality of display commands are received, the corresponding display information is acquired from the first recording unit. Therefore, the types of display information can be increased according to combinations of a plurality of display commands. Therefore, the amount of information transmitted from the game control unit to the display control unit can be minimized while increasing the types of display information.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even if the display control unit temporarily fails to function normally, smooth display can be performed on the display unit. Therefore, the player does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control board.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of display command processing.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of a reception interrupt process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of start processing.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of start processing following FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a command data analysis process.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of acquiring display data based on command data.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of display data.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of display processing.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of save processing.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the invention in another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of start processing in another mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
22 Special symbol display (display unit)
26 Normal symbol display
30 Type 1 starting port
32 Middle gate
34 Grand Prize Winner
54 Gate sensor
56,60 Start sensor
62 Lower start
100 Main control board (game control unit)
200 Display control board (display control unit)

Claims (1)

In the gaming machine having a gaming controller for outputting the display command for commanding the required display, and a display control unit for displaying on the display unit receiving said display command,
The display controller,
A first recording unit that previously records display information corresponding to the display command;
A second recording unit for recording the display information acquired from the first recording unit based on the display command received from the game control unit for execution;
A non-volatile third recording unit for recording the display information recorded in the second recording unit for storage;
A monitoring unit that monitors whether the control state of the display control unit is a first state that is functioning normally or a second state that is restored to function normally again after it has stopped functioning normally;
With
Each time display is performed on the display unit based on the display information recorded on the second recording unit, the display information recorded on the second recording unit is recorded on the third recording unit,
When the control state of the display control unit is the first state by the monitoring unit, display on the display unit based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit,
When the control state of the display control unit is the second state by the monitoring unit, the display unit displays the display based on the display information recorded in the second recording unit or the third recording unit. A gaming machine characterized by performing.

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