JP4668595B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a revolving gaming machine capable of displaying a game history.

  In general, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a swivel type gaming machine includes a main control board, an effect control board, an image display unit, an electrical display unit, and a speaker unit. The main control board mainly controls game content and game media payout control. The production control board mainly controls the production of the game. That is, the effect control board determines the contents of the game based on a command (command signal) from the main control board, and controls the image display unit, the electrical display unit, and the speaker according to the determined contents of the game. To do.

  Recently, a gaming machine having a game history display function has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a gaming machine, input means for instructing display of gaming history is provided on the front door of the gaming machine, and a dedicated input port circuit for inputting a signal from the input means is provided on the effect control board. Yes. When the player operates the input means, a signal to display the game history is sent from the input means to the effect control board, and the effect control board displays the game history on the image display unit.

JP 2003-305163 A

  By the way, in a gaming machine such as a swivel type gaming machine or a pachinko gaming machine, from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, all boards such as a main control board and a production control board are not connected to any board. It is desirable not to provide so-called empty external connection terminals. This is because, when such a free external connection terminal is provided, it is possible to input an illegal signal to the board or to take out a signal from the board using the terminal.

  On the other hand, as described above, in the conventional gaming machine, a dedicated input port circuit for inputting a signal from the input means for instructing display of the game history is provided on the effect control board. However, some gaming machines do not have a game history display function depending on the model. When an effect control board used for a gaming machine having a game history display function is used as it is for a gaming machine that does not have such a game history display function, an input port circuit for the input means in the effect control board Will not be connected to any substrate. For this reason, conventionally, depending on whether or not the model has a display function of a game history, there has been a problem that it is necessary to prepare an effect control board having a different design, and the effect control board cannot be shared. . In addition, designing an effect control board for each model requires a long period of game machine development and increases the development cost.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and it is possible to use an effect control board for a model that does not have a game history display function, and to shorten the development period and the development cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image display means for effecting a game by displaying an image, a lighting display means for effecting a game by displaying a light, an image display and a lighting display. a performance control circuit board provided with a presentation control means for controlling the presentation of the game including, an image control board which includes an image control means for controlling the image display means in accordance with a command signal to an image display from the performance control board, the effect control In a gaming machine having a relay board for relaying a command signal related to lighting display sent from the board and transmitting it to the lighting display means , an input means for generating a command signal related to display of a game history, and an image control board provided, and a storage means for storing game history information, presentation control means of the performance control board is based on a command signal from the game control means for controlling the game contents Create a game history information, the created game history information is transmitted to the image control board is stored in the storage means, to effect control board command signal via a relay board for presentation game history generated by the input means At the same time, a signal is transmitted between the relay board and the effect control board by a serial communication method , and the effect control means of the effect control board receives a command signal related to display of the game history from the input means via the relay board . when sent Te, and transmits the command signal to the image control board, the image control means of the image control board, when the command signal is sent to a display of game history from the performance control board, the command from the storage means The game history information corresponding to the signal is read out and displayed on the image display means .

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, input means for generating a command signal related to display of a game history is provided, and the command signal related to display of the game history generated by the input means is transmitted through the relay board. In addition, the signal is transmitted between the relay board and the effect control board by a serial communication method. And this relay board | substrate not only relays the command signal regarding the display of a game history, but also relays the command signal regarding the lighting display sent from an effect control board. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated input port circuit for inputting the command signal generated by the input means on the effect control board, and for a gaming machine that does not have a history information display function. Even if the effect control board used in the gaming machine of the present invention is used, an empty input port circuit does not occur on the effect control board. Therefore, the same production control board can be used for both the gaming machine having the history information display function and the gaming machine not having the history information display function. It can be used. For this reason, when developing a new type of gaming machine, it is not necessary to change the design of the production control board, so the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened and the development cost can be reduced. it can. In addition, by transmitting signals between the relay board and the production control board using a serial communication method, the number of signal lines connecting the boards is reduced, and the visibility inside the housing is increased. It can be prevented.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the gaming machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an effect control board, a sub-relay board, and a liquid crystal control board in the gaming machine. FIG. Here, a case where the gaming machine is a so-called pachislot machine called a pachislot machine will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the spinning machine of this embodiment includes a first spinning reel 11 a, a second spinning reel 11 b, a third spinning reel 11 c, a display window 12, and a display window 12. , Medal insertion slot 13, credit amount display section 14, MAX bet button 15, one piece insertion button 16, bet number display section 17, start lever 18, first stop button 19a, second stop button 19b. , Third stop button 19c, clearing button 21, payout number display unit 22, medal discharge port 23, medal tray 24, image display unit 30, illumination display unit 40, speaker unit 50, history Display instruction device (input means) 60, inserted medal detection sensor 71, MAX bet button operation detection sensor 72, one-sheet insertion button operation detection sensor 73, start lever operation detection sensor 74, and first stop button Operation detection sensor 75a, second stop button operation detection sensor 75b, third stop button operation detection sensor 75c, first cylinder reel drive means 76a, second cylinder reel drive means 76b, and third cylinder reel drive means. 76c, a main control board 80, an effect control board 90, and a sub-relay board 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first spinning reel 11a, a second spinning reel 11b, and a third spinning reel 11c are disposed slightly above the central portion of the spinning cylinder game machine. Each spinning reel 11a, 11b, 11c has a symbol row in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a row, and is configured to be rotatable. The first cylinder reel 11a is driven by the first cylinder reel driving means 76a, the second cylinder reel 11b is driven by the second cylinder reel driving means 76b, and the third cylinder reel 11c is driven the third time. It is driven by drum reel driving means 76c. Here, as each spinning reel drive means 76a, 76b, 76c, for example, a stepping motor is used. Control of these spinning reel drive means 76 a, 76 b and 76 c is performed by the main control board 80.

  The symbols arranged on each reel 11a, 11b, 11c include, for example, a red number “7” symbol, a blue number “7” symbol, a BAR symbol, a replay symbol, a watermelon symbol, a bell symbol, a cherry symbol, etc. is there. A total of 21 of these symbols are arranged on the outer periphery of each spinning reel 11a, 11b, 11c. Further, the number of symbols and the arrangement order of symbols differ for each of the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c.

  The display window 12 is a transparent window provided at a position corresponding to the reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. As shown in FIG. 1, when the player stops the first reel reel 11a, the second reel reel 11b, and the third reel reel 11c, the player moves the reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c from the display window 12. The three attached symbols can be visually observed.

  The medal slot 13 is an slot for a player to insert a medal (game medium). The inserted medal detection sensor 71 is provided inside the medal insertion slot 13 and detects that a medal has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 13. A detection signal from the inserted medal detection sensor 71 is sent to the main control board 80.

  A credit number display unit 14 is provided immediately below the display window 12. The credit number display unit 14 displays the medal credit number (stored number) within a predetermined range (for example, within 50 cards). When a medal is inserted from the medal slot 13, the main control board 80 counts and stores the number of credits increased from the current number of credits based on the signal from the inserted medal detection sensor 71. And displayed on the credit number display unit 14. Further, when a predetermined combination is established in the game, the main control board 80 adds the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the combination to the current credit number, and displays the added number on the credit number display unit 14. Let

  The MAX bet button 15 and the single insertion button 16 are game instruction means for instructing to bet medals and play a game (game), and are provided on the lower left side of the display window 12. The MAX bet button 15 is a button for selecting to play a game with three medals, and the one-sheet insertion button 16 is for selecting to play a game with one, two or three medals. It is a button to do. Specifically, by pressing the one-sheet insertion button 16 once, it is selected to play a game with one medal, and when the one-sheet insertion button 16 is pressed twice, two medals are bet. Is selected, and by pressing the one-piece insertion button 16 three times, it is selected to play a game with three medals bet. In other words, pressing the single-load button 16 three times is the same as pressing the MAX bet button 15 once. The MAX bet button operation detection sensor 72 detects that the MAX bet button 15 has been pressed, and the single-load button operation detection sensor 73 detects that the single-load button 16 has been pressed. Detection signals from the sensors 72 and 73 are sent to the main control board 80. As a result, the main control board 80 can recognize how many medals are bet to play the game.

  A bet number display section 17 is provided immediately below the left side of the display window 12. The bet number display unit 17 displays the number of medals bet in the game. Specifically, when the one-piece insertion button 16 is pressed once, the main control board 80 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “壱” portion of the bet number display section 17. When the one-sheet insertion button 16 is pressed twice, the main control board 80 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “弐” portion of the bet number display portion 17. When the one-sheet insertion button 16 is pressed three times or the MAX bet button 15 is pressed, the main control board 80 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “part” portion of the bet number display portion 17.

  In the present embodiment, six winning lines are set for stopping the three reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c and aligning predetermined symbols. That is, three lines extending in the horizontal direction through each of the upper, middle and lower portions of the display window 12, lines extending from the upper left to the lower right of the display window 12, and from the lower left to the upper right of the display window 12. And a line extending from the middle of the left portion of the display window 12 toward the middle of the central portion and extending from the middle of the central portion toward the lower right. The effective winning line varies depending on how many medals are bet. When a game is played with one medal bet, only one winning line extending in the horizontal direction through the center of the display window 12 is an effective winning line. When a game is played with two medals bet, only three winning lines extending in the horizontal direction through the upper, middle and lower parts of the display window 12 are effective winning lines. When a game is played with three medals, all six pay lines are valid pay lines. When the three reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are stopped, when a predetermined symbol is aligned on an effective winning line among the six winning lines and a predetermined combination is established, the game is won, and a predetermined number of Medals are paid out.

  The start lever 18 is operated by the player to instruct to start the game. The operation of the MAX bet button 15 in a state where the required number of medals for one game (game) is inserted from the medal insertion slot 13 or the number of medals required for one game has already been credited. Alternatively, the start lever 18 can be operated by performing any one of the required operations of the single-load button 16. Here, one game starts when the start lever 18 is operated, and ends when all the three stop buttons 19a, 19b, and 19c are pressed. The start lever operation detection sensor 74 detects that the start lever 18 has been operated. When the start lever operation detection sensor 74 detects that the start lever 18 has been operated, it sends a game start signal to the main control board 80. The main control board 80 receives a signal from any one of the inserted medal detection sensor 71, the MAX bet button operation detection sensor 72, and the one-sheet insertion button operation detection sensor 73, and receives a game start signal from the start lever operation detection sensor 74. When a game start signal is received, a game start process is performed after a predetermined time (4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the last game start signal was received. Specifically, the main control board 80 acquires a random number value, performs a lottery process for a role based on the random number value, and starts rotating operations of the three reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c.

  The first stop button 19a is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the first drum reel 11a, and the second stop button 19b is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the second drum reel 11b. The third stop button 19c is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the third drum reel 11c. The first stop button operation detection sensor 75a detects that the first stop button 19a is pressed, and the second stop button operation detection sensor 75b detects that the second stop button 19b is pressed. The third stop button operation detection sensor 75c detects that the third stop button 19c has been pressed. Detection signals from the stop button operation detection sensors 75a, 75b, and 75c are sent to the main control board 80. When the main control board 80 receives the detection signals from the stop button operation detection sensors 75a, 75b, and 75c, the main control board 80 stops the rotation operation of the spinning reel corresponding to the stop button operation detection sensor by a predetermined control method. Thus, when the three spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are stopped, a combination is established if the symbols attached to the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are in a specific combination on the effective winning line. Will do.

  The types of roles are roughly classified into big roles (bonuses) that are big hits and small roles that are big hits. For example, a big bonus (BB), which is a role when a red number “7” symbol or a blue number “7” symbol (BB symbol) is aligned on a valid winning line, In addition, there is a regular bonus (RB) that is a combination when the symbol “BAR” (RB symbol) is aligned on an effective winning line. When becoming a major player, the spinning-type gaming machine shifts to a gaming state advantageous to the player. For example, when BB is established, 15 medals are paid out, and the player enters a BB game where the player can acquire the largest amount of medals. When the RB is established, 15 medals are paid out, and after the BB game, the player enters an RB game where a large amount of medals can be obtained.

  On the other hand, the small role includes, for example, a role when watermelon symbols are aligned on an effective winning line (watermelon small role), and a role when bell symbols are aligned on an effective winning line (bell small role). , There is a role (cherry small role) when it stops at the left position on the winning line where the cherry symbol is valid. When such a small combination is established, a predetermined number of medals are paid out. In addition, there is a role (replay) when the replay symbols are aligned on a valid winning line. If this replay is established, the revolving game machine will automatically put in the re-playing state, that is, the same number of medals bet on this game, and the player will not insert a new medal. Then, the game can be played again. In this embodiment, since replay does not pay out medals, replay is not included in the small role, but setting of the number of bets for the next game, that is, no new medal insertion operation is required, Assuming that the used medals are paid out, it is possible to treat the replay as a small role. Further, if the symbols constituting the winning combination are not aligned on the effective winning line, the winning combination is lost.

  The number-of-payout display unit 22 displays the number of medals to be paid out in accordance with the established combination. The main control board 80 controls the payout number display unit 22. For example, when the player presses the clearing button 21, the number of medals corresponding to the number of credits at that time is released from the medal outlet 23. The medal tray 24 is a tray for accumulating medals discharged from the medal discharge port 23.

  The image display unit 30 is provided on the upper side of the display window 12. The image display unit 30 variably displays images of a plurality of characters, numbers, figures, characters, and the like, thereby performing the advance notice of the winning combination, notification of predetermined information, and other game effects. For example, a premium effect for notifying the jackpot confirmation is performed, or the types of symbols to be aligned on an effective winning line are announced. In the present embodiment, the image display unit 30 can also display a game history. The control of the image display unit 30 is performed by the effect control board 90.

  In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is used as the image display unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the image display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal panel (image display means) 31 and a liquid crystal control board (image control board) 32 that controls the liquid crystal panel 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal control board 32 includes a ROM 32a, a RAM 32b, a CPU 32c, a history display RAM (storage means) 32d, a video chip 32e, a character ROM 32f, a frame buffer 32g, and an interface circuit 32h. And a bidirectional bus buffer 110a. Various programs are stored in the ROM 32a. The RAM 32b is a working memory that temporarily stores data.

  The history display RAM 32d stores game history information such as bonus information and slump information. The bonus-to-bonus information is information indicating the number of games that have been won from the first game so far. The slump information is information in which the number of games required from winning a jackpot to winning the next jackpot is arranged in descending order. Such game history information is created by the effect control board 90 and sent from the effect control board 90 to the liquid crystal control board 32. In general, the contents of the game history information differ depending on the model of the gaming machine.

  The character ROM 32f stores effect image data. The frame buffer 32g temporarily stores image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. The video chip 32 e is an integrated circuit element that controls image display on the liquid crystal panel 31. The video chip 32e sequentially extracts image data from the frame buffer 32g and sends it to the liquid crystal panel 31 via the interface circuit 32h. As a result, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31.

  The CPU 32c controls each unit by executing a program stored in the ROM 32a. Specifically, when game history information is sent from the effect control board 90, the CPU 32c stores the game history information in the history display RAM 32d. In addition, when image effect pattern data (command signal related to image display) is sent from the effect control board 90, the CPU 32c controls the video chip 32e to display an image corresponding to the image effect pattern data (effect image). ) Is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. Furthermore, when a command signal related to display of a game history is sent from the effect control board 90, the CPU 32c causes the liquid crystal panel 31 to display an image corresponding to the command signal (history display image). Here, examples of the history display image include a game history menu screen in which items of each game history information are displayed, a game history image in which game history information is displayed, and the like. Further, the CPU 32c preferentially displays the history display image rather than the presentation image. Therefore, for example, even if an effect image is currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, when the instruction command related to the display of the game history is sent from the effect control board 90, the CPU 32c displays the effect image. Is immediately switched to display the image for history display.

  Further, as the CPU 32c, a CPU having both a parallel communication function and a serial communication function is used. Signal transmission is performed between the liquid crystal control board 32 and the effect control board 90 by a serial communication method. This will be described in detail later.

  The illumination display unit (lighting display means) 40 is lit to notify various game states or perform a game effect. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical display unit 40 includes three top LED units 41a, 41b, 41c, eight panel LED units 42a, 42b,..., 42h, and three backlights. (Not shown), a cold cathode tube (not shown), three top LED substrates 44a, 44b, 44c, eight panel LED substrates 45a, 45b,..., 45h, and three backlight substrates 46a, 46 b and 46 c and a cold cathode tube substrate 47. Here, the top LED units 41a, 41b, 41c, the panel LED units 42a, 42b,..., 42h, and the backlight are provided so as to be lit and displayed toward the player. In the following description, the top LED substrates 44a, 44b, 44c, the panel LED substrates 45a, 45b,..., 45h and the backlight substrates 46a, 46b, 46c are collectively referred to as “electrical decoration substrates”. .

  Control of the illumination display unit 40 is performed by the effect control board 90 based on a command from the main control board 80. Specifically, the effect control board 90 generates a predetermined lighting command signal (command signal related to lighting display) based on a command from the main control board 80, and the lighting command signal is transmitted via the sub relay board 100. It is sent to the decorative substrate and the cold cathode tube substrate 47.

  The three top LED units 41a, 41b, and 41c are provided on the left side, the center, and the right side of the upper part inside the front door, respectively. These top LED units 41a, 41b, and 41c are mounted on top LED substrates 44a, 44b, and 44c, respectively, and each top LED substrate 44a, 44b, and 44c drives the top LED unit.

  Panel LED units 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are provided in this order along the direction from the top to the bottom on the left side of the display window 12 inside the front door. Further, panel LED units 42f, 42g, and 42h are provided on the inner side of the front door and on the right side of the display window 12 along the direction from top to bottom in this order. The eight panel LED units 42a, 42b, ..., 42h are mounted on the panel LED boards 45a, 45b, ..., 45h, respectively, and the panel LED boards 45a, 45b, ..., 45h are The panel LED unit is driven.

  The three backlights are provided inside the first drum reel 11a, the second drum reel 11b, and the third drum reel 11c, respectively. These backlights are respectively mounted on the backlight substrates 46a, 46b, and 46c, and each of the backlight substrates 46a, 46b, and 46c drives the backlight.

  The cold cathode tube is provided inside the front door and above the display window 12. The cold-cathode tube not only plays a game, but also irradiates light to the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c to improve the visibility of symbols printed on the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. Is also fulfilled. The cold cathode tube substrate 47 drives the cold cathode tube. Specifically, an inverter circuit, a high voltage generation circuit, and the like are mounted on the cold cathode tube substrate 47. When a lighting command signal is sent from the sub-relay substrate 100 to the cold cathode tube substrate 47, the inverter circuit is driven, and the high voltage generation circuit generates a high voltage based on the signal from the inverter circuit. Lights up.

  The speaker unit 50 produces a game with sound. The control of the speaker unit 50 is performed by the effect control board 90 based on a command from the main control board 80. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the speaker unit 50 includes a first door speaker 51, a second door speaker 52, and a rear speaker 53. The first door speaker 51 and the second door speaker 52 are provided on the left side and the right side of the upper part inside the front door, respectively. That is, in FIG. 1, the first door speaker 51 and the second door speaker 52 are circles drawn by dotted lines on the front door. Here, in the upper part of the front door, there is a gap between the portion where the top LED units 41a, 41b and 41c are provided and the portion where the image display unit 31 is provided, and the first door speaker 51 and the second door. Sound from the speaker 52 comes out through this gap. Further, the rear speaker 53 is provided on the back side of the swivel game machine.

  The history display instruction device 60 is for inputting a command signal related to display of a game history. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the history display instruction device 60 includes a selection button 61, a determination button 62, and a history display instruction board 63. The selection button 61 and the determination button 62 are provided on the right side of the liquid crystal panel 31 as shown in FIG.

  The history display instruction board 63 transmits a signal indicating that the button has been pressed to the sub-relay board 100 when the selection button 61 or the determination button 62 is pressed. The signal indicating that the selection button 61 has been pressed and the signal indicating that the determination button 62 has been pressed are command signals relating to display of the game history. When the player presses the selection button 61 in a state where an effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, a game history menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a game history menu screen. As shown in FIG. 4, the game history menu screen includes “bonus information”, “slump information”,..., “End” items. The item “bonus information” is for displaying a game history image regarding bonus information on the liquid crystal panel 31, and the item “slump information” is a game history image regarding slump information on the liquid crystal panel 31. It is for displaying. The item “End” is for ending the display of the menu screen.

  When the game history menu screen is first displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, the top item is selected. In the example of FIG. 4, the item is surrounded by a dotted line to indicate that the item is in a selected state. When this menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, when the player presses the selection button 61 again, the selection state of the currently selected item is canceled and the item below it is selected. The menu screen is displayed. When the player presses the enter button 62, the item currently selected on the menu screen is determined, and a game history image regarding the game history information corresponding to the determined item is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. Is done.

  The main control board 80 mainly controls and manages game contents and medal payout. A plurality of integrated circuit elements are mounted on the main control board 80. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the main control board 80 includes a ROM 81, a RAM 82, and a CPU (game control means) 83. The ROM 81 stores various programs related to game content control and the like. The RAM 82 is a working memory that temporarily stores data.

  The CPU 83 executes game programs stored in the ROM 81 to control game contents. For example, the CPU 83 performs a winning lottery process. Specifically, this lottery process is performed as follows. The ROM 81 stores a lottery table showing the correspondence between the combination and the random number value. When receiving a signal from the start lever operation detection sensor 74, the CPU 83 acquires a random value. Then, it is determined whether the acquired random number value corresponds to any combination in the lottery table, thereby determining whether the combination is incorrect or various types of combinations are selected. The CPU 83 transmits a predetermined command to the effect control board 90 according to the lottery result.

  Further, the CPU 83 performs reel control for driving and stopping the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. The reel control of the CPU 83 includes, for example, reel drive start control and reel drive stop control, as well as, for example, reel pull-in control performed when a winning combination is won, removal control performed when a winning combination is not won, etc. is there.

  The reel pull-in control means that when a stop button is pressed, the symbol within the range of a predetermined number of frames (for example, 5 frames) from the symbol including the symbols on the winning line that is valid at the timing when the stop button is pressed. This means that when there is a symbol constituting a winning combination, the stop position of the spinning reel is controlled so that the symbol is drawn on the effective winning line. However, if there is no symbol that constitutes the relevant role within the range of the predetermined number of frames at the timing when the player presses the stop button, the reel pull-in control does not work, and the winning symbol is effective. Stop on line. Accordingly, at this time, the symbols constituting the winning combination are not aligned on the effective winning line, and the winning combination is not established.

  The off control means that the stop position of the reel is controlled so that no combination is established in the effective winning line. Therefore, in this case, even if the player presses the stop button aiming at a specific combination, no combination is established and the game result is lost.

  The CPU 83 also manages the gaming state. In the swivel type gaming machine of the present embodiment, the gaming state of the gaming machine is “a general gaming state when the BB is not operating”, “a BB internal state”, “an RB internal state”, “a general game when the BB is operating” Various game states such as “state” are set. The CPU 83 controls the game state transition based on the winning lottery result.

  Further, the CPU 83 performs processing for transmitting a command to the effect control board 90. There are many types of commands that are transmitted from the CPU 83 to the effect control board 90. For example, there are commands related to game effects (effect commands) created based on the result of the lottery process of the combination, commands (operation commands) created when a predetermined operation is performed by the player, and the like.

  In addition, various standards have been established for the spinning machine. One of the standards is that if 4.1 seconds have not elapsed since the start lever 18 was operated, the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c do not rotate even if the start lever 18 is operated next time. For this reason, the CPU 83 performs drive start control of the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c so as to conform to the standard. However, even if the start lever 18 is operated next within 4.1 seconds after the start lever 18 is operated, the CPU 83 detects the inserted medal detection sensor 71, the MAX bet button operation detection sensor 72, one sheet. If a signal has already been received from any of the input button operation detection sensors 73, a lottery process based on a random number value is performed.

  The effect control board 90 mainly performs control related to game effects. A plurality of integrated circuit elements are mounted on the effect control board 90. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the effect control board 90 includes a ROM 91, a RAM 92, a CPU (effect control means) 93, a tone generator LSI 94, a tone generator data ROM 95, a power amplifier 96, and a bidirectional bus buffer. 110b, 110c. The ROM 91 stores various programs related to control of game effects, and various data such as image effect pattern data and electrical effect pattern data. The RAM 92 is a working memory that temporarily stores data.

  The sound source LSI 94 has a plurality of channels for sending sound source data, and sends sound source data stored in the sound source data ROM 95 to the speaker unit 50 through a predetermined channel to reproduce and output sound. is there. The sound source data ROM 95 stores a plurality of sound source data and reproduction control data for each sound source data. The reproduction control data is data for controlling the sound reproduction output of the speaker unit 50 by controlling the transmission of the sound source data in the sound source LSI 94. The power amplifier 96 amplifies the sound signal sent from the sound source LSI 94 and outputs it to the speaker unit 50.

  In the present embodiment, a CPU 93 having both a parallel communication function and a serial communication function is used. Then, signal transmission is performed by the serial communication method between the effect control board 90 and the liquid crystal control board 32 and between the effect control board 90 and the sub relay board 100.

In addition, information is transmitted between a plurality of integrated circuit elements in the effect control board 90 by a bidirectional serial bus method. Here, the bidirectional serial bus method is a method in which information is sequentially transmitted bidirectionally via a transmission line capable of connecting a plurality of integrated circuit elements in parallel. In particular, in this embodiment, an I ² C bus (Inter-Integrated Circuit Bus) system is adopted as a bidirectional serial bus system.

  The CPU 93 controls the image display unit 30, the electrical display unit 40, and the speaker unit 50 by executing a program stored in the ROM 91. Specifically, when the CPU 93 receives an effect command from the main control board 80, the CPU 93 determines the content of the game effect based on the effect command. Then, the CPU 93 reads out image effect pattern data corresponding to the determined content from the ROM 91 and sends it to the liquid crystal control board 32. Thereby, the liquid crystal control board 32 controls display of an image based on the image effect pattern data. In addition, the CPU 93 reads the illumination effect pattern data corresponding to the determined content from the ROM 91, and then generates a predetermined lighting command signal based on the illumination effect pattern data. Then, the CPU 93 controls the lighting of each LED unit, each backlight, and the cold cathode tube by sending the generated lighting command signal to the electric decoration substrate and the cold cathode tube substrate via the sub-relay substrate 100. . Further, when the CPU 93 sends information about the determined content to the sound source LSI 94, the sound source LSI 94 reads sound source data and reproduction control data corresponding to the information from the sound source data ROM 95. The sound source LSI 94 controls the transmission of the sound source data based on the reproduction control data. The sound signal transmitted from the sound source LSI 94 is amplified by the power amplifier 96 and then output from the speaker unit 50.

  Further, when a command signal related to display of a game history is sent from the sub-relay board 100, the CPU 93 sends the command signal to the liquid crystal control board 32. Further, the CPU 93 creates game history information based on information such as an effect command sent from the main control board 80 and sends the created game history information to the liquid crystal control board 32. The game history information is stored in the history display RAM 32 d of the liquid crystal control board 32.

The sub relay board 100 is configured separately from the effect control board 90, relays the lighting command signal sent from the effect control board 90, and transmits it to the electric decoration board or the cold cathode tube board, or the history display instruction board. The command signal related to the display of the game history sent from 63 is relayed and transmitted to the effect control board 90. The sub relay board 100 is attached to the back surface of the front door, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of integrated circuit elements such as input / output expanders (PCA9532) 101 and 102 and bidirectional bus buffer 110d are mounted on the sub-relay substrate 100. Information is transmitted between these integrated circuit elements by a bidirectional serial bus system. Also in this case, the I ² C bus method is adopted as the bidirectional serial bus method. In addition, signal transmission is performed between the sub relay board 100 and the effect control board 90 by a serial communication method.

  The input / output expanders 101 and 102 are integrated circuit elements for increasing the number of input / output signals. Specifically, each signal from the input / output expander 101 is an electric decoration board (top LED boards 44a, 44b, 44c, panel LED boards 45a, 45b,..., 45h, backlight boards 46a, 46b, 46c). And output to the cold cathode tube substrate 47. Here, the input / output expander 101 converts the serial signal sent via the bidirectional bus buffer 110d into a parallel signal and outputs the parallel signal to each of the above boards. The input / output expander 102 receives a command signal related to display of a game history from the history display instruction board 63. Here, the input / output expander 102 converts the input signal into a serial signal and outputs it to the bidirectional bus buffer 110d.

In the present embodiment, as described above, signal transmission is performed by the serial communication method between the effect control board 90 and the liquid crystal control board 32 and between the effect control board 90 and the sub relay board 100. Therefore, the effect control board 90 and the liquid crystal control board 32 and the effect control board 90 and the sub relay board 100 are connected by serial wiring. In particular, in the present embodiment, an I ² C bus developed by Philips is used as the serial wiring, and between the effect control board 90 and the liquid crystal control board 32, between the effect control board 90 and the sub relay board 100. Then, in each case, signals are transmitted by the I ² C bus method.

The I ² C bus is generally a bidirectional bus with a simple structure composed of two wires (signal transmission lines). In other words, the I ² C bus is composed of only two bus lines, a serial data line (SDA) and a serial clock line (SCL). A plurality of devices such as circuit boards and integrated circuit elements can be arranged in parallel on the bus line. In addition, since each device connected to the I ² C bus has a unique address, the device can be addressed by software by using the unique address. Furthermore, the I ² C bus has various advantages such as efficient control between integrated circuit elements, maximum hardware efficiency, and simplification of the circuit. is there.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, bidirectional bus buffers (P82B96) 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are provided at the input / output ports of the liquid crystal control board 32, the effect control board 90, and the illumination display sub-control board 100, respectively. Is provided. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the bidirectional bus buffer, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining the characteristics of the buffers included in the bidirectional bus buffer. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how to use the bidirectional bus buffer. The bidirectional bus buffer is an IC having four buffers 111, 112, 113, and 114 as shown in FIG. Each buffer 111, 112, 113, 114 has a role of defining the directionality of the signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, each buffer sends a signal input from the left side of the figure to the right side, but conversely does not send a signal input from the right side of the figure to the left side. . In the present embodiment, the bidirectional bus buffer 110a and the bidirectional bus buffer 110b, and the bidirectional bus buffer 110c and the bidirectional bus buffer 110d are connected by signal lines, respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the signal line connecting the two bidirectional bus buffers is a twist cable. Thereby, even if it is a case where long distance communication is performed by increasing the distance between the substrates to be connected, noise can be enhanced.

  Note that signal transmission is performed between the main control board 80 and the effect control board 90 by a parallel communication method.

  Next, a processing procedure when displaying game history information on the liquid crystal panel 31 in the spinning-reel game machine of the present embodiment will be described.

  Now, it is assumed that an effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. At this time, when the player presses the selection button 61, the history display instruction board 63 sends a signal indicating that the selection button 61 has been pressed (command signal related to display of the game history) to the sub-relay board 100. When a command signal related to display of a game history is input, the input / output expander 102 of the sub relay board 100 converts the input command signal into a serial signal and outputs the serial signal to the bidirectional bus buffer 110d. A command signal relating to the display of the game history, which is a serial signal, is sent to the bidirectional bus buffer 110c via a signal line connecting between the bidirectional bus buffer 110d and the bidirectional bus buffer 110c of the effect control board 90. And sent from the bidirectional bus buffer 110c to the CPU 93 of the effect control board 90.

  When the CPU 93 receives a command signal related to display of the game history, the CPU 93 outputs the command signal to the bidirectional bus buffer 110b. The command signal is sent to the bidirectional bus buffer 110a via a signal line connecting the bidirectional bus buffer 110b and the bidirectional bus buffer 110a of the liquid crystal control board 32, and the liquid crystal control is performed from the bidirectional bus buffer 110a. It is sent to the CPU 32c of the substrate 32. When the CPU 32c receives the command signal related to the display of the game history, it recognizes that the content of the command is to display the menu screen of the game history because the effect image is currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. To do. Then, the CPU 32 c controls the video chip 32 e to display a game history menu screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the liquid crystal panel 31. At this time, on this menu screen, “bonus information” written at the top of the plurality of menu items is in a selected state.

  Next, the player determines the item of the game history that the player wants to know on the game history menu screen displayed in this way. Specifically, when the player presses the selection button 61 once, as described above, a signal indicating that the selection button 61 has been pressed (a command signal related to display of the game history) is sent from the history display instruction board 63. It is sent to the CPU 32 c of the liquid crystal control board 32 via the sub relay board 100 and the effect control board 90. When the CPU 32c receives the command signal, the game history menu screen is currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, so that the content of the command is one item lower than the item currently selected on the menu screen. Recognize that it is in a selected state. Then, by controlling the video chip 32e, the CPU 32c causes the liquid crystal panel 31 to display a game history menu screen in which the item immediately below the currently selected item is selected. The player presses the selection button 61 several times to select a game history item he / she wants to know on the game history menu screen.

  Thus, after the item of the game history that the player wants to know is selected, when the player presses the enter button 62, a signal indicating that the enter button 62 has been pressed (command signal related to display of the game history) The data is sent from the history display instruction board 63 to the CPU 32 c of the liquid crystal control board 32 through the sub relay board 100 and the effect control board 90. When receiving the command signal, the CPU 32c recognizes that the content of the command is to display game history information corresponding to the item currently selected. Then, the CPU 32 c controls the video chip 32 e to read the game history information from the history display RAM 32 d and display it on the liquid crystal panel 31.

  For example, when the player selects “BONUS BONUS INFORMATION” on the game history menu screen and presses the enter button 62, the bonus information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information between bonuses displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. In the bonus information image, the horizontal axis represents the number of games. Specifically, the bonus information shown in FIG. 7 indicates that RB was won 200 games after the first game. It is shown that after winning the RB, BB was won after 50 games and BB was won again after 250 games.

  The swivel type gaming machine of this embodiment includes a history display instruction device for generating a command signal related to display of a game history, and a command signal related to display of a game history generated by the history display instruction device is provided. The signal is transmitted to the effect control board via the sub-relay board, and a signal is transmitted between the sub-relay board and the effect control board by a serial communication method. This sub-relay board not only relays the command signal related to the display of the game history, but also relays the command signal related to the lighting display sent from the effect control board. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated input port circuit for inputting the command signal generated by the history display instructing device on the effect control board, and for a gaming machine that does not have a history information display function. On the other hand, even if the production control board is used, an empty input port circuit does not occur on the production control board. Therefore, the same production control board can be used for both the gaming machine having the history information display function and the gaming machine not having the history information display function. It can be used. For this reason, when developing a new type of gaming machine, it is not necessary to change the design of the production control board, so the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened and the development cost can be reduced. it can. In addition, by transmitting signals between the sub-relay board and the production control board by a serial communication method, the number of signal lines connecting the boards is reduced, thereby improving the visibility in the housing. It can prevent fraud.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the summary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a revolving game machine using medals as a game medium has been described. For example, a pachinko ball called a parot machine, a pacilot machine, or the like is used as a game medium. You may apply to the used slot machine game machine. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a pachinko gaming machine.

  As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the input means for generating the command signal related to the display of the game history is provided, and the command signal related to the display of the game history generated by the input means is the relay board. The signal is transmitted to the effect control board via a serial transmission method between the relay board and the effect control board. This relay board not only relays the command signal related to the display of the game history, but also relays the command signal related to the lighting display sent from the effect control board. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated input port circuit for inputting the command signal generated by the input means on the effect control board, and for a gaming machine that does not have a history information display function. Even if the effect control board used in the gaming machine of the present invention is used, an empty input port circuit does not occur on the effect control board. Therefore, the same production control board can be used for both the gaming machine having the history information display function and the gaming machine not having the history information display function. It can be used. For this reason, when developing a new type of gaming machine, it is not necessary to change the design of the production control board, so the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened and the development cost can be reduced. it can. In addition, by transmitting signals between the relay board and the production control board using a serial communication method, the number of signal lines connecting the boards is reduced, and the visibility inside the housing is increased. It can be prevented. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for application to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a revolving gaming machine capable of displaying a game history.

It is a schematic front view of the gaming machine which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the gaming machine. It is a schematic block diagram of an effect control board, a sub relay board, and a liquid crystal control board in the gaming machine. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the menu screen of a game history. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a bidirectional | two-way bus buffer, (b) is a figure for demonstrating the characteristic of the buffer contained in the bidirectional | two-way bus buffer. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage method of the bidirectional | two-way bus buffer. It is a figure which shows an example of the information between bonuses displayed on the liquid crystal panel.

Explanation of symbols

11a 1st reel reel 11b 2nd reel 11c 3rd reel 12 Display window 13 Medal slot 14 Credit number display 15 MAX bet button 16 Single slot button 17 Bet count display 18 Start lever 19a 1st Stop button 19b Second stop button 19c Third stop button 21 Settlement button 22 Payout number display part 23 Medal discharge port 24 Medal tray 30 Image display part 31 Liquid crystal panel (image display means)
32 LCD control board (image control board)
32a ROM
32b RAM
32c CPU
32d History display RAM (storage means)
32e Video chip 32f Character ROM
32g Frame buffer 32h Interface circuit 40 Illumination display section (lighting display means)
41a, 41b, 41c Top LED units 42a, 42b, ..., 42h Panel LED units 44a, 44b, 44c Top LED boards 45a, 45b, ..., 45h Panel LED boards 46a, 46b, 46c Backlight board 47 Cooling Cathode tube substrate 50 Speaker unit 51 First door speaker 52 Second door speaker 53 Rear speaker 60 History display instruction device (input means)
61 selection button 62 decision button 63 history display instruction board 71 inserted medal detection sensor 72 MAX bet button operation detection sensor 73 single sheet insertion button operation detection sensor 74 start lever operation detection sensor 75a first stop button operation detection sensor 75b second stop button Operation detection sensor 75c Third stop button operation detection sensor 76a First cylinder reel drive means 76b Second cylinder reel drive means 76c Third cylinder reel drive means 80 Main control board (game control means)
81 ROM
82 RAM
83 CPU (game control means)
90 Production control board 91 ROM
92 RAM
93 CPU
94 Sound LSI
95 Sound source data ROM
96 Power amplifier 100 Sub relay board (relay board)
101, 102 Input / output expander 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d Bidirectional bus buffer

Claims (1)

Image display means for effecting a game by displaying an image, lighting display means for effecting a game by displaying the image, and effect control means for controlling the effect of the game including image display and lighting display An effect control board, an image control board comprising image control means for controlling the image display means based on a command signal relating to image display from the effect control board, and a command signal relating to lighting display sent from the effect control board In a gaming machine having a relay board for relaying and transmitting to the lighting display means,
An input means for generating a command signal related to display of a game history, and a storage means provided on the image control board for storing game history information ;
The effect control means of the effect control board creates the game history information based on a command signal from a game control means for controlling game contents, and transmits the created game history information to the image control board. Storing in the storage means;
A command signal related to display of the game history generated by the input means is transmitted to the effect control board via the relay board, and a signal is transmitted between the relay board and the effect control board by a serial communication method. Is done,
The effect control means of the effect control board transmits the command signal to the image control board when a command signal related to display of a game history is sent from the input means via the relay board,
The image control means of the image control board reads out the game history information corresponding to the command signal from the storage means when a command signal related to display of a game history is sent from the effect control board, and the image A gaming machine characterized by being displayed on a display means.

Images