JP5576089B2 - An accessory control board and a pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an accessory control board for controlling a movable accessory provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and a pachinko gaming machine including the accessory control board.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a movable accessory is operated by the driving force of a motor while turning on various lamps provided on the game board or emitting an LED (Light Emitting Diode) provided on the movable accessory. By doing so, various productions that enhance interest are performed. However, in recent gaming machines, LED light emission patterns and motor operation patterns tend to diversify, and there is a problem that an excessive load is applied to the CPU of the effect control board that controls the movable accessory.

  In order to solve such a problem, a gaming machine has been proposed in which an accessory control board (sub-integrated board) for controlling a movable accessory is provided separately from the effect control board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 is mounted with a rotary unit including a board on which LEDs capable of emitting multiple colors are mounted, a rotating unit fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. And an accessory control board. When the CPU of the accessory control board receives the accessory control signal from the effect control board, it performs LED light emission control and motor drive control based on the received accessory control signal and the control program stored in the ROM. Do. In this way, by causing the accessory control board to control the movable accessory, the processing load on the effect control board is reduced.

JP 2006-255337 A

  By the way, in recent years when the effective use of resources is strongly demanded, it is necessary to remove the accessory control board from the gaming machine removed from the hall and mount the accessory control board on a new gaming machine. Is desirable. However, it is troublesome to attach and detach the accessory control board and other components (such as a board on which an LED is mounted or an effect control board), and the light emission pattern of the movable accessory LED or the operation pattern of the motor is a gaming machine. Since the ROM needs to be replaced, it is difficult to reuse the accessory control board.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an accessory control board that can be easily reused without replacing a memory that stores a control program for a movable accessory of a gaming machine, and a pachinko gaming machine including the accessory control board. Is to provide.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. In addition, the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

  The accessory control board according to the present invention is an accessory control board (160) for controlling an accessory placed on the game board (2) of the pachinko gaming machine (1), the accessory control board (160). A non-volatile memory (162) that is mounted directly on the board without a socket and stores a rewritable control program for controlling the accessory, and a board (150) that controls the accessory control board (160) Based on the transmitted command and the control program, the CPU (161) for controlling the accessory and the accessory control board (160) are rewritten to the components of the pachinko gaming machine (1) or the control program. And a connector (191 to 194) to which a transmission line for electrically connecting to a device to be connected is detachably connected.

  The said accessory control board (160) is accommodated in the case (181), and the said connector (191-194) is the said case (181) through the opening (201-204) provided in the said case (181). It may be exposed outside.

  The accessory is a decorative accessory (7) that produces an effect by causing the light emitting element (171) to emit light, and the CPU (161) determines whether or not the light emitting element (171) can be reused. You may function as a 1st determination means (65) which alert | reports the determination result of a 1st determination means (64) and the said 1st determination means (64).

  The CPU (161) functions as first detection means (61) for detecting the energization time of the light emitting element (171) and storing the total energization time in the non-volatile memory (162). The determination means (64) determines whether or not the light emitting element (171) can be reused based on whether or not the total energization time exceeds a set time.

  The first notification means (65) may notify the determination result of the first determination means (64) by causing the light emitting element (171) to emit light with a light emission pattern different from a normal light emission pattern.

  The accessory is a decorative accessory (7) that produces an effect by receiving the driving force of the motor (172), and the CPU (161) determines whether or not the motor (172) can be reused. You may function as the 2nd determination means (67) which alert | reports the determination result of the 2nd determination means (66) which determines these, and the said 2nd determination means (66).

  The CPU (161) functions as second detection means (62) for detecting the rotational speed of the motor (172) and storing the total rotational speed in the non-volatile memory (162). The means (66) determines whether or not the motor (172) can be reused based on whether or not the total rotational speed exceeds a set number.

  The second notification means (67) may notify the determination result of the second determination means (66) by driving the motor (172) with an operation pattern different from a normal operation pattern.

  The accessory is a decorative accessory (7) that produces an effect by operating the driving force of the motor (172) while causing the light emitting element (171) to emit light, and the CPU (161) First detection means (61) for detecting energization time of the element (171) and storing the total energization time in the nonvolatile memory (162), and the total energization time with respect to the service life of the light emitting element (171) The light emitting element (171) may function as third notification means (73) for causing the light emitting element (171) to emit light in the number corresponding to the ratio.

  The accessory is a decorative accessory (7) that produces an effect by operating the driving force of the motor (172) while causing the light emitting element (171) to emit light, and the CPU (161) The second detection means (62) for detecting the rotational speed of (172) and storing the total rotational speed in the nonvolatile memory (162), and the total rotational speed with respect to the durable rotational speed of the motor (172) The fourth notification means (74) for causing the light emitting elements (171) to emit light in the number corresponding to the ratio may be used.

  The connector may include a first connector (191) to which a transmission line that electrically connects the board (150) to the accessory control board (160) is detachably connected.

  The connector may include a second connector (192) to which a transmission line that electrically connects the light emitting element (171) to the accessory control board (160) is detachably connected.

  The connector may include a third connector (193) to which a transmission line that electrically connects the motor (172) to the accessory control board (160) is detachably connected.

  The connector may include a fourth connector (194) to which a transmission line for rewriting the control program is detachably connected.

  The transmission line connected to the first connector (191) may be a serial signal line for serially transferring the command.

  A pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention includes the accessory control board.

According to the present invention, the accessory control board can be easily reused.

Schematic front view of gaming machine 1 Schematic plan view showing a part of the gaming machine 1 Enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. Schematic perspective view of the accessory unit 70 The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus of the gaming machine 1 An exploded perspective view of the accessory board unit 180 The schematic perspective view of the accessory board unit 180 which shows a mode that the connectors 211-214 are inserted in the connectors 191-194. Functional configuration diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 according to the first embodiment The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with the accessory control board 160 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the accessory control board 160 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment The perspective view of the movable accessory 7 which shows a mode that LED171 emitted light. The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with the accessory control board 160 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the accessory control board 160 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with the accessory control board 160 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine including the accessory control board according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Schematic configuration of gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration and operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as “gaming machine 1”) will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 is, for example, a pachinko gaming machine configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by a predetermined operation of a player wins a prize. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a game board 2 on which a game ball is launched, and a frame member 5 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 5 is configured to be openable / closable with respect to the game board 2 via a hinge (not shown), and is configured to be detachable from the game board 2.

  A game area 20 for playing a game with a game ball is provided on the front side of the game board 2. When the player grasps the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, a game ball is launched from a launching device (not shown) with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 31. The game board 2 is provided with a guide member (not shown) for guiding a game ball, and the game ball launched from the launching device is guided to an upper position of the game area 20 by this guide member. The game ball falls down along the front surface of the game board 2 while changing its moving direction by contacting a game nail (not shown), a windmill or the like arranged in the game area 20.

  On the front surface of the game board 2 in the game area 20, a first start port 21, a second start port 22, a big winning port 23, a normal winning port 24, and a gate 25 are provided as winning and lotteries. . In addition, on the front surface of the game board 2 in the game area 20, there is provided a discharge port 26 for discharging game balls that have not entered the winning holes 21 to 24 to the outside of the game area 20.

  The first start port 21 and the second start port 22 are arranged in two upper and lower stages at a predetermined interval with the first start port 21 as the upper side of the second start port 22. When a game ball enters the first start port 21, the first special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) starts. That is, the first start port 21 operates a predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 23) and / or a predetermined special symbol display (for example, a first special symbol display 41 described later). This is a winning opening related to winning a game ball. When a game ball enters the second start port 22, a prize is awarded and the second special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) is started. In other words, the second start port 22 operates a predetermined special electric accessory (large winning port 23) and / or a predetermined special symbol display (for example, a second special symbol display 42 described later). This is a winning opening related to winning a game ball.

  Between the first start port 21 and the second start port 22, an electric tulip 27 as a normal electric accessory is arranged. The electric tulip 27 has a pair of blade members imitating tulip flowers, and changes in posture between a posture in which the pair of blade members are closed (see FIG. 1) and a posture in which the pair of blade members are opened. It is configured to be possible. The pair of blade members change their postures by driving the electric solenoid, and light up or blink as the posture changes.

  In the state where the electric tulip 27 is closed, the approach path to the second starting port 22 is closed by the electric tulip 27 and the first starting port 21, and the game ball does not enter the second starting port 22. When the game ball passes through the gate 25, a normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery of the electric tulip 27) is started. When the normal symbol lottery is won, the closing operation after the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 is maintained for a specified time (for example, 6 seconds) is repeated a specified number of times (for example, 3 times). Thus, by winning the normal symbol lottery, the second start port 22 is opened, and the game ball can enter the second start port 22.

  A big prize opening 23 is provided below the second start opening 22. The special winning opening 23 is opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery (the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery). A plate for opening and closing the big prize opening 23 is provided at the opening of the big prize opening 23. The special winning opening 23 is normally in a state in which no game ball enters because the plate is in a posture that forms the same plane as the game board 2. When the special symbol lottery is won, the upper end side of the plate is tilted toward the front side of the game board 2 so that the game ball can enter. When winning the special symbol lottery, for example, predetermined conditions (30 seconds have passed since the grand prize opening 23 opened, 10 game balls won in the big prize opening 23, accumulated release time within 1.8 seconds, etc.) The operation of closing the special winning opening 23 after the plate maintains the state where the special winning opening 23 is opened until the plate is filled is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or twice). The lottery is not started even if a game ball wins the normal winning opening 24.

  Here, the payout of prize balls will be described. When a game ball enters the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, the number of award balls corresponding to the winning place is paid out. For example, when a game ball is won at the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, four prize balls are paid out, and when a game ball is won at the big prize port 23, 13 prize balls are paid out. When a game ball wins the winning opening 24, 10 winning balls are paid out. Even if the game ball passes through the gate 25, the game ball is not paid out.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame member 5 includes a stop button 33, an eject button 34, a speaker 35, a frame lamp 36, an effect button 37, an effect key 38, in addition to the handle 31 and the lever 32. And a dish 39 are provided.

  The tray 39 is provided so as to protrude from the frame member 5 to the front side of the gaming machine 1, and temporarily accumulates game balls supplied to the above-described launching device. The game balls (prize balls) paid out as described above are discharged onto the plate 39. When the player holds the handle 31 and rotates the lever 32 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the tray 39 are supplied to the launching device at predetermined time intervals and are launched into the game area 20. The take-out button 34 is provided on the front surface in the vicinity of the position where the dish 39 is provided. When the player presses the take-out button 34, a part of the lower surface of the tray 39 is opened, and the game balls accumulated on the tray 39 can be dropped into a box (not shown) arranged below the tray 39. The dish 59 may be composed of a single dish, or may be composed of two dishes, an upper dish for storing game balls and prize balls supplied to the launching device, and a lower dish for collecting only prize balls. May be. In this case, the takeout button 34 is provided on the lower plate.

  The stop button 33 is provided on the lower side surface of the handle 31. When the player presses the stop button 33 in a state where the lever 32 is rotated clockwise, the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped.

  The speaker 35 and the frame lamp 36 perform various effects for notifying the gaming state and situation of the gaming machine 1. Specifically, the speaker 35 outputs music, voice, sound effects, and the like, and produces a sound effect. The frame lamp 36 changes a lighting or blinking pattern, a light emission color, and a light irradiation direction. And so on.

  The effect button 37 and the effect key 38 are provided for the player to input the effect. The effect button 37 is provided on the side of the upper surface of the plate 39. The effect key 38 has a center key and a plurality of (four in this case) peripheral keys arranged around the center key, and is provided on the upper side of the plate 39 adjacent to the effect button 37. In the gaming machine 1, a predetermined effect is performed by pressing the effect button 37 or the effect key 38. For example, the player can select any of a plurality of images displayed on the image display 6 (see FIG. 1) by operating the peripheral keys of the effect key 38. Further, the player can input the selected image as information by operating the center key of the effect key 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image display 6 that displays images for various effects is provided at a position on the front surface of the game board 2 that is easily visible by the player. The image display 6 notifies the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result) by displaying, for example, a decorative symbol according to the progress of the game by the player, or a notice by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item. Display the production. The image display 6 includes a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) dot display, and a 7-segment display (hereinafter referred to as a 7-segment display). However, any other display device may be used.

  On the front surface of the game board 2, a board lamp 8 and a movable accessory 7 (an example of a decorative accessory of the present invention) used for various effects are arranged. The board lamp 8 emits light according to the progress of the game by the player, thereby performing various effects by light. The movable accessory 7 performs various effects by rotating with respect to the game board 2 while emitting light. The configuration of the movable accessory 7 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The display device 4 displays information on the result of the special symbol lottery or the normal symbol lottery described above and the number of holds. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 4 includes a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a first special symbol hold indicator 43, a second special symbol hold indicator 44, and a normal symbol display. A device 45, a normal symbol holding display 46, and a game state display 47 are provided.

  The first special symbol display 41 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the winning of a game ball at the first starting port 21, and is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display device. For example, when a game ball wins at the first starting port 21, the first special symbol display 41 displays the lottery result by variably displaying the special symbol (first special symbol). The second special symbol display 42 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the winning of a game ball at the second starting port 22, and is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display device. For example, when a game ball wins at the second start port 22, the second special symbol display 42 variably displays the special symbol (second special symbol) and displays the lottery result. The normal symbol display 45 displays a symbol that fluctuates in response to the game ball passing through the gate 25, and is configured by an LED display device, for example. For example, when the game ball passes through the gate 25, the normal symbol display 45 displays the lottery result by variably displaying the normal symbol.

  The first special symbol hold indicator 43 displays the number of times the first special symbol lottery is held. The second special symbol hold indicator 44 displays the number of times the second special symbol lottery is held. The normal symbol hold display 46 displays the number of times the normal symbol lottery is held. For example, during the period in which the display symbols are variably displayed by the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, or the normal symbol display 45 (while the variation display for one winning is being performed) When a game ball is newly won, the change display of the display pattern for the winning game ball is held for a predetermined number of times (for example, four times) until the change display for the previously won game ball ends. . The fact that such a hold is made and the number of the hold (the number of undrawn times) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 43, the second special symbol hold indicator 44, and the normal symbol hold indicator 46. . For example, the first special symbol hold indicator 43, the second special symbol hold indicator 44, and the normal symbol hold indicator 46 are each composed of LED display devices arranged in a row, and display the number of times of hold depending on the light emission mode. .

  The game state display 47 displays the game state at the time when the gaming machine 1 is turned on. A plurality of gaming states (for example, a normal gaming state, a probability variation gaming state, a time-saving gaming state, and a latent gaming state) are set in the gaming machine 1. Then, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the gaming state display 47 notifies the gaming state. For example, the gaming status indicator 47 is composed of a plurality of LED display devices, and displays the gaming status according to the light emission mode.

[Configuration of the accessory unit 70]
Next, the configuration of the accessory unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the accessory unit 70. In FIG. 4, illustration of gear teeth formed on the peripheral surfaces of the first gear 177 and the second gear 178, a bearing that supports the rotating shaft 174, and the like is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the accessory unit 70 includes a movable accessory 7 disposed on the front side of the game board 2, an accessory motor 172 that rotates the movable accessory 7 (an example of the motor of the present invention), and An accessory board unit 180 for controlling the movable accessory 7 and the accessory motor 172 is provided.

  The movable accessory 7 performs various effects by rotating while turning on / off 20 LEDs 171 (an example of the light emitting element of the present invention). As shown in FIG. 4, the movable accessory 7 includes an LED substrate 170 on which the LEDs 171 are mounted, and a cover 173 that supports the LED substrate 170 in a state of covering the back surface and the peripheral surface of the LED substrate 170. The LED 171 is a light emitting element that emits light having a predetermined wavelength in accordance with a current value of a current input from an LED driver provided on the LED substrate 170. Each LED 171 is configured by a red LED, a green LED, or a blue LED.

  The LED substrate 170 is circular in plan view in the present embodiment, but the shape of the LED substrate 170 is not limited to this. That is, the shape of the LED substrate 170 in plan view is an ellipse, a star, a rhombus, other polygons, a shape imitating a part of an animal or plant, etc., depending on the number or arrangement of the LEDs 171 mounted. Also good.

  The cover 173 supports the LED substrate 170 by fixing the LED substrate 170 by, for example, screwing. A rotating shaft 174 is fixed to the back side of the cover 173. The rotating shaft 174 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the accessory body 169. A second gear 178 that transmits the driving force of the accessory motor 172 to the rotating shaft 174 and a slip ring 175 that electrically connects the accessory control board 160 and the LED board 170 are fixed to the distal end side of the rotating shaft 174. Has been.

  The slip ring 175 is electrically connected to a signal line, a clock line, a power line, and the like wired so as to be wound around the rotating shaft 174 from the LED substrate 170. The slip ring 175 is a terminal pin of a terminal board 179 that is electrically connected to a later-described accessory control board 160 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a transmission line such as a signal line, a clock line, or a signal line. Is brought into pressure contact with the electrode portion on the peripheral surface, whereby the LED board 170 and the accessory control board 160 are electrically connected. In this embodiment, the LED board 170 and the accessory control board 160 are described as being electrically connected via the slip ring 175. However, these boards are connected without using the slip ring 175. May be. For example, a transmission line such as a signal line, a clock line, or a power line extended from the accessory control board 160 side may be inserted into the rotating shaft 174 in a slack state and connected to the LED board 170. Good.

  An accessory motor 172 is fixed to an accessory body 169 that rotatably supports the movable accessory 7. The accessory motor 172 is a two-phase excitation stepping motor in the present embodiment. A first gear 177 is fixed to the rotating shaft 176 of the accessory motor 172. The first gear 177 is disposed so as to mesh with a second gear 178 fixed to the rotating shaft 174. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 176 of the accessory motor 172 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the rotary shaft 174 via the first gear 177 and the second gear 178, and the LED board 170 of the movable accessory 7 rotates. . At that time, the accessory control board 160 turns on / off each LED 171 of the LED board 170. As a result, the movable accessory 7 produces various colors of light by rotating by receiving the driving force of the accessory motor 172 while causing each LED 171 to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern. The accessory board unit 180 including the accessory control board 160 for controlling the operation of the movable accessory 7 will be described in detail later.

[Configuration of control device of gaming machine 1]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device of the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device of the gaming machine 1 includes a game control board 100, a payout control board 120, an effect control board 130, an image sound control board 140, a lamp control board 150, and an accessory control board 160. ing.

  The game control board 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. Based on the program stored in the ROM 102, the CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processes related to the number of payout prize balls such as internal lottery and determination of winning. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. Hereinafter, main functions of the game control board 100 will be described.

  The game control board 100 performs a special symbol lottery (the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery) when a game ball wins the first starting port 21 or the second starting port 22, and whether or not it is won by the special symbol lottery. Determination result data indicating such is transmitted to the effect control board 130. In addition, the game control board 100 has data indicating a setting for changing the probability of winning determined according to the special symbol lottery (for example, a setting for changing from 1/300 to 1/30), a setting for shortening the special symbol variation time, Data indicating the shortened setting of the normal symbol variation time determined according to the symbol lottery is transmitted to the effect control board 130.

  The game control board 100 controls the opening time when the blade member of the electric tulip 27 is in the open state, the number of times the blade member is opened and closed, and the opening / closing time interval between the closing of the blade member and the opening thereof. Also, the game control board 100 holds the number of special symbol lottery due to the game ball winning the first start port 21 or the second start port 22 and the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the gate 25. Manage numbers.

  The game control board 100 controls the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 23 according to the result of the special symbol lottery. For example, the game control board 100 has a predetermined condition (for example, 30 seconds after the grand prize opening 23 is opened, ten game balls are awarded to the grand prize opening 23, or the cumulative opening time of the big prize opening 23 is It is controlled so that the round in which the plate of the big prize opening 23 protrudes and tilts and maintains the open state of the big prize opening 23 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times or 2 times) until it is satisfied within 1.8 seconds. In addition, the game control board 100 controls an opening / closing time interval from when the special winning opening 23 is closed until it is opened in the next round.

  When a game ball is won in the first start port 21, the second start port 22, the big winning port 23, and the normal winning port 24, the game control board 100 is predetermined per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control board 120 is instructed to pay out game balls so as to pay out a number of prize balls. For example, the game control board 100 has four prize balls when a game ball wins the first start port 21 or the second start port 22, and 13 prize balls when the game ball wins a big prize port 23. When a game ball wins in 24, a command is transmitted to the payout control board 120 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Note that even if the game control board 100 detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 25, the game control board 100 does not instruct the payout control board 120 to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith. When the payout control board 120 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control board 100, information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control board 120 is sent to the game control board 100. The game control board 100 manages the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the information acquired from the payout control board 120.

  In order to realize these functions, the game control board 100 includes a first start port switch (SW) 111, a second start port switch (SW) 112, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 113, a gate switch (SW) 114, A winning port switch (SW) 115, a large winning port opening / closing part 116, and a normal winning port switch (SW) 117 are connected. Also, the game control board 100 includes the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, the first special symbol hold display 43, the second special symbol hold display 44, and the normal symbol display 45 described above. The normal symbol hold display 46 and the game status display 47 are connected.

  The first start port switch 111 detects that a game ball has won the first start port 21 and sends a detection signal to the game control board 100. The second start port switch 112 detects that a game ball has won the second start port 22 and sends a detection signal to the game control board 100. The electric tulip opening / closing unit 113 opens and closes the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 27 by operating an electric solenoid in response to a command sent from the game control board 100. The gate switch 114 detects that a game ball has passed through the gate 27 and sends a detection signal to the game control board 100. The big prize opening switch 115 detects that a game ball has won the big prize opening 23 and sends the detection signal to the game control board 100. The special winning opening / closing unit 116 opens and closes the special winning opening 23 in response to a command sent from the game control board 100. The normal winning port switch 117 detects that a game ball has won the normal winning port 24 and sends a detection signal to the game control board 100.

  Further, the game control board 100 causes the first special symbol display 41 to display the result of the first special symbol lottery started by winning the game ball in the first starting port 21. The game control board 100 causes the first special symbol hold indicator 43 to display the number of holds that hold the special symbol lottery performed in response to the winning of the game ball to the first start port 21. The game control board 100 causes the second special symbol display 42 to display the result of the second special symbol lottery started by winning the game ball in the second starting port 22. The game control board 100 causes the second special symbol hold indicator 44 to display the number of special symbol lotteries held in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the second start port 22. The game control board 100 causes the normal symbol display 45 to display the result of the normal symbol lottery started by passing the game ball to the gate 25. The game control board 100 causes the normal symbol hold display 46 to display the number of holdings of the normal symbol lottery performed in response to the passing of the game ball to the gate 25. The game control board 100 causes the game state display 47 to display the game state of the gaming machine 1.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 199 is connected to the game control board 100 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall. The game control board 100 transmits information regarding the number of paid-out winning balls acquired from the payout control board 120, information indicating the state of the game control board 100, and the like to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 199.

  The payout control board 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. Based on the program stored in the ROM 122, the CPU 121 performs a calculation process when controlling the payout of the payout ball. The RAM 123 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 121 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing.

  The payout control board 120 controls the payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control board 100. Specifically, the payout control board 120 receives, from the game control board 100, a command instructing payout of a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won. Then, the payout control board 120 controls the payout motor 125 so as to pay out the award balls in the number specified by the command. Here, the payout motor 125 is a drive motor that sends out a game ball from a ball tank disposed on the back side of the game board 2.

  In addition to the payout motor 125, the payout control board 120 is connected with a payout detection unit 126, a ball detection unit 127, and a full tank detection unit 128. The payout detection unit 126 detects the number of prize balls paid out from the ball tank to the tray 39 by the payout motor 125. The presence / absence detection unit 127 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball tank. The full tank detection unit 128 detects that the tray 39 is full with game balls supplied to the launching device or game balls dispensed from the ball tank. The payout control board 120 executes a predetermined process in accordance with the detection results of the payout detection unit 126, the ball presence detection unit 127, and the full tank detection unit 128.

  Further, a frame external information terminal board 200 for transmitting various information to the host computer is connected to the payout control board 120. The payout control board 120 displays information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout motor 125, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 126, etc. The data is transmitted to the host computer via the information terminal board 200. Also, the payout control board 120 transmits similar information to the game control board 100.

  The effect control board 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an RTC (real time clock) 134. Based on the program stored in the ROM 132, the CPU 131 performs a calculation process when controlling the effect. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time. An effect button 37 and an effect key 38 are connected to the effect control board 130.

  The production control board 130 sets production contents based on data indicating a special symbol lottery result and the like sent from the game control board 100. At that time, when the effect button 37 or the effect key 38 is pressed by the player, the effect control board 130 may set the effect content according to the operation input. In addition, when the game for the gaming machine 1 is interrupted for a predetermined period or longer, the effect control board 130 sets an effect for waiting for a customer as one of the effects. Further, when the game control board 100 outputs data indicating that the winning probability at the time of the special symbol lottery is changed, when outputting data indicating that the special symbol change time at the time of the special symbol lottery is shortened, and When data indicating that the normal symbol variation time at the time of normal symbol lottery is shortened is output, the effect control board 130 sets the effect contents corresponding to the contents indicated by the output data. Then, the effect control board 130 transmits a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image sound control board 140 or the lamp control board 150.

  The image sound control board 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, and a RAM 143. Based on the program stored in the ROM 142, the CPU 141 performs arithmetic processing when controlling an image expressing the content of the effect. In addition to the above program, the ROM 142 includes a symbol image and a background image displayed during the game on the image display 6, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a character for displaying a notice effect to the player. And image data such as items are stored. In addition, the ROM 142 synchronizes with the image displayed on the image display 6 or independently of the displayed image, various sounds such as music and sound output from the speaker 35, and sound effects such as jingle. Data is stored. The RAM 143 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 141 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The image sound control board 140 controls the image displayed on the image display 6 and the sound output from the speaker 35 based on the command sent from the effect control board 130. Specifically, the CPU 141 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control board 130 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 142. The CPU 141 performs image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, and the like using the read image data, and the image data after image processing is displayed on the image display 6. Display. Further, the CPU 141 performs sound processing using the read sound data, and causes the speaker 35 to output sound data after the sound processing.

  The lamp control board 150 (an example of the board of the present invention) controls the accessory control board 160, and includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. Based on the program stored in the ROM 152, the CPU 151 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the operation of the movable accessory 7. In addition to the above programs, the ROM 152 stores lighting / extinguishing pattern data and emission color pattern data for the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 in accordance with the contents of the effects set on the effect control board 130. The RAM 153 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 151 executes the program, or a work area for data processing or the like.

  The lamp control board 150 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 and the emission color based on the command sent from the effect control board 130. Specifically, the CPU 151 of the lamp control board 150 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 152 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control board 130. Then, the CPU 151 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 based on the read light emission pattern data. In addition, the lamp control board 150 sends a command for the accessory control board 160 to control the light emission of the LED 171 and the driving of the accessory motor 172 to the accessory control board 160 based on the command sent from the effect control board 130. Output. In FIG. 5, the panel lamp 8 and the frame lamp 36 are omitted.

  The accessory control board 160 (an example of the accessory control board of the present invention) includes a CPU 161 (an example of the CPU of the present invention), a flash memory 162 (an example of the nonvolatile memory of the present invention), and a RAM 163. In the flash memory 162, a control program for controlling the light emission of the LED 171 and the driving of the accessory motor 172, the normal light emission pattern data of the LED 171 according to the effect contents set on the effect control board 130, and the accessory motor 172. Normal operation pattern data is stored. The CPU 161 controls the LED 171 and the accessory motor 172 of the movable accessory 7 based on the control program stored in the flash memory 162. The RAM 163 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 161 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The accessory control board 160 controls lighting / extinction of the LED 171, emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the lamp control board 150. Specifically, when a command for controlling the LED 171 is input from the lamp control board 150, the CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160 inputs the command from the normal light emission pattern data stored in the flash memory 162. Select and read the command corresponding to the command. Based on the read normal light emission pattern data, the CPU 161 outputs light emission instruction data for instructing light emission control of each LED 171 to the LED driver of the LED board 170 via the terminal board 179 and the slip ring 175. On the other hand, the LED driver of the LED board 170 outputs a drive current having a current value corresponding to the input light emission instruction data to each LED 171 at a timing corresponding to the light emission instruction data. Thereby, light emission (lighting / extinguishing) of each LED 171 is controlled.

  The accessory control board 160 controls the driving of the accessory motor 172 based on the command sent from the lamp control board 150. Specifically, when a command for controlling the accessory motor 172 is input from the lamp control substrate 150 to the CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160, the normal operation pattern data stored in the flash memory 162 is selected. Then, the one corresponding to the input command is selected and read. Then, the CPU 161 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read normal operation pattern data to a motor driver (not shown) connected to the accessory motor 172. Thus, an excitation signal corresponding to the pulse signal is output from the motor driver to the accessory motor 172, and the rotation of the accessory motor 172 is controlled.

[Configuration of the accessory board unit 180]
Subsequently, the configuration of the accessory board unit 180 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Here, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the accessory board unit 180. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the accessory board unit 180 showing how the connectors 211 to 214 are inserted into the connectors 191 to 194.

  The accessory board unit 180 has a case 181 (an example of the case of the present invention, a figure) on an accessory body 169 (see FIG. 4) to which the accessory motor 172 is fixed and the slip ring 172 and the rotating shaft 174 are rotatably supported. 4) is fixed, and is configured integrally with the movable accessory 7, the accessory motor 172, and the like. That is, the accessory board unit 180 is configured to be detachable from the main body of the gaming machine 1 together with the movable accessory 7, the accessory motor 172, and the like.

  The accessory board unit 180 includes an accessory control board 160, a case body 182 of the case 181, and a lid 183 of the case 181. The accessory control board 160 controls light emission of the LED 171 and driving of the accessory motor 172. In the mounting area 167 (see FIG. 6) of the accessory control board 160, the above-described CPU 161, flash memory 162, and RAM 163 are arranged. The CPU 161, the flash memory 162, and the RAM 163 are directly mounted on the accessory control board 160 without using a socket for making the CPU 161, the flash memory 162, and the RAM 163 detachable from the accessory control board 160, respectively. ing. That is, each pin of the CPU 161, the flash memory 162, and the RAM 163 is directly soldered to the corresponding land of the accessory control board 160. This is because the accessory control board 160 removed from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall is reused as it is by another gaming machine.

  Four connectors (an example of the connector of the present invention) of the first connector 191, the second connector 192, the third connector 193, and the fourth connector 194 are located at positions close to the mounting region 167 on the surface of the accessory control board 160. It is mounted with the connection part facing outward. Among these connectors 191 to 194, connectors 191 to 193 are detachably connected to transmission lines for electrically connecting the accessory control board 160 to the components of the gaming machine 1, and the connector 194 A computer for rewriting the control program of the flash memory 162 is electrically connected.

  A connector 211 (see FIG. 7) provided at the end of the transmission line that electrically connects the lamp control board 150 to the accessory control board 160 is detachably connected to the first connector 191. Note that a serial signal line for serially transferring a command from the lamp control board 150 to the accessory control board 160 is connected to the first connector 191 in this embodiment by the connector 211. By connecting this connector 211 to the first connector 191, serial transfer of commands from the lamp control board 150 to the accessory control board 160 becomes possible.

  The second connector 192 is provided at the end of the transmission line extending from the terminal board 179 (see FIG. 4), which electrically connects the LED board 170 on which the LED 171 is mounted to the accessory control board 160. The connected connector 212 (see FIG. 7) is detachably connected. By connecting this connector 212 to the second connector 192, it is possible to transmit light emission instruction data from the accessory control board 160 to the LED driver of the LED board 170 and to supply power to each LED 171.

  A connector 213 (see FIG. 7) provided at the end of the transmission line that electrically connects the motor driver of the accessory motor 172 to the accessory control board 160 is detachably connected to the third connector 193. By connecting this connector 213 to the third connector 193, it is possible to transmit a pulse signal from the accessory control board 160 to the motor driver of the accessory motor 172.

  A connector 214 (see FIG. 7) provided at the end of the transmission line for rewriting the control program stored in the flash memory 162 is detachably connected to the fourth connector 194. Examples of the fourth connector 194 include a USB connector to which a USB cable is connected. With the accessory control board 160 removed from the gaming machine 1, the connector 214 provided at the other end of the USB cable whose one end is connected to the computer is connected to the fourth connector 194. Thereby, a control program necessary for reusing and using the accessory control board 160 for a new gaming machine can be transferred from the computer to the flash memory 162 of the accessory control board 160, and the control program can be rewritten.

  The case main body 182 of the case 181 that accommodates the accessory control board 160 configured as described above is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an open upper surface. The size of the internal space of the case body 182 is set to an appropriate size according to the shape and size of the accessory control board 160. Openings 201, 203, and 204 are formed in the side plate 184 of the case main body 182 at positions corresponding to the first connector 191, the third connector 193, and the fourth connector 194. The side plate 185 of the case body 182 has an opening 202 at a position corresponding to the second connector 192. Thereby, in the state in which the accessory control board 160 is accommodated in the case main body 182, the connection portions of the connectors 191 to 194 are exposed to the outside of the case 181 through the openings 201 to 204. For this reason, the connectors 211 to 214 can be attached to and detached from the connectors 191 to 194 without removing the accessory control board 160 from the case 181.

  The lid 183 is a flat plate member that closes the upper surface of the case main body 182. Although not shown in the drawing, the back surface of the lid 183 (the lower surface in FIG. 6) has the case main body 182 that is closed from the side plate of the case main body 182 when the upper surface of the case main body 182 is closed by the lid 183. A protrusion that meshes with a protruding piece that protrudes toward the center is provided. The engagement between the protrusion and the protrusion prevents the case 181 from being opened and the accessory control board 160 from being altered.

  Thus, since the electrical connection between the accessory control board 160 and the components of the gaming machine 1 is performed by attaching / detaching the connectors 211 to 214 to the connectors 191 to 193, the accessory board unit 180 is detached from the gaming machine 1. Can be performed very easily. Further, the connector 214 is connected to the fourth connector 194 of the removed accessory board unit 180, and the control program stored in the flash memory 162 can be easily rewritten. It is not necessary to replace the memory of the accessory control board 160 that stores the control program.

[Functional configuration of the accessory control board 160]
By the way, when the operating rate of the gaming machine 1 installed in the hall is low or when the installation period of the gaming machine 1 is short, not only the accessory control board 160 but also the LED board 170 or the accessory of the movable accessory 7. It is desirable that the motor 172 be reused for a new gaming machine. For this reason, when an operator who removes the accessory board unit 180 from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall determines whether or not to reuse the LED board 170 and the accessory motor 172, whether or not it can be reused, that is, reuse. It is preferable that it is possible to easily determine whether or not there is a possibility of malfunction later.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 that realizes the process of determining whether or not the LED board 170 or the accessory motor 172 can be reused and notifying the determination result to the operator, and the process performed by the accessory control board 160 Will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a first detection unit 61, a second detection unit 62, a reception unit 63, a first determination unit 64, a first notification unit 65, and a first notification unit 65. 2 determination part 66 and the 2nd alerting | reporting part 67 are provided. Further, the flash memory 162 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a storage unit 52.

  The CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 executes a determination processing program (see FIG. 8) stored in the flash memory 162, whereby the first detection unit 61, the second detection unit 62, the reception unit 63, and the first determination. The flash memory 162 functions as the storage unit 52 while functioning as the unit 64, the first notification unit 65, the second determination unit 66, and the second notification unit 67.

  The storage unit 52 stores a determination processing program, positive operation pattern data, negative operation pattern data, positive light emission pattern data, negative light emission pattern data, a set time, a set number, a total energization time, and a total rotation number. Here, the determination processing program is necessary for the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 to execute a process of determining whether or not the LED board 170 or the accessory motor 172 can be reused and notifying the determination result. Program.

The affirmative operation pattern data is operation pattern data of the accessory motor 172 necessary for notifying that the accessory motor 172 can be reused by rotating the movable accessory 7.
The negative operation pattern data is operation pattern data of the accessory motor 172 necessary for notifying that the accessory motor 172 cannot be reused by rotating the movable accessory 7. When the driving of the accessory motor 172 is controlled based on these operation pattern data, the driving of the accessory motor 172 is controlled based on the normal operation pattern data. The movable accessory 7 is configured to rotate in a manner different from that of the case.

  The positive light emission pattern data is the light emission pattern data of the LED 171 necessary for notifying by the light emission of the LED 171 that the LED substrate 170 can be reused. The negative light emission pattern data is the light emission pattern data of the LED 171 necessary for notifying that the LED substrate 170 cannot be reused by the light emission of the LED 171. The positive light emission pattern data and the negative light emission pattern data are different from the case where the light emission of each LED 171 is controlled based on the normal light emission pattern data when the light emission of each LED 171 is controlled based on the light emission pattern data. In an aspect, each LED 171 is configured to emit light.

  The set time is an energization time of the LED 171 that is a criterion for determining whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused. Based on this set time, whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused is determined. The set number is the number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 that is a criterion for determining whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused. Based on the set number, whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused is determined.

  The total energization time indicates the total energization time of the LED 171 after the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall. The CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160 indicates, for example, the start time when the LED 171 starts lighting / flashing and the end time when the LED 171 ends lighting / flashing via the lamp control board 150 and the RTC 134 of the effect control board 130 (see FIG. 5). The difference between the start time and the end time is accumulated and stored in the storage unit 52 as the energization time of the LED 171. This cumulatively stored energization time is the total energization time.

  The total number of rotations indicates the total number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 after the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall. The total number of rotations is incremented by one and updated appropriately every time the rotating shaft 176 of the accessory motor 172 makes one revolution (when the number of steps during rotation of the accessory motor 172 reaches a predetermined number of steps). Is done.

  The first detector 61 (an example of the first detector of the present invention) detects the energization time of the LED 171 and stores the total energization time in the storage unit 52. Specifically, the first detection unit 61 transmits the start time at which the transmission of the light emission instruction data to the LED board 170 is started and the end time at which the transmission of the light emission instruction data is ended via the lamp control board 150. The difference between the start time and the end time is detected as the current energization time of the LED 171. Then, the first detection unit 61 calculates an addition value obtained by adding the current energization time to the total energization time stored in the storage unit 52, and rewrites the total energization time stored in the storage unit 52 with the addition value. To update the total energization time.

  The second detector 62 (an example of the second detector of the present invention) detects the number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 and stores the total number of rotations in the storage unit 52. Specifically, the second detection unit 62 is configured to rotate the rotating shaft 176 (see FIG. 4) of the accessory motor 172 so that the number of steps of the accessory motor 172 corresponds to one turn of the movable accessory 7. Each time the number of steps is reached, the total number of revolutions stored in the storage unit 52 is incremented by 1, and the total number of revolutions stored in the storage unit 52 is appropriately rewritten.

  The gaming machine 1 removed from the hall is powered on by, for example, an operator who performs the removing operation before removing the accessory control board 160 from the gaming machine 1. When the gaming machine 1 is turned on in a state where it is not connected to the host computer in this way, a reuse availability determination command for instructing whether or not the accessory unit 70 can be reused is sent to the game control board 100. The CPU 101 is configured to output to the accessory control board 160 via the effect control board 130 and the lamp control board 150. In response to this, the accepting unit 63 determines whether or not a reusability determination command is input from the lamp control board 150.

  The first determination unit 64 (an example of the first determination unit of the present invention) also stores the total energization time stored in the storage unit 52 when it is determined by the reception unit 63 that a reuse permission determination command has been input. Based on whether or not the set time stored in the unit 52 has been exceeded, it is determined whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused (that is, the LED 171 can be reused). When the total energization time (for example, 200 hours) does not exceed the set time (for example, 500 hours), the first determination unit 64 determines that the LED board 170 can be reused. On the other hand, when the total energization time (for example, 560 hours) exceeds the set time (for example, 500 hours), the first determination unit 64 determines that the LED board 170 cannot be reused. The determination result of the first determination unit 64 is output to the first notification unit 65. Thus, since the set time is used as a threshold value for determining whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused, the LED board 170 is removed from the gaming machine 1 together with the accessory board unit 180 and reused for a new gaming machine. Even so, it is set to an appropriate time so as not to cause a malfunction of the LED board 170 (such as the LED 171 not being lit). Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the LED substrate 170 can be reused.

  The first notification unit 65 (an example of the first notification unit of the present invention) causes the 20 LEDs 171 to emit light with a light emission pattern different from normal (during a game by the player), and thereby the determination result of the first determination unit 64 Is notified. Specifically, when the first determination unit 64 determines that the LED board 170 can be reused, the first notification unit 65 reads the positive light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52 and reads the positive light emission pattern data. Based on the above, light emission instruction data for instructing light emission control of each LED 171 is output to the LED driver of the LED board 170. On the other hand, when the first determination unit 64 determines that the LED board 170 cannot be reused, the first notification unit 65 reads the negative light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52, and based on the read negative light emission pattern data. Thus, light emission instruction data for instructing light emission control of each LED 171 is output to the LED driver of the LED board 170.

  The second determination unit 66 (an example of the second determination unit of the present invention) also stores the total number of revolutions stored in the storage unit 52 when it is determined by the reception unit 63 that a reuse availability determination command has been input. Whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused is determined based on whether or not the set number stored in the unit 52 has been exceeded. When the total number of rotations (for example, 8000 rotations) does not exceed the set number (for example, 10,000 rotations), the second determination unit 66 determines that the accessory motor 172 can be reused. On the other hand, when the total number of rotations (for example, 11000 rotations) exceeds the set number (for example, 10,000 rotations), the second determination unit 66 determines that the accessory motor 172 cannot be reused. Thus, since the set number is used as a threshold value for determining whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused, the accessory motor 172 is removed from the gaming machine 1 together with the accessory board unit 180 to become a new gaming machine. Even if reused, the value is set to an appropriate value so as not to cause malfunction of the accessory motor 172 (for example, the rotation shaft 176 does not rotate at the speed as instructed). Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused.

  The second notification unit 67 (an example of the second notification unit of the present invention) operates the accessory motor 172 with an operation pattern different from normal (during a game by the player), thereby determining the result of the second determination unit 66. Is notified. Specifically, when the second determination unit 66 determines that the accessory motor 172 can be reused, the second notification unit 67 reads the positive operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and reads the positive operation pattern read out. A pulse signal corresponding to the data is output to a motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172. On the other hand, when it is determined by the second determination unit 66 that the accessory motor 172 cannot be reused, the second notification unit 67 reads the negative operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and adds the read negative operation pattern data to the read negative operation pattern data. A corresponding pulse signal is output to a motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172.

[Operation of the accessory control board 160]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the procedure of the process performed by the accessory control board 160 is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed on the accessory control board 160 according to the first embodiment. The processing of the accessory control board 160 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 9 is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 161 based on a determination processing program (see FIG. 8) stored in the flash memory 162.

  The accepting unit 63 determines whether or not a reusability determination command is input from the lamp control board 150 with the power-on of the gaming machine 1 (step S1). When the accepting unit 63 determines that the reuse permission / inhibition determination command has not been input (step S1: NO), the standby state is entered.

  When it is determined by the accepting unit 63 that a reusability determination command has been input (step S1: YES), the first determining unit 64 compares the total energization time stored in the storage unit 52 with the set time, Whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused is determined based on whether or not the energization time exceeds the set time (step S2). When it is determined by the first determination unit 64 that the total energization time does not exceed the set time (step S2: NO), the second determination unit 66 calculates the total rotation and the set number stored in the storage unit 52. In comparison, it is determined whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused based on whether or not the total rotational speed exceeds the set number (step S3).

  If the second determination unit 66 determines that the total number of revolutions does not exceed the set number (step S3: NO), the total energization time of the LED 171 does not exceed the set time and the total number of revolutions of the accessory motor 172 Therefore, the first notification unit 65 and the second notification unit 67 notify that both the LED board 170 and the accessory motor 172 can be reused (step S4). Specifically, the first notification unit 65 reads the positive light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs light emission instruction data corresponding to the read positive light emission pattern data to the LED driver of the LED board 170. Accordingly, the second notification unit 67 reads the positive operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read positive operation pattern data to the motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172. By the processing in step S4, for example, the LED board 170 of the movable accessory 7 rotates at a very high rotation speed compared to the normal rotation speed with all the LEDs 171 turned on. Thus, the worker who sees the movable accessory 7 operating in a mode clearly different from the normal mode can easily recognize that both the LED board 170 and the accessory motor 172 can be reused. .

  When the second determination unit 66 determines that the total number of rotations exceeds the set number (step S3: YES), the total energization time of the LED 171 does not exceed the set number and the accessory motor 172 total number of rotations is Since the number exceeds the set number, the first notification unit 65 and the second notification unit 67 notify that the LED board 170 is reusable and the accessory motor 172 is not reusable (step S5). Specifically, the first notification unit 65 reads the positive light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs light emission instruction data corresponding to the read positive light emission pattern data to the LED driver of the LED board 170. Accordingly, the second notification unit 67 reads the negative operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read negative operation pattern data to the motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172. By the process of step S5, for example, the LED board 170 of the movable accessory 7 rotates at a very low rotation speed compared to the normal rotation speed with all the LEDs 171 turned on. Thus, an operator who sees the movable accessory 7 operating in a mode clearly different from the normal mode can reuse the LED board 170 and cannot reuse the accessory motor 172. Can be easily recognized.

  In step S2, when it is determined by the first determination unit 64 that the total energization time exceeds the set time (step S2: YES), the second determination unit 66 performs the accessory motor similarly to the process of step S3. It is determined whether or not reuse of 172 is possible (step S6).

  When it is determined by the second determination unit 66 that the total number of rotations does not exceed the set number (step S6: NO), the total energization time of the LED 171 exceeds the set time and the total number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 is Since the set number is not exceeded, the first notification unit 65 and the second notification unit 67 notify that the LED board 170 is not reusable and the accessory motor 172 is reusable (step S7). Specifically, the first notification unit 65 reads negative light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs light emission instruction data corresponding to the read negative light emission pattern data to the LED driver of the LED board 170. Accordingly, the second notification unit 67 reads the positive operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read positive operation pattern data to the motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172. By the processing in step S7, for example, the LED substrate 170 of the movable accessory 7 rotates very fast compared to the normal rotation speed while all the LEDs 171 blink at a very long time interval compared to the normal time interval. Rotates at speed. Thus, an operator who sees the movable accessory 7 operating in a mode clearly different from the normal mode cannot be reused for the LED board 170, but can be reused for the role motor 172. Can be easily recognized.

  When the second determination unit 66 determines that the total number of rotations exceeds the set number (step S6: YES), the total energization time of the LED 171 exceeds the set time and the total number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 is Since the number exceeds the set number, the first notification unit 65 and the second notification unit 67 notify that both the LED board 170 and the accessory motor 172 cannot be reused (step S8). Specifically, the first notification unit 65 reads negative light emission pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs light emission instruction data corresponding to the read negative light emission pattern data to the LED driver of the LED board 170. Accordingly, the second notification unit 67 reads the negative operation pattern data from the storage unit 52 and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the read negative operation pattern data to the motor driver connected to the accessory motor 172. By the process in step S8, for example, the LED substrate 170 of the movable accessory 7 rotates very slowly compared to the normal rotation speed while all the LEDs 171 blink at a very long time interval compared to the normal time interval. Rotates at speed. Thus, an operator who sees the movable accessory 7 operating in a mode clearly different from the normal mode can easily recognize that it is impossible to reuse both the LED board 170 and the accessory motor 172. Can do.

[Operational effects of the first embodiment]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the accessory control board 160 is reused, the accessory control board 160, the lamp control board 150, and the LED are extracted by pulling out the connectors 211 to 214 from the connectors 191 to 194. The electrical connection with the substrate 170 and the accessory motor 172 can be easily released. In addition, by rewriting the control program stored in the flash memory 162 to one that corresponds to a new game machine in which the accessory control board 160 is reused, the accessory control board 160 can be reused as it is. Therefore, the accessory control board 160 can be easily reused without replacing the memory for storing the control program for the movable accessory 7. As a result, not only can resources be effectively utilized, but the cost of a new gaming machine in which the accessory control board 160 is reused can be reduced.

  Further, since the flash memory 162 is directly mounted on the accessory control board 160 without using a socket, the height of the accessory control board 160 including the mounted components is reduced to reduce the size of the accessory board unit 180. In addition, the cost of the accessory control board 160 can be reduced by the amount that the socket is not provided.

  In addition, the accessory board unit 180 has a configuration in which the connectors 191 to 194 are exposed to the outside of the case 181 through the openings 201 to 204, so that the accessory control board 160 is not taken out from the case 181. The electrical connection between the board 160 and the components of the gaming machine 1 can be released and the control program can be rewritten, so that the labor required for reusing the accessory control board 160 can be greatly reduced.

  In the first embodiment, whether or not the LED substrate 170 on which the LEDs 171 are mounted can be reused is notified by the fact that each LED 171 emits light in a mode different from normal. Therefore, an operator who removes the accessory board unit 180 from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall can easily recognize whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused without separately providing a display means or the like. Can do. As a result, for example, the LED board 170 that can be used continuously in the same type of gaming machine 1 because it was used in the gaming machine 1 with a low operating rate, can be reused together with the accessory control board 160 and used effectively. Can do. In this case, if the LED board 170 collected from the gaming machine 1 is replaced with another gaming machine 1 in which the LED board 170 has failed, the gaming machine 1 in which the problem has occurred without preparing a new LED board 170. Can be repaired.

  Further, in the first embodiment, whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused is notified by the operation of the accessory motor 172 (movable accessory 7) in a different mode. Therefore, an operator who removes the accessory board unit 180 from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall easily recognizes whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused without providing a display means or the like. be able to. As a result, for example, the accessory motor 172 that can be used continuously because it has been used in the gaming machine 1 having a low operating rate can be reused together with the accessory control board 160 as needed, and can be used effectively.

  In the first embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting of the LED 171 and the driving of the accessory motor 172 simply by serially transferring a command from the lamp control board 150. That is, the lamp control board 150 is compared to the conventional gaming machine configured to directly transmit the light emission instruction data from the lamp control board 150 to the LED driver and to directly transmit the pulse signal from the lamp control board 150 to the motor driver. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of data output from the control unit. As a result, for example, it is possible to perform a process of simultaneously driving a plurality of movable accessories, thereby widening the range of effects.

  In the first embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused based on the total energization time of the LED 171 has been described. Instead, for example, based on the total number of light emission of the LED 171. It may be determined whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the LED board 170 is notified of whether or not the LED board 170 can be reused has been described by the light emitting operation of the LED 171. However, the LED board 170 can be reused or not, for example, different from the normal function motor 172. You may alert | report by making it drive with an operation pattern.

  In the first embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused based on the total number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 has been described. Instead, for example, the movable accessory 7 May be detected using a photo interrupter or the like, and it may be determined whether or not the accessory motor 172 can be reused based on the total number of rotations.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the availability of the accessory motor 172 is notified by the driving of the accessory motor 172 has been described, but the availability of the accessory motor 172 is determined by, for example, setting each LED 171 to normal. May be notified by emitting light with different light emission patterns.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the accessory control board 160 is accommodated in the case 181 has been described. However, the accessory control board 160 does not necessarily need to be accommodated in the case 181. However, in order to prevent modification of the accessory control board 160, the accessory control board 160 is preferably accommodated in the case 181.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the movable accessory 7 is rotated has been described. However, the movable accessory 7 receives the driving force of the accessory motor 172 in the predetermined direction along the game board 2. It may be something that moves.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The gaming machine 1 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 is partially different from the functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 in the first embodiment. It has the same configuration as the gaming machine 1. For this reason, in 2nd Embodiment, about the structure which is common in the game machine 1 in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point is mainly demonstrated.

  FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the movable accessory 7 showing how the LED 171 emits light. As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a first detection unit 61, a second detection unit 62, a reception unit 75, a calculation unit 72, and a third notification unit 73. Yes. Moreover, the flash memory 162 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a storage unit 82.

  The CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 executes a notification processing program (see FIG. 10) stored in the flash memory 162, whereby the first detection unit 61, the second detection unit 62, the reception unit 75, and the calculation unit 72. And the third notification unit 73 and the flash memory 162 as the storage unit 82.

  The storage unit 82 stores a notification processing program, a service life, and a total energization time. Here, the notification processing program is a program necessary for the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 to execute processing for notifying the usage status of the LED board 170 by the light emission of the LED 171.

  The service life is a limit time that the LED 171 of the LED substrate 170 can withstand use, and when it is used beyond this time, it is considered that the LED 171 may cause a malfunction. As described in the first embodiment, the total energization time indicates the total energization time of the LED 171 after the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall. This total energization time is appropriately updated every time the LED 171 emits light.

  The gaming machine 1 removed from the hall is powered on by, for example, an operator who performs the removing operation before removing the accessory control board 160 from the gaming machine 1. When the gaming machine 1 is turned on in a state where it is not connected to the host computer in this way, a notification command for instructing notification of the usage status of the LED board 170 is sent from the CPU 101 of the game control board 100 to the effect control board. 130 and the lamp control board 150 are configured to be output to the accessory control board 160. On the other hand, the accepting unit 75 determines whether or not a notification command for instructing notification of the usage state of the LED substrate 170 is input from the lamp control substrate 150.

  The calculation unit 72 calculates the ratio of the total energization time to the lifetime of the LED 171. For example, when the total energization time stored in the storage unit 82 is 3000 hours and the durable time is set to 10,000 hours, the calculation unit 72 sets the ratio of the total energized time to the durable time of the LED 171 as 30%. calculate. When the total energization time stored in the storage unit 82 is 8000 hours and the service life is set to 10,000 hours, the calculation unit 72 sets the ratio of the total power supply time to the service life of the LED 171 to 80%. calculate.

  The third notification unit 73 (an example of the third notification unit of the present invention) causes the LED 171 to emit light by the number corresponding to the ratio calculated by the calculation unit 72, thereby determining how long the LED 171 has with respect to the service life. Notify if it has been used. In the reuse of the accessory control board 160, when the calculation unit 72 calculates that the ratio of the total energization time to the service life is 30%, the third notification unit 73 sets 6 (= 20 × 0.3) The LEDs 171 are caused to emit light (see FIG. 11A). Further, when the accessory control board 160 is reused, when the calculation unit 72 calculates that the ratio of the total energization time to the service life is 80%, the third notification unit 73 sends 16 (= 20 × 0.8) LEDs 171 are caused to emit light (see FIG. 11B).

[Operation of the accessory control board 160]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, a procedure of processing performed on the accessory control board 160 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed on the accessory control board 160 according to the second embodiment. The processing of the accessory control board 160 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 161 based on a notification processing program (see FIG. 10) stored in the flash memory 162.

  The accepting unit 75 determines whether or not a notification command instructing notification of the usage status of the LED board 170 is input from the lamp control board 150 with the power-on of the gaming machine 1 (step S11). When it is determined by the receiving unit 75 that the notification command has not been input (step S11: NO), a standby state is entered.

  When the receiving unit 75 determines that the notification command has been input (step S11: YES), the calculation unit 72 calculates the ratio of the total energization time with respect to the service life stored in the storage unit 82 (step S12). On the other hand, the 3rd alerting | reporting part 73 lights up the LED171 of the number according to the ratio calculated by the calculation part 72 (step S13) (refer FIG. 11).

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, as many LEDs 171 are lit as the ratio of the total energization time to the service life. Therefore, a player who removes the accessory board unit 180 from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall senses how much the LED 171 of the LED board 170 has been used in the gaming machine 1 by looking at the movable accessory 7. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the LED board 170 should be reused.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The gaming machine 1 in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 is partially different from the functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 in the first embodiment. It has the same configuration as the gaming machine 1. For this reason, in 3rd Embodiment, about the structure which is common in the game machine 1 in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point is mainly demonstrated.

  FIG. 13 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the accessory control board 160 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 161 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a first detection unit 61, a second detection unit 62, a reception unit 76, a calculation unit 92, and a fourth notification unit 74. Yes. The flash memory 162 of the accessory control board 160 functionally includes a storage unit 85.

  The CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 executes the notification processing program (see FIG. 13) stored in the flash memory 162, whereby the first detection unit 61, the second detection unit 62, the reception unit 76, and the calculation unit 92. And the fourth notification unit 74 and the flash memory 162 as the storage unit 85.

  The storage unit 85 stores a notification processing program, a serviceable rotation speed, and a total rotation speed. Here, the notification processing program is a program necessary for the CPU 161 of the accessory control unit 160 to execute a process of notifying the usage status of the accessory motor 172 by the light emission of the LED 171.

  The serviceable rotation speed is a limit rotation speed that the accessory motor 172 can withstand use, and it is considered that there is a possibility that the accessory motor 172 may malfunction if used beyond this rotation speed. It is. The total number of rotations indicates the total number of rotations of the accessory motor 172 after the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall, as described in the first embodiment. The total number of rotations is incremented by one and updated appropriately every time the rotating shaft 176 of the accessory motor 172 makes one revolution (when the number of steps during rotation of the accessory motor 172 reaches a predetermined number of steps). Is done.

  The gaming machine 1 removed from the hall is powered on by, for example, an operator who performs the removing operation before removing the accessory control board 160 from the gaming machine 1. When the gaming machine 1 is turned on without being connected to the host computer in this way, a notification command for instructing notification of the usage status of the accessory motor 172 is sent from the CPU 101 of the gaming control board 100 to effect control. It is configured to output to the accessory control board 160 via the board 130 and the lamp control board 150. On the other hand, the reception unit 76 determines whether or not a notification command for instructing notification of the usage status of the accessory motor 172 is input from the lamp control board 150.

  The calculation unit 92 calculates the ratio of the total number of rotations to the serviceable number of rotations of the accessory motor 172. For example, when the total number of rotations stored in the storage unit 85 is 3000 and the durable rotation number is set to 10,000, the calculation unit 92 calculates the ratio of the total rotation number to the durable rotation number of the accessory motor 172. Calculated as 30%. Further, when the total number of rotations stored in the storage unit 82 is 8000 and the durable rotation number is set to 10,000, the calculation unit 92 calculates the ratio of the total rotation number to the durable rotation number of the accessory motor 172. Calculated as 80%.

  The fourth notifying unit 74 (an example of the fourth notifying unit of the present invention) causes the accessory motor 172 to respond to the anti-rotation speed by causing the LEDs 171 to emit light in the number corresponding to the ratio calculated by the calculating unit 92. Notify how many revolutions have been driven. When the accessory control board 160 is reused, when the calculation unit 92 calculates that the ratio of the total number of rotations to the serviceable number of rotations is 30%, the fourth notification unit 74 gives 6 (= 20) to the LED substrate 170. X0.3) The LEDs 171 are caused to emit light. In addition, when the accessory control board 160 is reused, when the calculation unit 92 calculates that the ratio of the total number of rotations to the serviceable number of rotations is 80%, the fourth notification unit 74 sends 16 ( = 20 × 0.8) LEDs 171 are caused to emit light.

[Operation of the accessory control board 160]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, a procedure of processing performed on the accessory control board 160 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed on the accessory control board 160 according to the third embodiment. The processing of the accessory control board 160 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 14 is performed in accordance with a command issued by the CPU 161 based on a notification processing program (see FIG. 13) stored in the flash memory 162.

  The accepting unit 76 determines whether or not a notification command for instructing notification of the usage status of the accessory motor 172 is input from the lamp control board 150 with the power-on of the gaming machine 1 (step S21). When it is determined by the receiving unit 76 that the notification command has not been input (step S21: NO), a standby state is entered.

  When the reception unit 76 determines that the notification command has been input (step S21: YES), the calculation unit 92 calculates the ratio of the total number of rotations to the serviceable number of rotations stored in the storage unit 85 (step S22). . On the other hand, the 4th alerting | reporting part 74 lights up the number of LED171 according to the ratio calculated by the calculation part 92 (step S23).

[Effects of Third Embodiment]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the LEDs 171 are lit in the number corresponding to the ratio of the total number of rotations to the serviceable number of rotations. Therefore, a player who removes the accessory board unit 180 from the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall senses how much the accessory motor 172 has been used in the gaming machine 1 by looking at the movable accessory 7. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the accessory motor 172 should be reused.

  In addition, in 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment, although the case where the usage condition of LED board 170 or the accessory motor 172 was alert | reported by changing the lighting number of LED171, it replaced with this, For example, you may make it alert | report a use condition by changing the color of LED171 to light. For example, when the ratio of the total number of revolutions to the durable number of rotations is in the range of 0 to 40% and the accessory motor 172 is sufficiently reusable, the blue LED 171 is turned on, and the total number of revolutions with respect to the durable number of revolutions When the percentage of the motor is in the range of 40 to 70% and the reuse of the accessory motor 172 is possible, the green LED 171 is turned on, and the ratio of the total number of revolutions to the serviceable number of revolutions exceeds 70%. The red LED 171 is turned on when the physical motor 172 should not be reused because there is a risk of malfunctioning after the reuse.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the nonvolatile memory of the present invention is the flash memory 162 has been described. However, the nonvolatile memory of the present invention is not limited to the flash memory 162. For example, an EEPROM may be used. However, programs other than the control program (determination processing program, etc.) and information necessary for the determination processing (setting time, setting number, etc.) are information that is required even after the accessory control board 160 is reused. It is preferable to use the flash memory 162 so that only the program can be rewritten.

  Further, the light emission pattern of the LED 171 and the operation pattern of the accessory motor 172 for notifying the determination result described in the first to third embodiments are examples, and the operator can easily perform normal operation. Other modes may be used as long as they can be distinguished.

  Further, in the first to third embodiments, the case where the accessory in the present invention is the movable accessory 7 having the LED 171 and the accessory motor 172 has been described, but the accessory in the present invention is a game board. It may be a decorative accessory that is fixed to 2 and produces an effect by causing the light emitting element to emit light. Moreover, although the accessory in this invention does not have a light emitting element, it may be a decoration accessory which produces an effect by operating by receiving the driving force of a motor.

1 Pachinko machine 7 Movable accessory (an example of a decorative accessory of the present invention)
61 1st detection part (an example of the 1st detection means of this invention)
62 2nd detection part (an example of the 2nd detection means of this invention)
64 1st determination part (an example of the 1st determination means of this invention)
65 1st alerting | reporting part (an example of the 1st alerting | reporting means of this invention)
66 2nd determination part (an example of the 2nd determination means of this invention)
67 2nd alerting | reporting part (an example of the 2nd alerting | reporting means of this invention)
73 3rd alerting | reporting part (an example of the 3rd alerting | reporting means of this invention)
74 4th alerting | reporting part (an example of the 4th alerting | reporting means of this invention)
150 Lamp control board (an example of the board of the present invention)
160 character control board 161 CPU
162 flash memory (an example of the nonvolatile memory of the present invention)
171 LED (an example of a light emitting device of the present invention)
172 accessory motor (an example of the motor of the present invention)
181 Case 191 1st connector 192 2nd connector 193 3rd connector 194 4th connector 201, 202, 203, 204 Opening

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising a character object control board for controlling the placed character object to Yu technique board,
The accessory control board is
A nonvolatile memory for rewritably storing a control program for controlling the pre SL won game,
A CPU for controlling the accessory based on a command transmitted from the substrate for controlling the accessory control board and the control program;
And a connector for transmission line for connecting the device electrically rewriting the components or the control program of the won game control board before Ki遊 skill machine is detachably connected,
The CPU determines whether or not the accessory can be reused, and drives the accessory in a driving mode according to the determination result.

Images