JP5778653B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that generates a big hit state by a lottery process caused by a gaming operation, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that can appropriately drive an effect movable body.

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for displaying a series of symbol variation patterns by a plurality of display symbols, and a big winning opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passage of the game ball, the winning state is entered, and after the game ball is paid out as a prize ball, the display symbol is changed for a predetermined time in the symbol display section. Thereafter, when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined manner such as 7-7-7, a big hit state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  Whether or not to generate such a game state is determined by a jackpot lottery executed on the condition that a game ball has won at the symbol start opening, and the above symbol variation operation is based on this lottery result. It has become a thing.

  For example, when the lottery result is in a winning state, an effect operation called reach action or the like is executed for about 20 seconds, and then the special symbols are aligned. On the other hand, a similar reach action may be executed even in the case of a lost state. In this case, the player pays close attention to the big hit state and pays close attention to the transition of the performance operation.

  Further, before the final result is finalized, a notice effect is also executed in which a character appears or the effect movable body starts to rotate, and a big hit state is invited. The effect movable body, for example, rotates at a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction at the time of an effect operation that is likely to reach a big hit state, and notifies the lottery result with a predetermined reliability (Patent Documents 1 to 3). ).

JP 2009-000411 A JP 2008-259920 A JP 2008-245679 A

  However, since it is necessary to variously change the type and driving method of the motor to be used in accordance with the weight of the effect movable body and the contents of the effect, a circuit configuration and a control configuration that allow easy design changes are required. In addition, a configuration that can smoothly and quickly be raised and lowered regardless of the weight of the effect movable body is required, and a configuration that can easily be restored from an abnormal time is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine having a configuration capable of appropriately driving a production movable body.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention executes a lottery process caused by a predetermined switch signal, and main control means for controlling so as to be able to shift to a gaming state advantageous to a player when winning is performed, and main control And a sub-control means for executing a movable effect of the effect movable body based on a control command from the means, wherein the effect movable body has a sensor in a first state. And a pair of movable bodies that can reciprocate between the origin area and the other effect areas where the sensor indicates the second state, and the pair of movable bodies are moved together by a pair of synchronously rotatable drive motors. And a setting process for setting the rendering movable body in the operation-permitted state (ER = 0) and setting the CPU in the interrupt-permitted state based on the resetting of the CPU of the sub-control means. To processing In the timer interrupt operation which is executed based on the setting operation that the sensor is equal to or in the second state, if the second state, in order to recover the presentation movable body to the origin region, one drive motor of one to start continuous drive in the clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction, the other drive motor, and the origin detection process to start the continuous driven in synchronism in the opposite direction, by the timer interrupt operation of a predetermined number of times by the origin detection process If the sensor does not change to the first state in spite of continuous driving , this abnormality is stored and the pair of driving motors are maintained in a non-driving state in which the pair of driving motors can freely rotate , and the effect movable body is in an operation prohibited state (ER = a stop process of setting to 1), the provided, as long as the operation disabled state (ER = 1) is maintained, while the movable effects by directing the movable body is avoided, recovery movement which is executed at a predetermined timing Successful, by directing the movable member is set to the operation permission state (ER = 0), the processing for detecting the home position is configured to be re-executed.

  Preferably, the sub-control unit collects the pair of drive motors so as to collect the effect movable body in the origin region at the time of resetting the CPU that executes the effect operation and at the end of the effect operation of the effect movable body. When the process and the effect movable body effect operation, the effect start process for rotating the pair of drive motors to move the effect movable body from the origin area to the effect position and when the collection cannot be recovered in the origin area regardless of the recovery process And a retry process for rotating the pair of drive motors. In the retry process, after the first pair of drive motors are rotated to move the effect movable body to the effect position, the opposite process is performed. Make a second rotation in the direction. Here, it is preferable that the first rotation of the pair of drive motors in the retry process is set slower than the rotation speed of the drive motor in the effect start process.

  The pair of drive motors preferably receive drive data at substantially the same timing in the collection process and the effect start process, and the pair of drive motors substantially in the retry process. It is preferable to receive drive data at different timings. Note that the gaming machine of the present invention is typically a bullet ball game machine or a revolving game machine.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a gaming machine having a configuration capable of appropriately driving the effect movable body can be realized.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in an example. It is the front view which illustrated the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an effect control unit. It is drawing explaining the structure and operation | movement of a raising / lowering motor and an origin switch. It is drawing explaining the structure of production movable body AMU. It is a flowchart explaining the process of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining a motor process roughly. It is a flowchart explaining the stepping process of a raising / lowering motor. It is a flowchart explaining an origin detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a retry process. It is a flowchart explaining an effect start process. It is a flowchart explaining an effect rotation process. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of step process. It is drawing explaining the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine GM of the present embodiment. This pachinko machine GM includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 3 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It is configured. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the front side, not from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be openable and closable.

  On the outer periphery of the glass door 6, an electric lamp such as an LED lamp is arranged in a substantially C shape. On the other hand, a speaker is disposed below the glass door 6.

  The front plate 7 is provided with an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launching, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle at the lower part of the front frame 3. 10 are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  A chance button 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. The button chance state is a game state provided as necessary.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation with respect to the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a ball of game balls for a predetermined amount A ball lending switch for instructing lending and a return switch for instructing to return the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 13 made of a metal outer rail and an inner rail is provided in an annular shape on the surface of the game board 5, and a central opening HO extending toward the back side is provided in the approximate center. It has been. A display device DISP composed of a liquid crystal color display is arranged at the bottom of the central opening HO.

  In addition, an effect movable body AMU is disposed so as to be movable up and down in a space formed in front of the display device DISP. The effect movable body AMU is configured to be held by the left and right movable bodies MV1, MV2 that move up and down integrally. In the normal state, the effect movable body AMU is lifted by the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 and stands by at the origin position.

  A symbol starting port 15, a big winning port 16, a normal winning port 17, and a gate 18 are arranged at appropriate positions in the game area 5a. Each of these winning openings 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device DISP is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. This display device DISP has a special symbol display part Da to Dc in the center and a normal symbol display part 19 in the upper right part. And, in the special symbol display parts Da to Dc, a reach effect is executed that expects a big hit state to be invited, or in the special symbol display parts Da to Dc and the surroundings, a notice effect that informs the result of the success / failure is executed. Is done.

  The normal symbol display unit 19 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and the lottery extracted at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18 is extracted. The stop symbol determined by the random number for use is displayed and stopped.

  The symbol start opening 15 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws, and when the stop symbol after the fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 19 hits and the symbol is displayed, the opening and closing claws are displayed. It is opened only for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are detected.

  When a game ball wins the symbol start port 15, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start port 15. Stop at the stop symbol. In addition, in special symbol display parts Da-Dc and its circumference, a notice effect may be performed between a series of symbol effects. In addition, as a kind of notice effect, the effect movable body AMU may descend to the position of the central opening HO. Then, the lowered effect movable body AMU is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise and then raised to the original position.

  The big winning opening 16 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, the “big hit game” Is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. In such an operation, the special game is continued up to 15 times, for example, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. In addition, when the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display parts Da to Dc is a specific symbol among the special symbols, there is a privilege that the game after the end of the special game becomes a high probability state (probability variation state). Is granted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM that realizes the above-described operations. A dashed line in the figure mainly indicates a DC voltage line.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine GM mainly receives a 24V AC and outputs various DC voltages, power supply abnormality signals ABN1, ABN2, a system reset signal (power reset signal) SYS, and the like, and a game control operation. Based on the main control board 21 that performs overall control, the effect control board 22 that executes the lamp effect and the sound effect based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 21, and the control command CMD ′ received from the effect control board 22 The image control board 23 for driving the display device DISP, the payout control board 24 for controlling the payout motor M based on the control command CMD "received from the main control board 21, and paying out the game balls. It is mainly composed of a launch control board 25 that responds and launches a game ball.

  However, in this embodiment, the control command CMD output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the effect control board 22 via the command relay board 26 and the effect interface board 27. Further, the control command CMD ′ output from the effect control board 22 is transmitted to the image control board 23 via the effect interface board 27, and the control command CMD ″ output from the main control board 21 is the main board relay board. It is transmitted to the payout control board 24 via 28.

  The main control board 21, the effect control board 22, the image control board 23, and the payout control board 24 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Thus, the circuits mounted on the control boards 21 to 24 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as a function. In this specification, the main control unit 21, the effect control unit 22, and the image control unit 23 are used. , And the payout control unit 24. All or part of the effect control unit 22, the image control unit 23, and the payout control unit 24 is a sub-control unit.

  By the way, the pachinko machine GM is roughly divided into a frame side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board side member GM2 fixed to the back of the game board 5. The frame side member GM1 includes a front frame 3 on which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached, and a wooden outer frame 1 on the outside thereof. Is fixedly installed. On the other hand, the board side member GM2 is replaced in response to the model change, and a new board side member GM2 is attached to the frame side member GM1 instead of the original board side member. All except the frame side member 1 is the panel side member GM2.

  As shown in the broken line frame in FIG. 3, the frame-side member GM1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 24, a launch control board 25, and a frame relay board 32, and these circuit boards are Each is fixed in place on the front frame 3. On the other hand, on the back of the game board 5, a main control board 21, an effect control board 22, and an image control board 23 are fixed together with the display device DISP and other circuit boards. And the frame side member GM1 and the board | substrate side member GM2 are electrically connected by the connection connectors C1-C4 concentratedly arranged in one place.

  The power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 28 through the connection connector C2, and is connected to the power supply relay board 30 through the connection connector C3. The power supply board 20 is provided with a power supply monitoring unit MNT that monitors whether AC power is turned on or off. When power supply monitoring unit MNT detects that AC power is turned on, it maintains system reset signal SYS at L level for a predetermined time, and then transitions it to H level.

  Further, when power supply monitoring unit MNT detects the interruption of the AC power supply, power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 are immediately shifted to the L level. The power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 quickly become H level after the power is turned on.

  Incidentally, the system reset signal of this embodiment is generated by a DC power supply based on an AC power supply. For this reason, after detecting the turning-on of the AC power supply (usually turning on the power switch) and increasing it to the H level, the H level is maintained unless the DC power supply voltage drops to an abnormal level. Therefore, even if the AC power supply is in an instantaneous power interruption state while the DC power supply voltage is maintained, the system reset signal SYS does not reset the CPU. The power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 are also output even when the AC power supply is instantaneously stopped.

  The main board relay board 28 outputs the power abnormality signal ABN1, the backup power supply BAK, and DC5V, DC12V, and DC32V output from the power board 20 to the main control unit 21 as they are. On the other hand, the power relay board 30 outputs the system reset signal SYS received from the power board 20 and the AC and DC power supply voltages to the effect interface board 27 as they are. The production interface board 27 outputs the received system reset signal SYS to the production control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 as they are.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 24 is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without going through the relay board, and directly receives the same power abnormality signal ABN2 and backup power supply BAK as the main control unit 21 receives together with other power supply voltages. Is receiving.

  The system reset signal SYS output from the power supply board 20 is a power supply reset signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V has been turned on to the power supply board 20, and the one-chip microcomputer of the effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 by this power supply reset signal. The power is reset together with other IC elements.

  However, the system reset signal SYS is not supplied to the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24, and a power reset signal (CPU reset signal) is generated in the reset circuit RST of each of the circuit boards 21 and 24. ing. Therefore, for example, even if the connection connector C2 is rattled or noise is superimposed on the wiring cable, there is no possibility that the CPU of the main control unit 21 or the payout control unit 24 is abnormally reset. The effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 execute the effect operation in a dependent manner based on the control command from the main control unit 21, so that the power supply board 20 is avoided in order to avoid complication of the circuit configuration. The system reset signal SYS output from is used.

  By the way, the reset circuits RST provided in the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 each have a built-in watchdog timer, and unless a regular clear pulse is received from the CPUs of the control units 21 and 24, Each CPU is forcibly reset.

  In this embodiment, the RAM clear signal CLR is generated by the main control unit 21 and transmitted to the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24. Here, the RAM clear signal CLR is a signal for deciding whether or not to initialize all the areas of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of each control unit 21 and 24. The initialization switch SW operated by the attendant is turned on. It has a value corresponding to the / OFF state.

  The main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 receive the power supply abnormality signals ABN1 and ABN2 from the power supply board 20 to start necessary end processing prior to a power failure or business end. The backup power supply BAK is a DC5V DC power source that retains data in the RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to business termination or power failure. Therefore, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 can resume the game operation before power-off after power-on (power backup function). This pachinko machine is designed to retain the stored contents of the RAM of each one-chip microcomputer for at least several days.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 21 transmits a control command CMD ″ to the payout control unit 24 via the main board relay board 28, while the payout control unit 24 indicates a game ball payout operation. A prize ball counting signal, a status signal CON relating to an abnormality in the payout operation, and an operation start signal BGN are received, and the status signal CON includes, for example, a replenishment signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal. The operation start signal BGN is a signal for notifying the main control unit 21 that the initial operation of the payout control unit 24 has been completed after the power is turned on.

  The main control unit 21 is connected to each game component of the game board 5 via the game board relay board 29. And while receiving the switch signal of the detection switch built in each winning opening 16-18 on a game board, solenoids, such as an electric tulip, are driven. The solenoids and the detection switch are configured to operate with a power supply voltage VB (12 V) supplied from the main control unit 21. Each switch signal indicating a winning state to the symbol starting port 15 is converted to a TTL level switch signal by an interface IC that operates with the power supply voltage VB (12 V) and the power supply voltage Vcc (5 V). Then, the data is transmitted to the main control unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the effect control unit 22 stores a one-chip microcomputer 40 that executes processing such as a sound effect, a lamp effect, a notice effect by an effect movable body, and data transfer, a control program for the one-chip microcomputer 40, and the like. EPROM 41 to be played, an audio reproduction output circuit 42 for reproducing and outputting an audio signal based on an instruction from the one-chip microcomputer 40, and an audio memory 43 for storing compressed audio data which is original data of the audio signal to be reproduced And a watchdog timer WDT.

  The one-chip microcomputer 40 includes a parallel input / output port PIO. From the parallel port PIO, two types of drive data Φ1 to Φ4 and Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are sequentially output to the driver circuits 45A and 45B together with the control command CMD ′ and the strobe signal STB ′. . The two types of drive data Φ1 to Φ4, Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are supplied at the same timing to the lift motors MO1 and MO2 having the same characteristics, each formed of a stepping motor. Here, the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 and the drive data Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are different in phase from each other, and when one lift motor MO1 rotates forward, the other lift motor MO2 is controlled to rotate reversely. .

  Further, an origin switch ORG is provided in association with each lifting motor MO1, and the switch signal (origin detection signal) SN is input to the parallel port PIO. The origin switch ORG is used for collecting the effect movable body AMU in the origin area and accurately stopping at the origin position.

  The watchdog timer WDT is reset by a clear pulse periodically supplied from the one-chip microcomputer 40. When the clear pulse is interrupted due to a program runaway or the like, a reset signal RESET is output. As a result, the one-chip microcomputer 40 is forcibly reset to the initial state, and the program runaway state is solved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control command CMD and the strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB output from the main control board 21 are sent to the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control board 22 via the buffer 48 of the effect interface board 27. Is supplied. The interrupt signal STB is supplied to the interrupt terminal INT of the one-chip microcomputer. Then, the effect control unit 22 acquires the control command CMD by the reception interrupt process activated by the strobe signal STB.

  The control command CMD acquired by the effect control unit 22 includes (1) an abnormality notification and other notification control commands, and (2) a control for specifying an outline of various effect operations resulting from winning at the symbol start opening. Commands (variation pattern commands) are included. Here, the outline of the production operation specified by the variation pattern command includes the production total time from the production start to the production end, and the result of winning or failing in the big hit lottery. In addition to these, the change pattern command including the presence or absence of the reach effect or the notice effect may be specified, but even in this case, the specific content of the effect content is not specified.

  Therefore, when the effect control unit 22 acquires the variation pattern command CMD, the effect lottery is subsequently performed, and the effect outline specified by the acquired variation pattern command is further specified.

  For example, the specific contents of the reach effect and the notice effect are determined. Then, in accordance with the determined specific game content, a lamp effect by blinking the LED group and a sound effect preparation operation by the speaker are performed, and the image control unit 23 is synchronized with the effect operation by the lamp and the speaker. The control command CMD ′ related to the rendered symbol effect is output. At the time of the advance notice operation using the production movable body AMU, the elevator motors MO1 and MO2 having the same characteristics are synchronously rotated to lower the production movable body AMU, and then the rotary motor RO (FIG. 6) is operated to produce the production movable body. An AMU rendering operation is executed.

  In order to realize such a symbol effect synchronized with the effect operation, the effect control unit 22 outputs a control command CMD ′ to the effect interface board 27 together with a strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB ′ for the image control unit 23. To do. When the notification control command related to the display device or other control commands is received, the effect control unit 22 outputs the control command to the effect interface board 27 together with the interrupt signal STB ′. .

  Corresponding to the configuration of the effect control board 22, the effect interface board 27 is configured to receive an 8-bit control command CMD 'and a 1-bit interrupt signal STB'. These data CMD ′ and STB ′ are output to the image control board 23 via the buffer circuit 46 as they are. The effect interface board 27 receives a lamp driving signal output from the effect control unit 22 and supplies the signal to the LED lamp group via the lamp connection board 34. As a result, a lamp effect corresponding to the control command CMD output from the main control unit 21 is realized.

  The image control unit 23 receives a control command via the effect interface board 27 and executes an image control operation, a VDP that drives the display device DISP based on an instruction of the one-chip microcomputer, It has a graphic ROM, a control ROM, and a watchdog timer WDT that forcibly resets the one-chip microcomputer.

  The system reset signal SYS is supplied via the effect interface board 27 to the reset terminal RESET of the built-in CPU of the one-chip microcomputer of the effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23. Each CPU is reset.

  Next, the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 that move up and down while holding the effect movable body AMU, and the lift motors MO1 and MO2 that move up and down the movable bodies MV1 and MV2, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, each of the lifting motors MO1 and MO2 of the embodiment is composed of a stepping motor MO having the same characteristic that is two-phase excited, and each of the driver circuits 45A and 45B is a transistor Tr connected in Darlington connection. And a damper diode Dp. In this embodiment, the elevating motors MO1 and MO2 are rotated at a 360/245 ° pitch, and the elevating motors MO1 and MO2 receive the 245-step drive pulses Φ1 to Φ4, Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′, and rotate once. It is configured to

  The drive pulses Φ1 to Φ4, Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are generated, for example, by outputting drive data 0101, 1001, 1010, and 0110 having a 4-bit length to the driver circuits 45A and 45B, and changing the output drive data. Thus, the elevating motors MO1 and MO2 advance at every unit step angle (360/245 °). When the drive data does not change, the lifting motors MO1 and MO2 are stopped in a restrained state. On the other hand, when the non-driving data (0000) is output to the driver circuits 45A and 45B, the elevating motors MO1 and MO2 are in an unconstrained state that allows free rotation.

  Circular shafts (pinions) are mounted on the rotation shafts of the elevating motors MO1 and MO2, and the pinions mesh with racks formed on the outer surfaces of the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 (see FIG. 6). When the elevating motor MO1 rotates clockwise (counterclockwise), the elevating motor MO2 rotates synchronously counterclockwise (clockwise), so that the movable body MV1. The MV2 is driven by the lifting motors MO1 and MO2 and moves up and down integrally. The effect movable body AMU is appropriately rotated by the rotary motor RO while being held by the movable bodies MV1 and MV2. Further, a stopper mechanism (mechanical lock) for preventing further upward movement is disposed at the end of the movement path of the left and right movable bodies MV1, MV2 (FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light shielding piece SH is disposed at the base end of the left movable body MV1, and the photointerrupter PH is disposed in the movement path of the light shielding piece SH. The photo interrupter PH and the light shielding piece SH constitute an origin switch ORG. That is, the origin switch ORG is composed of a photo interrupter PH having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and a light shielding piece SH that blocks inspection light emitted from the light emitting part. Note that the light emitting unit is configured by a photodiode, and the light receiving unit is configured by a phototransistor (see FIG. 5A).

  Therefore, the origin detection signal SN is normally at the L level (OFF level) as the output of the phototransistor, but is at the H level (ON level) in the light shielding state by the light shielding piece SH. Here, the origin detection signal SN becomes the H level for a predetermined time corresponding to the moving speed V of the movable body MV1 and the vertical width of the photo interrupter PH and the light shielding piece SH. Therefore, in this embodiment, the light shielding piece SH is defined as an origin region having a region that maintains the inspection light of the photo interrupter PH in a shielded state.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the movable range of the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 is from the origin position (reference position in the origin area) of the movable body MV1 to the lower limit position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6 (movement distance L). The origin position and the lower limit position are respectively defined by the number of steps of drive data Φ1 to Φ4, Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ supplied to each stepping motor (lifting motors MO1 and MO2).

  Specifically, the origin position is a position where the light-shielding piece SH of the moving movable body MV1 has shielded the inspection light from the photointerrupter PH and then further raised N steps in the origin area, that is, the stepping motor MO1 It is defined that the position has advanced N steps further counterclockwise. On the other hand, the lower limit position is defined as a position that is lowered M steps from the origin position, that is, a position where the stepping motor MO1 has advanced M steps clockwise from the origin position.

  Here, assuming that the elevating motor MO1 rotates by one step angle over a unit time τ and the rack moves a unit distance UN, the maximum movement distance L shown in FIG. 6 is L = UN * M. The travel time is τ * M. In the following description, the step number N that defines the origin position may be referred to as a first reference value, and the step number M that defines the lower limit position may be referred to as a second reference value.

  7 to 12 are mainly flowcharts for explaining the operation content of the effect movable body AMU, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the effect control unit 22. The production control unit 22 operates the production movable body AMU when necessary based on a control command received from the main control unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the effect control unit 22 includes a main process (a) that is started when the CPU is reset, a reception interrupt process (b) that is activated by the strobe signal STB, and a first process that is activated every 10 mS. The timer interrupt process (c) and the second timer interrupt process (d) activated every 2 mS are included.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (d), in the second timer interrupt process, the lamp effect process (ST67) for driving the illumination lamp and the effect motor process (ST68) for driving the effect movable body AMU as required are 2 mS. It is executed every time.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the main process (CPU reset process), the initial setting in the one-chip microcomputer 40 is executed (ST46), and then the backup determination process is executed (ST47). The backup determination process is a process for determining the validity of the data stored in the backup process (ST63). Data stored in the backup process (ST63) is not particularly limited. For example, (1) a checksum operation sum value for predetermined data in the RAM area, (2) specific data discretely stored in the RAM area, (3) Backup data in which predetermined data in the RAM area is stored in another area can be exemplified.

  In the backup determination process, it is also determined whether an important operation flag indicating the operation state is irrational. The irrationality in the operation flag is, for example, a case where both the operation flag indicating that the variation effect is being performed and the operation flag indicating that the jackpot operation is being set. In this gaming machine, after the variation effect is finished, the game shifts to a big hit operation, so the two operation flags cannot be set at the same time. If such a situation is detected, other saved data is stored. Even if legitimacy is recognized, it judges that it is not normal.

  If the validity cannot be confirmed in the determination of step ST48, the entire area of the RAM is initialized, and the effect control unit 22 is cold-started to shift to the process of step ST52 (ST51).

  Unlike the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24, the production control unit 22 is not provided with a backup power supply, and therefore it may not be possible to detect legitimate data in the backup determination process (ST47). However, the CPU is reset not only at the time of power reset corresponding to power-on, but also at the time of abnormal reset when the CPU reset signal becomes an active level due to noise or a watchdog timer.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a backup determination process (ST47 to ST48) is provided in order to continue the game operation up to that time and to hot start the operation of the effect control unit 22 as much as possible when the CPU is reset abnormally. Yes.

  However, since not all data are determined in the backup determination process (ST47), the operation of the effect control unit 22 should be returned to the initial state when the CPU is repeatedly abnormally reset. Therefore, the abnormal counter is incremented (+1) to count the number of abnormal resets (ST49), and if the value of the abnormal counter exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 2), the RAM clear process in step ST51 to perform a cold start. (ST50).

  As described above, even when the CPU is abnormally reset, if the backup determination (ST47) makes a correct determination and the number of abnormal resets is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the effect control unit 22 is hot-started, and the game up to that point Operation continues.

  Next, the effect control unit 22 sets the value of the motor operation flag FG of the elevating motor MOi to 1 regardless of whether it is hot-started or cold-started (ST52). Here, the two lift motors MO1 and MO2 are collectively referred to as MOi (hereinafter the same). Further, the abnormality flag ER indicating the abnormal state of the lifting motor MOi is initialized to a normal level of 0, and the operation mode MD is initialized to 0. As will be described later, when the motor operation flag FG is set to 1, in the subsequent effect motor processing (ST68), the effect movable body AMU is driven to return to the origin position.

  When the process of step ST52 is completed, necessary initial settings are executed for the audio reproduction output circuit (audio reproduction IC) 42 (ST53). Thereafter, the CPU of the one-chip microcomputer 40 is set to the interrupt permitting state (ST54), and the random number value is updated (ST55) to wait for a timer interrupt at an interval of 10 mS (ST56). Note that the updated random value is used in the effect lottery process in order to randomize the effect operation.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, since an interrupt flag is set every time a timer interrupt occurs at an interval of 10 ms (ST66), in the process of step ST56 of the main process, it is repeatedly checked that the interrupt flag is turned ON. . When the interrupt flag is turned ON, the timer update process is executed after resetting it to OFF (ST57). The timers updated in the timer update process include an abnormality notification timer and a clear notification timer, which will be described later, and each timer is updated by a decrement (-1) process until it reaches zero.

  Subsequently, command analysis processing is executed for the control command (reception command) received in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 7B) (ST58). Here, when the variation pattern command is received, the effect command specified by the effect lottery is transmitted to the image control unit 23. Also, preparation processing necessary to start the production operation specified by the production command is executed.

  When the effect moving body AMU is included in the effect operation to be started, the motor operation flag FG = 0 and the retry flag RT = 0, and the lift motor MOi is not in an abnormal state (motor error). Under these conditions (ER = 0), the motor operation flag FG of the elevating motor MOi is set to 2. As a result, in the subsequent effect motor process (ST68), an effect start process (SS6 in FIG. 8) for lowering the effect movable body AMU to the lower limit position is executed. The motor error means an abnormality in which the elevating motor MOi does not rotate even after the retry process (SS4 in FIG. 8) or an abnormality in which the elevating motor MOi does not function normally in the effect start process (SS6 in FIG. 8). In either case, the abnormality flag ER = 1 is set. In this case, the motor effect using the effect movable body AMU is skipped.

  When such command analysis processing (ST58) is completed, error processing is executed next (ST59), and then input processing for the chance button 11 is executed as necessary (ST60). Further, an effect scenario for the lamp effect (ST67), the effect motor process (ST68) and the sound effect (ST62) is created or updated (ST61).

  Next, an audio effect based on the created or updated effect scenario is executed (ST62), and after the backup process (ST63) is executed, the process proceeds to step ST54. Examples of the backup processing include not only checksum calculation but also processing for storing specific data discretely, processing for storing all data in the work area, and the like. Note that a clear process of the watchdog timer WDT is also executed following the backup process.

  Next, the effect motor process (ST68 in FIG. 7D) executed every 2 mS will be described in detail based on FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the rendering motor process (ST68), the value of the abnormality flag ER is first determined (SS1). If the abnormality flag ER = 1, non-driving data is output to the driver circuits 45A and 45B. To finish the process (SS8). In this embodiment, the non-driving data is 0000 having a 4-bit length, and the two elevating motors MO1 and MO2 maintain the stopped state in an unconstrained state that allows free rotation.

  On the other hand, if the abnormality flag ER = 0, the value of the retry flag RT is determined (SS2). The retry flag RT is set to RT = 1 in the origin detection process (SS5) and the effect start process (SS6) when the effect movable body AMU cannot return to the origin region. If the abnormality is not improved even by the retry process (SS4) executed in the state of the retry flag RT = 1, the abnormality flag ER is set to 1 and the process ends abnormally. On the other hand, when the abnormality is improved and the process ends normally, the retry flag RT = 0.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step SS2 that the retry flag RT = 0, then the value of the motor operation flag FG is determined (SS3). The motor operation flag FG transitions from 0 to 3, and when FG = 0, an initial operation is performed in which the lifting motor MOi is stopped in a restrained state, and when FG = 1, an origin detection process for collecting the lifting motor MOi in the origin region When FG = 2, an effect start process for lowering the lift motor MOi is executed, and when FG = 3, an effect rotation process for rotating the rotary motor RO is executed.

  Here, the origin detection process (SS5) is performed when (1) the CPU of the effect control unit is reset, (2) when the variable effect starts, (3) when the big hit game starts, (4) when the customer waiting demonstration effect starts, (5 ) This is executed at the end of the effect rotation, and is also executed at the end of the variable effect if necessary. Prior to the execution of the origin detection process (SS5), the motor operation flag FG = 1 and the abnormality flag ER = 0 are initially set.

  In the origin detection process (SS5), as shown in detail in FIG. 9, the effect movable body AMU was originally located in the origin area or moved normally from the outside of the origin area to the origin position. The motor operation flag FG = 0. On the other hand, if the normal operation cannot be continued in the origin detection process (SS5), the retry flag RT = 1 is set and the process ends abnormally. Then, in the subsequent effect motor process, a retry process (SS4) is executed.

  On the other hand, the production start process (SS6) is started on the condition that the retry flag RT = 0, the motor operation flag FG = 2, and the abnormality flag ER = 0, and the production movable body AMU is lowered to the lower limit position. . When the lower limit position is reached, the motor operation flag FG = 3 is set. On the other hand, when the effect start process cannot be normally continued, the process ends with the abnormality flag ER = 1. Then, since the abnormality flag ER = 1, the subsequent effect rotation process (SS7) is prohibited unless the abnormality is recovered.

  When the effect start processing (SS6) ends normally, the effect movable body AMU rotates appropriately with the motor operation flag FG = 3, and when all the effect operations are completed, the motor operation flag FG = 1 is set. As a result, the origin detection process (SS6) is subsequently performed, and the effect movable body AMU is collected in the origin area.

  The outline of the rendering motor process has been described above, and the specific processing content will be described below. The variables used in the program are summarized as shown in the lower column of FIG. That is, the count counter CNT defines the number of rotation steps of the lifting motor MO, the direction flag DR defines the forward and reverse rotation directions of the lifting motor MO, and the operation mode flag MD manages the progress of the control operation.

  As is clear from FIG. 7D and FIG. 8, in the state of the abnormality flag ER = 0 and the retry flag RT = 0, the processing after step SS3 is repeatedly executed every 2 mS. The origin detection process (SS5), the effect start process (SS6), and the effect rotation process (SS7) are started in response to the value of the motor operation flag FG (FG = 1 to 3). In any case, the operation mode MD = 0.

  Prior to the description of the effect motor process shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, a step process (FIG. 9A) that causes the lift motor MOi to step by one step angle will be described. This step process is a subroutine that is repeatedly used in each part of FIGS. 10 to 13, and based on the pointer PT functioning as a ring counter, the first control table TBL 1 (FIG. 9B) and the first 2 Control table TBL2 (FIG. 9C) is accessed and executed.

  Here, the first control table TBL1 (FIG. 9B) defines drive data Φ1 to Φ4 for stepping up the lift motor MO1, and the second control table TBL2 (FIG. 9C) is a lift motor MO2. Drive data .PHI.1 'to .PHI.4' are defined. When the pointer PT is sequentially updated in the forward direction, the elevating motor MO1 rotates in the clockwise direction, while the elevating motor MO2 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 descend in synchronization. On the other hand, when the pointer PT is sequentially updated in the reverse direction, the elevating motor MO1 rotates counterclockwise, while the elevating motor MO2 rotates clockwise, and the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 rise synchronously. Note that the update direction of the pointer PT is defined by the direction flag DR.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the stepping process, the lifting motor MO is driven one step every 4 mS and rotates by a unit angle (360/245 °), so the lifting motor rotates once in 245 steps. Further, the effect motor process (ST68 in FIG. 7) is executed by an interrupt process activated at an interval of 2 mS, so that the lifting motor MO is driven by one step with two timer interrupts (an interval of 4 mS).

  In order to implement the above processing, in the stepping process shown in FIG. 9, first, the number counter NUM is incremented to determine whether or not the number counter NUM matches 2 (ST1 to ST2). If it is determined in step ST2 that the number counter NUM is MUN <2, the process is finished as it is. On the other hand, if the number counter NUM is MUN = 2, after returning NUM = 0 (ST3), the count counter CNT is decremented (ST4). As described above, the count counter CNT defines the number of drive steps of the lift motor MO, and the lift motor is driven in a predetermined direction only when the count counter CNT> 0.

  When the decrement processing of the count counter CNT is completed, the value of the direction flag DR is next determined (ST5). If the direction flag DR = 1 and it means forward rotation (downward rotation), the pointer PT is set. Increment (ST6), and if the incremented pointer PT exceeds the upper limit (= 3), PT = 0 is set (ST7 to ST8).

  On the other hand, when the direction flag DR = 0 and means reverse rotation (upward rotation), the pointer PT is decremented (ST9), and the pointer PT after decrementing exceeds the lower limit value (= 0). Is PT = 3 (ST10 to ST11).

  If the pointer PT is updated as described above, the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the first control table TBL1 are specified based on the updated pointer PT, and the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 are supplied to the first driver circuit 45A. Output (ST12). Further, the drive data Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ of the second control table TBL2 are specified based on the updated pointer PT, and the drive data Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are output to the second driver circuit 45B (ST12). By such processing, the two elevating motors MO1 and MO2 advance by one step in the opposite directions, and the movable bodies MV1 and MV2 are raised or lowered by the unit distance UN.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the lift motors MO1 and MO2 having the same characteristics are used. Therefore, although two types of drive data Φ1 to Φ4 and Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ are used, the control tables TBL1, In TBL2, common data is stored with different description columns only. In other words, the description column of one control table TBL1 is the order of 0th row data → 1st row data → 2nd row data →... Nth row data, whereas the other control table TBL2 Then, the data description order is reversed.

  The other control table TBL2 is different from the one control table TBL1 in the Nth row data →... → the second row data → the first row data → the zeroth row data → the Nth row data → N−1. In the order of description of the line data →..., The control table TBL2 does not need to start from the data of the last line of the control table TBL1, in short, the data of the start line may be anything.

  In this embodiment, the two control tables TBL1 and TBL2 are accessed by a single pointer PT, and the phases of the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 and Φ1 ′ to Φ4 ′ to be output are made different to each other. The lift motors MO1 and MO2 are integrally rotated. Therefore, as long as the characteristics of the two lifting motors are the same, the configuration of the embodiment in which the two-phase motor is excited in two phases is changed to the design change from the two-phase motor to one-phase excitation or 1-2-phase excitation, or 4 It is easy to change the design to a phase motor or a five-phase motor, and bugs can be prevented from occurring when the design is changed.

  Note that the two control tables TBL1, TBL2 are not necessarily provided as long as the lifting motor MOi having the same characteristics is used. For example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 9, a pointer PT ′ that circulates in the reverse direction of 3 → 2 → 1 → 0 → 3 is used for a pointer PT that circulates from 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 0. For example, a single control table TBL1 is sufficient. In this case, the memory capacity occupied by the control table TBL1 can be suppressed particularly when a four-phase motor or a five-phase motor is used as the lifting motor.

  The process of FIGS. 10-12 is implement | achieved using the step process shown in FIG. In the origin detection process shown in FIG. 10, first, the detection signal SN from the photo interrupter PH is acquired and stored (SS10). Next, the operation mode MD is determined (SS11). If MD = 0 in the initial state, the level of the detection signal SN is determined (SS12).

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, the detection signal SN indicates whether or not the movable body MV1 is located in the origin region. Therefore, when the detection signal SN = H and the movable body MV1 is located in the origin region, the motor operation flag FG is returned to the initial state FG = 0 and the process is normally terminated (SS13). In this case, there is a possibility that the movable body MV1 is not located at an accurate origin position, but the effect movable body AMU is accommodated at least at a position where it cannot be touched by the player.

  On the other hand, when the detection signal SN = L at the time of determination in step SS12 and the movable body MV1 is located outside the origin region, the value of the count counter CNT is set to a value M + AA that is appropriately larger than the second reference value M. (SS14). The second reference value M is the number of steps corresponding to the maximum movement distance L (see FIG. 6), and the initial setting of the count counter CNT to a value larger than the second reference value M is the origin detection process ( This is because SS5) is executed even after the effect rotation process (SS7) is completed.

  In the process of step SS14, the direction flag DR is set to 0 to define that the elevating motor MO1 is rotated counterclockwise (upward direction), and the operation mode MD is set to 1 (SS14). The above process is a process for returning the movable body MV1 to the origin region by the next timer interruption.

  Since the operation mode MD = 1, in the next timer interruption, it is determined whether or not the detection signal SN has become the H level through the path of step SS11 → SS15 → SS16 (SS16). If the movable body MV1 has not yet returned to the origin region and the detection signal SN = L, the stepping process shown in FIG. 9 is executed (SS18). In the stepping process, the drive data is advanced by one step in the DR direction every predetermined time, and the count counter CNT is decremented accordingly.

  Thus, if the process of step SS18 is repeated and the movable body MV1 is stepped forward, the movable body MV1 will eventually return to the origin region and the detection signal SN = H should be obtained. Therefore, in that case, the count counter CNT is newly initialized to the first reference value N (SS19). As described above, the first reference value N is the number of steps until the base end of the rising movable body MV1 enters the origin region and reaches the origin position.

  Further, the direction flag DR is maintained at 0, and the operation mode MD is set to 2 (SS19). The above process is a process for accurately returning the movable body MV1 that has entered the origin area to the origin position by the next timer interruption.

  On the other hand, when the detection signal SN = L, the processes in steps SS17 to SS18 are further repeated. When the detection signal SN = L is maintained and the count counter CNT initialized in step SS14 reaches 0, the retry flag RT = 1 is set and the processing is ended with the operation mode MD = 0. (SS20).

  This means that an abnormality has been detected in which the movable body MV1 cannot return to the origin region even though a considerable number of drive operations have been performed for the lift motor MOi. Therefore, in the next timer interrupt, the retry process (SS4) is executed with the motor operation flag FG = 1 maintained (see FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, in the timer interruption after the process of step SS19 is executed, the value of the count counter CNT is determined through the path of step SS11 → SS15 → SS21 (SS21). If the count counter CNT ≠ 0, the drive data is advanced in the DR direction every predetermined time, and the count counter CNT is decremented correspondingly (SS22).

  Then, at the timing when the count counter CNT = 0, the operation mode MD = 0 and the motor operation flag FG = 0 are set, and the origin detection process is normally terminated (SS23).

  Next, the retry process will be described with reference to FIG. The retry process (SS4) is started because the retry flag RT = 1 is set in the origin detection process (SS5) and the effect start process (SS6). At the start, the operation mode MD = 0 is set. The retry flag RT is set to RT = 1 when the effect movable body AMU cannot be eliminated in the origin area (SS20, SS51).

  In the retry process (SS4), as shown in FIG. 11, the operation mode MD is first determined (SS24). If the operation mode MD = 0, the count counter CNT is initialized to an appropriate value XX, and the direction flag DR Then, the operation mode is set to MD = 1 (SS25). The direction flag DR = 1 means that the rotation direction is the forward direction (downward direction), which is to drive the effect movable body AMU that could not be raised in the opposite direction.

  Since the operation mode MD is set to 1, the value of the count counter CNT is determined in the next timer interruption through the path of step SS24 → SS26 → SS27 (SS27). If the count counter CNT ≠ 0, the drive data is advanced by one step every predetermined time, and a stepping process for decrementing the count counter CNT is executed correspondingly (SS28).

  If such a process is repeated, the count counter CNT eventually becomes 0. In this case, the value of the count counter CNT is newly initialized to a value M + AA that is appropriately larger than the second reference value. (SS29). Further, the direction flag DR = 0 and the operation mode MD = 2 are set (SS29). Therefore, in the next timer interruption process, the movable body MV1 rotates in the reverse direction (upward direction) toward the origin region. This is because after driving by a predetermined number of steps (= XX) in the descending direction (SS25 to SS28), by driving in the opposite direction, the abnormality of the lifting motor MOi is eliminated.

  By setting the operation mode MD = 2, in the next timer interruption, the detection signal SN is acquired through the path of step SS24 → SS26 → SS30 → SS31 (SS31), and its level is determined (SS32). When the detection signal SN = H and the movable body MV1 enters the origin area, the count counter CNT is initialized to the first reference value N so as to move further to the origin position (SS35). Further, the direction flag DR is maintained at 0, and the operation mode MD is set to 3 (SS35).

  On the other hand, if the detection signal SN is not H, the value of the count counter CNT is determined (SS33). If the count counter CNT ≠ 0, the drive data is advanced by one step in the DR direction every predetermined time, and this is dealt with. The count counter CNT is decremented (SS34).

  If the detection signal SN = L is maintained even if the stepping operation is repeated, it is determined that the restoration is no longer possible and the abnormality flag ER = 1 is set while the retry flag RT = 1 is maintained. Then, the process is finished (SS36).

  As a result, thereafter, the lifting motor MOi is not driven and the movable body MV1 remains stopped until the abnormality flag becomes ER = 0 (SS8). Note that in the origin detection process (SS5) executed at the start of the fluctuating effect, the abnormality flag ER = 0 and the motor operation flag FG = 1 are set at the start, so the retry process (SS4) is executed again. .

  If the retry process is successful, the origin detection process (SS5) is re-executed after the retry flag RT = 0 (SS39). Since the retry process is successful, the origin detection process is immediately terminated normally (see SS10 to SS13 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, if the retry process fails again, the abnormality flag ER = 1 again (SS36), and the lift motor MOi is not driven until the origin detection process is performed again (see SS8 in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, in the state of the abnormality flag ER = 1, the lifting motor MOi is in a non-driven state, and since the retry process is repeatedly executed at the start of the fluctuation effect or the demonstration of waiting for the customer, the lifting motor MOi. The possibility that the abnormality will be automatically recovered is not low.

  The items related to the process of step SS36 have been described in detail above. However, after the process of step SS35 is executed, the value of the count counter CNT is determined through the path of step SS24 → SS26 → SS30 → SS37 ( SS37) If the count counter CNT ≠ 0, the drive data is advanced by one step in the DR direction every predetermined time, and the count counter CNT is decremented correspondingly (SS38).

  When the count counter CNT = 0, the retry flag RT = 0 and the operation mode MD = 0 are set, and the retry process is normally terminated (SS39).

  Next, the effect start process (SS6) shown in FIG. 12 will be described. The effect start process is started upon receiving an initial operation command from the main control unit 21. If the abnormality flag ER = 1 in this state, the process is immediately ended (SS40).

  On the other hand, if the abnormality flag ER = 0, the process of obtaining the detection signal SN (SS41), determining the operation mode MD (SS42), and determining the level of the detection signal SN (SS43) is executed. If the detection signal SN = H, the base end of the movable body MV1 is located in the origin region, so the count counter CNT is initially set to the second reference value M, the direction flag DR = 1, the operation mode The initial setting is set to MD = 2, and the process ends (SS44). The second reference value M is the number of steps for moving the movable body MV1 from the origin position to the lower limit position (see FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, when the operation mode MD ≠ 0 or the detection signal SN = H, the process after step SS45 is executed. The process of steps SS45 to SS51 (except for SS50) is substantially the same as the process of steps SS14 to SS20 (except for SS19) in the origin detection process. That is, the effect movable body AMU (base end of the movable body MV1) positioned outside the origin area is raised and collected in the origin area by the processing of steps SS45 to SS51.

  Then, after the base end of the movable body MV1 enters the origin region, the count counter CNT is initialized to MN, and the direction flag DR = 1 and the operation mode MD = 2 are initialized (SS50). This is an initial process for moving the effect movable body AMU to the lower limit position, and a number of steps smaller than the second reference value M by the first reference value N is initially set in the count counter CNT.

  In the timer interruption after the operation mode MD = 2 is set by the processing of step SS50 or step SS44, the value of the count counter CNT is determined through the path of steps SS40 to 42 → SS46 → SS52 (SS52). If the count counter CNT ≠ 0, the drive data is advanced in the DR direction every predetermined time, and the count counter CNT is decremented accordingly (SS53).

  Then, at the timing when the count counter CNT = 0, the operation mode MD = 0 and the motor operation flag FG = 3, and the effect start process is ended (SS54).

  FIG. 13 shows a process outline of the effect rotation process (SS7) after the effect start process of FIG. 12 is finished. The effect rotation process (SS7) is started every 2 mS in the state of the operation mode MD = 3, and the effect movable body AMU is appropriately rotated by the rotation motor RO (SS60). When the movable effect is completed, the operation mode MD = 0 and the motor operation flag FG = 1 are set, and the process ends (SS62). As a result, the origin detection process (SS5) is executed thereafter, and the effect movable body AMU is collected in the origin area.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation speed of the lifting motor MOi in the retry process (SS4) is the same as in the other processes, but the retry process (SS4) is executed by reducing the rotation speed. preferable. For example, in order to reduce the rotation speed to ¼, the number counter NUM can be compared with 8 instead of the comparison between the number counter NUM and 2 in the determination of step ST2 in the stepping process of FIG. It ’s fine. Such a configuration should be executed as an initial stage process of step SS28. Alternatively, it may be executed as the entire process of step SS28 or the initial stage process of step SS34.

  In the embodiment, in the retry process (SS4), the two lifting motors MOi are driven at the same timing, but it is also preferable to shift the drive timings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining such a modification, which is employed as an initial stage process of step SS28. In addition, you may perform as all the processes of step SS28, and the process of the initial stage of step SS34.

  In the modified example of FIG. 14, when the number counter NUM that circulates in the range of 1 to 9 matches 5, the pointer PT is updated (ST23), and the pointer PT is initialized as necessary (ST24 to ST25). The elevator motor MO1 is driven while the elevator motor MO2 is not driven (ST26). Therefore, the lifting motor MO2 is in a freely rotating state, and only the lifting motor MO1 is driven to rotate.

  However, after 8 mS, the number counter NUM coincides with 9 (ST27), so that the lift motor MO2 is driven while the lift motor MO1 is not driven (ST28). Then, the count counter CNT is decremented, and the number counter NUM is initialized to 1 (ST29 to ST30).

  Since the above configuration is adopted, in this modified example, the drive timing of the left and right lifting motors MOi is slightly switched at intervals of 8 mS and is driven at a low speed, so that the retry process can be effectively completed. Note that 8 mS is merely an example, and may be increased or decreased as appropriate.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described modification, and it is needless to say that the effect control unit 22 may be driven to rotate on the effect interface board or the main control board instead of the structure in which the effect movable body AMU is rotated. In addition, the game machine that executes the movable effect is not limited to the ball game machine, and the present invention can be suitably applied to a slot machine (rotating game machine).

  In addition, the production movable body AMU of the embodiment is integrally held by a pair of movable bodies MV1 and MV2 that can reciprocate, but is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. For example, two movable bodies MV1 and MV2 that hold the two rendering movable bodies AMU1 and AMU2 so as to be reciprocally movable may be provided, and each movable body MV1 and MV2 may be driven by a pair of drive motors. Also in this case, the present invention can be realized by reversing the reading order of a single control table storing a group of driving data in reverse order or storing the driving data in two control tables in reverse order.

GM gaming machine 21 main control unit 22 sub control unit AMU production movable body MVi pair of movable bodies MOi pair of drive motors

Claims (1)

A lottery process caused by a predetermined switch signal is executed, and if this is won, the main control means for controlling the game state to be advantageous to the player, and the control command from the main control means produces the effect when necessary. A sub-control means for performing a movable effect of a movable body, and a gaming machine configured to include:
The effect movable body is held by a pair of movable bodies capable of reciprocating between an origin region where the sensor indicates the first state and another effect region where the sensor indicates the second state, and the pair of movable bodies are synchronized. It is configured to move integrally with a pair of rotatable drive motors,
Based on the fact that the CPU of the sub-control means has been reset, the setting movable body is set to the operation-permitted state and the CPU is set to the interrupt-permitted state.
In the timer interrupt operation executed based on the setting operation by the setting process, it is determined whether or not the sensor is in the second state. If the sensor is in the second state, while starting the continuous driving in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the driving motor and the other drive motor, and the origin detection process to start the continuous driven in synchronism in the opposite direction,
When the sensor does not change to the first state in spite of continuous driving by the timer interruption operation of the predetermined number of times by the origin detection processing , this abnormality is stored and the pair of driving motors are maintained in a non-driving state capable of free rotation. And a stop process for setting the effect movable body to the operation prohibited state ,
As long as the operation prohibition state is maintained, the movable production by the production movable body is avoided, and when the recovery operation executed at a predetermined timing is successful, the production movable body is set in the operation permitted state, thereby causing the origin. A gaming machine characterized in that the detection process is configured to be re-executable .