JP6774978B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine.

Generally, a game machine has a main control board for controlling the progress of a game and a sub control board for controlling an effect, and a CPU of the sub control board produces an effect based on a command transmitted from the main control board. The configuration to control is known. Further, in the above-mentioned game machine, the flag data set to the ON state in the process related to the initialization of the RAM of the sub-control board, which is executed when the power supply to the game machine is started and the game machine is started. There is known a configuration in which the initialization process corresponding to each flag data is executed each time based on the above (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-162876

However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in the process related to the initialization of the RAM of the sub-control board, the ON / OFF state of each flag data is determined one by one and set to the ON state. It is configured to execute the initialization process as soon as the flag data is determined, and the process related to the initialization of the RAM of the sub-control board becomes complicated, and the program capacity may increase.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of initializing a sub-control unit at startup by a simple process.

(1) The present invention includes a main control unit that controls the progress of the game.
A sub-control unit that receives a command transmitted from the main control unit is provided.
The sub-control unit
A backup control means that executes a backup process, which is a process for saving backup data,
A start-up control means that executes start-up control, which is control related to start-up when power supply is started, and
It has a data storage means for storing rewritable data divided into a plurality of areas.
In the activation control, the activation control means
Type setting for setting at least one of a plurality of types including a first type and a second type for initializing different areas among the plurality of areas of the data storage means based on the backup data. Processing and
Running, and start process to start the area corresponding to the type set by the type setting process is initialized out of the plurality of regions of the data storage means,
The backup data includes information related to the cause of the reset of the sub-control unit.
The plurality of types are characterized in that the types set based on the information related to the cause of the reset of the sub-control unit are included .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of initializing a sub-control unit at startup by a simple process.

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure in the state which the door of the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention is opened. It is a front view of the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the auxiliary control part in the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory map of the initialization target area in the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the activation control in the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the type which is set based on the backup data in the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the set type and the area to be initialized in the gaming machine of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure of the game machine of the modification of this invention. It is a figure explaining the symbol arrangement of the reel in the game machine of the modification of this invention. It is a figure explaining the functional block of the game machine of the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. The present embodiment described below does not unreasonably limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Moreover, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent requirements of the present invention. Further, in the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to omit duplicate description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are shown. Is omitted.

1. 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 100, which is the gaming machine of the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the door is opened. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which a surrounding space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 104 that is openably and closably attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism. It includes a front frame 106 that is openably and closably attached to the middle frame 104 by a hinge mechanism.

Similar to the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has a surrounding space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape. In the pachinko machine 100, the game board 108 is held in the surrounding space of the middle frame 104. Further, the front frame 106 holds a transparent plate 110 made of glass or resin. Then, in the pachinko machine 100, when the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially in parallel while maintaining a predetermined distance, and the pachinko machine 100 The game board 108 can be visually recognized from the front side of the machine through the transparent plate 110.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation handle 112 projecting to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 is provided at the lower part of the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so as to be rotatable by the player, and when the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a firing operation, the firing mechanism (not shown) has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112. Fires a game ball. The game ball launched in this way rises between the rails 114a and 114b provided on the game board 108 and is guided to the game area 116.

The game area 116 is a space formed at a distance between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 (see FIG. 1), and is an area in which the game ball can flow down or roll. A large number of nails and windmills are provided on the game board 108 so that the game ball guided to the game area 116 collides with the nails and the windmills and flows down and rolls in an irregular direction.

The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of entry of the game ball differs from each other according to the firing intensity of the firing mechanism. The first game area 116a is located on the left side of the game area 116 as seen from the player facing the pachinko machine 100, and the second game area 116b is the game area 116 as seen by the player facing the pachinko machine 100. It is located on the right side of. In the pachinko machine 100, since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball launched by the launch mechanism with a firing intensity lower than the predetermined strength enters the first game area 116a and exceeds the predetermined strength. The gaming ball launched at the firing intensity of the above will enter the second gaming area 116b.

Further, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning opening 118, a first starting port 120, and a second starting port 122 in which a game ball can enter, and the general winning opening 118, the first starting port 120, and the second starting port 122 are provided. When a game ball enters the starting port 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. In the pachinko machine 100, the number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more, and the number of prize balls to be paid out at each of the general winning opening 118, the first starting port 120, and the second starting port 122 is calculated. They may be different or may be set to the same number of prize balls. In the pachinko machine 100, the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out at the first starting port 120 may be set to be smaller than the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out at the second starting port 122. It is possible.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the first starting area is provided in the first starting port 120, and the second starting area is provided in the second starting port 122. Then, in the pachinko machine 100, when the game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122 and the game ball enters the first starting area or the second starting area, the pachinko machine 100 is provided in advance. A lottery is held to determine any one of the plurality of special symbols. Each special symbol has various benefits (game profit) such as whether or not a game (small hit game, big hit game) in which an advantageous character is activated for the player can be executed, and what kind of game state is to be changed after that. ) Is associated. Therefore, when the game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, the player obtains a predetermined prize ball and at the same time obtains an opportunity to acquire the right to receive various benefits. Become.

Further, the second starting port 122 is provided with a movable piece 122b that can be opened and closed, and is configured so that the ease of entry of the game ball into the second starting port 122 changes according to the state of the movable piece 122b. Has been done. Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122, and when the movable piece 122b is in the state of being more open than the diameter of the game ball, the first 2 It is possible to enter a game ball into the starting port 122.

In the pachinko machine 100, when the game ball passes through the approach area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a lottery of ordinary symbols is performed, and when the winning is won by the lottery, the movable piece 122b is opened for a predetermined time. Be controlled. By controlling the movable piece 122b in the open state, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, the movable piece 122b functions as a saucer for guiding the game ball to the second starting port 122, and the game ball to the second starting port 122. It becomes easy to enter the ball. The pachinko machine 100 is configured so that when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122, but the second starting port 122 is closed. It may be configured so that the game ball can enter the ball at a constant frequency even when it is in the state.

The game area 116 is provided with a large winning opening 128 into which a game ball can enter. The opening / closing door 128b is provided so as to be openable / closable in the large winning opening 128. Normally, the opening / closing door 128b closes the large winning opening 128, making it impossible for a game ball to enter the large winning opening 128. ing. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 100, when a game (big hit game) in which the character continuous operation device is activated as a character is executed, the opening / closing door 128b is opened and the game ball enters the large prize opening 128. A ball is possible. Then, in the pachinko machine 100, when a game ball enters the large winning opening 128, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

At the bottom of the game area 116, game balls that did not enter any of the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, the second starting opening 122, and the large winning opening 128 are placed from the game area 116 to the game board 108. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back side of the above.

In the pachinko machine 100, as an effect device for producing an effect while a game is in progress, an effect display device 200 composed of a liquid crystal display device, an effect accessory device 202 composed of a drive device, and lamps controlled by various lighting modes and emission colors. An effect lighting device 204 composed of the effect lighting device 204, a music output device 206 composed of speakers, and an effect operation device 208 for receiving operations related to the player's effect are provided.

The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a as an image display unit that displays an image at a position visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 100 in a substantially central portion of the game board 108. As shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 200 variesly displays the effect symbols 210a to 210c on the effect display unit 200a, and the effect lottery result is notified to the player depending on the stop display mode of the effect symbols 210a to 210c. Will be executed.

The effect display device 202 is arranged in front of the effect display device 200 and is normally retracted to the back side of the game board 108. However, during variable display of the effect symbols 210a to 210c, the effect display device 200 It moves to the front and gives the player a sense of expectation of a big hit.

The effect lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), is provided on the effect accessory device 202, the game board 108, or the like, and is lit in various ways according to the image or the like displayed on the effect display device 200. Be controlled.

The music output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 and the lowermost position of the outer frame 102 (see FIG. 1), and is placed on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 according to the image displayed on the effect display device 200. Output various songs to. The musical composition includes all concepts related to sound such as musical tones, tones, sounds, and onomatopoeia.

The effect operation device 208 is composed of a button that accepts a player's pressing operation and a rotation operation unit (for example, a jog dial) that accepts a player's rotation operation, and is located substantially at the center of the pachinko machine 100 in the width direction. It is provided below the transmission plate 110 (see FIG. 1). The effect operation device 208 is activated according to an image or the like displayed on the effect display device 200, and when the player's operation is received within the operation valid period, various effects are executed according to the operation.

Further, behind the effect operation device 208, a prize ball paid out from the pachinko machine 100 and an upper plate 132 to which the game ball rented from the game ball lending device is guided are provided, and a lower plate 134 is provided below the upper plate 132. It is provided. In the pachinko machine 100, when the upper plate 132 is filled with the game balls, the game balls are guided to the lower plate 134. Further, on the bottom surface of the lower plate 134, a ball extraction hole (not shown) for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 134 is formed. The ball pulling hole is normally closed by an opening / closing plate (not shown), but by sliding the ball pulling knob 134a in the left-right direction in the figure, the opening / closing plate slides integrally with the ball pulling knob 134a. , It is possible to discharge the game ball from the ball extraction hole below the lower plate 134.

The first special symbol display 160, No. 1 is provided on the game board 108 as a device for displaying various situations related to the game at a position outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. 2 The special symbol display 162, the first special symbol hold indicator 164, the second special symbol hold indicator 166, the normal symbol display 168, the normal symbol hold indicator 170, and the right-handed notification indicator 172 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment. The main control unit 300 controls the progress of the game, and includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. Based on the input signals from each detection switch and timer, the main CPU 300a reads the program stored in the main ROM 300b and performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device and display, or produces the result of arithmetic processing. Correspondingly, the control process related to the progress of the game is executed by transmitting the first command, which is the command generated by the main control unit 300, to the other control units. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

The main control unit 300 includes a general winning opening detection switch 118s that detects that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 118, and a first starting port that detects that a game ball has entered the first starting port 120. The detection switch 120s, the second start port detection switch 122s that detects that the game ball has entered the second start port 122, the gate detection switch 124s that detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, and a big prize. A large winning opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered the mouth 128 is connected, and a detection signal output from each detection switch is input to the main control unit 300. ..

Based on the program stored in the main ROM 300b, the main CPU 300a converts the detection signal input from each detection switch into a main command in cooperation with the main RAM 300c, and causes the payout / emission control unit 310 and the sub control unit 330. Send the converted main command.

Further, the main control unit 300 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122, and a large winning opening solenoid 128c that operates the opening / closing door 128b that opens and closes the large winning opening 128. It is connected, and is configured so that the main control unit 300 executes opening / closing control of the second starting port 122 and the large winning opening 128.

Further, the main control unit 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold indicator 164, a second special symbol hold indicator 166, and a normal symbol display. The device 168, the normal symbol hold display 170, and the right-handed notification display 172 are connected, and the display control of each of these displays is executed by the main control unit 300.

In the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, a special game started mainly by entering the game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and a special game started by the game ball passing through the gate 124. The types of games are roughly divided into normal games and games. The main ROM 300b of the main control unit 300 stores various programs for advancing special games and normal games, as well as data and tables required for various games.

In the main CPU 300a, for example, a lottery relating to the success or failure of a special symbol executed using a generated random number, a control that outputs a signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 122c to operate the movable piece 122b, and a signal to the large winning opening solenoid 128c Controls related to the progress of the game, such as output and operation of the opening / closing door 128b, are executed.

The main CPU 300a of the present embodiment is configured so that the probability of winning a jackpot can be changed by changing the set value. The main CPU 300a powers the main CPU 300a in a state where the setting key is inserted into the key cylinder constituting the setting change switch (not shown) provided in the power supply device and the setting key is turned clockwise (or counterclockwise). It is a condition (setting change permission condition) that the switch of the device is activated and power is supplied to the power supply device to allow the setting change. Further, the main CPU 300a sets the set value stored in the main RAM 300c each time it receives an input signal from a reset switch (not shown) provided in the power supply device. It is changed cyclically in the order of 6 → setting 1 → ...

Further, the main CPU 300a is a condition for confirming the setting to receive a signal related to the operation of the operation handle 112 (see FIG. 2) from the payout / firing control unit 310 in the setting change permission state, and the operation handle 112 is set. The setting value stored in the main RAM 300c is fixed based on the signal obtained by the operation, and the setting change permission state is terminated.

Further, a payout / launch control unit 310 and a sub control unit 330 are connected to the main control unit 300. The pachinko machine 100 has a main control unit 300, a payout / launch control unit 310, and a sub control unit 330 as independent control boards. A power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied from a commercial power source to each board via the power supply board.

The payout / launch control unit 310 controls for launching the game ball and controls for paying out the prize ball. The payout / launch control unit 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, similarly to the main control unit 300, and is connected to the main control unit 300 so as to be able to communicate in both directions. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout / launch control unit 310, and various information on the game progress output from the main control unit 300 is transmitted to the payout / launch control unit 310 and the game information output terminal board. It will be output to a hall computer or the like of a game store via 312.

Further, a payout motor 314 for paying out the game ball stored in the storage unit to the player as a prize ball is connected to the payout / launch control unit 310. The payout / launch control unit 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control unit 300 to control the player to pay out a predetermined prize ball. At this time, the pachinko machine 100 is configured so that the number of game balls paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is known whether the prize balls to be paid out are paid out to the player.

Further, the payout / launch control unit 310 is connected to a dish full tank detection switch 318s for detecting a full dish state of the lower dish 134 (see FIG. 2). The plate full tank detection switch 318s is provided in a passage that guides the game ball to be paid out as a prize ball to the lower plate 134, and each time the game ball passes through the passage, the game ball detection signal is paid out and the launch control unit 310. It is configured to output to.

Then, when the plate full tank detection switch 318s becomes full, which is a state in which a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower plate 134, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower plate 134 and are paid out. -The game ball detection signal is continuously output to the launch control unit 310. When the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, the payout / launch control unit 310 determines that the lower plate 134 is in a full tank state, and transmits a plate full tank command to the main control unit 300. If the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the dish full tank command is transmitted, the payout / launch control unit 310 determines that the full tank state has been released, and issues the dish full tank release command to the main control unit. Send to 300.

The main control unit 300 is configured to transmit the dish full tank command and the dish full tank release command to the sub control unit 330 as the first command. As a result, in the pachinko machine 100, when the lower plate 134 is full, the player is notified that the lower plate 134 is full by using the effect display device 200, the music output device 206, and the like. At the same time, it is possible to notify the player that the full tank state of the lower plate 134 has been released by using the effect display device 200, the music output device 206, or the like.

Further, the payout / launch control unit 310 is provided with a payout / launch control circuit 320 that controls the launch of the game ball. The payout / launch control unit 310 includes a touch sensor 112s provided on the operation handle 112 and detecting that the player touches the operation handle 112, and an operation volume 112a for detecting the operation angle of the operation handle 112. It is connected. Then, when a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the payout / launch control circuit 320 executes control to energize the launch solenoid 112c provided in the game ball launcher to launch the game ball. To.

Next, the details of the sub-control unit 330 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the details of the sub CPU 330a and the sub RAM 330c in the sub control unit 330.

The sub-control unit 330 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or during standby, and includes a sub CPU 330a, a sub ROM 330b, and a sub RAM 330c. Further, the sub-control unit 330 includes an image IC 340a, an image ROM 340b, and an image RAM 340c that execute control related to an image, an accessory driver 342 that operates the effect accessory device 202, and a lighting driver that turns on and off the effect lighting device 204. It includes a music IC 346a and a music ROM 346b that execute control related to the music. The pachinko machine 100 is connected to the main control unit 300 so as to be able to communicate with the main control unit 300 in only one direction from the main control unit 300 to the sub control unit 330 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention.

In the sub control unit 330, a series of functional units such as a sub CPU 330a, a sub RAM 330c, an image IC 340a, an image ROM 340b, an image RAM 340c, a music IC 346a, and a music ROM 346b are integrated as one SoC (System-on-a-Chip). It is integrated in the circuit. However, which functional unit is to be integrated in the SoC can be arbitrarily set. Further, each functional unit such as the sub CPU 330a, the sub RAM 330c, the image IC 340a, the image ROM 340b, the image RAM 340c, the music IC 346a, and the music ROM 346b may be integrated as different integrated circuits and electrically connected.

The sub CPU 330a reads a program stored in the sub ROM 330b to perform arithmetic processing based on a command transmitted from the main control unit 300, an input signal from a timer, or the like, and controls the effect display device 200 to display an image. The control related to the production such as the image display control, the drive control for driving the effect accessory device 202, the lighting control for lighting the effect lighting device 204, and the music output control for outputting the music from the music output device 206 is executed. The sub RAM 330c functions as a data storage means for storing rewritable data divided into a plurality of areas, and functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 330a.

Further, the sub-control unit 330 is connected to the sub-operation signal output means 220 of the press detection switch 208s and the rotation detection switch 209s that detect the player's operation on the effect operation device 208. When the player presses the button of the effect operation device 208, the press detection switch 208s detects the player's press operation and outputs the effect press operation detection signal to the sub-control unit 330. When the player rotates the rotation operation unit of the effect operation device 208, the rotation detection switch 209s detects the rotation operation of the player and outputs the effect rotation operation detection signal to the sub-control unit 330.

Based on the program stored in the sub ROM 330b, the sub CPU 330a cooperates with the sub RAM 330c to stop the supply of power to the effect control means 400 that executes the control related to the effect based on the command and the sub control unit 330. When it becomes necessary to save the backup data, the backup control means 405 that executes the backup process of saving the backup data in the backup data storage means 420a of the sub RAM 330c and the power supply to the sub control unit 330 are supplied. It functions as an activation control means 410 that executes activation control, which is control related to activation when it is started.

The effect control means 400 receives the main command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and executes a discrimination process for discriminating the received main command. In the determination process, the effect control means 400 determines, for example, whether the command has an appropriate configuration, whether an error has occurred during transmission, and the like. When it is determined that there is no problem in the main command received by the determination process, the effect control means 400 stores the main command in a command buffer (not shown) as a main command storage area provided in the sub RAM 330c.

Further, the effect control means 400 uses the input operation signal as a subcommand when the effect press operation signal output from the press detection switch 208s or the effect rotation operation signal output from the rotation detection switch 209s is input. Convert and store subcommands in the command buffer.

Further, the effect control means 400 reads the command stored in the command buffer and executes the effect based on the command. Specifically, the effect control means 400 determines an effect pattern (effect content) based on the decoded command by decoding a command read from the command buffer, and generates an effect command based on the determined effect pattern. The effect command is transmitted to the configuration corresponding to the generated effect command among the image IC 340a, the accessory driver 342, the lighting driver 344, and the music IC 346a.

When the effect control means 400 determines an image as the effect pattern, that is, an effect pattern using the effect display device 200, the effect control means 400 determines image data based on the determined effect pattern, and is an effect command capable of specifying the image data. A command is generated, and the generated image command is transmitted to the image IC 340a. The image IC 340a is also called a VDP (Video Display Processor), reads image data specified by an image command from the image ROM 340b to the image RAM (VRAM) 340c, and sequentially reads the image data into the effect display unit 200a (see FIG. 2). Output to.

The image RAM 340c has different layers, and each layer can hold different image data. Then, the image IC 340a superimposes the image data held on the plurality of layers, and the superposed image data is output to the effect display device 200.

Further, when the effect control means 400 determines the effect pattern using the effect accessory device 202 as the effect pattern, the effect control means 400 determines the accessory pattern based on the determined effect pattern, and 1 (ON) or 0 at predetermined time intervals. A bonus command, which is an effect command composed of (OFF) data, is generated and transmitted to the bonus driver 342. The accessory driver 342 turns on or off the FET (Field Effect Transistor) that drives the effect accessory device 202 according to the accessory command transmitted from the effect control means 400.

Further, when the effect control means 400 determines the effect pattern using the effect lighting device 204 as the effect pattern, the effect control means 400 determines the illumination pattern based on the determined effect pattern, and 1 (ON) or 0 (OFF) at predetermined time intervals. ) Is generated as an effect command composed of the data of) and transmitted to the lighting driver (LED driver) 344. The lighting driver 344 turns on or off the FET that drives the effect lighting device 204 according to the illumination command transmitted from the effect control means 400.

Further, when the effect control means 400 determines the effect pattern using the music output device 206 as the effect pattern, the effect control means 400 determines the music data based on the determined effect pattern, and is a music command which is an effect command capable of specifying the music data. Is generated, and the generated music command is transmitted to the music IC 346a. The music IC 346a reads the music data specified by the music command from the music ROM 346b to the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the music output device 206.

The music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and each music buffer can hold different music data. Then, the music IC 346a superimposes the music data held in the plurality of music buffers, and the superimposed music data is output to the music output device 206.

The command buffer provided in the sub RAM 330c is a first-in first-out memory (FIFO: First-in First-out) that is read in the order in which it is stored. Therefore, when the effect control means 400 reads a command from the command buffer, the command is called in the order in which the commands are stored in the command buffer (not shown). Therefore, before reading the command, either the main command or the sub command is used. The configuration is such that it cannot be predicted whether to read it.

The backup control means 405 executes a backup process of saving the backup data in the backup data storage means 420a of the sub RAM 330c when it becomes necessary to save the backup data, such as when the power supply to the sub control unit 330 is stopped. To do.

In the present embodiment, the backup control means 405 uses the version code written in the sub ROM 330b as backup data and a value used when determining whether or not the backup generated at the time of power failure has been performed normally. A certain check sum value, a special operation flag which is a flag set to the ON state when a predetermined condition is satisfied at the time of constructing the effect pattern and the sub control unit 330 is reset, and a sub CPU 330a provided in the sub RAM 330c. The WDT flag, which is a flag that is set to the ON state when the soft Watch Dog Timer (WDT), which is a timer that is initialized at regular intervals by, overflows without being initialized, and an error when outputting the effect pattern. The effect output self-reset flag, which is a flag that occurs and is set to the ON state when the sub-control unit 330 is reset, and the effect output self-reset flag, which is set to the ON state when an error occurs during the construction of the effect pattern and the sub-control unit 330 is reset. The effect construction self-reset flag, which is a flag to be set, the setting change flag, which is a flag set to the ON state when the setting value stored in the main RAM 300c is changed (setting change) by the main CPU 300a, and the sub It has a restart request flag, which is a flag set to the ON state when the process related to the restart of the control unit 330 is executed by the sub CPU 330a.

The start control means 410 executes start control, which is control related to start, when the supply of electric power to the sub control unit 330 is started. In the startup control, the startup control means 410 sets a type corresponding to the startup setting, which is a setting related to initialization executed at startup, based on the backup data stored in the backup data storage means 420a by the backup control means 405. Corresponds to the type set in the type setting process of the initialization target area 420c, which is the area provided in the sub-RAM 330c and in which at least one area is set as the initialization target when the start control is executed. Execute the startup process that starts after initializing the area to be backed up.

FIG. 5 is a memory map showing the addresses of the areas allocated to the initialization target area 420c among the memory maps of the sub CPU 330a, the sub ROM 330b, and the sub RAM 330c of the sub control unit 330. As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control unit 330 is a first area in which different data of the initialization target areas 420c are written in the areas of addresses 06000004h to 0606FFFFh among the addresses assigned to the sub-RAM 330c. ~ Fifth area is allocated. Further, in the sub-control unit 330, the sixth area and the seventh area, which are the areas in which different data are written in the initialization target area 420c, are located in the areas of the addresses 16000000h to 161FFFFFh among the addresses assigned to the sub-RAM 330c. Assigned.

The checksum value saved at the time of power failure is stored in the first area. In the second area, among the variables used when the effect pattern is generated, the variables that are not the target of the determination using the checksum value are stored. Among the variables used when the effect pattern is generated, the variable that is the target of the determination using the checksum value is stored in the third area. Among the variables used when the effect pattern is output, the variables that are not the target of the determination using the checksum value are stored in the fourth area. Among the variables used when the effect pattern is output, the variable that is the target of the determination using the checksum value is stored in the fifth area. Among the variables used when constructing the effect pattern, the basic variables are stored in the sixth area. Among the variables used when outputting the effect pattern, the basic variables are stored in the seventh area. As described above, in the present embodiment, the checksum value, which is the data in which the importance of initialization is higher than that of other data when an error occurs, is included in the first region, and the importance of initialization is the first. One region is configured to be higher than the second to seventh regions.

2. Details of Start Control Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, details of start control executed by the start control means 410 in the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Startup control>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the activation control executed by the activation control means 410.

In the activation control, the activation control means 410 first executes a type setting process for setting the type to which each of the first region to the seventh region of the initialization target region 420c is associated (S1). In this process, the activation control means 410 refers to the backup data stored in the backup data storage means 420a, and executes the type setting based on the stored backup data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a type set in the start setting process in the present embodiment and a start setting (start setting) corresponding to the type. Here, the startup setting corresponds to the type of backup data.

Specifically, the start setting "version error" is acquired by the start control means 410 when the start control means 410 executes the previous start control and the version code of the sub ROM 330b acquired when the start control means 410 executes the current type setting process. This is a startup setting that is set when the version code of the sub ROM 330b is different from that of the sub ROM 330b, and the type "0" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the start setting "checksum error" includes the checksum value stored in the backup data storage means 420a by the backup control means 405 when the power supply is stopped, and the start control means 410 when the type setting process is executed. This is an activation setting that is set when the calculated checksum value is different from the calculated checksum value, and the type "1" is set in the type setting area 420b.

The start setting "special operation reset" is set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the special operation flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. This is a setting, and the type "2" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the start setting "WDT reset" is a start setting set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the WDT flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. Yes, the type "3" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the activation setting "effect output self-reset" is set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the effect output self-flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. This is the startup setting, and the type "4" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the activation setting "effect construction self-reset" is set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the effect construction self flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. This is the startup setting, and the type "5" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the start setting "no power interruption" is set to the checksum value originally stored in the backup data storage means 420a by the backup control means 405 when the power supply is stopped, and the start control when the type setting process is executed. It is an activation setting that is set when the checksum value is not stored in the backup data storage means 420a when comparing with the checksum value calculated by the means 410, and the type "6" is set in the type setting area 420b. Set.

Further, the start setting "setting change" is a start setting set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the setting change flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. The type "7" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the start setting "restart request" is set when the sub-control unit 330 is reset and restarted while the restart request flag set to the ON state is stored in the backup data storage means 420a. This is a startup setting, and the type "8" is set in the type setting area 420b.

Further, the start setting "maintenance switch press start" is a start setting set when the power is turned on while pressing the maintenance switch (not shown) provided in the pachinko machine 100, and the type is set in the type setting area 420b. "9" is set. The start setting "maintenance switch press start" is a start setting that is valid only when the pachinko machine 100 is debugged.

Then, the start setting "recovery from power failure" is a start setting set when all the above-mentioned start settings are not applicable, and when the start setting is "return to power failure", any value is set in the type setting area 420b. Is not set either.

The activation control means 410 is configured to be able to set a plurality of types depending on the backup data in the type setting process. The activation control means 410 is of a type, for example, when the checksum value stored in the backup data storage means 420a and the checksum value calculated at the time of activation are different and the effect construction flag is set to the ON state. Both "1" and type "5" are set.

Next, the activation control means 410 executes an initialization process for initializing an area corresponding to the type set in the type setting process among the plurality of areas constituting the initialization target area 420c (S2). In this process, the activation control means 410 first determines the area to be initialized in the initialization target area 420c based on the type set in the type setting process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the type set in the type setting process and the initialization target area initialized in the initialization process. As shown in FIG. 8, the start control means 410 has six types of initialization conditions (RAM garbled, cold start, reset, setting change, restart request, and power failure recovery) for each type set in the type setting process. It has an initialization condition).

Among the initialization conditions, garbled RAM is an initialization condition when the type set in the type setting process is a value other than the type "0" to the type "9", and the first area is determined by the start control means 410. ~ All of the 7th region (see FIG. 5) is initialized. The cold start is an initialization condition when the types set in the type setting process are type "0" to type "2" and type "9", and the activation control means 410 determines the first area to the seventh area. All of the area is initialized. The reset is an initialization condition when the type set in the type setting process is type "3" to type "6", and the activation control means 410 sets the third region, the fifth region to the seventh region. It is initialized. The setting change is an initialization condition when the type set in the type setting process is the type "7", and the activation control means 410 initializes the third region and the fifth to seventh regions. .. The restart request is an initialization condition when the type set in the type setting process is the type "8", and the activation control means 410 initializes the sixth region and the seventh region. The power failure recovery is a condition for initialization when the type is not set in the type setting process, and the start control means 410 initializes the sixth region and the seventh region.

In the present embodiment, when a plurality of types are set, the activation control means 410 is configured to execute initialization based on a type having a large number of regions to be initialized. Specifically, in the activation control means 410, when the type "1" and the type "4" are set in the type setting process, the area to be initialized when the type "1" is set is the first area to the first area. Since there are seven areas and seven areas, and the areas to be initialized when the type "4" is set are the three areas of the third area and the fifth to seventh areas, the type "1" It is configured to initialize the first to seventh regions based on the above.

As described above, the activation control means 410 of the present embodiment initializes all of the first to seventh regions when the types are "0" to "2" and the type is "9", and the type "3". ~ If the type is "7", the third region and the fifth to seventh regions are initialized, and if the type is "8", the sixth region and the seventh region are initialized. For types "0" to "2" and type "9", initialization is more important than the third area and the fifth to seventh areas corresponding to the types "3" to "8". The first region, which is a region with a high degree, is included. These types "0" to "2" and "9" constitute the first type in the present embodiment, and the types "3" to "7" constitute the second type in the present embodiment. , Type "8" constitutes the third type in this embodiment.

At the time of executing the initialization of the area constituting the initialization target area 420c, the start control means 410 executes collation (read / write check) by writing and reading the predetermined data in units of 4 bytes, and clear processing is required. If the area is large, the initialization that clears 0 is executed, and if the area requires data restoration, the data is restored from the data stored in the sub RAM 330c. The start control means 410 sets a RAM error when a problem occurs in the read / write check during execution of the initialization process.

Next, the start control means 410 is provided in the sub-control unit 330 when an error of RAM is set in the initialization process and when the capacity of the target area is exceeded in the calculation of the checksum value at the time of start-up. A RAM error process, which is a process of turning on the status LED (not shown), is executed (S3). Next, the activation control means 410 executes a version code embedding process for storing the version code written in the sub ROM 330b in the backup data storage means 420a (S4). In this process, the startup control means 410 stores the version code of the current sub ROM 330b in the backup data storage means 420a, and by referring to the version code at the next startup, the current startup and the next time It is possible to determine whether or not a version error has occurred at startup and when the sub ROM 330b has been replaced.

Next, the activation control means 410 executes a process of activating the sub-control unit 330 (S5), and ends the activation control. In this way, the activation control means 410 executes the initialization process, and when an error occurs, turns on the status LED to notify the error to the outside, and promptly as soon as the initialization process and the version code embedding process are completed. It is configured to activate the sub-control unit 330. The processing of steps S2 to S5 constitutes the activation processing in the present embodiment.

As described above, the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment sets the type based on the backup data stored in the backup data storage means 420a in the start control, which is the control related to the start executed when the power supply is started. Depending on the type set in the process, the area that needs to be initialized can be quickly initialized by executing the initialization process once, and the secondary process at startup can be performed by a simple process. The initialization of the control unit 330 can be executed.

Further, the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment can be set to any of the subdivided types based on the backup data stored in the backup data storage means 420a such as the type "0" to the type "9". It is possible to clarify the cause of the reset depending on the type of data.

Further, in the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment, any one of the types "0" to "2" and the type "9" and the type "3" to the type "7" among a plurality of types are used. When set, by initializing the areas corresponding to types "0" to "2" and type "9" that include the first area, which is an area of high importance for initialization as the corresponding area. The area that needs to be initialized can be quickly initialized by executing the initialization process once, and the sub-control unit 330 is initialized at the time of startup by a simple process. be able to.

3. 3. Modification Example In the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 100 has a total of 11 types of activation settings shown in FIG. 7, but is not limited thereto. Since the factor of reset can be determined more clearly as the number of types of activation settings is increased, the pachinko machine 100 may have as many activation settings as necessary for the determination.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first type is composed of type "0" to type "2" and type "9" set to initialize all the areas constituting the initialization target area 420c. The second type is composed of the third area constituting the initialization target area 420c, and the types "3" to "7" set to initialize the fifth to seventh areas, and the third type is , The sixth area and the seventh area constituting the initialization target area 420c are composed of the type "8" set to be initialized, but the areas to be initialized are set differently. Therefore, the first type to the third type are not limited to the present embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the activation control means 410 is configured to initialize the area corresponding to the first type when both the first type and the second type are set in the type setting process. , Not limited to this. The activation control means 410 is, for example, in a configuration in which the first type corresponds to the first region, the second region, and the fourth region, and the second type corresponds to the third region and the fifth to seventh regions. When both the 1st type and the 2nd type are set, it may be configured to initialize both the area corresponding to the 1st type and the area corresponding to the 2nd type.

Further, in the present embodiment, as a gaming machine, a symbol determining means for determining one of a plurality of types of symbols including a jackpot symbol, and a symbol display unit when a predetermined fluctuation time elapses after the symbol is determined. A symbol display means for displaying a symbol on the machine, a jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game composed of a plurality of round games when a jackpot symbol is displayed on the symbol display unit, and a round game in the jackpot game in advance. During the set specific round game, when the game ball that has entered the big winning opening enters the specific area, the game profit giving means for giving a predetermined game profit and the effect executing means for executing the effect during the big hit game. The pachinko machine 100 capable of performing a so-called first-class game including the above is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied even to a pachinko machine capable of two types of games. Further, for example, a plurality of reels in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface, a start switch for detecting a start operation by a player, and a start switch corresponding to the plurality of reels are provided to stop each reel. It is equipped with a stop switch that detects a stop operation, a main control unit that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit that has an effect control means that controls the effect based on a command. Based on the internal lottery means for performing the internal lottery to be determined and the detection of the start operation by the start switch, a plurality of reels are rotated, and the detection of the stop operation by the stop switch and the result of the internal lottery determined by the internal lottery means are used. The reel control means for controlling the reel stop to stop the rotating reel and the symbol combination indicating the winning form predetermined for each winning combination are displayed on the effective line while the plurality of reels are stopped. The present invention can also be applied to a winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been won and a slot machine having the winning combination. Hereinafter, the slot machine 1 will be described in detail.

<Mechanical configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is a so-called rotating body type gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine that plays a game using a medal as a gaming medium.

In the slot machine 1, a reel unit composed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 as a plurality of reels is housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a storage box BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Further, a hopper unit 920 (see FIG. 11) as a medal payout device is housed in the lower part of the reel unit in the housing. Further, in the housing of the slot machine 1, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, and the like and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are each divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame is divided into 20 regions. Any of the plurality of types of symbols shown in FIG. 10 is arranged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the symbols arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 10, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the red 7 symbol "red 7", the white 7 symbol "white 7", the blue 7 symbol "blue 7", and the BAR symbol "BAR" , Replay symbol "RP", bell symbol "BL", cherry symbol "CH", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", and blank symbol "BLK" are arranged. Further, 20 frames of symbols are arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and a stop number of any one of the stop numbers 0 to 19 is assigned to each.

The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (not shown) as a reel driving means, and are rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor, respectively, and the number of pulses and pulses of the driving pulse of the stepping motor. By controlling the width and the like, it is provided so that it can be stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle unit, predetermined rotation amount unit). That is, in the slot machine 1, the stepping motor rotationally drives the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in response to the drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when the supply of the drive pulse is cut off from the control board, the stepping motor The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop as the rotation of the first reel stops.

The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is provided with a display window DW that enables observation of the rotating state and the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, among a plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, they are continuously arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The three symbols (upper symbol, middle symbol, and lower symbol) can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window DW.

Further, in the slot machine 1, upper, middle, and lower tiers are provided for each reel as display positions for observing a symbol through the display window DW, and an effective line L1 is set by a combination of display positions of each reel. There is. In the slot machine 1, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified number of medals, is 2 (2nd specified number) or 3 (1st specified number), respectively, depending on the game state. When medals corresponding to the specified number of medals set in each gaming state are inserted, the effective line L1 composed of the middle stages of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated.

Then, the game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 in the display window DW, and when the symbol combination on the effective line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined combination, the symbol combination is determined. As a winning combination, medals are paid out from the hopper unit 920.

The front upper door UD is provided with a game information display unit DS including a main control display device 500. The game information display unit DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and is the total number of medals credited, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in a bonus state. Various game information such as the total of the above, information on the winning combination in this game, and information suggesting how to press the stop buttons B1 to B3 related to the payout of medals are displayed. A winning command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning combination in this game, when a specified number of medals are inserted into the main control display device 500 and the start lever SL is operated. The notification display, which is the display corresponding to, is displayed. Further, the main control display device 500 is a dot of a 7-segment display, which lights up when the advantageous period is started by the advantageous period control means 610 described later, and the advantageous period is not started, that is, non-advantageous. An advantageous period notification unit 500A is provided to notify whether or not the advantageous period has started by turning off the lights when the period has started.

Further, the front upper door UD is provided with an effect display device 930 for performing an effect. The effect display device 930 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various images and images for assisting the game and enlivening the game. Further, in the slot machine 1, a plurality of speakers (not shown) for producing an effect are provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. From the speaker, various sounds for assisting the game and enlivening the game are output.

Various operating means are provided on the front lower door DD. As the operation means, as the insertion operation means for inserting the credit (stored) medals, the single bet button BT for inserting one medal and the max bet button MB for inserting the specified number of medals, A start lever SL as a game start operation means for causing a player to perform a start operation that triggers a game to start by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and a first rotation driven by a stepping motor. Stop buttons B1 to stop buttons B3 as stop operation means for causing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers to stop each of the reels R1 to 3 and the settlement button BS for settlement of credited medals. , A production operation device JG that accepts operations related to the production of the player is also provided.

The effect operation device JG is composed of a ring-shaped rotation operation unit JGD that can rotate left and right, and a button JGB that is provided at the rotation center of the rotation operation unit JGD and can be pressed. The rotation operation unit JGD can receive the rotation operation of the player by detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount (angle) and outputting the detected information. The button JGB accepts the player's pressing operation by outputting a signal to the sub-control unit 20 (see FIG. 11) when the pressing operation is performed. The effect operation device JG is activated according to an image or the like displayed on the effect display device 930, and when the player's operation is received within the operation valid period, various effects are executed according to the operation.

In the slot machine 1, when the player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot MI, or when the medal is credited more than the specified number of inserted medals, a single bet operation of pressing the single bet button BT the same number of times as the specified number of inserted medals or By pressing the max bet button MB, the specified number of medals are set to the inserted state, and the rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is set to the ready state. Will be done. Then, when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are started to rotate by driving the stepping motor on the control board, and an internal lottery using random numbers is performed. On condition that the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed and the rotation speed has become steady, the pressing operation of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is permitted, that is, the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 The stop operation by is enabled.

After that, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 at an arbitrary timing (hereinafter, referred to as "pressing timing"), the stop signal output built in each of the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 is output. The stop switch 840 as a means performs an ON operation, and changes the reel stop signal output to the control board from the OFF state to the ON state.

Further, when the player releases the stop buttons B1 to B3 which are in the pressed state at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3 are turned off, and the reels output to the control board are output. The stop signal is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. Then, the control board responds to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from the OFF state to the ON state of the reel stop signal whose signal state changes according to the pressing timing and the release timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped at the stop position.

Further, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the lower part of the front lower door DD, and the number of medals according to the result of the game is paid out from the medal payout exit MO to the medal tray MP. ing. Further, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the credited medals are stored in the game machine, it corresponds to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 920 as the settlement button BS is pressed. The settlement process for paying out the number of medals to be performed is executed, and the medals are paid out from the medal payment exit MO to the medal tray MP.

<Electrical configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is controlled by a main control unit 10 and a sub control unit 20, which are independent control boards. The main control unit 10 receives input signals from the input means of the medal insertion switch 810, the bet switch 820, the start switch 830, the stop switch 840, the setting change switch 850 and the reset switch 860 as the plurality of main operation detection means. Various calculations for executing the game are performed, and the operations of output means such as the reel unit 910, the hopper unit 920, and the game information display unit DS are controlled based on the calculation results. Further, in the slot machine 1, the main control unit 10 and the sub control unit 20 are configured to enable only short-direction communication from the main control unit 10 to the sub control unit 20, and the main control unit 10 to the sub control unit 20. Although various signals can be transmitted to, the communication connection is made so that various signals cannot be transmitted from the sub control unit 20 to the main control unit 10.

The main control unit 10 controls the progress of the game, and includes a main CPU 11, a main ROM 12, and a main RAM 13. Based on the input signal from each input means, the main CPU 11 reads the program stored in the main ROM 12 and performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device and display, or depending on the result of the arithmetic processing. The control process related to the progress of the game is executed by transmitting the first command, which is the command generated by the main control unit 10, to the other control units. The main RAM 13 functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the main CPU 11.

Based on the program stored in the main ROM 12, the main CPU 11 cooperates with the main RAM 13 to change the setting, receive input means 602, random number generation means 603, internal lottery means 604, reel control means 605, and win determination means. It functions as 606, payout control means 607, replay processing means 608, game state transition control means 609, advantageous period control means 610, instruction function state control means 611, and command transmission means 612.

The setting changing means 601 controls to change the setting value stored in the main RAM 13. In the slot machine 1, the setting change is executed by inputting the setting signal which is the signal output from the setting change switch 850 provided in the power supply device housed in the storage box BX. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of a part of the winning areas that can be won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 604 is changed according to the set value determined by the setting changing means 601.

The insertion receiving means 602 performs a process of validating the game start operation for the start lever SL based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions during the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals. Specifically, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 810 is activated, and the insertion reception means 602 puts the inserted medals into the inserted state up to the specified number of inserted medals. Set. Further, the insertion receiving means 602 has a specified number of insertions as the bet switch 820 operates when the bet operation in which the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB is pressed is executed while the medal is credited. The credited medal is set to the inserted state up to the limit.

In the slot machine 1, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL activated based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions is accepted as the start operation of the game by the player, and the first reels R1 to 1st It is an opportunity to start the rotation of the 3-reel R3, and the internal lottery means 604, which will be described later, is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery.

The random number generation means 603 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. Random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate in a predetermined count range). It should be noted that the "random number" is not limited to a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, and even if the generation itself is regular, it can substantially function as a random number because the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. The value is also included.

The internal lottery means 604 performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or failing of the winning combination based on the start signal output when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 830 detects the start operation. It is a means to perform, such as a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, and a lottery flag setting process.

In the lottery table selection process, which of the plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the main ROM 12 is used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current gaming state. In each internal lottery table, various random numbers such as replays, small wins and bonuses, and losses (unwinned) are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535). ..

In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 603 for each game is acquired based on the start signal output from the start switch 830, and the acquired random number is selected in the lottery table selection process. It is compared with the lottery table, and it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won based on the comparison result.

In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from the non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to the established state (second flag state) based on the result of the random number determination process. , ON state). In the slot machine 1, when two or more types of winning combinations are won in duplicate, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning combination is set in the established state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in the main RAM 13.

The reel control means 605 is the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by the stepping motor based on the output of the start signal from the start switch 830 which is operated by the player executing the start operation to the start lever SL. Starts the rotary drive of. Further, the reel control means 605 has a stop button B1 corresponding to each reel when the rotation state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 becomes a rotation state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm). ~ When the stop button B3 is pressed, the control for enabling the stop operation detected by the stop switch 840 is executed. Then, the reel control means 605 stops the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 910 when the reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 840 based on the detection of the stop operation. , Controls to stop each reel of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. At this time, the reel control means 605 controls to stop the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are rotationally driven by the stepping motor, in a state in which the lottery flag is set, that is, in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery. That is, the reel control means 605 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 each time each button of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is pressed. Then, control is performed to stop the reel at the determined stop position.

Further, in the slot machine 1, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are pressed. It has become like. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined from the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, and the reel stops from the time when the stop button is pressed. It is configured to be rotatable for up to 4 frames before it is done. In the reel control means 605, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button on which the pressing operation is performed among the stop buttons B1 to the stop button B3, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is the stop button. When the button is located within the range of 0 to 4 frames with respect to the display position on the effective line L1 when the pressing operation is performed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination with the lottery flag set is valid. Control is performed to stop the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button on which the pressing operation has been performed so that the reel is displayed at the display position on the line L1.

When the reel control means 605 receives the start signal output when the start switch 830 detects the start operation and starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start one game. , It is configured to set a waiting time (about 4.1 seconds) generally called a wait (or wait time). When the reel control means 605 receives the start signal from the start switch 830 within the period from the setting of the standby time to the elapse of the standby time, the reel control means 605 has the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 after the standby time has elapsed. Is configured to start spinning. With this configuration, the reel control means 605 can start the game after the minimum game time (about 4.1 seconds) has elapsed as a fixed time from the start of one game to the start of the next game. ..

In the winning determination means 606, when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped, the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 (the stop mode of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3) is previously set. Performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not it is in the form of winning a predetermined combination. In the slot machine 1, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 606 in the winning determination process. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small winning combination wins, a process of determining the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 607 is performed, and when the replay wins a prize. Causes the replay processing means 608 to perform a process of executing the game without consuming medals in the next game, and when a bonus is won, a process of operating the bonus won by the game state transition control means 609 is performed.

The payout control means 607 performs payout control in which medals corresponding to the number of payouts are paid out to the hopper unit 920 as a payout device based on the result of the prize determination process by the prize determination means 606. The hopper unit 920 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 925 that operates every time one medal is paid out. The payout control means 607 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 920 based on the input signal from the payout medal detection switch 925. If credits for medals are permitted, the number of credits (credited medals) stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the main RAM 13 instead of actually paying out the medals by the hopper unit 920. The credit addition process that adds the number of payouts to the number of payouts is performed to virtually pay out medals.

The replay processing means 608 determines that the winning determination means 606 has stopped and displayed the symbol combination indicating the winning of any one of the plurality of types of replays on the effective line L1, and when the replay wins, the next game The replay process (replay process) is performed to set the ready state so that the game can be executed without the need to insert medals. That is, in the slot machine 1, when the replay wins, the automatic insertion process of automatically inserting the specified number of medals without using the medals (including credit medals) held by the player is performed, and the previous insertion process is performed. With the same effective line L1 as in the game set, the next start operation for the start lever SL is waited for.

The game state transition control means 609 is when the lottery flag is set to the established state in the transition of the game state between a plurality of game states having different winning modes of the replay and the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 604. When a bonus that is maintained in the established state until a prize is won, the game state is changed from the current gaming state to the bonus established state, and the winning bonus is activated and the operating state corresponds to the activated bonus. The game state shifts to the bonus state and the game state shift control is performed.

The advantageous period control means 610 includes an advantageous period (advantageous section), which is a period during which a game capable of executing a winning assistance control that assists the winning of a specific combination is executed, and a period during which a game in which the winning assistance control is not executed is executed. Perform control over the transition between a non-advantageous period (non-advantageous interval). The advantageous period control means 610 controls the transition between the advantageous period and the non-advantageous period when the bonus is not established and the bonus is not operating in the game within the non-advantageous period. When a winning area with no setting difference is won, an advantageous period lottery is executed, which is a lottery for determining whether or not to end the non-advantageous period and start the advantageous period.

The advantageous period control means 610 has an advantageous period when a condition for ending a preset advantageous period is satisfied or when a predetermined number of games (for example, 1500 games) are executed after the advantageous period is started. Is terminated and the non-advantageous period is started from the next game, and the termination process which is the process of initializing all the parameters related to the instruction function used during the advantageous period is executed. Further, the advantageous period control means 610 turns on the advantageous period notification unit 500A when the advantageous period is started, and turns off the advantageous period notification unit 500A when the non-advantageous period is started.

The instruction function state control means 611 is an instruction function state among a plurality of instruction function states including an AT state in which the winning assistance control can be executed when the advantage period is started by the advantage period control means 610. Control related to the instruction function (assist time control) including control related to the transition of. The instruction function state control means 611 responds to the winning area won by the internal lottery means 604 as a control for increasing the probability that a specific combination wins when the instruction function state is a state in which the winning assistance control can be executed. By creating different winning commands and transmitting the created winning commands to the main control display device 500, it is notified which winning area is the winning area won in the internal lottery, and the player is notified of the winning area B1. -The notification display, which is a function (instruction function) for instructing the operation method of the stop button B3, is configured to be able to execute the winning auxiliary control, which is the control executed by the main control display device 500.

The command transmitting means 612 converts the result of arithmetic processing by each means based on the input signal input from each input means into a main command (for example, 5 bytes) in a predetermined format, and converts the converted main command in advance. One command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 20 every two executions of the timer interrupt process executed in the first cycle (for example, 1.49 ms), which is a predetermined cycle.

The sub control unit 20 controls the effect based on the main command transmitted from the main control unit 10, and includes a sub CPU 21, a sub ROM 22, and a sub RAM 23. The sub CPU 21 reads the program stored in the sub ROM 22 and performs arithmetic processing based on the first command transmitted from the main control unit 10, the input signal from the timer, and the like, and also performs the arithmetic processing, and also performs the effect display device 930 and the sound device 940. Controls related to the effect of causing the effect device 900 including the effect device 900 to execute the effect. The sub RAM 23 functions as a data storage means for storing rewritable data divided into a plurality of areas, and functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 21.

The sub CPU 21 functions as the effect control means 701a, the backup control means 701b, and the start control means 701c in cooperation with the sub RAM 23 based on the program stored in the sub ROM 22.

The sub CPU 21 of the sub control unit 20 receives a polling process for monitoring the presence / absence of transmission of the main command from the command transmission means 612 in the second cycle (for example, 512 μs), which is a cycle shorter than the first cycle. A discrimination process for discriminating the main command and a command transfer process including a main command storage process for storing the main command determined to have no problem in the discrimination process in a command buffer (not shown) are executed.

Further, in the sub CPU 21, a press detection switch 870 that detects a player's pressing operation on the button JGB of the effect operating device JG and a rotation detection switch that detects a player's rotation operation on the rotation operation unit JGD of the effect operating device JG. When a sub-input signal (operation signal) is input from the sub-operation signal output means 800 including the 880, the input sub-input signal is converted into a sub-command having the same data capacity (for example, 5 bytes) as the main command. Stored in the command buffer.

The effect control means 701a reads a command stored in the command buffer and executes an effect based on the command. Specifically, the effect control means 701a determines an effect pattern (effect content) based on the decoded command by decoding a command read from the command buffer, and generates an effect content based on the determined effect pattern. The effect content is transmitted to the configuration corresponding to the generated effect content among the effect device 900 including the effect display device 930 and the sound device 940, and the effect is executed.

The backup control means 701b executes a backup process of saving the backup data in the backup data storage means 703a of the sub RAM 23 when it becomes necessary to save the backup data, such as when the power supply to the sub control unit 20 is stopped. To do.

In the slot machine 1, the backup control means 701b performs the version code, the checksum value, the special operation flag, the WDT flag, and the effect output self-reset as backup data in substantially the same manner as the backup data in the pachinko machine 100 described above. It has a flag, an effect construction self-reset flag, a setting change flag, and a restart request flag.

The start control means 701c executes start control, which is a control related to start when the supply of electric power to the sub control unit 20 is started. In the startup control, the startup control means 701c sets a type corresponding to the startup setting, which is a setting related to initialization executed at startup, based on the backup data stored in the backup data storage means 703a by the backup control means 701b. Corresponds to the type set in the type setting process of the initialization target area 703c, which is an area provided in the sub RAM 23 and at least one area is set as the initialization target when the start control is executed. Execute the startup process that starts after initializing the area to be backed up.

The backup control means 405, the start control means 410, the backup data storage means 420a, the type setting area 420b, and the sub-RAM 330c including the initialization target area 420c in the pachinko machine 100 described above are backed up in the slot machine 1, respectively. It functions in the control means 701b, the activation control means 701c, and the sub RAM 23 including the backup data storage means 703a, the type setting area 703b, and the initialization target area 703c.

1 slot machine (game machine)
10,300 Main control unit 20,330 Sub control unit 100 Pachinko machine (game machine)
405,701b Backup control means 410,701c Start control means 23,330c Sub RAM (data storage means)

Claims (1)

The main control unit that controls the progress of the game,
A sub-control unit that receives a command transmitted from the main control unit is provided.
The sub-control unit
A backup control means that executes a backup process, which is a process for saving backup data,
A start-up control means that executes start-up control, which is control related to start-up when power supply is started, and
It has a data storage means for storing rewritable data divided into a plurality of areas.
In the activation control, the activation control means
Type setting for setting at least one of a plurality of types including a first type and a second type for initializing different areas among the plurality of areas of the data storage means based on the backup data. Processing and
Running, and start process to start the area corresponding to the type set by the type setting process is initialized out of the plurality of regions of the data storage means,
The backup data includes information related to the cause of the reset of the sub-control unit.
The plurality of types include types that are set based on information related to the cause of the reset of the sub-control unit.
A game machine characterized by that .

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