JPWO2006059710A1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a gaming machine that can easily cope with a change in the configuration of an effect indicator lamp, and that can shorten a development period and a development cost. The effect indicator lamp performs a game effect by displaying a light. As such an effect indicator lamp, an LED, a lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like is used. The CPU 83 of the effect control board 80 controls the effects of the game including the lighting display of the effect indicator lamp. The sub relay board 90 is configured separately from the effect control board 80. The sub-relay board 90 is equipped with a display lamp driver 92 that generates a drive signal for driving the display lamp based on the lighting command signal sent from the presentation control board 80. In addition, a lighting command signal is transmitted between the effect control board 80 and the sub relay board 90 by a serial communication method.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a revolving type gaming machine that produces a game by turning on an effect indicator lamp according to the game situation or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine includes a main control board 110, an effect control board 120, a sub relay board 130, an image display unit 140, an electrical display unit 150, and a speaker unit 160. The illumination display unit 150 includes a plurality of effect indicator lamps. Such an effect indicator lamp is used to effect a game by lighting. Specifically, a light-emitting diode (hereinafter also referred to as “LED”), a lamp, a cold cathode tube, or the like is used as an effect indicator lamp. The LED and the lamp are each mounted on the illumination board 151. The cold cathode tube is driven by a cold cathode tube substrate 152.

  The main control board 110 mainly controls game content and game media payout control. In addition, the effect control board 120 mainly controls the effect of the game. In other words, the effect control board 120 determines the contents of the game based on the command from the main control board 110, and the image display unit 140, the electric display unit 150, and the speaker unit 160 are determined according to the determined contents of the game. Control.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the effect control board 120 includes a ROM 121, a RAM 122, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 123, a tone generator LSI 124, a tone generator data ROM 125, and a power amplifier 126. The effect control board 120 is provided with an indicator lamp driver 127 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When controlling the electrical decoration display unit 150, the CPU 123 generates a predetermined lighting command signal and sends it to the indicator lamp driver 127. Here, the lighting command signal generated by the CPU 123 is a parallel signal. The indicator lamp driver 127 generates a drive signal for driving each effect indicator lamp based on the lighting command signal sent from the CPU 123. The drive signal generated by the indicator lamp driver 127 is sent to the electric decoration board 151 and the cold cathode tube board 152 via the sub-relay board 130, and thereby the lighting of the effect display lamp is controlled. The sub relay board 130 is a board for relaying the drive signal output from the effect control board 120, and signal transmission is performed between the effect control board 120 and the sub relay board 130 by a parallel communication method.

JP 2003-275390 A

  By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, the indicator lamp driver 127 is mounted on the effect control board 120. In general, as the indicator lamp driver 127, a different configuration is used for each type of gaming machine. For this reason, when the configuration of the production indicator lamp is changed depending on the model, the production control board 120 has to be redesigned, and the conventional gaming machine can easily cope with the change in the configuration of the production indicator lamp. There was a problem that I could not. In addition, designing the production control board 120 for each model requires a long period of time for the development of the gaming machine, which increases the development cost.

  Conventionally, since the signal transmission is performed by the parallel communication method between the effect control board 120 and the sub-relay board 130, the gaming machine can easily cope with the change in the structure of the effect indicator lamp. In order to be able to do so, the production control board 120 may be provided with a so-called empty external connection terminal that is not connected to any board. However, if such a vacant external connection terminal is provided, there is a risk that fraudulent acts may be performed using the vacant external connection terminal. Therefore, the presentation control board 120 should not be provided with a vacant external connection terminal.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and provides a gaming machine that can easily cope with a change in the configuration of the production indicator lamp, and that can shorten the development period and the development cost. It is intended to do.

  A gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is provided so as to be lit toward a player, and an effect indicator lamp for effecting a game by lighting display, The production control board for controlling the production of the game including the lighting display of the production display lamp and the production control board are configured separately, and based on the lighting command signal sent from the production control board A display light relay board on which a display light drive unit for generating a drive signal for driving the display light is mounted, and a serial communication method between the effect control board and the display light relay board Thus, the lighting command signal is transmitted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the effect display lamp includes a light emitting diode.

  In the gaming machine according to claim 1, the indicator lamp driving board is mounted on the indicator lamp relay board configured separately from the stage control board, and serial communication is performed between the stage control board and the indicator lamp relay board. The lighting command signal is transmitted according to the method. Generally, the indicator driving unit has a different configuration for each model of gaming machine. For this reason, when the configuration of the production indicator lamp is changed depending on the model, the same thing can be used as the production control board simply by changing the design of the relay board for the indicator lamp. This game machine can easily cope with a change in the configuration of the effect indicator lamp. In other words, the production control board can be used in common for any type of gaming machine, and the production control board can be reused. In addition, because the design change of the indicator light relay board can be made easier than the design change of the production control board, when developing a new type of gaming machine, the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened. Its development cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the lighting control signal is transmitted between the effect control board and the indicator light relay board by the serial communication method, so that it is not necessary to provide an empty external connection terminal on the effect control board. For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, fraud can be effectively prevented.

  In the gaming machine according to the second aspect, since the effect indicator lamp includes the light emitting diode, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the configuration of the light emitting diode.

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

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the spinning machine of this embodiment includes a first spinning reel 11 a, a second spinning reel 11 b, a third spinning reel 11 c, a display window 12, and a display window 12. , Medal insertion slot 13, credit amount display section 14, MAX bet button 15, one piece insertion button 16, bet number display section 17, start lever 18, first stop button 19a, second stop button 19b. , Third stop button 19c, checkout button 21, payout number display unit 22, medal discharge port 23, medal tray 24, image display unit 30, electrical display unit 40, speaker unit 50, and input Medal detection sensor 61, MAX bet button operation detection sensor 62, single-load button operation detection sensor 63, start lever operation detection sensor 64, first stop button operation detection sensor 65a, second stop button Operation detection sensor 65b, third stop button operation detection sensor 65c, first cylinder reel drive unit 66a, second cylinder reel drive unit 66b, third cylinder reel drive unit 66c, main control board 70, An effect control board 80 and a sub relay board (indicator lamp relay board) 90 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first spinning reel 11a, a second spinning reel 11b, and a third spinning reel 11c are disposed slightly above the central portion of the spinning cylinder game machine. Each spinning reel 11a, 11b, 11c has a symbol row in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a row, and is configured to be rotatable. The first drum reel 11a is driven by a first drum reel drive unit 66a, the second drum reel 11b is driven by a second drum reel drive unit 66b, and the third drum reel 11c is driven a third time. It is driven by a drum reel drive unit 66c. Here, as each spinning reel drive unit 66a, 66b, 66c, for example, a stepping motor is used. Control of these spinning reel drive units 66 a, 66 b and 66 c is performed by the main control board 70.

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

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

  The medal slot 13 is an slot for a player to insert a medal (game medium). The inserted medal detection sensor 61 is provided inside the medal slot 13 and detects that a medal has been inserted into the medal slot 13. A detection signal from the inserted medal detection sensor 61 is sent to the main control board 70.

  A credit number display unit 14 is provided immediately below the display window 12. The credit number display unit 14 displays the number of credits (stored number) of medals within a predetermined range (for example, within 50 cards). When a medal is inserted from the medal slot 13, the main control board 70 counts and stores the number of credits increased from the current number of credits based on the signal from the inserted medal detection sensor 61. And displayed on the credit number display unit 14. Further, when a predetermined combination is established in the game, the main control board 70 adds the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the combination to the current credit number, and displays the added number on the credit number display unit 14. Let

  The MAX bet button 15 and the single insert button 16 are game instruction units for instructing to bet medals and play a game (game), and are provided on the lower left side of the display window 12. The MAX bet button 15 is a button for selecting to play a game with three medals, and the one-sheet insertion button 16 is for selecting to play a game with one, two or three medals. It is a button to do. Specifically, by pressing the single insertion button 16 once, it is selected to play a game with one medal, and by pressing the single insertion button 16 twice, a game with two medals bet Is selected, and by pressing the one-piece insertion button 16 three times, it is selected to play a game with three medals bet. In other words, pressing the single-load button 16 three times is the same as pressing the MAX bet button 15 once. The MAX bet button operation detection sensor 62 detects that the MAX bet button 15 has been pressed, and the one-sheet insertion button operation detection sensor 63 detects that the one-sheet insertion button 16 has been pressed. Detection signals from the sensors 62 and 63 are sent to the main control board 70. As a result, the main control board 70 can recognize how many medals are bet to play the game.

  A bet number display section 17 is provided immediately below the left side of the display window 12. The bet number display unit 17 displays the number of medals bet in the game. Specifically, when the one-piece insertion button 16 is pressed once, the main control board 70 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “one” portion of the bet number display section 17. When the one-sheet insertion button 16 is pressed twice, the main control board 70 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “two” portion of the bet number display portion 17. When the one-sheet insertion button 16 is pressed three times or the MAX bet button 15 is pressed, the main control board 70 turns on the lamp corresponding to the “three” portion of the bet number display portion 17.

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

  The start lever 18 is operated by the player to instruct to start the game. Operation of the MAX bet button 15 in a state where the required number of medals for one game (game) is inserted from the medal insertion slot 13 or the number of medals required for one game has already been credited. Alternatively, the start lever 18 can be operated by performing any one of the necessary operations of the single-load button 16. Here, one game starts when the start lever 18 is operated, and ends when all the three stop buttons 19a, 19b, and 19c are pressed. The start lever operation detection sensor 64 detects that the start lever 18 has been operated. When the start lever operation detection sensor 64 detects that the start lever 18 has been operated, it sends a game start signal to the main control board 70. The main control board 70 receives a game start signal from the start lever operation detection sensor 64 when receiving a signal from any one of the insertion medal detection sensor 61, the MAX bet button operation detection sensor 62, and the one-sheet insertion button operation detection sensor 63. When a game start signal is received, a game start process is performed after a predetermined time (4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the last game start signal was received. Specifically, the main control board 70 acquires a random number value, performs a lottery process for a role based on the random number value, and starts rotating the three reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c.

  The first stop button 19a is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the first drum reel 11a, and the second stop button 19b is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the second drum reel 11b. The third stop button 19c is for instructing to stop the rotation operation of the third drum reel 11c. The first stop button operation detection sensor 65a detects that the first stop button 19a is pressed, and the second stop button operation detection sensor 65b detects that the second stop button 19b is pressed. The third stop button operation detection sensor 65c detects that the third stop button 19c has been pressed. Detection signals from the respective stop button operation detection sensors 65a, 65b, 65c are sent to the main control board 70. When receiving the detection signals from the stop button operation detection sensors 65a, 65b, and 65c, the main control board 70 stops the rotation operation of the spinning reel corresponding to the stop button operation detection sensor by a predetermined control method. Thus, when the three spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are stopped, a combination is established if the symbols attached to the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c are in a specific combination on the effective winning line. Will do.

  The types of combinations include BB (Big Bonus), RB (Regular Bonus), Watermelon Small, Bell Small, Cherry Small and Replay. Of these, BB and RB are called big bonuses (bonuses) that are big hits. In BB, BB1 which has a privilege that the player can arrange the red number “7” symbol (BB symbol) on an effective winning line, and the player has a blue number “7”. There is BB2, which is a role having a privilege that the symbols (BB symbols) can be arranged on an effective winning line. The RB is a role having a privilege that the player can align the “BAR” symbol (RB symbol) on an effective winning line. When becoming a major player, the spinning-type gaming machine shifts to a gaming state advantageous to the player. For example, when BB is established, the player enters a BB game in which the player can obtain the most medals. Further, when the RB is established, after the BB game, the player enters the RB game where a large amount of medals can be obtained.

  On the other hand, the watermelon small part, the bell small part, and the cherry small part are referred to as small parts that are small hits. The watermelon small role is a role that allows the player to align the watermelon design on an effective winning line, and the bell small role allows the player to align the bell design on an effective winning line. The cherry small role is a role having the privilege that the player can stop the cherry symbol at the left position on the effective winning line. When such a small combination is established, a predetermined number of medals are paid out.

  In addition, the replay is a role having a privilege that the player can arrange the replay symbols on an effective winning line. If this replay is established, the revolving game machine will automatically put in the re-playing state, that is, the same number of medals bet on this game, and the player will not insert a new medal. Then, the game can be played again. In this embodiment, since replay does not pay out medals, replay is not included in the small role, but setting of the number of bets for the next game, that is, no new medal insertion operation is required, Assuming that the used medals are paid out, it is possible to treat the replay as a small role.

  When the player cannot arrange the combination of symbols constituting the big role, the small role, and the replay on the effective winning line in any way, the game is lost. In other words, when the winning combination is lost, the reel control is performed so that the combination of symbols constituting the main character, the small character and the replay is not aligned on the effective winning line, and the main character, the small character and the replay are configured. Arbitrary symbol combinations other than symbol combinations are arranged on an effective winning line. At this time, medals are not paid out. In addition, when winning a major role, a small role or a replay by lottery drawing, the player can align the combination of symbols constituting the winning combination on an effective winning line. "No win". Therefore, if the combination of symbols that make up the major role, small role, and replay is not on the valid winning line, it was either “out of” or “non-winning” in this game. The possibility of

  The number-of-payout display unit 22 displays the number of medals to be paid out in accordance with the winning combination. The main control board 70 controls the payout number display unit 22. For example, when the player presses the clearing button 21, the number of medals corresponding to the number of credits at that time is released from the medal release port 23. The medal tray 24 is a tray for accumulating medals discharged from the medal discharge port 23.

  The image display unit 30 is provided on the upper side of the display window 12. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is used as the image display unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal panel 31 and a liquid crystal control board 32 that controls the liquid crystal panel 31. The image display unit 30 variably displays images of a plurality of characters, numbers, figures, characters, and the like, thereby performing the advance notice of the winning combination, notification of predetermined information, and other game effects. For example, a continuous performance for notifying the jackpot confirmation is performed, or the types of symbols to be aligned on an effective winning line are announced. The control of the image display unit 30 is performed by the effect control board 80 based on a command from the main control board 70.

  The electrical display unit 40 is for notifying various game states or performing effects related to the game. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical display unit 40 includes a top LED substrate 41, a left side LED substrate 42, a right side LED substrate 43, a left panel LED substrate 44, and a right panel LED substrate 45. And three backlight substrates 46a, 46b, 46c, a cold cathode tube substrate 47, a left operation unit LED substrate 48, and a right operation unit LED substrate 49. A top LED unit 41 a is mounted on the top LED substrate 41. On the left side LED substrate 42, an upper left LED unit 42a and a left side LED unit 42b are mounted. On the right side LED substrate 43, an upper right LED unit 43a and a right side LED unit 43b are mounted. A left panel LED unit 44a is mounted on the left panel LED substrate 44, and a right panel LED unit 45a is mounted on the right panel LED substrate 45. A backlight (not shown) is mounted on each of the three backlight substrates 46a, 46b, and 46c. A left operation unit LED unit 48a is mounted on the left operation unit LED board 48, and a right operation unit LED unit 49a is mounted on the right operation unit LED board 49. The cold cathode tube substrate 47 drives a cold cathode tube (not shown). Here, the top LED unit 41a, the upper left LED unit 42a, the left side LED unit 42b, the upper right LED unit 43a, the right side LED unit 43b, the left panel LED unit 44a, the right panel LED unit 45a and the backlight are used for the player. Are provided so as to be lit up, respectively, and correspond to the display lamps for production of the present invention. In the following, the top LED board 41, the left side LED board 42, the right side LED board 43, the left panel LED board 44, the right panel LED board 45, the three backlight boards 46a, 46b, 46c, and the left operation unit LED board 48 and the right operation unit LED board 49 are collectively referred to as an “illumination board”.

  Control of the illumination display unit 40 is performed by the effect control board 80 based on a command from the main control board 70. Specifically, the effect control board 80 generates a predetermined lighting command signal based on a command from the main control board 70, and transmits the lighting command signal to the sub relay board 90. Then, the sub-relay substrate 90 generates a drive signal for driving each effect indicator lamp based on the lighting command signal from the effect control board 80 and sends it to the electric decoration board and the cold cathode tube board 47.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the top LED unit 41a mounted on the top LED substrate 41 is provided on the back side of the upper end portion of the front panel (front door) of the swivel type gaming machine and at the center thereof. The top LED unit 41a is composed of 60 red LEDs, and is driven to be lit by the top LED substrate 41.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper left LED unit 42 a mounted on the left side LED substrate 42 is provided on the rear side of the left side of the front panel (front door) and on the upper outer peripheral end thereof. The upper left LED unit 42a includes five red light emitting LEDs. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the left side LED unit 42b mounted on the same left side LED substrate 42 is provided on the outer periphery of the left side of the front panel (front door). The left side LED unit 42b is composed of 25 three-color (red, green, blue) LEDs. The upper left LED unit 42a and the left side LED unit 42b are driven to be lit by the left side LED substrate 42.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper right LED unit 43a mounted on the right side LED substrate 43 is provided on the rear side of the right side of the front panel (front door) and on the upper outer peripheral end thereof. The upper right LED unit 43a is composed of five red LEDs. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the right side LED unit 43b mounted on the same right side LED substrate 43 is provided on the outer periphery of the right side of the front panel (front door). The right side LED unit 43b is composed of 25 three-color (red, green, blue) light emitting LEDs. The upper right LED unit 43 a and the right side LED unit 43 b are driven to be lit by the right side LED substrate 43.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the left panel LED unit 44a mounted on the left panel LED substrate 44 is located on the left side behind the center of the front panel (front door) and closer to the center than the left side LED unit 42b. Is provided. The left panel LED unit 44 a is composed of 25 red light emitting LEDs and is driven to be lit by the left panel LED substrate 44. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the right panel LED unit 45a mounted on the right panel LED substrate 45 is on the right side rear side of the center portion of the front panel (front door) and closer to the center than the right side LED unit 43b. In the position. The right panel LED unit 45a is composed of 15 red light emitting LEDs and is driven to be lit by the right panel LED substrate 45.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the left operation unit LED unit 48 a mounted on the left operation unit LED board 48 is provided behind the front panel (front door) and below the left side of the display window 12. That is, it is provided in the vicinity of the start lever 18 operated by the player. The left operation unit LED unit 48 a is composed of ten red light emitting LEDs, and is driven to be lit by the left operation unit LED substrate 48. Further, the right operation unit LED unit 49a mounted on the right operation unit LED substrate 49 is provided on the back side of the front panel (front door) and below the right side of the display window 12, as shown in FIG. . That is, it is provided in the vicinity of the third stop button 19c operated by the player. The right operation unit LED unit 49 a is composed of ten red light emitting LEDs, and is driven to be lit by the right operation unit LED substrate 49.

  The three backlights mounted on the backlight substrates 46a, 46b, and 46c are used to illuminate the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c from the inside, respectively. The third drum reel 11c is provided inside. These three backlights are driven to be lit by the backlight substrates 46a, 46b, and 46c, respectively.

  The cold cathode tube that is lit and driven by the cold cathode tube substrate 47 is provided on the back side of the front panel (front door) and above the display window 12. The cold cathode tube not only plays a role as an effect display lamp of the present invention, but also irradiates light to the reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c, and has the design described on the reel reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. It also plays a role in improving visibility. The cold cathode tube substrate 47 is mounted with an inverter circuit, a high voltage generation circuit, and the like. When a drive signal is sent from the sub-relay substrate 90, the inverter circuit is driven, and the high voltage generation circuit generates a high voltage based on the signal from the inverter circuit, thereby lighting the cold cathode tube.

  The speaker unit 50 produces a game with sound. Control of the speaker unit 50 is performed by the effect control board 80 based on a command from the main control board 70. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the speaker unit 50 includes a first door speaker 51, a second door speaker 52, and a rear speaker 53. The first door speaker 51 and the second door speaker 52 are provided on the left side and the right side of the upper part inside the front door, respectively. That is, in FIG. 1, the first door speaker 51 and the second door speaker 52 are circles drawn by dotted lines on the upper part of the front door. Further, the rear speaker 53 is provided on the back side of the swivel game machine.

  The main control board 70 mainly controls and manages game contents and medal payout. A plurality of integrated circuit elements are mounted on the main control board 70. Specifically, the main control board 70 includes a ROM 71, a RAM 72, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 73 as shown in FIG. The ROM 71 stores various programs relating to game content control and the like. The RAM 72 is a working memory that temporarily stores data.

  The CPU 73 executes control of game content by executing a program stored in the ROM 71. For example, the CPU 73 performs a lottery process for a combination. Specifically, this lottery process is performed as follows. The ROM 71 stores a lottery table showing the correspondence between the combination and the random number value. When the CPU 73 receives a signal from the start lever operation detection sensor 64, the CPU 73 acquires a random value. Then, it is determined whether the acquired random number value corresponds to any combination in the lottery table, thereby determining whether the combination is incorrect or various types of combinations are selected. CPU 73 transmits a predetermined command to effect control board 80 in accordance with the lottery result.

  Further, the CPU 73 performs a reel control for driving and stopping the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c. The reel control of the CPU 73 includes, for example, reel drive start control and reel drive stop control, as well as, for example, reel pull-in control performed when a winning combination is won, removal control performed when a winning combination is not won, and the like. is there.

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

  Outward control refers to controlling the stop position of the reel so that no combination is established on an effective winning line. Therefore, in this case, even if the player presses the stop button aiming at a specific combination, no combination is established and the game result is lost.

  The CPU 73 also manages the gaming state. In the swivel type gaming machine of the present embodiment, the gaming state of the gaming machine is “a general gaming state when the BB is not operating”, “a BB internal state”, “an RB internal state”, or “a general game when the BB is operating”. Various game states such as “state” are set. The CPU 73 controls the transition of the gaming state based on the winning lottery result.

  Further, the CPU 73 performs processing for transmitting a command to the effect control board 80. There are many types of commands that are transmitted from the CPU 73 to the effect control board 80. For example, there are commands related to game effects (effect commands) created based on the result of the lottery process of the combination, commands (operation commands) created when a predetermined operation is performed by the player, and the like.

  In addition, various standards have been established for the spinning machine. One of the standards is that if 4.1 seconds have not elapsed since the start lever 18 was operated, the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c do not rotate even if the start lever 18 is operated next time. For this reason, the CPU 73 performs drive start control of the spinning reels 11a, 11b, and 11c so as to conform to the standard. However, even if the start lever 18 is operated next within 4.1 seconds after the start lever 18 is operated, the CPU 73 detects the inserted medal detection sensor 61, the MAX bet button operation detection sensor 62, one piece. If a signal has already been received from any of the input button operation detection sensors 63, a lottery process based on a random number value is performed.

  The effect control board 80 mainly performs control related to game effects. A plurality of integrated circuit elements are mounted on the effect control board 80. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the effect control board 80 includes a ROM 81, a RAM 82, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 83, a sound source LSI 84, a sound source data ROM 85, and a power amplifier 86. The ROM 81 stores various types of data such as various types of programs related to control of game effects, pattern data for image effects, and pattern data for electrical effects. The RAM 82 is a working memory that temporarily stores data.

  The sound source LSI 84 has a plurality of channels for sending sound source data, and sends the sound source data stored in the sound source data ROM 85 to the speaker unit 50 through a predetermined channel to reproduce and output the sound. is there. The sound source data ROM 85 stores reproduction control data for each sound source data together with a plurality of sound source data. The reproduction control data is data for controlling the sound reproduction output of the speaker unit 50 by controlling the transmission of the sound source data in the sound source LSI 84. The power amplifier 86 amplifies the sound signal sent from the sound source LSI 84 and outputs it to the speaker unit 50.

  By the way, in a gaming machine such as a swivel type gaming machine or a pachinko gaming machine, any board such as the main control board 70, the production control board 80, the sub relay board 90, etc., It is desirable not to provide so-called empty external connection terminals that are not connected to the board, that is, it is desirable that all connectors CN provided on each board have no empty terminals. This is because, when such a free external connection terminal is provided, it is possible to input an illegal signal to the board or to take out a signal from the board using the terminal. Conventionally, since signal transmission was performed by the parallel communication method between the production control board and the sub relay board, so that the gaming machine can easily cope with the change in the configuration of the production indicator lamp, The production control board may be provided with a vacant external connection terminal. In the present embodiment, the indicator driver is mounted on the sub-relay board 90 instead of the effect control board 80 (this will be described later), and the CPU 83 has both a parallel communication function and a serial communication function. The signal transmission is performed between the CPU 83 and the sub-relay substrate 90 by a two-wire I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) serial communication method. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission line L connecting the connector CN3 of the effect control board 80 and the connector CN5 of the sub-relay board 90 includes at least two channels of I2C serial communication lines, and the serial data of each serial communication line is The data is transmitted from connector CN3 to connector CN5 at a transmission rate of 79 kbps or higher. Thereby, even if it does not provide the vacant external connection terminal on the production control board 80, the spinning-type game machine of this embodiment can easily cope with the change in the configuration of the production indicator lamp. When serial communication is performed between the effect control board 80 and the sub-control board 90, a conventional connector for parallel communication can be used as it is, not a special connector. Of course, in the serial communication between the effect control board 80 and the sub control board 90, a connector for serial communication may be used. In this embodiment, I2C is used as a serial communication system. In addition to I2C, various systems such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), RS232, RS232C, RS422, RS423, RS485, and the like. It is also possible to adopt.

  The CPU 83 controls the image display unit 30, the electrical display unit 40, and the speaker unit 50 by executing a program stored in the ROM 81. Specifically, when receiving an effect command from the main control board 70, the CPU 83 determines the content of the game effect based on the effect command. Then, the CPU 83 reads image effect pattern data corresponding to the determined content from the ROM 81 and sends it to the liquid crystal control board 32. Thereby, the liquid crystal control board 32 controls display of an image based on the image effect pattern data. Further, the CPU 83 reads the illumination effect pattern data corresponding to the determined content from the ROM 81, and then generates a predetermined lighting command signal based on the illumination effect pattern data. Here, the lighting command signal generated by the CPU 83 is a signal for designating lighting / extinguishing for each effect display lamp (LED, lamp, cold cathode tube), and the CPU 83 generates the lighting command signal as a serial signal. To do. Then, the CPU 83 sends the generated lighting command signal to the sub-relay board 90 and controls the lighting of each effect indicator lamp via the sub-relay board 90. Further, when the CPU 83 sends information about the determined contents to the sound source LSI 84, the sound source LSI 84 reads out sound source data and reproduction control data corresponding to the information from the sound source data ROM 85. The sound source LSI 84 controls the transmission of the sound source data based on the reproduction control data. The sound signal transmitted from the sound source LSI 84 is amplified by the power amplifier 86 and then output from the speaker unit 50.

  The sub-relay board 90 is configured separately from the effect control board 80 and relays the lighting command signal sent from the effect control board 80. The sub relay board 90 is attached to the back surface of the front door, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, a serial-parallel conversion circuit 91, an indicator lamp driver (indicator drive unit) 92, and the like are mounted on the sub relay board 90. In the present embodiment, since the signal transmission between the effect control board 80 and the sub relay board 90 is performed by the serial communication method, serial wiring is provided between the effect control board 80 and the sub relay board 90. Connected by. In FIG. 3, the signal transmission between the effect control board 80 and the liquid crystal control board 32 is shown to be performed by the parallel communication method, but the two may be performed by the serial communication method. .

  The serial-parallel conversion circuit 91 converts the lighting command signal (serial signal) sent from the effect control board 80 via the connectors CN and CN into a parallel signal and outputs the parallel signal to the indicator lamp driver 92. As a result, a lighting command signal for designating lighting / extinguishing for each effect indicator lamp is input to the indicator lamp driver 92 as a parallel signal.

  The indicator lamp driver 92 generates a drive signal for driving each effect indicator lamp. Specifically, the indicator lamp driver 92 includes a plurality of switching elements (for example, transistors). When a lighting command signal (parallel signal) is sent from the effect control board 80 to the indicator lamp driver 92 via the serial-parallel conversion circuit 91, the plurality of switching elements of the indicator lamp driver 92 receive the lighting command signal. And a drive signal is generated. Each of these drive signals is an electrical board (top LED board 41, left side LED board 42, right side LED board 43, left panel LED board 44, right panel LED board 45, backlight boards 46a, 46b, 46c, left The operation unit LED substrate 48, the right operation unit LED substrate 49), and the cold cathode tube substrate 47 are output to the inverter circuit.

  Next, a processing procedure for controlling the effect indicator lamp in the spinning cylinder game machine of the present embodiment will be described.

  When the player operates the start lever 18, the start lever operation detection sensor 64 sends a game start signal to the main control board 70. When receiving a signal from the start lever operation detection sensor 64, the CPU 73 of the main control board 70 acquires a random number value. Then, based on the lottery table stored in the ROM 71, it is determined whether the acquired random number value corresponds to which combination, and it is determined whether the combination is an incorrect selection or various types of selection. . Thereafter, the CPU 73 generates an effect command based on the lottery result and transmits it to the effect control board 80.

  Next, when an effect command is sent from the main control board 70, the CPU 83 of the effect control board 80 determines the contents of the game effect based on the effect command. The CPU 83 reads the illumination effect pattern data corresponding to the determined content from the ROM 81, then generates a predetermined lighting command signal based on the illumination effect pattern data, and sends it to the sub relay board 90. Here, the lighting command signal generated by the CPU 83 is a serial signal.

  Next, the serial-parallel conversion circuit 91 of the sub-relay board 90 converts the lighting command signal (serial signal) sent from the effect control board 80 by serial communication into a parallel signal and outputs it to the indicator lamp driver 92. . The indicator lamp driver 92 generates a drive signal for driving each effect indicator lamp based on the parallel signal. And these drive signals are output to the inverter circuit of the illumination board and the cold cathode tube board 47, respectively, so that the top LED unit 41a, the upper left LED unit 42a, the left side LED unit 42b, and the upper right LED unit 43a. The lighting of the right side LED unit 43b, the left panel LED unit 44a, the right panel LED unit 45a, the left operation unit LED unit 48a, the right operation unit LED unit 49a, the backlight and the cold cathode tube is controlled.

  In the rotating type gaming machine of the present embodiment, a driver for an indicator lamp is mounted on a sub-relay board that is configured separately from the effect control board, and lighting is performed by a serial communication method between the effect control board and the sub-relay board. Send command signal. Generally, the indicator driver has a different configuration for each model of gaming machine. For this reason, when the configuration of the production indicator lamp is changed depending on the model, it is possible to use the same production control board by simply changing the design of the sub-relay board. The rotating type gaming machine can easily cope with a change in the configuration of the effect indicator lamp. In other words, the production control board can be used in common for any type of gaming machine, and the production control board can be reused. In addition, the design change of the sub-relay board can be made easier than the design change of the production control board, so when developing a new model of the gaming machine, the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened. Development costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the lighting control signal is transmitted between the effect control board and the sub-relay board by the serial communication method, so that it is not necessary to provide an empty external connection terminal on the effect control board. For this reason, in the swivel type game machine of this embodiment, fraudulent acts can be effectively prevented.

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

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

  As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the indicator lamp driving board is mounted on the indicator lamp relay board configured separately from the effect control board, and the effect control board and the indicator lamp relay board are provided. The lighting command signal is transmitted by the serial communication method. Generally, the indicator driving unit has a different configuration for each model of gaming machine. For this reason, when the configuration of the production indicator lamp is changed depending on the model, the same thing can be used as the production control board simply by changing the design of the relay board for the indicator lamp. This game machine can easily cope with a change in the configuration of the effect indicator lamp. In other words, the production control board can be used in common for any type of gaming machine, and the production control board can be reused. In addition, because the design change of the indicator light relay board can be made easier than the design change of the production control board, when developing a new type of gaming machine, the development period of the gaming machine can be shortened. Its development cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the lighting control signal is transmitted between the effect control board and the indicator light relay board by the serial communication method, so that it is not necessary to provide an empty external connection terminal on the effect control board. For this reason, in the gaming machine of the present invention, fraud can be effectively prevented. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a revolving type gaming machine that produces a game by turning on an effect indicator lamp according to the game situation or the like.

It is a schematic front view of the gaming machine which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the gaming machine. It is a schematic block diagram of an effect control board and a sub relay board in the gaming machine. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional gaming machine.

Explanation of symbols

11a 1st reel reel 11b 2nd reel 11c 3rd reel 12 Display window 13 Medal slot 14 Credit number display 15 MAX bet button 16 Single slot button 17 Bet count display 18 Start lever 19a 1st Stop button 19b Second stop button 19c Third stop button 21 Settlement button 22 Payout number display part 23 Medal discharge port 24 Medal tray 30 Image display part 31 Liquid crystal panel 32 Liquid crystal control board 40 Illumination display part (indicator display lamp)
41 Top LED board 42 Left side LED board 43 Right side LED board 44 Left panel LED board 45 Right panel LED boards 46a, 46b, 46c Backlight board 47 Cold cathode tube board 48 Left operation part LED board 49 Right operation part LED board 41a Top LED unit (indication lamp for production)
42a Upper left LED unit (indication lamp for production)
42b Left side LED unit (production indicator lamp)
43a Upper right LED unit (production indicator lamp)
43b Right side LED unit (production indicator lamp)
44a Left panel LED unit (production indicator lamp)
45a Right panel LED unit (production indicator lamp)
50 Speaker section 51 First door speaker 52 Second door speaker 53 Rear speaker 61 Inserted medal detection sensor 62 MAX bet button operation detection sensor 63 Single sheet input button operation detection sensor 64 Start lever operation detection sensor 65a First stop button operation detection sensor 65b Second stop button operation detection sensor 65c Third stop button operation detection sensor 66a First drum reel drive unit 66b Second drum reel drive unit 66c Third drum reel drive unit 70 Main control board 71 ROM
72 RAM
73 CPU
80 Production control board 81 ROM
82 RAM
83 CPU
84 Sound source LSI
85 Sound source data ROM
86 Power amplifier 90 Sub relay board (relay board for indicator lamp)
91 Serial-Parallel Conversion Circuit 92 Indicator Driver (Indicator Drive Unit)
CN1-CN6 connector

Claims (6)

An effect indicator lamp that is provided so as to be lit toward the player, and that produces a game by lighting display,
An effect control board for controlling the effect of the game including the lighting display of the effect indicator lamp,
A display that is configured separately from the effect control board and includes a display lamp drive unit that generates a drive signal for driving the display lamp based on a lighting command signal sent from the effect control board. A light relay board;
And the lighting command signal is transmitted by a serial communication method between the effect control board and the indicator light relay board.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect indicator lamp includes a light emitting diode.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display lamp for production includes a cold cathode tube.   The indicator light relay board is a top LED board that lights and drives the effect indicator lamp provided on the back side of the center of the upper end of the gaming machine front panel, and the effect provided on the left side of the gaming machine front panel. Left side LED board that drives the display lamp for lighting, right side LED board that drives the lighting indicator lamp provided on the back side of the right side of the gaming machine front panel, and the back side of the left side of the center part of the gaming machine front panel Left panel LED board for lighting and driving the provided display lamp, right panel LED board for lighting and driving the display lamp provided on the back side of the right side of the center part of the front panel of the gaming machine, and gaming machine 2. A cold-cathode tube substrate for driving the cold-cathode tube provided on the upper back side of a display window for viewing a spinning reel provided in a substantially central portion of the front panel. 2 or 3 gaming machine described.   The indicator lamp relay board is further connected to a backlight board for lighting and driving the display lamp provided inside the spinning reel to illuminate the spinning reel from the inside. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein The effect control board includes a central processing unit having a serial communication function, and the display relay board includes a serial-parallel conversion circuit that converts a serial signal sent from the effect control board into a parallel signal. A gaming machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Images