JP2000312766A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of executing efficient ball discharge and realizing highly credible winning ball discharge. SOLUTION: Winning ball data based on prize winning detection signals from various prize winning sensors 341-34N are transmitted by a game control device 22 to a ball discharge control device 23, which drives/controls first and second discharge solenoids 55a, 55b of a ball discharge device based on this prize winning signals. The ball discharge control device 23 has a RAM 43 for storing winning ball data successively, and a backup power feed means 56 for feeding backup power to protect the memory contents of the RAM 43 from a sudden power cut-off is mounted in a power feed unit 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a main game device for controlling a game and a plurality of sub game controls for controlling various electric devices based on control information included in a command signal transmitted from the main game control device. The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a device and a power supply device that receives power supplied from the outside, generates required power, and supplies the generated power to each device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine capable of performing a pachinko game using small balls as a game medium is provided with a game ball rented from a game store to a game area of a game board provided with various game machines and the like. A predetermined number of prize balls are given to the player as a game value by bouncing and winning in a predetermined prize area, and various game machines are operated based on a ball prize in a special prize port, etc. For example, it is converted into a game state.

The game balls that have won the prize area on the game board surface are guided to the back side of the game board, are collected in a line by a prize ball collecting gutter, and have a safe sensor for detecting one prize ball. It is guided to the safe unit, the winning ball is temporarily stopped by a stopping mechanism provided in the safe unit, and a winning ball detection signal from this safe sensor is supplied to a game control device that controls the operation of various gaming devices. Then, the appropriate prize ball number information is transmitted from the game control device to the discharge control device, and the discharge control device having received the prize ball number information activates the ball discharge device to supply the prize ball to the player, With the completion of the prize ball discharging operation by the ball discharging device, the discharge control device activates the stop mechanism of the safe unit, and discharges one winning ball for which the prize ball discharging operation has been completed to the outside of the gaming machine. It was.

In the case where the number of prize balls that can be obtained by a player is varied according to each of the prize areas distributed on the game board surface, a prize ball detector is provided at an appropriate prize port. By doing so, the number of winning balls reaching the safe unit through the winning opening provided with a winning ball detector and the number of winning balls reaching the safe unit through the winning opening not including a winning ball detector are determined. It is configured so that the game control device can be identified, and information on the number of prize balls corresponding thereto (for example, 7 prize balls for a prize ball to a prize port having a prize ball detector, 7 prize balls, 13 prize balls for a prize ball with no winning opening)
Is transmitted to the emission control device.

In the gaming machine which executes the above-described prize ball discharging procedure, since a prize ball discharge operation is performed for each prize ball, a large number of prize balls are generated in a relatively short time. In the case of a special gaming state where there is a possibility that a prize ball may be released, many prize balls remain in the safe unit without being processed, and there is a demand for a gaming machine that can quickly perform a prize ball discharging operation. Was.

[0006] Under such circumstances, in order to perform the prize ball discharging operation at high speed, there is no provision of a safe unit for stopping and discharging one safe ball, for example, various winning areas provided on the game board surface. Each of the safe sensors is provided, and a winning ball detection signal output from the safe sensor based on a game ball winning in each winning area is transmitted to the discharge control device as prize ball number information, and received from each safe sensor. There has been proposed a gaming machine in which the discharge control device sequentially stores the awarded ball number information and the discharge control device drives the ball discharge device to discharge the award ball based on the stored award ball number information. ing.

[0007]

However, in a gaming machine intended to speed up the prize ball discharging operation as described above,
If the power supply is cut off after the safe unit has been abolished and the prize ball discharging operation based on all winning balls has not been completed, all the prize ball number information stored in the prize ball discharge device will be lost. Because they disappear, they may not be able to obtain the prize balls that the player should originally receive and may inflict considerable damage to the player, so there is a possibility that there will be trouble with the game store, There is a problem that the operation reliability of the machine is lacking. In addition, in the case of a conventional gaming machine that provided a safe unit to discharge prize balls, even if the power of the gaming machine was suddenly cut off during operation, the prize balls for which the prize ball discharge operation was not completed would be in the safe unit. Since the game is still stopped, it is possible for the game store to take measures that will satisfy the player sufficiently, which is effective for avoiding trouble with the player.

As a method of avoiding the above-mentioned problem in a gaming machine which speeds up the prize ball discharging operation by eliminating the safe unit, for example, a prize ball discharge device sequentially stores prize ball number information. It is conceivable to use non-volatile memory means that does not require power supply to hold the memory in order to protect the storage means from sudden power loss.However, if a function to easily hold the memory is provided, malicious A third party removes the discharge control device from the gaming machine, writes an incorrect number of prize balls in the storage unit of the number of prize balls, and attaches the discharge control device with the falsified ball number information falsified to the game machine again. However, since there is a possibility that an illegal act of discharging a prize ball illegally may be performed, this is not necessarily a desirable solution.

[0009] Further, when a sudden power-off occurs, the game state information up to that point is also lost. For example, there is a possibility that a player can acquire many prize balls in a relatively short time. In the case where the power is cut off during the execution of a high special game, the special game which rarely occurs is interrupted, thereby giving a strong dissatisfaction to the player.
Therefore, if sudden power interruption is taken into consideration, it is desirable that the gaming state information of the gaming machine can be stored together.

[0010] The above-mentioned problems are not limited to the discharge control device, but may be applied to other subordinate game control devices. Control devices that control various types of devices in accordance with the above, such as display control devices, launch control devices, decoration control devices, sound control devices, etc.). It is a serious problem that the information is lost or the control information is falsified to cause an illegal operation. In addition, it is not desirable that the game state information at the time when the slave game control device is functioning is lost.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and various slave game controllers receiving a command signal from the game controller have control information and game status received from the game controller even when power is suddenly cut off. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that has a function of storing and holding information together and that can make an improper act by the storage and holding function of control information impossible.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising: a main game device (eg, a game control device 22) for controlling a game; and a transmission from the main game control device. A plurality of subordinate game control devices (for example, a discharge control device 23, a firing control device 24, a display control device 25, a decoration control device 26, a sound control device, etc.) that control various electric devices based on the control information included in the command signal 27) and a power supply device (for example, a power supply unit 29) that receives power supplied from the outside, generates required power, and supplies the power to each device. The main game control device is capable of transmitting game state information recognized by the main game control device to a sub game control device to which a command signal is transmitted, and the sub game control device includes at least the main game control device. Sent from A control information and game state information storable storage means (RAM 43) has, the power supply device,
A backup power supply means (56) capable of supplying backup power to the storage means so that the storage contents of the storage means in the slave game control device are retained.

Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the storage means capable of storing the control information and the game state information transmitted from the main game control device is provided in the subordinate game control device. Even if a power outage occurs during operation of a game machine due to a power outage, etc.,
The control information and the game state information that have been transmitted from the main gaming device to the slave gaming device are backed up on the slave gaming control device side. Since the backup power is supplied from the backup power supply of the power supply device to the storage means of the slave game control device, the storage content of the storage means is retained when the slave game control device is removed from the gaming machine. Will not be.

A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect.
, The main game control device transmits the command signal to the sub game control device with the game state information added thereto. By doing so, in the gaming machine according to claim 2, since the command signal including the control information can include the game state information and can be transmitted from the main game control device to the slave game control device, the game state information Need not be sent separately.

[0015] Further, a gaming machine according to claim 3 is provided in claim 1.
Or in claim 2, the slave game control device is a discharge control device that receives prize ball information from the main game control device as a command signal and supplies a game value to a player based on the prize ball information. Is what you do. Thus, in the gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage device is provided in the discharge control device that supplies the game value, which is the greatest concern for the player playing the game, to the sudden power supply. Even if a disconnection occurs, the prize ball information and the game state information can be stored and held on the discharge control device side.

A gaming machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect.
The sub game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sub game control device includes an information display unit for displaying at least the game state information transmitted from the main game control device in the storage contents of the storage means. It is. With this configuration, in the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the information display unit that displays the game state information stored in the storage unit of the subordinate game control device is provided in the subordinate game control device. Can be visually recognized by the display means.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 1 capable of playing a ball for hitting a game ball as a game medium is composed of a game unit 2 and a card unit 3. Related functions (to be described in detail later) are added, and the card unit 3 stores a prepaid card (a ball game card which is sold in advance at a predetermined amount and stores valuable data equivalent to currency). ), A card control function, a ball lending control function, and the like that make it possible to use the function.

The gaming unit 2 has a frame-shaped front frame 5 rotatably provided on the front side of a hollow box frame-shaped machine frame 4. Further, the front frame 5 is provided with a glass frame 6 and a front panel 7 so as to be rotatable. A game board 10 having a game section 9 surrounded by guide rails 8 is provided behind the glass frame 6 on which the transparent glass is provided. The game board 10 is a main player of a ball game, and a game ball ejected by an electric drive source such as a rotary solenoid is moved along the guide rail 8 to the game section 9.
When the player reaches the inside, the player hits a game nail or changes the flowing direction by a windmill and flows down. When one of the various winning ports 9a... 9a ... winning sensors provided for each (not shown)
Each winning ball is detected, and based on the detection signal, a winning ball as a game value for the winning ball is given to the player, and a ball that does not win any of the winning openings 9a is removed from the out opening 9b. Collected as a sphere.

The game section 9 also includes a special symbol display device 9c having a relatively large display and a normal symbol display device 9d having a relatively small display (such as a seven-segment variable display). , An ordinary electric accessory 9 which converts a pair of movable wing pieces into an easy-to-accept state by opening a game ball.
e, from the first state, which is disadvantageous for a player who does not receive the ball flowing down on the game board surface, to the second state, which is advantageous for the player who receives the ball flowing down on the game board surface and invites the ball to the inside; A large winning opening 9f having a ball receiving door is provided.

On the other hand, a front panel 7 located below the glass frame 6 has a prize ball (various winning openings 9a in the game section 9).
A ball supply plate 11 for storing a ball obtained by a player based on winning a prize) and a lending ball (a ball lent to the player from the game store) is provided. The ball is supplied to the standby unit, and the game ball waiting in the shooting ball standby unit is repelled by the repelling mechanism of the repelling unit. In addition, an operation handle 12 for operating the start / stop of the spring unit, adjustment of the spring force, and the like, and a ball overflowing without being stored in the ball supply tray 11 are provided at appropriate places below the front frame 5. A ball receiving tray 13 or the like for receiving the details described later is appropriately provided.

In the above-mentioned gaming unit 2,
The main body frame composed of the machine frame 4, the front frame 5, the glass frame 6, the front panel 7 and the like has a common function for performing a ball game in the gaming machine 1, and the game board is provided for the main body frame. Reference numeral 10 denotes a detachable structure. In other words, the game board 10 can be replaced with a game board 10 having a different board surface configuration so that a ball game having different game contents can be performed.

The flow of the game in the gaming machine 1 having the above-described board configuration will be briefly described. When a game ball is inserted from the ball supply tray 11 and the operation handle 12 is rotated as appropriate, the game ball is repelled and the game is played. In the process of entering the game section 9 and flowing down the game section 9, if one of the winning openings 9a is won,
The prize ball based on the winning is the ball storage dish 11 or the ball catcher 1
The ball that has been ejected to No. 3 and has not won any of the winning ports 9a is collected from the out port 9b. In addition, a predetermined start gate sensor (not shown) is provided in a predetermined winning opening or a passing chucker among a large number of winning openings 9a. When the general start gate sensor detects a game ball, a normal symbol display is performed. When a normal symbol display game is started by the device 9d, and a predetermined special symbol (for example, a numeral “3” or “7”) is displayed as a stop result of the normal symbol display game,
Normally, the electric accessory 9e is opened about once or twice for a relatively short time. A special figure start sensor (not shown) is provided in the ordinary electric accessory 9e. When the special figure start sensor detects a winning ball, a special symbol display game by the special symbol display device 9c is started, and the special symbol display game is started. The stop result of the displayed game is
Predetermined special mode (for example, the three-digit number is “777”
Or the display mode aligned with “333”), a special game with a high possibility of generating a large number of winning balls in a relatively short time by opening the ball receiving door based on the predetermined condition with the special winning opening 9f. It starts.

On the other hand, the card unit 3 has various functions related to ball lending control.
In addition to reading the valuable data of the prepaid card inserted from 4 and renting out a predetermined number of game balls in response to the player operating a ball lending button provided at an appropriate position on the ball supply plate 11, for example, the lent game balls The valuable data of the prepaid card is rewritten to a value obtained by subtracting the currency corresponding to the value of the prepaid card. When the return button is operated by the player, or when the remaining number of valuable data of the prepaid card becomes "0", the valuable data is taken in. Insert the inserted prepaid card into the card slot 14
It discharges more.

Note that the gaming machine 1 shown as this embodiment is
As described above, a structure in which the separate card unit 3 is provided to provide a function of renting game balls, and the game ball discharging device of the game unit 2 discharges game balls for prize balls and game balls for rental. However, a gaming machine having a structure in which a function of lending a game ball and a function of controlling a card provided on the card unit side are included in the game unit side may be adopted.

The back side of the gaming machine 1 is as shown in FIG.
In the gaming unit 2 having a game board 10, a game board storage frame 15 for stably holding and storing the game board 10 is attached to the back side of the front frame 5 so as to be openable and closable, and on the back side of the game board storage frame 15. A back mechanism panel 16 is attached so as to be openable and closable.

On the upper part of the back mechanism board 16, there is provided a storage tank 17 for storing a ball as a game medium, and the ball in the storage tank 17 is provided with a guide gutter 18 and a flow path conversion gutter 19.
Is supplied to a ball discharging device 20 for discharging a ball as a game medium. The storage tank 17 is supplied with balls from a ball supply gutter of an island facility composed of a row of gaming machines. For example, a management device installed in a gaming shop to comprehensively manage each gaming machine 1. , The ball is appropriately replenished.

The guide gutter 18 is provided with a partition wall which rises gradually toward the downstream side so that two ball flow paths are formed, and the guide gutter 18 is formed by the partition wall. The game balls flowing to the downstream side are aligned in two rows, and the game balls are guided from each of the two ball flow paths formed on the downstream side of the guiding gutter 18 to each ball entrance of the flow path conversion gutter 19, Road conversion gutter 1
The game balls are guided to the respective ball entrances of the ball discharge device 20 through the two ball passages provided in the ball 9, and the two ball discharge function units provided in the ball discharge device 20 cause these balls to become prize balls. Or it is discharged as a rental ball. In addition, an odd sensor 19a for detecting a discharge standby ball is provided at an appropriate position of the flow path conversion gutter 19, and the number of discharge game balls is extremely reduced (a sufficient discharge ball for ball lending request). Is not detected, or a state in which a prize ball for a winning ball does not sufficiently remain) is detected.

The ball discharge device 2 passes through the above-described ball flow path.
The ball discharged from 0 is discharged to the ball supply tray 11 through the ball discharge gutter 21. In addition, in the lower part of the ball discharge gutter 21,
It is provided with a flow control gutter (not shown) that receives the falling ball to attenuate the force of the falling ball, regulates the flow of the ball, and guides the ball to the ball supply tray 11.
3 is provided with a distribution gutter (not shown). When the ball supply tray 11 is full of game balls, balls are stored in the flow control gutter, and when the stored balls reach the branching point with the distribution gutter. The game balls overflowing in the flow control gutter 22b are discharged to the ball tray 13 through the distribution gutter. Furthermore, ball saucer 1
When the ball 3 is also full of balls and overflows into the distribution gutter, the state is detected by an overflow sensor (not shown) provided at an appropriate position in the distribution gutter.

At the end of the business hours of the game store or at the time of repair / maintenance of the gaming machine 1, the ball discharge device 20 does not discharge the game balls, and the storage tank 17 does not discharge the game ball.
Since it is desirable to efficiently discharge the game balls that have been waiting until 9, a game shop clerk or the like is provided with a ball removal operation means (not shown) for instructing a ball removal operation, and the ball removal operation means is operated. This is detected by a ball removal sensor (not shown), and a flow path conversion operation is performed, for example, in which a standby ball flow path at an appropriate position downstream of the flow path conversion gutter 19 is branched to a ball removal flow path, and the standby state is performed. The ball is configured to be efficiently discharged from the ball discharge channel to the external discharge port.

On the back side of the back mechanism panel 16, the game devices such as the normal electric accessory 9e and the special winning opening 9f are controlled, and the appropriate control is given to other control devices to collectively advance the game. Control device 2 as the main game control device for controlling the game
2 and a subordinate game control device (discharge control device 23, which controls various game devices and the like in response to a command from the game control device 22;
Launch control device 24, display control device 25, decoration control device 2
6, the sound control device 27, etc.) and AC from the outside of the gaming machine 1.
An external terminal 28 for relaying, for example, inputting power and transmitting / receiving signals to / from a management device; and a power supply (24 VAC) supplied through the external terminal 28 which is appropriately converted to a main game control device and a slave game control device. A power supply unit 29 for supplying power to the apparatus is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply unit 29 receives AC 24 V from the external terminal 28, converts it to a required voltage DC, and then supplies power to each control device and the like. For example, DC32V, DC24V, DC12
V to the game control device 22, DC24V and DC12V to the discharge control device 23, DC30V and DC12V to the firing control device 24, DC12V to the display control device 25, DC3V
0V, DC24V, DC12V to the decoration control device 26,
DC12V is supplied to the sound control device 27, respectively.

The game control device 22 is a main game control device for performing overall control of the game. The game control device 22 controls the operation of electric devices such as the ordinary electric accessory 9e and the special winning opening 9f provided on the game board 10, and The prize ball data relating to the number of discharged prize balls based on winning in various prizes 9a... Is transmitted to the discharge control device 23, and the display control device 25 displays display data relating to information to be displayed on the special symbol display device and the conversion mode thereof. To the decoration control device 26 for displaying various decorations according to the gaming state, and sound control means 27 for outputting sound data for outputting various exchanges according to the gaming state.
Send to

The launch control device 24 controls the operation of a launch unit (a mechanism for launching a ball supplied from the ball supply tray 11 to the guide rail 8 from the launch rail) for performing a ball launch operation. The control base for realizing the control function is stored in an appropriate storage case. Note that FIG.
Although not shown in the figure, the game control device 22 determines that there is a high probability that an illegal act is performed in the gaming machine 1.
Is determined, a command signal for inactivating the firing is supplied from the game control device 22 to the firing control device 24, and based on this, the firing control device 24 stops the operation of the firing unit. 24 also functions as a slave game control device.

The display control device 25 is a command signal (a signal including display data as control information) from the game control device 22.
According to the above, the special symbol display device 9c is controlled to display a predetermined image on the display, and a control base for realizing the control function is stored in an appropriate storage case.

The decoration control device 26 is a command signal (a signal containing decoration data as control information) from the game control device 22.
According to the above, the operation (lighting or extinguishing) of the decorative lamps arranged on the front face of the gaming machine 1 and the like is controlled, and a control base for realizing the control function is stored in an appropriate storage case.

The sound control device 27 provides various effects according to the game state from a speaker disposed on the front of the gaming machine 1 or the like in accordance with a command signal (a signal including sound data as control information) from the game control device 22. It controls sound output, and stores a control board for realizing a control function in an appropriate storage case.

Thus, the discharge control device 23 controls the operation of the discharge solenoid of the ball discharge device 20 in accordance with a command signal (a signal including prize ball data as control information) from the game control device 22. The game state information is separately received from the device 22. That is, the discharge control device 23 as the subordinate game control device includes a storage unit capable of storing at least the control information and the game state information transmitted from the game control device 22 as the main game control device.

The discharge control device 23 controls energization of the discharge solenoid of the ball discharge device 20 based on the prize ball data transmitted from the game control device 22 and a detection signal from the discharge sensor of the ball discharge device 20. Control for discharging a predetermined number of game balls is performed. Further, the discharge control device 23 performs control associated with lending a ball while exchanging signals with the card unit 3. Hereinafter, the card unit 3 and the discharge control device 23
The following describes a ball lending control procedure performed between the two. For convenience, transmission and reception of signals will be described in positive logic.

If the PRDY signal output from the discharge control device 23 of the game unit 2 is in the Hi state, the card unit 32 determines that the discharge control device 23 can perform the discharge control of the ball. The card unit 3 accepts the operation of a ball lending button (not shown) when the discharge control device 23 is in a state where the ball discharge control can be performed. A BRDY signal notifying that a lending request (BRQ signal) is to be made is set to Hi. When the BRDY signal becomes Hi, the discharge control device 23 prepares to perform discharge control of the ball for lending the ball, and monitors the BRQ signal that is the ball lending request signal.

Subsequently, the card unit 3 sets the BRQ signal to the H level after a predetermined time has elapsed since the BRDY signal was set to the Hi level.
i, and when the discharge control device 23 receives the Hi of the BRQ signal, the discharge control device 23 sets the EXS signal for notifying the card unit 3 of the reception of the BRQ signal to Hi, and sets a predetermined unit (for example, 25 BRQ signals per pulse). ) Is ejected, and when the ejection is completed, the ejection control device 23 changes the EXS signal output to the card unit 3 to Lo,
The card unit 3 is notified that the discharge of the ball based on the RQ signal has been completed, and if the BRDY signal is still Hi, the BRQ signal is monitored again, and the BRDY signal is set to the L level.
When it becomes o, the ball lending discharge control process ends. On the other hand, when the card unit 3 sets the BRQ signal to Hi and then checks the output EXS signal for Hi, the card unit 3 sets the BRQ signal to Lo and monitors the EXS signal. When the Lo of the EXS signal is confirmed, the BRQ signal is set to Hi when the ball lending request is made continuously, and the BRDY signal is set to Lo when the ball lending request is not made.

Next, the game control device 22 and the discharge control device 2
The detailed configuration of No. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The game control device 22 is a game arithmetic processing device comprising a one-chip microcomputer for controlling the operation of various electric devices (ordinary electric accessory 9e, large winning opening 9f, etc.) necessary for ball game. Microcomputer 30, a clock generating circuit CLK for generating a clock having a predetermined time width by dividing the oscillation frequency of the crystal, and an input interface 32 for receiving detection signals from various sensors and the like.
And an output interface 33 for outputting a command signal and the like to various electric devices and a slave game control device. The gaming microcomputer 30 includes a CPU, a RO,
It is integrated on a single chip as an amuse chip IC incorporating M and RAM.

The input interface 32 includes signals from the first winning sensor 34 ₁ to the N-th winning sensor 34 _N provided in each of the winning openings 9 a..., And a special figure starting sensor 35 provided in the ordinary electric accessory 9 e. , A signal from the general-purpose starting gate sensor 36 provided in a predetermined winning area,
A signal from a continuation sensor 37 provided in a special winning area in the area f, and a signal from a count sensor 38 for detecting all balls in the special winning opening 9f are input.

From the output interface 33, a display control device 25, a decoration control device 26, a sound control device 27,
The firing control device 24, the normal symbol display device 9d, the normal electric accessory solenoid 3 which is an electric drive source of the ordinary electric accessory 9e.
9. Output an appropriate command signal or the like to the special winning opening solenoid 40 which is an electric drive source of the special winning opening 9f, and further output prize ball data and game state information to the discharge control device 23. There is to do.

Here, the game state information output by the game control device 22 is information on a game state generated by the game control device 22 performing game control on the gaming machine 1, and for example, Information such as whether or not the game is a special game to be played with the occurrence of a big hit (for example, when the game result of the variable display game using the special symbol display device 9c is a special mode), and the progress during the special game Information about the situation. Table 1 shows a specific example of this game state information.

[0047]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows that the game status information is represented by 5-bit parallel data (SID1, SID2, SID3, SI
D4, SID5) is transmitted from the game control device 22. For example, when the game is in a normal game state (normal time), “10001” is set, and the probability that the stop result mode of the special symbol display device 9c is the special mode is set. Is set to "10010" during a gaming state in which is set high (probable change), and is set to "10100" in a gaming state in which a variable display game by the special symbol display device 9c is set to be performed in a short time (during time reduction). ,
Each game control device 22 transmits.

In the special game state, the number of cycle updates in the special game is also transmitted as the game progress in the special game state. The special game controlled by the game control device 22 has a certain number of balls (for example, 10 balls) after the special winning opening 9f is changed to the second state advantageous to the player with the start of the special game. ), Or a second condition in which a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses after the conversion to the second state, or until the earliest condition is satisfied, is defined as one cycle. The cycle is newly updated on condition that the continuation sensor 37 detects the continuation ball, the winning opening 9f is converted into the second state again, and the game content is updated up to 16 times in this cycle. is there.

Therefore, if it is the first cycle of the special game (R1 during the big hit), "000000" is transmitted,
If it is the second cycle of the special game (R
2) “00001” is transmitted, and if it is the third cycle of the special game (R3 during the big hit), “0001” is transmitted.
"0" is transmitted,..., When it is the 15th cycle of the special game (R15 during the big hit), "01110" is transmitted, and when it is the last cycle of the special game (R during the big hit)
16), “01111” is transmitted.

The game state information may be transmitted from the game control device 22 only when a certain game state change occurs in the gaming machine 1 or at the time when the prize ball data is transmitted to the discharge control device 23. The game state information may also be transmitted. That is, during the operation of the gaming machine in which the game balls are being fired to the gaming section, the winning balls are normally generated one after another within a short time, so that the prize ball discharging operation is performed with the occurrence of the winning balls. If it is transmitted together with the prize ball data to be transmitted to the discharge control device 23, the time lag from when the game state changes to when the game state information is transmitted to the discharge control device 23 can be reduced to a negligible level. .

On the other hand, the discharge control device 23 includes a CPU 41,
It includes a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a CLK 44, an input interface 45, an output interface 46, a logic circuit 47, a power failure detection circuit 48, and a rectifying element 49, which are connected by an internal address bus, data bus, power supply line, and the like.

The CPU 41 of the discharge control device 23 performs processing necessary for discharging game balls (prize ball discharge and ball lending discharge).
It is stored in the OM42.

The RAM 43, which is a volatile memory, is used as a work area and stores various information (in particular,
It functions as a storage unit capable of storing the prize ball data and the game state information transmitted from the game control device 22. The RAM 43 is constituted by a single memory element or the like provided separately from the CPU 41 so that the RAM 43
Only single backup is enabled. Also, RA
M43 has an award ball data memory area for storing award ball number information (for example, 7 award balls and 15 award balls), various data memory areas for storing various data, other work memory areas, and the like. The prize ball data transmitted from the game control device 22 is sequentially stored in the prize ball data memory area, and the ball discharge device 20 is operated based on the stored prize ball number information to perform the prize ball discharge operation. And erases the data in the award ball data memory area with the end of the award ball discharging operation.

The input interface 45 includes a detection signal from a ball ejection sensor 50 for detecting a ball ejection request operation, and a first ejection sensor 51 for detecting a ball ejection state of the ball ejection device 20.
a, a detection signal from the second discharge sensor 52b, a detection signal from an odd sensor 19a provided at an appropriate position in the flow path conversion gutter 19, and a detection signal from the overflow sensor 52 for detecting that the ball tray 13 is full. A reset request signal from a reset switch 53 for clearing the contents of the RAM 43, and a confirmation switch 23b for displaying information on an information display section 23a provided on a panel section (see FIG. 5) provided at an appropriate position of the discharge control device. Are respectively input.

From the output interface 46, a display signal to the information display section 23 a for displaying the game state information transmitted from the game control device 22,
Drive signal to the first discharge solenoid 5 of the ball discharge device 20
Drive signals to 5a and the second discharge solenoid 55b are output, respectively.

The information display section 23a for displaying the game state information by operating the confirmation switch 23b includes:
For example, three 7-segment variable display devices are arranged side by side, and the game state is represented by the number of the first digit display device (for example, "0" is normal, "1" is big hit, " If "2", the game is progressing, if "3", it is time saving), the lower 2nd and 3rd digit displays indicate the game progress status when the big hit is in progress (if "01", the first cycle, "1" 1
6 "is the last cycle). The display of the information display unit 23a may be automatically turned off after a certain period of time. However, the display may be turned off by pressing the confirmation switch 23b again, or a separate display end switch may be provided.
The operation of deleting the information display based on the intention of the staff of the game store or the like may be performed.

The logic power supply circuit 47 converts DC 24 V supplied from the power supply unit 29 into DC 5 V, and converts the components (the CPU 41 and the ROM 4) in the discharge control device 23.
2, RAM 43, etc.).

The power failure detection circuit 48 is provided with the power supply unit 2
9 detects that the power supply to the logic power supply circuit 47 has been cut off, determines that the power supply voltage has dropped below a predetermined threshold value as a power outage, and forcibly interrupts the CPU 41 to execute the operation. Stop it.

The power supply to the RAM 43 is performed via a rectifying element 49, and this power supply line is also supplied to a backup power supply means 56 provided in the power supply unit 29 as a power supply device. The backup power supply means 56 has a power storage function such as a large-capacity capacitor. When the discharge control device 23 is functioning normally, the power supply voltage 5 V to the RAM 43 is also applied to the positive electrode of the backup power supply means 56. However, when the power supply inside the emission control device 23 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the backup power supply means 56 discharges the
Power is supplied to 43. At this time, RAM
Since the rectifying element 49 is connected to the power supply line to the power supply 43, the power is not discharged to the side from the logic power supply circuit 47, and the backup power is supplied only to the RAM 43.

Further, since the backup power supply means 56 is provided not in the discharge control device 23 but in the power supply unit 29, the connection connector with the power supply unit 29 is required to remove the discharge control device 23 from the game unit 2. Is removed, the RAM 4 in the discharge control device 23 is removed.
The supply of the backup power to the power supply 3 is cut off. That is, it is possible to rewrite the storage contents of the RAM 43 of the discharge control device 23 with game state information and prize ball data that are advantageous to the player, thereby preventing an illegal act of unreasonably trying to obtain a profit when the power is restored.

In the above embodiment, the game status information is transmitted in parallel from the game control device 22 to the discharge control device 23. However, the game status information may be transmitted serially. In such a case, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6, the data signal of the data signal is set on the basis of the falling point of the strobe signal transmitted as a clock having a fixed period in synchronization with the transmission timing of the receivable signal (reset signal). By reading the level, 5
Bit (SID1, SID2, SID3, SID4, S
The game state information of ID5) can be acquired.

Further, in the above embodiment, the game state information is transmitted from the game control device 22 to the discharge control device 23 separately from the prize ball data signal, but the game information data is transmitted together with the prize ball data signal. May be transmitted. In this case, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7, the level of the data signal is set based on the falling point of the strobe signal transmitted as a clock having a fixed period in synchronization with the transmission timing of the receivable signal (reset signal). Is read, the 1-bit (ID) gaming machine type data (the gaming machine with the card unit as in the present embodiment and the gaming machine without the card unit) and 5 bits (SID1, SID1) SID2, SI
D3, SID4, SID5) and 4-bit (D0, D1, D2, D3) winning ball data signals can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the game control device 22 transmits the game state information only to the discharge control device 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game state information is transmitted to another slave game control device. It may be configured as follows. Further, the number of the subordinate game control devices to which the game control device 22 transmits the game state information is not limited to one, and the configuration may be such that the game state information is transmitted to a plurality of subordinate game control devices.

[0065]

As described above, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the storage means capable of storing the control information and the game state information transmitted from the main game control device is provided in the subordinate game control device. Therefore, even if a power outage occurs during operation of the gaming machine due to a power outage during the operation of the amusement store, the control information transmitted from the main gaming device to the slave gaming device or The game state information is backed up on the slave game control device side, and when the power supply of the gaming machine is restored, the command (from the control information to the master game control device) that the slave game control device has not yet completed has been completed. (A control operation based on the above) can be resumed. It is also useful in that it is possible to perform a return control that reproduces the gaming state of the gaming machine based on the gaming state information backed up by the slave gaming control device.

In addition, since the backup power is supplied from the backup power supply means of the power supply device to the storage means of the slave game control device, when the slave game control device is removed from the gaming machine, the storage means of the storage means is stored. Since the content is no longer retained, it is not possible to perform an illegal act of removing the slave game control device from the gaming machine and rewriting the control information, which is also suitable for fraud prevention.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the second aspect, the main game control device transmits the command signal to the slave game control device by adding the game state information to the command signal to the sub game control device. Can be transmitted from the main game control device to the slave game control device, so that there is no need to separately transmit the game state information, and the transmission configuration of the main game control device for transmitting the game state information The receiving personality of the slave game control device that receives the game status information does not become complicated and its control is easy.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge control device which receives prize ball information from the main game control device as a command signal and supplies a game value to a player based on the prize ball information. As a game control device, by providing a storage means in the discharge control device that supplies the game value, which is the greatest concern for the player playing the game, to the player, even if a sudden power off occurs, the award ball information and Game state information can be stored and held on the discharge control device side, and when the power of the gaming machine is restored, the appropriate game value to be supplied to the player is supplied, so that the player's confidence Can be suppressed.

According to the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, the slave game control device includes the information display section for displaying at least the game state information transmitted from the main game control device in the storage contents of the storage means. Thus, when the power supply of the gaming machine is restored, a game store clerk or the like can visually recognize the game state information stored in the storage means by the display means,
Based on the game state information, it is possible to provide a service for compensating the game value so that the player is not disadvantaged. This is effective in avoiding trouble between the player and the game store.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the relationship between various control devices in the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram of input / output between a game control device and a discharge control device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a panel unit provided on a surface of the discharge control device.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of reading on the discharge control device side when the game state information is transmitted serially.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of reading at the discharge control device side when serially transmitting award ball data and game state information together.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming machine 22 Game control device 23 Emission control device 24 Launch control device 25 Display control device 26 Decoration control device 27 Sound control device 29 Power supply unit 43 RAM 56 Backup power supply means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main game device for controlling a game, a plurality of slave game controllers for controlling various electric devices based on control information included in a command signal transmitted from the main game control device, and an external supply And a power supply device that receives required power supply, generates a required power supply, and supplies the generated power supply to each device, wherein the main game control device is a slave game control device to which a command signal is transmitted. It is possible to transmit the game state information recognized by the main game control device, the slave game control device comprises a storage means capable of storing at least the control information and game state information transmitted from the main game control device, The power supply device includes a backup power supply unit that can supply backup power to the storage unit so that the storage content of the storage unit in the slave game control device is retained. That the gaming machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the main game control device transmits a command signal to the sub game control device with game state information added thereto. 3. The slave game control device is an emission control device that receives prize ball information from a main game control device as a command signal and supplies a game value to a player based on the prize ball information. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The slave game control device according to claim 1, further comprising an information display unit for displaying at least the game state information transmitted from the main game control device among the contents stored in the storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 3.