JP6786112B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine.

It is known that a game machine has a plurality of control boards such as a main control board, a sub control board, and an image control board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the game machine, various controls are executed by these a plurality of control boards. For example, the main control board makes a hit / fail judgment based on the establishment of the start condition, executes the fluctuation control of the symbol according to the result of the hit / miss judgment, and transmits various information such as the result of the hit / miss judgment to the sub control board. .. The sub control board determines the execution of various effects based on the information transmitted from the main control board, controls the control board such as the image control control board, and causes the various effects to be executed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-27902

However, there is a possibility that the control board such as the main control board, the sub control board, or the image control board may be replaced without the knowledge of the administrator. If the control board is replaced without the administrator's knowledge, fraud may be executed, which may cause a disadvantage to the player or a problem in the maintenance and management of the game machine. Therefore, when the control board is replaced in this way, there is a need for a technique that allows the administrator to recognize the replacement.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of allowing an administrator to recognize replacement of a control board.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following application example. It should be noted that the reference numerals and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this column indicate the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to assist the understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way. ..

[Application example 1]
Notification means and
The first control means for holding the identification information and
A second control means for holding the identification information,
A third control means that holds the identification information,
With
The first control means transmits the identification information held by itself, and the first control means transmits the identification information.
The second control means transmits the identification information held by itself, and the second control means transmits the identification information.
The third control means receives the identification information of the first control means and the identification information of the second control means, and receives the identification information of the first control means and the received second control. The identification information of the means is collated with the identification information held by itself, and the identification information of the first control means, the identification information of the second control means, and the identification information held by itself are predetermined respectively. In the case of the above relationship, it is determined that none of the first control means, the second control means, and the third control means has been exchanged, and the identification information of the first control means is used. Of the identification information of the second control means and the identification information held by the second control means, two identification informations have a predetermined relationship, and the other identification information is predetermined with the two identification informations. If it is not related, it is determined that the control means corresponding to the other identification information has been exchanged .
The notification means notifies the determination result of the third control means.
A game machine characterized by that.

According to the present invention, the administrator can recognize the replacement of the control board of the game machine.

It is a front view of a game machine. It is an exploded perspective view of the game machine frame. It is a front view of a game board. It is an enlarged view of the 1st grand prize apparatus and the 2nd grand prize apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of the 1st prize winning apparatus. It is an enlarged view of the display. It is a front view of the game board which shows the state which the board movable body operates. It is a back view of the game machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the main control board side of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the sub-control board side of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the frame relay board side of a game machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the details of the EEPROM included in each of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100. It is a flowchart of a main control main process. It is a flowchart of the power-on processing. It is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing on the main side. It is a flowchart of power-off monitoring processing. It is a flowchart of anomaly processing. It is a flowchart which shows the sub-control main process. It is a flowchart which shows the identification information transmission / reception processing. It is a flowchart of the sub-side timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart of the received command analysis process. It is a flowchart of power-on command reception processing. It is a flowchart of power recovery command reception processing. It is a flowchart which shows the image control main processing. It is a flowchart which shows the control board exchange determination process. It is a figure which shows the exchange determination table used in the control board exchange determination. It is a figure for demonstrating the display based on the control board exchange determination result. It is a figure for demonstrating the display based on the control board exchange determination result.

1. 1. Structure of Game Machine Based on FIGS. 1 to 6, the structure of the game machine 1 as an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the game machine 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine frame 50. FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the first grand prize device 31 and the second grand prize device 36. In the following, the left-right direction of the game machine 1 will be described so as to match the left-right direction as seen by the player facing the game machine 1. Further, the front direction of the game machine 1 will be described as a direction from the game machine 1 toward the player, and the rear direction of the game machine 1 will be described as a direction from the player toward the game machine 1.

The gaming machine 1 is a pachinko gaming machine that launches a gaming ball based on a player's firing operation, and when the gaming ball wins a prize in a specific winning device, a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out to the player based on the winning. is there. The game machine 1 includes a game machine frame 50 and a game board 2, and the game board 2 is attached to the inside of the game machine frame 50 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The game machine frame 50 includes an outer frame 51, an inner frame 52, and a front frame 53 (FIG. 2). The outer frame (base frame portion) 51 is a vertically rectangular frame body that forms an outer frame portion of the game machine. The inner frame 52 is a vertically rectangular unit arranged inside the outer frame 51, and the game board 2 is attached to the hollow region. The front frame (front frame portion) 53 is a vertically rectangular unit arranged on the front side of the outer frame 51 and the inner frame 52, and protects the game board 2.

The game machine frame 50 is provided with a hinge portion 54 on the left end side (FIG. 2). The front frame 53 is rotatably configured with respect to each of the outer frame 51 and the inner frame 52 by the hinge portion 54, and the inner frame 52 is rotated with respect to each of the outer frame 51 and the front frame 53. It is configured to be movable. An opening 53a is formed in the center of the front frame 53, and a transparent glass plate 55 is attached to the opening 53a. The player can visually recognize the game area 3 of the game board 2 through the portion (window part) of the glass plate 55 located inside the opening 53a. A transparent synthetic resin plate or the like may be used instead of the glass plate 55. That is, the window portion may be able to see the game area 3 from the front.

The front frame 53 includes a base frame 56, an upper decorative unit 200, a left decorative unit 210, a right decorative unit 220, and an operation mechanism unit 230. The base frame 56 is a frame body on which the upper decorative unit 200, the left decorative unit 210, the right decorative unit 220, and the operation mechanism unit 230 are detachably attached on the front surface side (front side). As shown in FIG. 1, speakers 67 are provided on the upper left and upper right of the base frame 56, and a hitting ball supply plate (upper plate) 61 for storing game balls is provided on the lower left of the base frame 56. It is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a hitting ball launching mechanism 57 for launching a game ball into a game area 3 described later is provided at the lower end of the base frame 56. The ball striking plate 61 is attached to the base frame 56, but is integrated (unitized) with the operation mechanism unit 230. The operation mechanism unit 230 may be attached to the inner frame 52 and face the front surface of the game machine frame 50.

The upper decorative unit 200 is arranged on the upper side of the base frame 56, and when all the units (upper decorative unit 200, left decorative unit 210, right decorative unit 220, operating mechanism unit 230) are attached to the base frame 56, the uppermost decorative unit 200 is placed. Protrude forward. That is, the upper decorative unit 200 has the longest dimension in the front-rear direction among all the units attached to the base frame 56. As a result, the front frame 53 can give a larger impact than the conventional front frame because the upper decorative unit 200 is emphasized. The upper decorative unit 200 is configured to be independently removable by screws (not shown) regardless of how the left decorative unit 210 and the right decorative unit 220 are attached to the base frame 56. As described above, since the upper decorative unit 200 can be attached and detached without being linked (engaged) with other members, it can be easily replaced in the event of a failure or inspection. The upper decorative unit 200 includes a frame movable body 600 and a frame lamp 66. The frame movable body 600 is a movable so-called gimmick provided on the upper part of the upper decorative unit 200. The frame movable body 600 is configured to be displaceable from a stored state (FIG. 1) stored inside the upper decorative unit 200 to an exposed state (FIG. 7) protruding upward from the upper decorative unit 200. The frame lamp 66 is provided on the front wall portion of the upper decorative unit 200 so as to be particularly noticeable from the player or the like, and the first light emitting unit 341, the second light emitting unit 342, the third light emitting unit 343, and the third light emitting unit 343 are provided from the left side to the right side. The four light emitting units 344 are arranged in order. The light emitting units 341, 342, 343, and 344 emit light as the game progresses. The first light emitting unit 341 has an "O" shape in front view, the second light emitting unit 342 has an "A" shape in front view, and the third light emitting unit 343 has an "R" shape in front view. , The fourth light emitting unit 344 has an "O" shape when viewed from the front. The light emitting units 341, 342, 343, 344 cause the upper decorative unit 200 to emit light as a series of meaningful characters consisting of "OARO". Here, "OARO" means the model name logo of the game machine 1. The shape of the light emitting unit 341, 342, 343, 344 can be any shape other than "OARO".

The left decorative unit 210 is arranged on the left side of the base frame 56 and includes a left decorative member 211. The right side decoration unit 220 is arranged on the right side of the base frame 56, and includes a right side decoration member 221 and a sword member 222. The sword member 222 is an operation unit that imitates the shape of a sword, and can be pushed downward by the player during a production or the like that is executed as the game progresses.

The operation mechanism unit 230 is arranged below the base frame 56, and includes a handle 60, a surplus ball saucer (lower plate) 62, an effect button 63, and a select button (cross key) 68. The handle 60 is arranged at the lower right end of the operation mechanism unit 230, and launches the game ball with a firing intensity according to the rotation angle. The surplus ball tray (lower plate) 62 is arranged on the left side of the handle 60, and stores game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hit ball supply plate 61. The effect button 63 and the select button (cross key) 68 are arranged on the upper side of the operation mechanism unit 230, and are operated by the player at the time of the effect to be executed as the game progresses.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 2 is usually variable with a game area 3, a rail member 4, a board lamp 5, an image display device 7, a center decoration body 10, and a fixed winning device (navel) 19. Winning device (electric chew) 22, gate (through chucker) 28, first big winning device (first attacker) 31, second big winning device (second attacker) 36, normal winning opening 27, and out It includes a mouth 16 and indicators 40.

The game area 3 is an area in which the game ball launched by the operation of the handle 60 flows down, and a plurality of game nails for guiding the game ball are projected. The rail member 4 is arranged at the left end portion of the game area 3, and guides the game ball launched by the operation of the handle 60 toward the upper side of the game area 3. The board lamp 5 is arranged on the back side of the game area 3, and irradiates light from the back side of the game area 3.

The image display device 7 is provided near the center of the game area 3 and includes a display screen 7a. The image display device 7 may be a liquid crystal display device, or may be another image display device such as an organic EL display device, a plasma display, a projector, or a dot matrix. The display screen 7a of the image display device 7 includes an effect symbol display area in which the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R are variably displayed (also referred to as variable display), a hold image display area in which the hold image groups 9A and 9B are displayed, and a hold image display area. It has a hold digestion image display area on which the hold digestion image 9C is displayed.

The effect symbol display area includes three symbol display areas of "left", "middle", and "right". The left effect symbol 8L is displayed in the symbol display area on the left. The middle effect symbol 8C is displayed in the symbol display area inside. The right effect symbol 8R is displayed in the symbol display area on the right. Each of the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R has a plurality of symbols representing numbers from "1" to "8". The variable display of the effect symbols 8L, 8C, and 8R is synchronized with the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol described later. The image display device 7 has the first special symbol and the first special symbol displayed by the first special symbol display 41a and the second special symbol display 41b, which will be described later, depending on the combination of the effect symbols displayed in the left, middle, and right symbol display areas. The result of the variable display of the second special symbol (big hit lottery result) can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the player.

For example, when a big hit is won, the effect symbol is stopped and displayed with doublet such as "777". If it is out of alignment, the effect symbol is stopped and displayed at a random number such as "637". This makes it easier for the player to grasp the progress of the game. The player can grasp the jackpot lottery result by the first special symbol display 41a, the second special symbol display 41b, and the image display device 7. The position of the symbol display area does not have to be fixed. Further, as a mode of variable display of the effect symbol, a mode of scrolling in the vertical direction can be exemplified. Hereinafter, the effect of displaying the effect symbols 8L, 8C, 8R will be referred to as "effect symbol variation effect", "decorative symbol variation effect", or simply "variation effect".

The image display device 7 can display on the display screen 7a a jackpot effect performed in parallel with the jackpot game (an example of a special game), a demo effect for waiting for customers, and the like, in addition to the effect symbol variation effect. In the effect symbol variation effect, in addition to the effect symbol, an effect image such as a background image or a character image may be displayed. Further, the image display device 7 can indicate that the special symbol is changing or the lottery result of the special symbol in addition to the effect symbol (fourth symbol, not shown). Is displayed on the display screen 7a. The identification display (fourth symbol) is performed by controlling a light emitter such as a lamp (LED) provided in the game area 3 outside the display screen 7a in a predetermined manner instead of displaying it on the display screen 7a (4th symbol). For example, the special symbol may be turned on when it is fluctuating, turned off when it is stopped, the first special symbol is blue, and the second special symbol is red). This identification display (fourth symbol) is always recognizable to the player, and is provided so as not to be hidden when, for example, an accessory is operated. By providing such an identification display (fourth symbol), the player can properly judge the current game situation.

The reserved image display area includes a first reserved display area for displaying the reserved image group 9A according to the number of stored images of the first special figure reserved described later, and the reserved image group 9B according to the number of stored images of the second special figure reserved described later. Includes a second hold display area for displaying. By displaying the reserved image groups 9A and 9B, the number of stored first special figure hold displayed on the first special figure hold indicator 43a, which will be described later, and the second special figure displayed on the second special figure hold indicator 43b. The number of stored memories can be displayed to the player in an easy-to-understand manner. The hold digestion image 9C is an effect image corresponding to the effect symbols (effect symbols 8L, 8C, 8R) currently changing on the display screen 7a, and the hold digestion image display area is the hold digestion image 9C for displaying the hold digestion image 9C. Includes display area. By displaying the reserved digestion image 9C, it is possible to clearly display to the player that the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is digested (“digestion of the special figure hold” described later).

The center decoration body 10 is located near the center of the game area 3 and in front of the image display device 7. A stage portion 11 is formed in the lower portion of the center decorative body 10. The stage portion 11 has a shape capable of guiding a game ball rolling on the upper surface of the stage portion 11 to the first starting port 20 described later. A warp portion 12 is provided at the lower left of the center decoration body 10. The warp portion 12 includes an entrance portion through which the game balls flow in and an outlet portion through which the game balls flow out, and the game balls flowing in from the entrance portion flow out from the outlet portion to the stage portion 11. A board movable body 15 in a retracted state and a pedestal 17 to which the board movable body 15 is attached are arranged above the center decorative body 10. The board movable body 15 will be described in detail later.

The fixed winning device (navel) 19 is arranged below the image display device 7 in the game area 3, and the first starting opening (first starting winning opening, first winning ball) in which the ease of entering the game ball does not always change. It is provided with a mouth and a fixed starting port) 20. The winning of the game ball to the first starting port 20 is an opportunity for the lottery (big hit lottery) of the first special symbol. In other words, the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 20 is an opportunity for acquiring a jackpot random number or the like and determining a jackpot.

The ordinary variable winning device (electric chew) 22 is arranged below the first starting opening 20 in the game area 3, and includes a second starting opening (second starting winning opening, second entry opening, variable starting opening) 21. ing. The winning of the game ball to the second starting port 21 is an opportunity for the second special symbol lottery (big hit lottery). The electric chew 22 is provided with a movable member 23 in front of the second starting port 21, and the second starting port 21 is opened and closed by the operation of the movable member 23. The movable member 23 is driven by an electric chew solenoid 24 (FIG. 7). A game ball can enter the second starting port 21 when the movable member 23 is in the open state. The electric chew 22 only needs to be easier to enter the second starting port 21 when the movable member 23 is in the open state than when it is in the closed state, and the second starting port 21 is required when the movable member 23 is in the closed state. It may be possible to enter the ball.

The gate (through chucker) 28 is arranged above the first big winning device (first attacker) 31 in the game area 3, and is configured so that the game ball can pass through. The passage of the game ball to the gate 28 is an opportunity for a normal symbol lottery to decide whether or not to open the electric chew 22. In other words, the passage of the game ball to the gate 28 is an opportunity for acquiring a normal symbol random number (hit random number) and determining a hit.

Here, the "special symbol lottery" means that when a game ball wins a prize in the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21, a random number for determining a special symbol is acquired, and the acquired random number is predetermined. This is a process of determining whether or not a jackpot is a big hit by comparing it with a value corresponding to the "big hit". The result of this jackpot lottery is not immediately notified to the player, but when the special symbol is variablely displayed on the first special symbol display 41a or the second special symbol display 41b and a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed. , The special symbol corresponding to the big hit lottery result is confirmed and displayed after the stop, and the lottery result is notified to the player. In addition, the image display device 7 plays a symbol matching game in which the effect symbol is variablely displayed in synchronization with the variable display of the special symbol, and the symbol matching game more effectively notifies the player of the lottery result of the big hit. To.

Further, in the "ordinary symbol lottery", when the game ball passes through the gate 28, a random number for determining the ordinary symbol is acquired, and the acquired random number is compared with a value corresponding to a predetermined "hit". By doing so, it means a process of determining whether or not it is a hit. Regarding the lottery result of this ordinary symbol, the lottery result is not immediately notified when the game ball passes through the gate 28, and the ordinary symbol display 42 (FIG. 6), which will be described later, displays fluctuations such as blinking of the ordinary symbol. When a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, the normal symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the normal symbol is stopped and then a confirmation display (lights or turns off) is displayed, and the player is notified of the lottery result.

The first large winning device (first attacker, first special variable winning device) 31 is arranged on the upper right side of the first starting port 20 in the game area 3, and is attached to the game board 2 by the pedestal 13. The first large winning device 31 includes a first large winning opening (first special winning opening) 30, a V region 39, and a V opening / closing member 71 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The first large winning opening 30 is provided with an opening / closing member (first special winning opening opening / closing member) 32 that hinders or allows acceptance of a game ball by an opening / closing operation in the front. The opening / closing member 32 is driven by the first large winning opening solenoid 33 (FIGS. 5 and 7). A game ball can enter the first large winning opening 30 when the opening / closing member 32 is in the open state. Further, 18 shown in FIG. 4 is provided above the V region (specific region) 39 (substantially directly above the V opening / closing member 71) to indicate (suggest) that the V region (specific region) 39 exists. This is a V area (specific area) display unit. As shown in FIG. 4, the V region (specific region) display unit 18 is formed in a star shape and is provided on the surface of the game board 2 by being printed or affixed (seal). The V region (specific region) display unit 18 does not have to be star-shaped, and its position may be near the V region (specific region) 39.

The second big winning device (second attacker, second special variable winning device) 36 is arranged on the upper right side of the first big winning opening 30 in the game area 3, and is attached to the game board 2 by the pedestal 14. The second major winning device 36 includes a second major winning opening (second special winning opening) 35 (FIGS. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5). The second large winning opening 35 is provided with an opening / closing member (second special winning opening opening / closing member, blade member) 37 that hinders or allows acceptance of a game ball by an opening / closing operation in the front. The opening / closing member 37 is driven by the second large winning opening solenoid 38 (FIGS. 5 and 7). A game ball can enter the second large winning opening 35 when the opening / closing member 37 is in the open state.

The ordinary winning opening 27 is provided in the lower part of the game area 3. In addition, a plurality of ordinary winning openings 27 may be provided. The out port 16 is provided in the lower part of the game area 3, and discharges the game balls that have not won in any of the winning ports to the outside of the game area 3. The indicators 40 are arranged near the center on the right side of the game board 2. Details of the indicators 40 will be described later.

The game area 3 includes a left game area 3A on the left side of the center in the left-right direction and a right game area 3B on the right side. The method of firing a game ball so that the game ball flows down in the left game area 3A is called "left hit". On the other hand, a method of launching a game ball so that the game ball flows down in the right game area 3B is called "right-handed". In the game machine 1, it is possible to aim for a prize in the first starting port 20 by hitting left. On the other hand, it is configured so that it is possible to pass through the gate 28 by hitting right, and to win a prize in the second starting opening 21, the first big winning opening 30, and the second big winning opening 35.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the first prize-winning device 31. The first large winning device 31 internally includes a V region (specific region) 39, a V region sensor 39a, a non-V region (non-specific region) 70, a non-V region sensor 70a, and a first large winning opening sensor 30a. The V opening / closing member 71 and the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 are provided. The V region (specific region) 39 and the non-V region (non-specific region) 70 are configured as regions inside the first prize winning device 31 through which a game ball that has passed through the first prize opening 30 can pass. .. The first large winning opening sensor 30a is arranged upstream of the V region 39 and the non-V region 70, and detects the winning of the game ball into the first large winning opening 30. The V region sensor 39a is arranged in the V region 39 and detects the passage of the game ball into the V region 39. The non-V region sensor 70a is arranged in the non-V region 70 and detects the passage of the game ball into the non-V region 70. The V opening / closing member 71 distributes the game ball that has passed through the first winning opening 30 to either the V region 39 or the non-V region 70. The V opening / closing member solenoid 73 drives the V opening / closing member 71. The V opening / closing member 71 is configured to rotate (clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the game board 2), and when the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is energized, the V opening / closing member 71 rotates counterclockwise from the origin position to rotate the game ball. It is in the first state (rotational state) of distributing to the V region 39, and is in the second state (stopped state) of distributing the game ball to the non-V area 70 located at the origin when the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is not energized. .. The V opening / closing member 71 is not limited to the rotational movement, and may have a function of distributing the game ball that has passed through the first large winning opening 30 to either the V region 39 or the non-V region 70, for example. It may be configured to move in the left-right direction with respect to the game board 2. That is, when the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is energized, the game ball is distributed to the V region 39 (first state), and when the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is not energized, the game ball is distributed to the non-V region 70. It may be configured to be (second state).

FIG. 5A shows a state in which the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is energized. When the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is energized, the V opening / closing member 71 is in a state of allowing the game ball to pass through the V region 39 (first state). When the V opening / closing member 71 is in the first state, the game ball that has won the first special winning opening 30 passes through the V region 39 after passing through the first large winning opening sensor 30a. The route of this game ball is called the "first route". FIG. 5B shows a state in which the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is not energized. When the V opening / closing member solenoid 73 is not energized, the V opening / closing member 71 is in a state of hindering the passage of the game ball into the V region 39 (second state). When the V opening / closing member 71 is in the second state, the game ball that has won the first large winning opening 30 passes through the first large winning opening sensor 30a and then rolls on the upper surface of the V opening / closing member 71 to be non-V. Pass through region 70. The route of this game ball is called a "second route". In the game machine 1, the passage of the game ball into the V region 39 triggers the transition to the high probability state described later. That is, the V region 39 is a probability variation operation port. On the other hand, the non-V region 70 is not a probability variation operation port. The first prize-winning device 31 of the present embodiment further includes a first prize-winning device discharge sensor (not shown) that counts the number of game balls discharged from the first prize-winning device 31. The first large winning device discharge sensor is provided at a point where the V region 39 and the non-V region 70 meet downstream, and counts the number of game balls that have passed through the V region sensor 39a or the non-V region sensor 70a.

5 (A) and 5 (B) show the route through which the game ball that has won the second prize opening 35 passes. A second large winning opening sensor 35a is arranged in this passage path, and the second large winning opening sensor 35a detects the winning of a game ball into the second large winning opening 35. The second prize-winning device 36 does not have a V region as a probability change operation port inside. That is, the second prize-winning device 36 has only a non-V region inside. The second prize-winning device 36 may have a V region inside. The first prize-winning device 31 of the present embodiment further includes a second prize-winning device discharge sensor (not shown) that counts the number of game balls discharged from the second prize-winning device 36. The second large winning device discharge sensor is provided downstream of the second large winning opening sensor 35a, and counts the number of game balls that have passed through the second large winning opening sensor 35a.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the display devices 40. The indicators 40 include a first special symbol indicator 41a, a second special symbol indicator 41b, a normal symbol indicator 42, a first special symbol hold indicator 43a, and a second special symbol hold indicator 43b. , The general figure hold indicator 44, and the like. The first special symbol display 41a variably displays the first special symbol. The second special symbol display 41b variably displays the second special symbol. The normal symbol display 42 variably displays the normal symbol. The first special figure hold indicator 43a displays the number of stored operations of the first special symbol display 41a (first special figure hold). The second special figure hold indicator 43b displays the number of stored operations of the second special symbol display 41b (second special figure hold). The normal figure hold indicator 44 displays the number of stored operations hold (normal figure hold) of the normal symbol display 42. The variable display of the first special symbol is performed when the game ball is won in the first starting port 20. The variable display of the second special symbol is performed when the game ball is won in the second starting port 21. Hereinafter, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are also collectively referred to as "special symbol". Further, the first special symbol display 41a and the second special symbol display 41b are also collectively referred to as "special symbol display 41". Further, the first special figure holding indicator 43a and the second special drawing holding indicator 43b are also collectively referred to as "special figure holding indicator 43".

The special symbol display 41 displays a special symbol (identification information) in a variable manner (variable display) and then stops and displays a lottery based on winning a prize in the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21 (special symbol lottery, The result of the jackpot lottery) will be notified. The stop-displayed special symbol (stop symbol, special symbol derived and displayed as a display result of variable display) is one special symbol selected from a plurality of types of special symbols by a special symbol lottery. If the stop symbol is a predetermined special symbol (a special symbol of a specific stop mode, that is, a jackpot symbol), the first big winning opening 30 or the opening pattern according to the type of the specific special symbol displayed as stopped is used. A special game (big hit game) that opens the second big prize opening 35 is performed. The opening pattern of the large winning openings (first large winning opening 30 and second large winning opening 35) in the special game will be described later.

The special symbol display 41 is composed of eight LEDs arranged side by side, and displays a special symbol according to the result of the jackpot lottery depending on the lighting mode. For example, if you win a jackpot (one of the multiple types of jackpots described below), you will see "○○ ●● ○○ ●●" (○: lit, ●: off) from the left, 1 and 2. , The 5th and 6th LEDs are lit to display the jackpot symbol. If there is a loss, a lost pattern such as "●●●●●●● ○" is displayed, in which only the LED on the far right is lit. A mode in which all the LEDs are turned off may be adopted as a lost symbol. The lost symbol is not a specific special symbol. Before the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner over a predetermined variation time. In the variable display mode, for example, each LED may be turned on so that light repeatedly flows from left to right. The mode of the variable display is not limited to the above mode as long as each LED is not stopped and displayed (lighting display in a specific mode), and any lighting mode can be used. For example, in the variable display mode, all the LEDs may blink at the same time.

In the game machine 1, when a game ball is won (winning) in the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21, the value (numerical information) of various random numbers such as the jackpot random number acquired for the winning is , It is temporarily stored in the special figure reservation storage area. Specifically, if the winning is to the first starting port 20, it is stored in the first special figure holding storage area as the first special figure holding, and if the winning is to the second starting port 21, the second special drawing is held. It is stored in the second special figure reservation storage area as a hold. There is an upper limit to the number of special figure reservations that can be stored in each special figure reservation storage area, and the upper limit value in each of the present embodiments is four. The special figure hold stored in the special figure hold storage area is digested when the special symbol can be variably displayed based on the special figure hold. "Digestion of special figure hold" means to determine a jackpot random number or the like corresponding to the special figure hold and execute variable display of a special symbol to show the determination result. Therefore, in the game machine 1, when the variable display of the special symbol based on the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 20 or the second starting port 21 cannot be performed immediately after the winning, that is, the variable display of the special symbol is executed. Even if a prize is won during the middle or special game, the right to the jackpot lottery for the prize can be reserved up to a predetermined number. The number of special figure hold indicators is displayed on the special figure hold indicator 43. The special figure hold indicator 43 is composed of, for example, four LEDs, and displays the number of special figure hold by turning on the LEDs as many as the number of special figure hold.

The variable display of the normal symbol is performed when the game ball passes through the gate 28. The normal symbol display 42 notifies the result of the normal symbol lottery based on the passage of the game ball to the gate 28 by displaying the normal symbol in a variable manner (variable display) and then stopping the display. The normal symbol that is stopped and displayed (normal symbol, normal symbol that is derived and displayed as a display result of variable display) is one ordinary symbol selected from a plurality of types of ordinary symbols by the ordinary symbol lottery. When the normal symbol stop symbol is a predetermined specific normal symbol (ordinary symbol in a predetermined stop mode, that is, a normal hit symbol), an assist for opening the second starting port 21 with an opening pattern according to the current gaming state. The game is played. The opening pattern of the second starting port 21 will be described later.

The ordinary symbol display 42 is composed of two LEDs, and displays ordinary symbols according to the result of the ordinary symbol lottery depending on the lighting mode thereof. For example, when the lottery result is a win, a normal hit symbol in which both LEDs are lit is displayed, such as "○○" (○: on, ●: off). If the lottery result is lost, a normal lost symbol such as "● ○" in which only the right LED is lit is displayed. A mode in which all the LEDs are turned off may be adopted as a normal loss pattern. The normal lost symbol is not a specific normal symbol. Before the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner over a predetermined fluctuation time. In the variable display mode, for example, both LEDs may be turned on alternately. The mode of the variable display is not limited to the above mode as long as each LED is not stopped and displayed (lighting display in a specific mode), and any lighting mode can be used. For example, in the variable display mode, all the LEDs may blink at the same time.

In the game machine 1, when the game ball passes through the gate 28, the value of the normal symbol random number (winning random number) acquired for the passage is temporarily stored in the normal figure hold storage area as the normal figure hold. There is an upper limit to the number of normal figure holds that can be stored in the normal figure hold storage area, and the upper limit value in this embodiment is four. The normal figure hold stored in the normal figure hold storage area is digested when the variable display of the normal symbol based on the normal figure hold becomes possible. The digestion of the normal symbol hold means to determine the normal symbol random number (hit random number) corresponding to the normal symbol hold and execute the variable display of the normal symbol to show the determination result. Therefore, in the game machine 1, if the variable display of the normal symbol based on the passage of the game ball to the gate 28 cannot be performed immediately after the passage, that is, the prize is won during the execution of the variable display of the normal symbol or the execution of the auxiliary game. Even if there is, the right of ordinary symbol lottery for passing the predetermined number can be reserved up to the predetermined number. The number of the normal figure hold is displayed on the normal figure hold indicator 44. The normal figure hold indicator 44 is composed of, for example, four LEDs, and displays the number of normal figure hold by turning on the LEDs as many as the number of the normal figure hold.

2. Configuration of the Movable Board 15 The configuration of the movable board 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7. FIG. 7 is a front view of the game board 2 showing a state in which the board movable body 15 is operating. As described above, the board movable body 15 is a movable gimmick provided on the upper part of the center decorative body 10, and is configured to be movable within a predetermined range at a predetermined timing described later. That is, the board movable body 15 is unfolded from the stored state (FIG. 3) which is compactly folded and stored at the peripheral portion (here, the upper portion) of the display screen 7a, and the central portion of the display screen 7a is released. It is configured to be displaceable in an exposed state (FIG. 7) that is exposed in front of substantially the entire area including the area. More specifically, the board movable body 15 includes a movable portion 152, a fixed portion 153, and a pedestal 17, the movable portion 152 is rotatably attached to the fixed portion 153, and the fixed portion 153 is fixed to the pedestal 17. , The pedestal 17 is attached to the center decoration body 10. The movable portion 152 is driven from the retracted state (origin position) shown in FIG. 3 by driving the drive motor 15a at a predetermined timing such as when the power is turned on, when the power is restored (also referred to as when the power is restored), or when the effect is executed. It rotates counterclockwise substantially parallel to the game board 2 and rotates to an exposed state (open position) substantially linear with the fixed portion 153 shown in FIG. When the movable portion 152 reaches the open position, the movable portion 152 stops at the open position until a predetermined time elapses, and then rotates clockwise from the open position substantially parallel to the game board 2 to return to the origin position. That is, at a predetermined timing, the board movable body 15 performs a rotational operation in which the movable portion 152 reciprocates once between the origin position shown in FIG. 3 and the open position shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the game machine 1. When the game machine 1 is viewed from the back side, as shown in FIG. 8, the main control board 80 is arranged near the center, and the voice control board 106 and the image control board 100 are arranged above the main control board 80. Further, a sub control board 90 is arranged above the voice control board 106 and the image control board 100. Further, a game information output terminal plate 45 is arranged above the sub control board 90. On the other hand, a RAM clear switch 89, a payout control board 110, and a power supply board 150 are arranged below the main control board 80. The power supply board 150 has a power supply switch 150a. Further, a launch control circuit 111 and a launch device 112 are arranged below the payout control board 110. Details of these control boards or devices will be described later.

3. 3. Electrical configuration of the game machine The electrical configuration of the game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration on the main control board side of the game machine 1. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration on the sub control board side of the game machine 1. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration on the frame relay board side of the game machine 1. The game machine 1 includes a main control board 80, a sub control board 90, a frame relay board 99, an image control board 100, a lamp control board 107, a voice control board 106, and a payout control board 110. There is. The main control board 80 is a game control board that controls game profits such as a jackpot lottery and a transition of a game state, and constitutes a main control unit. The sub-control board 90 is an effect control board that controls the effect to be executed as the game progresses, and constitutes a sub-control unit together with the image control board 100, the lamp control board 107, and the voice control board 106. The main control means may be, for example, the main control board 80. Further, the sub-control means may be composed of the sub-control board 90 and the image control board 100, or may be composed of the sub-control board 90 and a control board different from the image control board 100. Further, the sub control means may not include the sub control board 90 and may be a control board other than the main control board 80 and may be composed of another control board such as the image control board 100.

The main control board 80 includes a game control microcomputer 81, an input / output circuit 87, and a RAM clear switch 89 (FIG. 9). The game control microcomputer 81 is a one-chip microcomputer mounted on the main control board 80, and controls the progress of the game of the game machine 1 according to a program. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a main ROM 83 that stores a program for controlling the progress of the game, a main RAM 84 that is used as a work memory, a main CPU 82 that executes a program stored in the main ROM 83, and later described. Includes a main EP-ROM 85 in which the identification information to be stored is stored. The main ROM 83 may be configured as an external ROM. The game control microcomputer 81 transmits / receives data to / from another board or the like via an input / output circuit (I / O port unit) 87. The input / output circuit 87 may be built in the game control microcomputer 81. Details of the main EP-ROM85 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12 and the like.

The RAM clear switch 89 is configured so that game information related to a game such as a game state or an unpaid prize ball is erased (cleared) from the main RAM 84 by operating the RAM clear switch 89 when the power of the game machine 1 is turned on. ing. The RAM clear switch 89 is exposed from a protective cover (main board case) (not shown) that protects the main control board 80. Therefore, the operation can be performed without removing the protective cover from the main control board 80. Since the RAM clear switch 89 is arranged on the back side (rear side, see FIG. 8) of the game machine 1, the player facing the front side cannot operate the RAM clear switch 89. On the other hand, the hall manager can operate the RAM clear switch 89 by opening the front frame 53 and the inner frame 52 of the game machine 1 from the outer frame 51. As described above, the RAM clear switch 89 is arranged at a position that cannot be operated by the player and at a position that can be operated by the hall manager.

Various sensors and solenoids are connected to the main control board 80 via the input / output circuit 87 and the relay board 88. The main control board 80 inputs signals output from each sensor and outputs signals to each solenoid. The sensors connected via the relay board 88 include a first start port sensor 20a, a second start port sensor 21a, a gate sensor 28a, a first special winning opening sensor 30a, a second large winning opening sensor 35a, and a V region. Examples thereof include a sensor 39a, a non-V region sensor 70a, and a normal winning opening sensor 27a. Examples of the solenoids connected via the relay board 88 include an electric chew solenoid 24, a first special winning opening solenoid 33, a second special winning opening solenoid 38, and a V opening / closing member solenoid 73. The first start port sensor 20a is provided inside the first start port 20, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the first start port 20. The second start port sensor 21a is provided inside the second start port 21, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the second start port 21. The gate sensor 28a is provided inside the gate 28 and detects a game ball that has passed through the gate 28. The first large winning opening sensor 30a is provided inside the first large winning opening 30, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the first large winning opening 30. The second large winning opening sensor 35a is provided inside the second large winning opening 35, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the second large winning opening 35. The V region sensor 39a is provided in the V region 39 inside the first large winning opening 30, and detects a game ball that has passed through the V region 39. The non-V region sensor 70a is provided in the non-V region 70 inside the first large winning opening 30, and detects a game ball that has passed through the non-V region 70. The ordinary winning opening sensor 27a is provided inside the ordinary winning opening 27, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the ordinary winning opening 27. The electric chew solenoid 24 drives the movable member 23 of the electric chew 22. The first prize-winning port solenoid 33 drives the opening / closing member 32 of the first prize-winning device 31. The second special winning opening solenoid 38 drives the opening / closing member 37 of the second big winning device 36. The V opening / closing member solenoid 73 drives the V opening / closing member 71 of the first prize-winning device 31.

The indicators 40 are connected to the main control board 80 via the input / output circuit 87. The game control microcomputer 81 includes a first special symbol display 41a, a second special symbol display 41b, a normal symbol display 42, a first special symbol hold indicator 43a, a second special symbol hold indicator 43b, and a normal symbol display. Display control for the display 44 is performed.

A game information output terminal board 45 is connected to the main control board 80 via an input / output circuit 87. The game control microcomputer 81 outputs information related to a predetermined game or abnormality to an external device such as an external hall computer via the game information output terminal plate 45.

The payout control board 110 is connected to the main control board 80 via the input / output circuit 87. The main control board 80 transmits various commands to the payout control board 110, and receives signals from the payout control board 110 for payout monitoring. The prize ball payout device 120, the ball rental payout device 130, the card unit 135, the front frame opening switch 58, and the inner frame opening switch 59 are connected to the payout control board 110 via the launch control circuit 111. The launcher 112 is connected. The prize ball payout device 120 pays out the prize balls. The payout control board 110 drives the prize ball motor 121 of the prize ball payout device 120 to pay out the prize balls based on the signal from the game control microcomputer 81. The prize balls to be paid out are detected by the prize ball sensor 122 for counting. The ball rental payout device 130 pays out the ball rental. The payout control board 110 drives the ball lending motor 131 of the ball lending device 130 to pay out the ball lending based on the signal from the card unit 135 connected to the game machine 1. The ball lending to be paid out is detected by the ball lending sensor 132 for counting. The card unit 135 is arranged adjacent to the game machine 1 and outputs information on ball lending based on information such as an inserted prepaid card. The front frame opening switch 58 detects the opening of the front frame 53. When the front frame 53 is opened, a signal output from the front frame open switch 58 (a signal indicating the “ON” state of the front frame open switch 58) is input to the main control board 80 via the payout control board 110. Further, it is input from the main control board 80 to the sub control board 90. The inner frame opening switch 59 detects the opening of the inner frame 52. When the inner frame 52 is opened, a signal output from the inner frame opening switch 59 (a signal indicating the “ON” state of the inner frame opening switch 59) is input to the main control board 80 via the payout control board 110. Further, it is input from the main control board 80 to the sub control board 90. The launcher 112 includes a handle 60 (FIG. 1), a launch motor 113, a touch switch 114, and a launch volume 115. When the player operates the handle 60, the launcher 112 detects the contact of the handle 60 with the touch switch 114, and detects the amount of rotation of the handle 60 with the launch volume 115. Then, the launch motor 113 is driven so that the game ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the magnitude of the detection signal of the launch volume 115.

A sub control board 90 is connected to the main control board 80 via an input / output circuit 87. The main control board 80 transmits various commands to the sub control board 90. The connection between the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 is a unidirectional communication connection capable of only transmitting a signal from the main control board 80 to the sub control board 90. That is, a unidirectional circuit (for example, a circuit using a diode) (not shown) as a communication direction regulating means is interposed between the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sub control board 90 includes an effect control microcomputer 91 and an input / output circuit 95. The effect control microcomputer 91 is a one-chip microcomputer mounted on the sub control board 90, and controls the effect of the game of the game machine 1 according to a program. The effect control microcomputer 91 is a sub ROM 93 that stores a program or the like for controlling the effect as the game progresses, a sub RAM 94 that is used as a work memory, and a sub that executes a program stored in the sub ROM 93. It includes a CPU 92 and a sub-EEP-ROM 98 in which identification information described later is stored. The sub ROM 93 may be configured as an external ROM. The effect control microcomputer 91 transmits / receives data to / from another board or the like via an input / output circuit (I / O port unit) 95. The input / output circuit 95 may be built in the effect control microcomputer 91. The image control board 100, the voice control board 106, the lamp control board 107, and the frame relay board 99 (FIG. 11) are connected to the sub control board 90 via the input / output circuit 95. Details of the sub-EEP-ROM98 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12 and the like.

The image control board 100 includes an image control microcomputer 101, an input circuit 105a, and an output circuit 105b. The image control microcomputer 101 is a one-chip microcomputer mounted on the image control board 100, and controls the display of the image display device 7 according to a program. The image control microcomputer 101 includes a CPU 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, and an image control EEPROM 108 in which identification information described later is stored. In the ROM 103, in addition to a program for performing display control, still image data and moving image data displayed on the image display device 7, specifically, characters, items, figures, characters, numbers, symbols, etc. (effect patterns are displayed). Includes) and image data such as background images are stored. Further, the ROM 103 stores an exchange determination table 103a used in the control board exchange determination process described later. The RAM 104 is used as a memory for expanding image data. The CPU 102 executes the program stored in the ROM 103. The effect control microcomputer 91 causes the image control microcomputer 101 to control the display of the image display device 7 based on the command received from the main control board 80. The image control microcomputer 101 reads image data from the ROM 103 based on a command from the effect control microcomputer 91, and performs display control based on the read image data. The details of the image control EP-ROM 108 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12 and the like.

A speaker 67 is connected to the voice control board 106 to control the speaker 67. The effect control microcomputer 91 outputs voice, music, sound effects, and the like from the speaker 67 via the voice control board 106 based on the command received from the main control board 80. Acoustic data such as voice output from the speaker 67 is stored in the sub ROM 93 of the sub control board 90. The voice control board 106 may be equipped with a CPU, and the CPU may be made to execute voice control based on a command. Further, the voice control board 106 may be equipped with a ROM, or acoustic data may be stored in the ROM. Further, the speaker 67 may be connected to the image control board 100, and the CPU 102 of the image control board 100 may execute voice control. Further, the acoustic data may be stored in the ROM 103 of the image control board 100.

The frame lamp 66, the panel lamp 5, and the drive motor 15a (panel movable body 15) are connected to the lamp control board 107, and control these. Based on the command received from the main control board 80, the effect control microcomputer 91 controls the lighting of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 via the lamp control board 107. That is, the effect control microcomputer 91 creates light emission pattern data (data that determines lighting / extinguishing, emission color, etc., also referred to as lamp data) that determines the light emission mode of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5. The light emission of lamps such as the frame lamp 66 and the panel lamp 5 is controlled according to the data. The data stored in the sub ROM 93 of the sub control board 90 is used to create the light emission pattern data. The effect control microcomputer 91 drives the drive motor 15a based on the command received from the main control board 80 to control the operation of the movable portion 152 of the panel movable body 15. As described above, the movable board 15 rotates once at a predetermined timing, with the movable portion 152 reciprocating between the origin position shown in FIG. 3 and the open position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the frame relay board 99 is provided with an effect button detection switch 63a, a select button detection switch 68a, a touch sensor 321 and an accessory drive motor 641 via an input / output circuit 96. The sensor 531 is connected. The effect button detection switch 63a detects that the effect button 63 (FIG. 1) has been pressed. When the effect button 63 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the effect button detection switch 63a to the sub control board 90 via the frame relay board 99. The select button detection switch 68a detects that the select button 68 (FIG. 1) has been pressed. When the select button 68 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the select button detection switch 68a to the sub control board 90 via the frame relay board 99. The touch sensor 321 is provided on the front frame 53, and when the human body comes into contact with the touch sensor 321, a detection signal is output to the sub control board 90 via the frame relay board 99. The accessory driving motor 641 drives the frame movable body 600 (FIG. 1). When a drive signal is output from the sub-control board 90 to the accessory drive motor 641 via the frame relay board 99, the accessory drive motor 641 is driven. The photo sensor 531 detects the position of the frame movable body 600. The detection signal of the photo sensor 531 is output to the sub control board 90 via the frame relay board 99.

The effect control microcomputer 91 creates operation pattern data (drive data) that determines the operation mode of the board movable body 15 and the frame movable body 600, and controls the operation of the board movable body 15 and the frame movable body 600 according to the operation pattern data. .. The data stored in the sub ROM 93 is used to create the operation pattern data. The lamp control board 107 may be equipped with a CPU, and the CPU may be made to execute lamp lighting control based on a command. Further, the frame movable body 600 may be connected to the lamp control board 107 and its operation may be controlled by the lamp control board 107. In this case, the lamp control board 107 may mount a ROM, and the ROM may store data related to a light emission pattern and an operation pattern.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the details of the EEPROM included in the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, the main EEP-ROM 85 is provided with a main identification information storage area 85a. The main identification information storage area 85a is an area for storing identification information. The identification information of the main identification information storage area 85a is stored in advance at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1. As the identification information, for example, numbers, symbols, and alphabets may be used, or a combination thereof may be used. Further, the identification information of the main identification information storage area 85a is transmitted (output) to the sub control board 90 by the identification information transmission process in the power-on processing (FIG. 14) described later.

The sub-EEP-ROM 98 is provided with a main identification information storage area 98a and a sub-identification information storage area 98b. The main identification information storage area 98a is an area for storing the identification information transmitted (output) from the main control board 80 in the power-on processing (FIG. 14) described later. The sub-identification information storage area 98b is an area for storing identification information. The identification information of the sub-identification information storage area 98b is the same as the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1. Further, the identification information of the sub-identification information storage area 98b is transmitted (output) to the image control board 100 by the identification information transmission / reception process (FIG. 19) described later.

The image control EEP-ROM 108 is provided with a main identification information storage area 108a, a sub identification information storage area 108b, and an image control identification information storage area 108c. The main identification information storage area 108a is identification information (identification information transmitted from the main control board 80) stored in the main identification information storage area 98a, and is an identification information transmission / reception process described later (FIG. 19). This is an area for storing the identification information transmitted (output) from the sub-control board 90. The sub-identification information storage area 108b is identification information stored in the sub-identification information storage area 98b (identification information previously stored in the sub-identification information storage area 98b at the time of manufacturing), and is the identification information described later. This is an area for storing the identification information transmitted (output) from the sub-control board 90 in the transmission / reception process (FIG. 19). The image control identification information storage area 108c is an area for storing the identification information. The identification information of the image control identification information storage area 108c is the same as the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a and the sub identification information storage area 98b at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1. There is.

The identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a, the sub identification information storage area 98b, and the image control identification information storage area 108c is readable but not rewritable.

4. Explanation of jackpots, etc. The jackpots, etc. in the game machine 1 will be explained. In the game machine 1, there are "big hit" and "loss" as a result of the big hit lottery (special symbol lottery). In the case of "big hit", the "big hit symbol" is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 41. At the time of "missing", the "missing symbol" is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 41. If you win the jackpot, the jackpot game (1st jackpot 30 and 2nd jackpot 35) will be opened with an opening pattern according to the type of special symbol (type of jackpot) displayed as a stop. Is executed. The jackpot game is an example of a special game. The jackpot game includes multiple round games (unit open game), an opening (OP) before the first round game is started, and an ending (ED) after the final round game is completed. There is. Each round game starts with the end of the opening or the end of the previous round game and ends with the start of the next round game. The closing time (interval time) of the large winning opening between round games is included in the open round game before the closing.

There are multiple types of jackpots. Here, there are roughly two types of jackpots, "V-passing planned jackpot" and "V-non-passing scheduled jackpot". The "V-passing scheduled jackpot" operates the opening / closing member 32, the opening / closing member 37, and the V-opening / closing member 71 in an opening pattern (V-passing scheduled opening pattern) in which the game ball can pass through the V region 39 during the jackpot game. It's a big hit. The "V non-passing scheduled jackpot" is an opening pattern (V non-passing scheduled opening pattern) in which the game ball cannot pass through the V region 39 during the jackpot game, and the opening / closing member 32, the opening / closing member 37, and the V opening / closing member 71. It is a big hit to operate.

The "V-passing jackpot" includes "16RV-passing jackpot", "16R (substantial 13R) V-passing jackpot", and "16R (substantially 15R) V-passing jackpot". The actual total number of rounds of the "16RV passing jackpot" is 16R. From 1R to 13R and 15R, the first big winning opening 30 is opened for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R. 14R and 16R open the second prize opening 35 for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R. In the 10R and 12R, the V opening / closing member 71 is long-opened, and it is possible to easily pass through the V region 39 in the first large winning opening 30.

The total number of rounds of "16R (substantial 13R) V scheduled pass jackpot" is 16R, but the actual total number of rounds is 13R. That is, from 1R to 13R, the first big winning opening 30 is opened for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R, but in 15R, the first big winning opening 30 is opened only 0.1 seconds per 1R, and 14R. Even in 16R, the second big winning opening 35 is opened for only 0.1 seconds per 1R. Therefore, in this "16R (substantially 13R) V passing jackpot", from 14R to 16R, the opening time of the big winning opening is extremely short, and the round is such that the prize ball cannot be expected. That is, the "16R (actual 13R) V passing jackpot" is a real 13R jackpot. In 2R and 6R, 4R and 8R, or 6R and 10R, the V opening / closing member 71 is long-opened so that the V region 39 in the first large winning opening 30 can be easily passed.

The total number of rounds of "16R (substantially 15R) V scheduled to pass jackpot" is 16R, but the actual total number of rounds is 15R. That is, 1R to 13R and 15R open the first prize opening 30 for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R, and 16R opens the second prize opening 35 for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R, but 14R. The second big winning opening 35 is opened only for 0.1 seconds per 1R. Therefore, in this "16R (actually 15R) V passing jackpot", 14R is a round in which the opening time of the big winning opening is extremely short and the prize ball cannot be expected. That is, the "16R (substantially 15R) V passing jackpot" is a real 15R jackpot. In the 8R and 10R, the V opening / closing member 71 is long-opened, and it is possible to easily pass through the V region 39 in the first large winning opening 30.

The "V non-passing jackpot" is an open pattern "16R (substantially 13R) V non-passing jackpot" in which the total number of rounds is 16R, but the actual total number of rounds is 13. That is, from 1R to 13R, the first big winning opening 30 is opened for a maximum of 29.5 seconds per 1R, but in 15R, the first big winning opening 30 is opened only 0.1 seconds per 1R, and 14R. Even in 16R, the second big winning opening 35 is opened for only 0.1 seconds per 1R. Therefore, in this "16R (substantially 13R) V non-passing jackpot", the opening time of the big winning opening is extremely short from 14R to 16R, and it is a round in which a prize ball cannot be expected. That is, the "16R (substantial 13R) V non-passing planned jackpot" is a real 13R jackpot. In 2R, 4R, 6R, 8R, 10R and 12R, although the V opening / closing member 71 is opened, the opening is a short opening, and the game ball almost never passes through the V region 39 in the first grand prize opening 30. It is impossible.

As is clear from the above explanation, "16R (real 13R) V non-passing jackpot" and "16R (real 13R) V scheduled jackpot" are the first big winning opening 30 and the second big winning opening 35 ( The opening / closing pattern of the opening / closing member 32 and the opening / closing member 37) is the same, and only the opening pattern of the V opening / closing member 71 is different. That is, in the "16R (substantially 13R) V non-passing planned jackpot", it is almost impossible for the game ball to pass through the V region 39 in the first jackpot 30, and the gaming state after the jackpot is It becomes a low accuracy time saving state (low accuracy high base state). On the other hand, the "16R (substantially 13R) V-passing jackpot" makes it possible for the game ball to easily pass through the V region 39 in the first jackpot 30, and the gaming state after the jackpot is highly accurate. It becomes a time saving state (high accuracy and high base state). From this, it becomes difficult for the player to distinguish between "16R (substantial 13R) V non-passing jackpot" and "16R (substantial 13R) V scheduled passing jackpot", and the gaming state after the jackpot is low. It becomes difficult to determine whether the time saving state (low accuracy high base state) or the high accuracy time saving state (high accuracy high base state) is reached. That is, the game state after "16R (substantially 13R) V passing jackpot" is a high probability time saving state (high probability high base state) when the game ball passes through the V area 39 in the first big winning opening 30. ), But the high probability is the latent state (latent probability change state). With this configuration, the interest of the game is improved.

In addition, the distribution rate of the jackpot in the lottery of the first special symbol (special figure 1) is 68/128 (about 53%) for the jackpot scheduled to pass V and 60/128 (about 47) for the jackpot scheduled to pass V. %). On the other hand, all the jackpots won in the lottery of the second special symbol (special figure 2) are the jackpots scheduled to pass V. That is, when a big hit is won by a lottery based on a prize in the second starting port 21 which can be entered by executing the electric support control described later, the big hit scheduled to pass V is always obtained. In this way, in the game machine 1, the big hit is performed by winning the game ball in the second starting port 21 rather than the big hit lottery (lottery of the first special symbol) in which the game ball is won in the first starting port 20. The lottery (lottery of the second special symbol) is set to be more advantageous to the player.

5. Description of the game state The game state of the game machine 1 will be described. The game control microcomputer 81 can execute "probability fluctuation control" and "variation time reduction control" for the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display 41 and the ordinary symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol display 42, respectively. Is. Here, the state in which the game control microcomputer 81 controls the probability fluctuation for the special symbol of the special symbol display 41 is called a "high probability state", and the state in which the probability fluctuation control is not performed is simply a "normal probability state (normal probability state). Non-high probability state, low probability state) ". As the probability fluctuation control of the special symbol, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a jackpot determination using a jackpot determination table in which the number of jackpot random numbers determined to be jackpots is larger in the high probability state than in the normal probability state. , Realize a high probability state. Therefore, the high probability state has a higher probability of a jackpot than the normal probability state. That is, when the game control microcomputer 81 executes the probability fluctuation control for the special symbol of the special symbol display 41, the special symbol display 41 is used as compared with the case where the probability fluctuation control is not executed. The probability that the display result (stop symbol) of the variable display of the special symbol becomes a jackpot symbol increases.

Further, the state in which the game control microcomputer 81 controls the fluctuation time reduction with respect to the special symbol of the special symbol display 41 is referred to as a "time reduction state", and the state in which the fluctuation time reduction control is not performed is simply a "non-time reduction state". That is. The game control microcomputer 81 determines the variation pattern using the variation pattern determination table defined so that the variation pattern having a short variation time is selected more often than in the non-time saving state, thereby determining the time saving state. Realize. Therefore, in the time saving state, the fluctuation time of the special symbol (the time from the start of the fluctuation display to the derivation display of the display result) is shorter than that in the non-time saving state. That is, when the game control microcomputer 81 executes the fluctuation time reduction control for the special symbol of the special symbol display 41, the special symbol is variable as compared with the case where the fluctuation time reduction control is not executed. It becomes easy to select a short fluctuation time as the fluctuation time of the display. As a result, in the time-saving state, the pace of digestion of the special figure hold becomes faster, and an effective prize (a prize that can be stored as a special figure hold) to the starting port is likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to aim for a big hit under the smooth progress of the game. The game control microcomputer 81 may simultaneously execute the probability fluctuation control and the fluctuation time shortening control for the special symbol of the special symbol display 41, or may execute only one of them.

The game control microcomputer 81 executes the probability fluctuation control and the fluctuation time shortening control for the normal symbol of the normal symbol display 42 in synchronization with the fluctuation time shortening control for the special symbol of the special symbol display 41. That is, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the probability fluctuation control and the fluctuation time shortening control for the normal symbol in the time saving state, and does not execute in the non-time saving state. As the probability fluctuation control of the normal symbol, the game control microcomputer 81 uses a normal symbol hit determination table in which the number of normal symbol random values (win random value) determined to be hit is larger in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state. Then, a hit judgment (judgment of a normal symbol) is performed. Therefore, in the time saving state, the hit probability is higher than in the normal symbol normal probability state. That is, when the game control microcomputer 81 executes the probability fluctuation control for the normal symbol of the normal symbol display 42, the normal symbol display 42 is used as compared with the case where the probability fluctuation control is not executed. The probability that the display result (stop symbol) of the variable display of the normal symbol will be the winning symbol is high. In the time-saving state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. Here, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is 30 seconds in the non-time saving state, but is 1 second in the time saving state. Further, in the time saving state, the opening time of the electric chew 22 in the auxiliary game is longer than in the non-time saving state. That is, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the open time extension control for the electric chew 22. In addition, in the time saving state, the number of times the electric chew 22 is opened in the auxiliary game is larger than in the non-time saving state. That is, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the opening count increase control for the electric chew 22. In a situation where the game control microcomputer 81 executes probability fluctuation control and fluctuation time shortening control for the normal symbol of the normal symbol display 42, and opening time extension control and opening number increase control for the electric chew 22. Compared with the case where these controls are not executed, the electric chew 22 is opened more frequently, and the game ball is more frequently won in the second starting port 21. As a result, the base, which is the ratio of the number of prize balls to the number of launched balls, becomes high. Therefore, the state in which these controls are executed is called a "high base state", and the state in which these controls are not executed is called a "low base state". In the high base state, you can aim for a big hit without significantly reducing the number of game balls you have. The high base state is a state in which so-called electric support control (control for supporting winning of the second starting port 21 by the electric chew 22) is being executed. The high base state (electric support control state) does not have to execute all the above controls. That is, among the probability fluctuation control for the normal symbol of the normal symbol display 42, the fluctuation time shortening control for the normal symbol of the normal symbol display 42, the opening time extension control for the electric chew 22, and the opening number increase control for the electric chew 22. By executing one or more controls, it is sufficient that the electric chew 22 is more easily released than when the control is not executed. Further, the high base state (electric support control state) may be controlled independently without being accompanied by the time saving state.

In the game machine 1, the gaming state after the jackpot game by winning the jackpot scheduled to pass V is a high probability state, a time saving state, and a high base state if the game is passed to the V region 39 during the jackpot game. .. This gaming state is particularly referred to as a "high accuracy and high base state". The high-accuracy high-base state ends when the variable display of the special symbol is executed a predetermined number of times (160 times in this case), or when the jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. In addition, the gaming state after the jackpot game by winning the V non-passing scheduled jackpot is a normal probability state (non-high probability) unless the V region 39 is passed during the jackpot game (almost never done). It is a state (that is, a low probability state), a short time state, and a high base state. This gaming state is particularly referred to as a "low accuracy and high base state". The low accuracy high base state ends when the variable display of the special symbol is executed a predetermined number of times (here, 100 times), or when the jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. When the game machine 1 is played for the first time, the game state after the power is turned on is a normal probability state, a non-time saving state, and a low base state (non-electric support control state). This gaming state is particularly referred to as a "low probability low base state". The low probability low base state may be referred to as a "normal gaming state" or a "low probability non-time saving state (simply also referred to as a non-time saving state)".

In a high base state such as a high accuracy high base state or a low accuracy high base state, it is more advantageous to allow the game ball to enter the right game area 3B (FIGS. 3 and 7) by hitting right. This is because the electric support control makes it easier to open the electric chew 22 than in the low base state, and it is easier to win the second starting port 21 than to win the first starting port 20. is there. For this reason, in the high base state, the game ball is passed through the gate 28, which triggers the normal symbol lottery, and the game ball is hit right to win the second starting port 21. This makes it possible to obtain a large number of starting prizes (winning to the starting port) rather than hitting left. In addition, in the game machine 1, the game is played by right-handed even during the jackpot game. On the other hand, in the low base state, it is more advantageous to let the game ball enter the left game area 3A (FIGS. 3 and 7) by hitting the left side. Since the electric support control is not executed, it is difficult to open the electric chew 22 as compared with the high base state, and it is easier to win the first starting port 20 than to win the second starting port 21. This is because it has become. For this reason, in the low base state, a left-handed strike is performed so that the game ball can be won in the first starting port 20. This allows you to get more start-up prizes than hitting right.

6. Operation of Game Control Microcomputer 81 The operation of the game control microcomputer 81 provided on the main control board 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.
[Main control main processing]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the main control main process. When the power of the game machine 1 is turned on, the game control microcomputer 81 reads a program for executing the main control main process from the main ROM 83. In the main control main process, the game control microcomputer 81 first performs a power-on process (step S001). The power-on processing is executed only once after the power is turned on, and is not executed after that. The details of the power-on processing will be described later.

After the power-on processing, the game control microcomputer 81 prohibits the interrupt of the interrupt processing (step S002), and performs the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update processing (step S003). In this normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process, the game control microcomputer 81 adds 1 to various random number counter values and updates them. When each random number counter value reaches the set upper limit value, it returns to "0" and is added again. The initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0" or may be randomly changed.

After the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process, the game control microcomputer 81 permits the interrupt of the interrupt process (step S004). While the interrupt is enabled, the main timer interrupt process (step S005) can be executed. The main timer interrupt process is executed based on an interrupt pulse repeatedly input to the main CPU 82 in a predetermined cycle (for example, a 4 msec cycle). That is, the main timer interrupt process is executed every predetermined cycle (for example, 4 msec cycle). Then, from the end of the main timer interrupt process to the start of the next main timer interrupt process, various counter value update processes by the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process are repeatedly executed. .. If an interrupt pulse is input to the main CPU 82 in the interrupt disabled state, the main timer interrupt process is not started immediately, but is started after the interrupt is enabled.

[Processing when power is turned on]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the power-on processing (FIG. 13: step S001). In the power-on processing, the game control microcomputer 81 first enables the watch dock timer built in the main CPU 82 (step S011). The watch dock timer is for monitoring the operation of the main CPU 82, and outputs a reset signal to the main CPU 82 when a predetermined signal is not input from the main CPU 82 for a certain period of time. The reset signal resets the main CPU 82.

The game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 89 of the main control board 80 is being operated (step S012). This determination is made based on whether or not the operation signal (detection signal) of the RAM clear switch 89 is input to the main CPU 82. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 89 is operated, and when it is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 89 is not operated.

When the operation of the RAM clear switch 89 is detected (step S012: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 sets the RAM clear notification flag to ON (step S013). On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch 89 does not detect the operation (step S012: NO), the RAM clear notification flag is set to OFF (step S014). This RAM clear notification flag is a flag indicating whether or not to erase the game information stored in the main RAM 84 of the main control board 80, and when the game information is erased, "ON" is set to set the game information. "OFF" is set when not erasing. After the RAM clear notification flag is set to ON / OFF, the game control microcomputer 81 sets to allow access to the main RAM 84 (step S015). With this setting, access to the main RAM 84, for example, writing or reading of game information can be performed.

After setting the RAM access permission, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the RAM clear notification flag is OFF (step S016). When the RAM clear notification flag is determined to be ON (step S016: NO), the process proceeds to step S023. When the RAM clear notification flag is determined to be OFF (step S016: YES), that is, when the game information is not erased, the game control microcomputer 81 calculates the checksum (step S017). The checksum is a value calculated to check the reliability of the data, and here, the data string of the game information stored in the main RAM 84 is regarded as a string of integer values and is obtained by the total. .. After the checksum is calculated, the game control microcomputer 81 uses the calculated checksum value as the checksum value in the data of the main RAM 84 at the time of power failure stored in step S1602 of the power failure monitoring process (FIG. 16) described later. It is determined whether or not they match (step S018). If they do not match (step S018: NO), the process proceeds to step S023. If they match (step S018: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the power off flag is ON (step S019). The power off flag is set to "ON" when a power off signal is input in step S1603 of the power off monitoring process (FIG. 16) described later. If the power off flag is not ON (step S019: NO), the process proceeds to step S023. When the power off flag is ON (step S019: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 sets the power off flag to OFF (step S020) and sets the work area of the main RAM 84 at the time of power recovery (step S021). .. In this setting, the power recovery information is read from the main ROM 83 of the main control board 80, and the power recovery information is set in the work area of the main RAM 84. The “during power recovery” here includes a state in which the power is turned on from the state in which the power is cut off, and a state in which the power is restored from the power failure or momentary power failure state. After setting the work area of the main RAM 84 at the time of power recovery, the game control microcomputer 81 creates a power recovery command and sets (stores) it in the command set area (output buffer) as transmission information (step S022). When the power is restored from the momentary power failure state, the power restoration command is not created.

Subsequently, the game control microcomputer 81 executes the identification information transmission process (step S026). In this identification information transmission process, the game control microcomputer 81 transmits the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a of the main EP-ROM 85 to the sub control board 90.

In step S023, the game control microcomputer 81 clears the entire area of the main RAM 84. After clearing, the work area of the main RAM 84 is initially set (step S024). Specifically, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the initial information read from the main ROM 83 in the work area of the main RAM 84. After the initial setting of the main RAM 84, the game control microcomputer 81 creates a power-on command for notifying the sub-control board 90 that the main RAM 84 has been cleared and the initial setting has been performed, and the command set area is used as transmission information. It is set (stored) in (output buffer) (step S025). After that, the process proceeds to the process of step S026 described above. In the present embodiment, the effect control microcomputer 91 notifies the RAM clear, which will be described later, based on the input of the power-on command.

[Main timer interrupt processing]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the main timer interrupt process (FIG. 13: step S005). In the main timer interrupt process, the game control microcomputer 81 first performs random number update process (step S101). Specifically, the game control microcomputer 81 updates various random numbers such as a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, a variable pattern random number, and a normal symbol random number. This random number update process is the same as the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process performed in the main control main process (FIG. 13) described above. That is, the update processing of various random number counter values (including the normal symbol random number counter value) includes the execution period of the main side timer interrupt processing and the other period (after the end of the main side timer interrupt processing, the next main side timer interrupt). It is done both with (the period until the processing is started).

After the random number update process, the game control microcomputer 81 performs an input process (step S102). In the input process, the game control microcomputer 81 reads the detection signals detected by various sensors attached to the game machine 1 and outputs the payout data for paying out the prize balls according to the type of the winning opening in the main RAM 84. Set in the buffer. The various sensors are, for example, a first large winning opening sensor 30a, a second large winning opening sensor 35a, and a normal winning opening sensor 27a (FIG. 9).

After the input process, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a start port sensor detection process (step S103). In the start port sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the game ball has been detected by the gate sensor 28a, the first start port sensor 20a, and the second start port sensor 21a, and the game ball is detected. In that case, "1" is added to the number of reserved balls of the normal symbol, the first special symbol, and the second special symbol. The number of reserved balls is a value of a counter provided in the main RAM 84 that counts the number of each reserved ball. If the number of reserved balls is 4 or more, "1" is not added to the number of reserved balls. Further, in the start port sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 acquires various random numbers at the timing when the game ball is detected by the gate sensor 28a, the first start port sensor 20a, and the second start port sensor 21a. These random numbers are ordinary symbol random numbers, jackpot random numbers, jackpot type random numbers, reach random numbers, variable pattern random numbers, and the like. Further, here, processing such as pre-determination of whether or not the acquired jackpot random number is a jackpot is also performed.

After the start port sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a normal operation process (step S104). In the normal operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not it is a hit based on the acquired normal symbol random number, and if it is a hit, the electric chew 22 as a normal electric accessory is used for a predetermined time according to the game state. , Open in a predetermined manner. Further, in the normal operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 determines the fluctuation time of the normal symbol according to the game state, fluctuates the normal symbol by the determined time, and then stops the processing to determine the normal symbol. Do it.

After the normal operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a special operation processing (step S105). In the special operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not it is a big hit based on the acquired big hit random number, and when it is a big hit, it is a big prize device as a special electric accessory based on the big hit type random number (first). A round game is performed in which the large winning device 31 and the second large winning device 36) are opened in a predetermined manner. Further, in the special operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 determines the fluctuation time of the special symbol based on the reach random number and the fluctuation pattern random number, and the special symbol (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) is used only for the determined time. Is changed and then stopped, and the process of confirming the special symbol is performed. Further, in the special operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 determines a variation pattern based on the acquired variation pattern random number, and issues a variation pattern command for causing the sub-control board 90 to execute an effect related to the determined variation pattern. set. The variation pattern command also includes a command for designating the effect content for driving the board movable body 15.

After the special operation processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the V region sensor detection processing (step S106). In the V area sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 determines whether or not the game ball is detected by the V area sensor 39a, and if the game ball is detected, the detection of the game ball is V effective. Judge whether it is during the period or not. When the V valid period is in effect, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the V flag and sets the V passing command. The V-pass command is a command that notifies the sub-control board 90 in order to execute an effect associated with passing the V region 39 of the game ball.

After the V-region sensor detection process, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a hold ball number process (step S107). In the hold ball number processing, the game control microcomputer 81 reads out the special figure 1 hold ball number, the special figure 2 hold ball number, and the normal symbol hold ball number, and sets the hold ball number command. The hold ball number command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 90 of the hold ball number, and includes information on the special figure 1 hold ball number, the special figure 2 hold ball number, and the normal symbol hold ball number. ..

After the hold ball number processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs a power failure monitoring process (step S108) and an abnormality process (step S109). Details of the power failure monitoring process (FIG. 15) and the abnormality process (FIG. 17) will be described later. After the abnormality processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs output processing (step S110). In the output process, the game control microcomputer 81 outputs the command or the like set in the command set area 84a of the main RAM 84 to the sub control board 90 in each of the above processes.

[Power failure monitoring process]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a power failure monitoring process (FIG. 15: step S108). The game control microcomputer 81 first determines whether or not a power cutoff signal has been input (step S1601). If there is no input (step S1601: NO), this process ends. When there is an input (step S1601: YES), the game control microcomputer 81 stores data related to the current state in the main RAM 84 (step S1602). At this time, the game control microcomputer 81 creates a checksum. Next, the game control microcomputer 81 turns on the power off flag (step S1603), and then performs loop processing without returning to the main timer interrupt processing (FIG. 13).

[Abnormal handling]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the abnormality processing (FIG. 15: step S109). The game control microcomputer 81 first performs an abnormal winning error processing (step S1700). In the abnormal winning error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 does not occur at various winning openings, such as when the first major winning opening sensor 30a or the V area sensor 39a is turned on when the first major winning opening 30 is closed. When a winning prize is detected, a signal indicating that an abnormal winning error has occurred is output from the game information output terminal board (external information terminal) 45, and the sub-control board 90 is notified that the abnormal winning error has occurred. Set an abnormal winning error command to notify and notify that fact.

After the abnormal winning error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the door opening error processing (step S1704). In the door opening error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 detects game information when the front frame opening switch 58 detects the opening of the front frame 53 or when the inner frame opening switch 59 detects the opening of the inner frame 52. The output terminal plate (external information terminal) 45 outputs a signal indicating that a door opening error has occurred, and at the same time, the sub control board 90 is notified that a door opening error has occurred and the door is opened to notify the fact. Set the error command.

After the door opening error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the payout state error processing (step S1706). In the payout state error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 causes the rotor to rotate when the prize ball motor 121 or the ball rental motor 131 is driven and the rotor cannot rotate due to ball biting or the like, or when the prize ball motor 121 or the ball rental motor 131 is driven. When the prize ball or the rental ball cannot be detected by the prize ball sensor 122 or the ball rental sensor 132 even though the rotation is normal, a payout status error has occurred from the game information output terminal plate (external information terminal) 45. Is output, and a payout status error command is set to notify the sub-control board 90 that a payout status error has occurred and notify the fact.

After the payout state error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs switch abnormality error processing (step S1708). In the switch abnormality error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 has an abnormality such as a disconnection (unconnected) or a short circuit in various sensors and switches (FIG. 9), and a switch abnormality detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 81. In this case, the game information output terminal board (external information terminal) 45 outputs a signal indicating that a switch abnormality error has occurred, and notifies the sub-control board 90 that a switch abnormality error has occurred to notify the fact. Set the switch error error command to make it.

After the switch abnormality error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the discharge error processing (step S1712). In the discharge error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 has a calculated number of prize balls (a prize ball counter provided in the main RAM 84) and a prize ball to be paid out based on each winning port sensor (FIG. 9) being turned on. Comparing with the number of prize balls actually paid out (the number of payout balls counter provided in the main RAM 84) detected by the sensor 122, the difference between the value of the prize ball number counter and the payout ball number counter becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. In that case, assuming that a discharge error has occurred, a signal indicating that a discharge error has occurred is output from the game information output terminal board (external information terminal) 45, and the sub-control board 90 is notified that a discharge error has occurred. And set the discharge error command to notify that fact.

After the discharge error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs the discharge ball confirmation error processing (step S1716). As shown in FIG. 5, in the first large winning device 31, the path from when the game ball enters to when it is discharged is long, and there is a device such as a V opening / closing member 71 in the meantime, and other winnings are made. Compared to the device, abnormalities such as ball clogging are more likely to occur. Therefore, when the game ball that has entered the ball is clogged in the first large winning device 31 when the first large winning opening 30 is opened, the first large winning opening 30 is detected by the first large winning opening sensor 30a. An insufficient discharge error occurs in which the number of balls discharged from the first large winning device 31 detected by the V region sensor 39a and the non-V region sensor 70a is smaller than the number of balls entered into the ball. On the other hand, when the ball clogging in the first large winning device 31 is cleared, the V region sensor 39a and the non-V region are more than the number of balls entered into the first large winning opening 30 detected by the first large winning opening sensor 30a. An excessive discharge error occurs in which the number of discharged balls from the first prize-winning device 31 detected by the sensor 70a is larger. When such an insufficient discharge error or an excessive discharge error occurs in the game control microcomputer 81, an discharge ball confirmation error occurs from the game information output terminal board (external information terminal) 45, assuming that a discharge ball confirmation error has occurred. A signal indicating that this has been done is output, and a discharge ball confirmation error command is set to notify the sub-control board 90 that an discharge ball confirmation error has occurred and notify the fact.

After the ejection ball confirmation error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 performs an abnormal V winning error processing (step S1722). In the abnormal V winning error processing, the game control microcomputer 81 assumes that an abnormal V winning error has occurred when the V area sensor 39a is turned on when the game state is not in the big hit game state, and the game information output terminal board. (External information terminal) Outputs a signal indicating that an abnormal V winning error has occurred from 45, and notifies the sub-control board 90 that an abnormal V winning error has occurred to notify the abnormal V winning. Set the error command.

7. Operation of the effect control microcomputer 91 The operation of the effect control microcomputer 91 provided on the sub-control board 90 (FIG. 10) will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23.
[Sub-control main processing]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the sub-control main process. When the power of the game machine 1 is turned on, the sub-control main process is read from the sub ROM 93 by the effect control microcomputer 91 provided on the sub-control board 90 and executed. In step S4000, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs initialization processing. In the initialization process, various settings related to the sub CPU 92 and resetting of counters and flags stored in the sub RAM 94 are performed to initialize the sub RAM 94.

In step S4007, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes the identification information transmission / reception process. Details of this identification information transmission / reception process will be described later. The initialization process and the identification information transmission / reception process are executed only once after the power is turned on or after the power is restored, and are not executed thereafter.

In step S4015, the effect control microcomputer 91 disables interrupts. In step S4020, the effect control microcomputer 91 updates the random numbers. Here, various random value values are updated. Random numbers include chance-up random numbers, scenario random numbers, zone random numbers, high-accuracy time-saving effect rush random numbers, and fanning effect decision random numbers. The random number value is updated by adding one by one. The random number value is returned to "0" when it reaches the upper limit value. The initial value may be a number other than "0", or may be a number that is randomly changed. Further, the random value may be added by 2 or more in addition to being added by 1.

In step S4025, the effect control microcomputer 91 allows interrupts. While the interrupt is enabled, the sub-timer interrupt process (step S4035) can be executed. After that, the process proceeds to step S4015 and the process is repeated. That is, while the interrupt is enabled, the sub-timer interrupt process attempts to interrupt at predetermined time intervals.

[Identification information transmission / reception processing]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an identification information transmission / reception process (FIG. 18: step S4007). In the identification information transmission / reception processing, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the identification information transmitted from the main control board 80 (game control microcomputer 81) has been received (S4210). When the effect control microcomputer 91 receives the identification information transmitted from the main control board 80 (S4210: YES), in step S4220, the received identification information is stored in the main identification information storage area 98a of the sub-EEP-ROM98. It is stored as the main identification information in, and the process proceeds to step S4250. On the other hand, when the effect control microcomputer 91 has not received the identification information transmitted from the main control board 80 (S4210: NO), whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information transmission / reception process was started. Is determined (S4230). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the identification information transmission / reception processing (S4230: NO), the effect control microcomputer 91 returns to the processing in step S4210. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the identification information transmission / reception processing (S4230: YES), the effect control microcomputer 91 performs main identification in the main identification information storage area 98a of the sub-EEP-ROM98 in step S4240. "Null" is stored as information, and the process proceeds to step S4250. In addition, this "Null" indicates that there is no identification information.

In step S4250, the effect control microcomputer 91 has identification information (main identification information) stored in the main identification information storage area 98a and identification information (sub identification information) stored in the sub identification information storage area 98b. ) To the sub-control board 90, and this identification information transmission / reception process is completed.

[Sub-timer interrupt processing]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a sub-side timer interrupt process (FIG. 18: step S4035). In step S4300, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes the reception command analysis process. The details of the received command analysis process will be described later. In step S4305, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes the switch process. In the switch processing, the effect control microcomputer 91 sets the display contents of the display screen 7a based on the switch data (edge data and level data) output based on the detection signal from the effect button detection switch 63a. .. In step S4310, the effect control microcomputer 91 executes the command transmission process. In the command transmission process, various commands set in the output buffer of the subRAM 94 in the received command analysis process or the like are transmitted to the image control board 100, the voice control board 106, and the lamp control board 107. The image control board 100 that has received various commands uses the image display device 7 to execute a display effect according to the received commands. In addition, the voice control board 106 that has received various commands executes a voice effect that outputs voice from the speaker 67 in response to the received commands. The lamp control board 107 that has received various commands controls the light emission of the panel lamp 5 and the frame lamp 66 according to the received commands, and drives the drive motor 15a to control the operation of the panel movable body 15.

[Received command analysis processing]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a received command analysis process (FIG. 20: step 4300). In step S4400, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the power-on command (FIG. 14: step 025) transmitted at the time of power-on accompanied by the operation of the RAM clear switch 89 is received from the main control board 80. .. If the power-on command has not been received (step S4400: NO), the process proceeds to step S4402. When the power-on command is received (step S4400: YES), the process proceeds to step S4405.

In step S4402, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the power-on flag is set to ON. The power-on flag is a flag on the sub-control board 90 that indicates whether or not it is the execution period of the power-on command reception process described later. If it is the execution period, "ON" is set, and if it is not the execution period, it is "OFF". Is set. If the power-on flag is not set to ON (step S4402: NO), the process proceeds to step S4410. When the power-on flag is set to ON (step S4402: YES), the process proceeds to step S4405. In step S4405, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs a power-on command reception process. The details of the power-on command reception process will be described later.

In step S4410, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not it has received the power recovery command (FIG. 13: step 022) transmitted from the main control board 80 at the time of power recovery without operating the RAM clear switch 89. Do it. If the power recovery command has not been received (step S4410: NO), the process proceeds to step S4412. When the power recovery command is received (step S4410: YES), the process proceeds to step S4415.

In step S4412, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the power recovery flag is set to ON. The power recovery flag is a flag on the sub-control board 90 that indicates whether or not the execution period of the power recovery command reception process described later is set. Is set. If the power recovery flag is not set to ON (step S4412: NO), the process proceeds to step S4420. When the power recovery flag is set to ON (step S4412: YES), the process proceeds to step S4415. In step S4415, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs a power recovery command reception process. The details of the power recovery command reception process will be described later.

In step S4420, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the power-on flag and the power-recovery flag are set to OFF. That is, in step S4420, it is determined whether or not the process at the time of power-on (power-on command reception process: S4405) and the process at power recovery (power recovery command reception process: S4415) are completed. If the processing at the time of turning on the power and at the time of restoring the power is not completed (step S4420: NO), this processing is completed. When the processing at the time of turning on the power and at the time of restoring the power is completed (step S4420: YES), the processing proceeds to step S4460.

In step S4460, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs other command reception processing. As described above, various commands are transmitted from the main control board 80 to the sub control board 90 as other commands in addition to the power-on command and the power recovery command. Step S4460 is a process performed by the effect control microcomputer 91 when the sub control board 90 receives such another command from the main control board 80. Examples of other command reception processing include a command indicating the result of a hit / fail determination, a variation pattern command indicating a variation pattern, and a variation start command indicating that variation is started.

[Power-on command reception processing]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the power-on command reception process (FIG. 21: step S4405). Upon receiving the power-on command, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the power-on flag to ON (step S4500). When the power-on flag is already set to ON, the process of step S4500 is skipped. As described above, this power-on flag is a flag indicating whether or not the power-on command reception process is being executed on the sub-control board 90. If it is an execution period, "ON" is set and the execution period is set. If not, "OFF" is set. The power-on flag is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the power-on command and turning on (steps S4548 and S4550 described later).

In step S4501, the effect control microcomputer 91 performs the RAM clear notification based on the reception of the power-on command accompanied by the operation of the RAM clear switch 89. This RAM clear notification is a process realized by the effect control microcomputer 91 controlling the voice control board 106, and is a process of notifying a predetermined voice (for example, a voice such as "RAM cleared") from the speaker 67. Is.

In step S4502, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the RAM clear notification period has expired. If the RAM clear notification is not completed (step S4502: NO), this process is terminated. When the RAM clear notification is completed (step S4502: YES), the process proceeds to step S4548.

In step S4548, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the power-on command. This predetermined time can be set to a time with a margin to the extent that they can be executed, for example, when the board movable body 15 and other driving devices are initially operated. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S4548: NO), this process ends. If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S4548: YES), the process proceeds to step S4550, and the effect control microcomputer 91 sets the power-on flag to OFF. When the power-on flag is set to OFF, it means that the power-on command reception process (FIG. 21: step S4405) has been completed.

[Power recovery command reception processing]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the power recovery command reception process (FIG. 21: step S4415). Upon receiving the power recovery command, the game control microcomputer 81 sets the power recovery flag to ON (step S4600). When the power recovery flag is already set to ON, the process of step S4600 is skipped. As described above, this power recovery flag is a flag indicating whether or not the power recovery command reception process is being executed on the sub-control board 90. If it is the execution period, "ON" is set and the execution period is set. If not, "OFF" is set. The power recovery flag is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the power recovery command and turning on (steps S4638 and S4640 described later).

In step S4602, the effect control microcomputer 91 notifies that the power is being restored based on the reception of the power restoration command. The notification during power restoration is a process realized by the effect control microcomputer 91 controlling the voice control board 106, and is a process of notifying a predetermined voice from the speaker 67.

In step S4604, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not the notification period during power restoration has expired. If the notification during power restoration is not completed (step S4604: NO), this process is terminated. When the notification during power restoration is completed (step S4604: YES), the process proceeds to step S4638.

In step S4638, the effect control microcomputer 91 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the power restoration command. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S4638: NO), this process ends. If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S4638: YES), the process proceeds to step S4640, and the effect control microcomputer 91 sets the power recovery flag to OFF. When the power recovery flag is set to OFF, it means that the power recovery command reception process (FIG. 20: step S4415) has been completed.

8. Operation of Image Control Microcomputer 101 The operation of the image control microcomputer 101 provided on the image control board 100 (FIG. 10) will be described with reference to FIG. 24.
[Image control main processing]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the image control main process. When the power of the game machine 1 is turned on, the image control main process is read from the ROM 103 by the image control microcomputer 101 provided on the image control board 100 and executed. In step S5010, the image control microcomputer 101 performs initialization processing. In the initialization process, the RAM 104 is initialized, such as various settings related to the CPU 102 and resetting of counters and flags stored in the RAM 104.

In step S5020, the image control microcomputer 101 executes the control board replacement determination process. Details of this control board replacement determination process will be described later. The initialization process and the control board replacement determination process are executed only once after the power is turned on or after the power is restored, and are not executed thereafter.

In step S5030, the image control microcomputer 101 allows interrupts. While the interrupt is enabled, the image control side timer interrupt process (step S5040) can be executed. In the image control side timer interrupt process, image data (moving image data) is generated based on an instruction from the sub-control board 90 (effect control microcomputer 91), and various display effects are realized on the image display device 7. While the interrupt is enabled, the timer interrupt process on the image control side attempts to interrupt at predetermined time intervals.

[Control board replacement judgment process]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control board replacement determination process (FIG. 24: step S5020). In the control board replacement determination process, the image control microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the identification information transmitted from the sub control board 90 (effect control microcomputer 91) has been received (step S5110). When the image control microcomputer 101 receives the identification information transmitted from the sub control board 90 (S5110: YES), subsequently, among the identification information received in step S5120, the main identification information (main) The identification information (identification information stored in the identification information storage area 98a) was stored in the main identification information storage area 108a of the image control EEPROM 108, and was stored in the sub identification information (identification information storage area 98b for the sub). The identification information) is stored in the sub-identification information storage area 108b of the image control EEPROM 108, and the process proceeds to step S5150.

On the other hand, when the image control microcomputer 101 has not received the identification information transmitted from the sub-control board 90 (S5110: NO), whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the control board replacement determination process was started. (S5130). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the control board replacement determination process was started (S5130: NO), the image control microcomputer 101 returns to the process of step S5110. When a predetermined time has elapsed (S5130: YES) after the control board replacement determination process is started, the image control microcomputer 101 uses the main identification information storage area 108a of the image control EEPROM 108 as the main identification information. “Null” is stored, “NULL” is stored as the sub identification information in the sub identification information storage area 108b, and the process proceeds to step S5150. In addition, this "Null" indicates that there is no identification information.

In step S5150, the image control microcomputer 101 refers to the exchange determination table 103a shown in FIG. 26, and refers to the identification information (main identification information) stored in the main identification information storage area 108a and the sub identification information storage area. Whether or not these boards have been replaced based on the identification information (sub-identification information) stored in 108b and the identification information stored in the image control identification information storage area 108c, and if they have been replaced, A control board replacement determination is performed to determine which board has been replaced.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a replacement determination table 103a used in the control board replacement determination. In the exchange determination table 103a, the determination pattern, the determination condition, and the determination result are associated with each other. The determination conditions are the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 108a (hereinafter, also referred to as identification information X) and the identification information stored in the sub identification information storage area 108b (hereinafter, also referred to as identification information Y). And the identification information (hereinafter, also referred to as identification information Z) stored in the image control identification information storage area 108c, the conditions set by using at least two identification informations are shown. The determination result includes the presence / absence of replacement indicating whether or not the control board has been replaced, and the replacement entity representing the replaced control board. When the presence / absence of replacement is "○", it indicates that some control board has been replaced.

When the identification information X, the identification information Y, and the identification information Z are the same in the control board exchange determination, and the identification information Y is not NUML, the image control microcomputer 101 sets the exchange determination table 103a. Based on this, as the determination pattern 1, it is determined that none of the control boards (main control board 80, sub control board 90, and image control board 100) have been replaced.

In the image control microcomputer 101, when the identification information Y and the identification information Z are the same in the control board replacement determination, the identification information X is different from the identification information Y and the identification information Z, and the identification information Y is not NUML. It is determined that the main control board 80 (at least a part) has been replaced as the determination pattern 2 based on the exchange determination table 103a. The determination pattern 2 includes a case where even if the identification information X is NULL, the identification information Y is not NULL and the identification information Y and the identification information Z are the same.

In the image control microcomputer 101, in the control board replacement determination, the identification information X and the identification information Z are the same, the identification information Y is different from the identification information X and the identification information Z, and the identification information X and the identification information Y are different. If neither is NUML, it is determined that the sub control board 90 (at least a part) has been exchanged as the determination pattern 3 based on the exchange determination table 103a.

In the image control microcomputer 101, in the control board replacement determination, the identification information X and the identification information Y are the same, the identification information Z is different from the identification information X and the identification information Y, and the identification information X and the identification information Y are different. If it is not NUML, it is determined that the image control board 100 (at least a part) has been replaced as the determination pattern 4 based on the exchange determination table 103a.

In the control board exchange determination, the image control microcomputer 101 has different identification information X and different identification information Y, different identification information Y and different identification information Z, different identification information X and different identification information Z, and the identification information Y is NUML. If not, as the determination pattern 5, it is determined that any control board (main control board 80, sub control board 90, and image control board 100) (at least a part) has been replaced based on the replacement judgment table 103a. To do.

In the control board replacement determination, when the identification information X and the identification information Y are NULL, the image control microcomputer 101 uses any control board (main control board) as the determination pattern 6 based on the exchange determination table 103a. It is determined that the 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100) (at least a part) have been replaced.

When the image control microcomputer 101 does not correspond to any of the above determination patterns 1 to 6 in the control board replacement determination, the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image are based on the exchange determination table 103a. It is determined that the replacement determination of the control board 100 is impossible. Further, in this case, the image control microcomputer 101 determines that some trouble has occurred in the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100.

Subsequently, in step S5160, the image control microcomputer 101 executes the display process based on the determination result of the control board replacement determination. Details of this display process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. The image control microcomputer 101 ends the control board replacement determination process after the process of step s5160.

[Display processing]
27 and 28 are diagrams for explaining the display (step S5160) based on the control board replacement determination result. When the determination pattern 1 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, the image display device 7, the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 are shown in FIG. 27 (A). Indicates that the board is presumed to be the same as that at the time of shipment, in other words, suggests that none of the control boards (main control board 80, sub control board 90, and image control board 100) have been replaced. Display to be displayed.

When the determination pattern 2 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, it is suggested that the main control board 80 (at least a part) has been exchanged for the image display device 7 as shown in FIG. 27 (B). Display to be displayed.

When the determination pattern 3 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, it is suggested that the sub control board 90 (at least a part) has been exchanged for the image display device 7 as shown in FIG. 27 (C). Display to be displayed.

When the determination pattern 4 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, it is suggested that the image control board 100 (at least a part) has been replaced by the image display device 7 as shown in FIG. 28 (A). Display.

When the determination pattern 5 or the determination pattern 6 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, as shown in FIG. 28B, the image display device 7 is provided with the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and A display suggesting that at least a part of the image control board 100 has been replaced is displayed.

When the determination pattern 7 is determined in the control board replacement determination process, the image display device 7, the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 are shown in FIG. 28 (C). The display suggests that the replacement determination of the above was not possible and that some trouble has occurred in these control boards.

9. Example of effect of this embodiment [Effect 1]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 is different from the identification information X and the identification information Y or the identification information Z in step S5150 (in step S5150). In the case of the determination patterns 2 to 5), display processing (FIGS. 27 (B), (C)) suggesting that at least a part of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, or the image control board 100 has been replaced. ), Fig. 28 (A), (B)). According to this configuration, when at least a part of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, or the image control board 100 is replaced by another person, the manager of the game machine 1 performs the replacement by display processing. Can be recognized. As a result, fraud can be suppressed, and problems can be suppressed in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

[Effect 2]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 has the same identification information X, identification information Y, and identification information Z in step S5150 (in step S5150). In the case of the determination pattern 1), a display process (see FIG. 27 (A)) suggesting that none of the control boards of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, or the image control board 100 has been replaced is performed. I try to do it. According to this configuration, when the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, or the image control board 100 is not replaced by another person, the manager of the game machine 1 performs the replacement by the display process. It becomes possible to recognize that it is not.

[Effect 3]
According to the game machine 1 of the present embodiment, the identification information transmission process (FIG. 14: S026) stored in the main identification information storage area 108a by the main control board 80 and the main identification information storage area by the sub control board 90 The transmission process of the identification information stored in the 98a and the sub-identification information storage area 98b (FIG. 19: S4250) and the control board replacement determination process by the image control microcomputer 101 (FIG. 24: S5020) are executed when the power is turned on. I am doing it. According to this configuration, the administrator can recognize the replaced control board before the game machine 1 is operated, so that fraud can be suppressed in advance.

[Effect 4]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 has the same identification information Y and identification information Z in step S5150, and the identification information X is When the identification information Y and the identification information Z are different from each other and the identification information Y is not NULL (in the case of the determination pattern 2), a display process suggesting that at least a part of the main control board 80 has been replaced (FIG. 27 (B)) is performed. According to this configuration, when at least a part of the main control board 80 is replaced by another person, the manager of the game machine 1 can recognize the replacement by the display process. As a result, fraud can be suppressed, and problems can be suppressed in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

[Effect 5]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 has the same identification information X and identification information Z in step S5150, and the identification information Y is When the identification information X and the identification information Z are different from each other and the identification information X and the identification information Y are not NULL (in the case of the determination pattern 3), it is suggested that at least a part of the sub-control board 90 has been replaced. Display processing (see FIG. 27 (C)) is performed. According to this configuration, when at least a part of the sub control board 90 is replaced by another person, the manager of the game machine 1 can recognize the replacement by the display process. As a result, fraud can be suppressed, and problems can be suppressed in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

[Effect 6]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 has the same identification information X and identification information Y in step S5150, and the identification information Z is When the identification information X and the identification information Y are different from the identification information X and the identification information X and the identification information Y are not NULL (in the case of the determination pattern 4), it is suggested that at least a part of the image control board 100 has been exchanged. The display process (see FIG. 28 (A)) is performed. According to this configuration, when at least a part of the image control board 100 is exchanged by another person, the administrator of the game machine 1 can recognize the exchange by the display process. As a result, fraud can be suppressed, and problems can be suppressed in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

[Effect 7]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25), the image control microcomputer 101 has different identification information X and identification information Y in step S5150, and the identification information Y and the identification information Z. Is different, the identification information X and the identification information Z are different, and the identification information Y is not NULL (in the case of the determination pattern 5), or when the identification information X and the identification information Y are NULL respectively (in the determination pattern 6). In the case), a display process (see FIG. 28B) suggesting that at least a part of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 has been replaced is performed. According to this configuration, when at least a part of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 is replaced by another person, the manager of the game machine 1 performs the replacement by display processing. Can be recognized. As a result, fraud can be suppressed, and problems can be suppressed in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

[Effect 8]
According to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the image control microcomputer 101 does not correspond to any of the determination patterns 1 to 6 in step S5150 in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25) (determination pattern 7). In the case), a display process (case) suggesting that the replacement determination of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 could not be performed, and that some trouble has occurred in these control boards (case). (See FIG. 28 (C)). According to this configuration, the manager of the game machine 1 can prevent a problem from occurring in the maintenance and management of the game machine 1.

10. Modification example of this embodiment [Modification example 1]
In the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment, the same identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a at the time of manufacturing the gaming machine 1 is used in the sub identification information storage area 98b and the image control identification information. When the game machine 1 is stored in the storage area 108c and the power is turned on after the game machine 1 is shipped, the image control board 100 stores the transmitted main identification information and sub identification information in the main identification information storage area 108a and the main, respectively. Identification information stored in the identification information storage area 98a for the main, and stored in the identification information storage area 108a for the main, and identification information stored in the identification information storage area 108b for the sub in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25). The control board replacement determination is performed by collating with the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 108a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1, different identification information is stored in the main identification information storage area 85a and the sub identification information storage area 98b, and the main identification information storage area is stored in the image control EEP-ROM 108. The sub control board 90 is specified from the main discrimination reference information, which is reference information capable of identifying the main control board 80 from the identification information stored in the 85a, and the identification information stored in the sub identification information storage area 98b. It stores the reference information for sub-discrimination, which is the reference information that can be used. Next, in the control board replacement determination process, the image control microcomputer 101 collates the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 108a with the main identification reference information, and when the results of the collation match. Determines that neither the main control board 80 nor the image control board 100 has been replaced, and determines that neither the main control board 80 nor the image control board 100 has been replaced in the display process. The suggested display is performed, and if they do not match, it is determined that either the main control board 80 or the image control board 100 has been replaced, and the main control board 80 or the image control board 100 is determined in the display process. A display suggesting that any of the above has been exchanged may be made. Further, the image control microcomputer 101 collates the identification information stored in the sub-identification information storage area 108b with the sub-discrimination reference information in the control board replacement determination process, and if the results of the collation match, the identification information is collated. , It is determined that neither the sub-control board 90 nor the image control board 100 has been replaced, and it is suggested that neither the sub-control board 90 nor the image control board 100 has been replaced in the display process. If there is a discrepancy, it is determined that either the sub-control board 90 or the image control board 100 has been replaced, and the sub-control board 90 or the image control board 100 is displayed in the display process. A display may be made to suggest that one of them has been replaced. In this case, the main control board 80 holds the sub identification information at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1, and after the game machine 1 is installed (after shipment), when the power is first turned on, the main control board 80 is used. The sub-identification information is output to the sub-control board 90, and the sub-control board 90 holds the sub-identification information by receiving the sub-identification information and storing it in the sub-identification information storage area 98b. May be good. Further, at the time of manufacturing the game machine 1, the main control board 80 holds the reference information for main discrimination and the reference information for sub-discrimination, and after the game machine 1 is installed (after shipment) and when the power is first turned on. The reference information is output from the main control board 80 to the image control board 100 via the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 receives these reference information and stores the reference information in the image control EEPROM 108 for main determination. Reference information for sub-discrimination and reference information for sub-discrimination may be retained.

[Modification 2]
In the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment, the same identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a at the time of manufacturing the gaming machine 1 is used in the sub identification information storage area 98b and the image control identification information. By storing in the storage area 108c, the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a, the sub identification information storage area 98b, and the image control identification information storage area 108c is the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the gaming machine 1 is manufactured, the same identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a is stored in the sub identification information storage area 98b and the image control identification information storage area 108c. May be good. In this case, when the power of the game machine 1 is first turned on after the game machine 1 is manufactured, the main control board 80 transmits the identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 85a to the sub control board 90. The sub control board 90 transmits the identification information transmitted from the main control board 80 to the image control board 100 while storing the identification information in the sub identification information storage area 98b, and the image control board 100 transmits from the sub control board 90. The identified identification information is stored in the image control identification information storage area 108c. However, after the storage, the identification information stored in the sub-identification information storage area 98b and the image control identification information storage area 108c is readable, but preferably non-rewritable.

[Modification 3]
In the game machine 1 of the above embodiment, the image control board 100 determines whether or not the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 have been replaced in the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub-control board 90 (effect control microcomputer 91) may execute the control board replacement determination process. For example, the effect control microcomputer 91 uses the main identification information stored in the main identification information storage area 98a and the sub-use as the control board replacement determination process instead of step S4250 in the identification information transmission / reception process (FIG. 19). The sub-identification information stored in the identification information storage area 98b is compared, and if they are the same, it is determined that the main control board 80 and the sub-control board 90 are not replaced, and if they are different. May determine that at least a part of the main control board 80 or the sub control board 90 has been replaced. In this case, when it is determined that the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 have not been replaced, the main control board 80 and the sub control board 90 have not been replaced by using the image display device 7. When it is determined that at least a part of the main control board 80 or the sub control board 90 has been replaced, the image display device 7 is used to display the main control board 80 or the sub control. A display suggesting that at least a part of the substrate 90 has been replaced may be made.

[Modification example 4]
In the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment, when the image control microcomputer 101 is determined to be any of the determination patterns 2 to 4 in the process of step S5150 of the control board exchange determination process (FIG. 25), it is determined that the image control microcomputer 101 has been exchanged. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is determined that any of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 has been replaced. Then, in the display process, a display suggesting that any of the control boards of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 has been replaced may be performed. Further, it was determined that any of the control boards was replaced for the determination pattern 7, and any of the control boards of the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 was replaced in the display process. A display suggesting that may be made. Further, regarding the determination pattern 1, it is determined that the internal devices including the main control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the image control board 100 have not been replaced, and the main control board 80 and the sub control are displayed in the display process. A display suggesting that the internal device including the substrate 90 and the image control substrate 100 has not been replaced may be displayed.

[Modification 5]
In the gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment, the image control microcomputer 101 uses the image display device 7 to display the result of the control board replacement determination in step S5150 in the process of step S5160 of the control board replacement determination process (FIG. 25). Although notification is made by display processing, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image control microcomputer 101 determines the result of the control board replacement determination based on the sound or voice of the speaker 67, the way the board lamp 5 or the frame lamp 66 shines, the way the board movable body 15 or the frame movable body 600 moves, and the like. It may be notified. Further, when the image control microcomputer 101 determines that any of the control boards has been replaced as a result of the control board replacement determination, the driving of the game machine 1 is stopped without notifying the result, and the game is started. You may want to take action to disable it. In this case, as measures for disabling the game, for example, the power of the game machine 1 is turned off, the injection of the game ball is disabled, the control of the sub control board 90 or the image control board 100 is stopped, or the image is disabled. Measures such as stopping the driving of the display device 7 can be mentioned.

[Other variants]
The gaming machine 1 of the above embodiment has been described by taking a pachinko gaming machine as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the pachinko gaming machine, the present invention may be applied to a spinning-type gaming machine such as a slot machine, an arrange ball gaming machine, or a sparrow ball gaming machine.

Further, the game machine 1 of the above-described embodiment is a game machine equipped with a payout device for paying out balls, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the game machine 1, the present invention may be applied to a game machine that is not equipped with a payout device, such as a so-called enclosed game machine. Further, two or more modified examples may be combined among the plurality of modified examples described above. Further, the game machine 1 may include a sub display device in addition to the image display device 7. In this case, the above-mentioned display effect may be executed on the sub-display device.

Further, the configuration of the game machine 1 and the operation mode of each member described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention can be realized even with other configurations and operation modes. Further, the order of processing, the set value, the threshold value used for the determination, etc. in the above-mentioned flowchart are merely examples, and the present invention can be realized even if the order or value is other than the scope of the present invention. be able to. Further, the regulatory member illustrated in the above embodiment is merely an example, and other regulatory members can be adopted.

11. Embodiment In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the following aspects can be realized.

[Aspect 1]
The first control means (80) for holding the identification information and
Second control means (90, 100) holding reference information capable of discriminating a specific first control means from the identification information, and
With
The first control means outputs identification information to the second control means.
The second control means collates the identification information output from the first control means with the reference information, and determines whether or not the first control means that outputs the identification information is the specific first control means. ,
A game machine (1) characterized by this.

[Aspect 2]
When the second control means determines that the first control means that outputs the identification information is not the specific first control means, a notification suggesting that the first control means or the second control means has been replaced. The notification means (7) for executing the above is provided.
The gaming machine according to the first aspect.

[Aspect 3]
When the second control means determines that the first control means that outputs the identification information is the specific first control means, it is suggested that the first control means or the second control means has not been replaced. The notification means (7) for executing the notification is provided.
The gaming machine according to aspect 1 or aspect 2.

[Aspect 4]
The first control means outputs identification information to the second control means when the power is turned on.
The second control means executes the collation between the identification information output from the first control means and the reference information at the time of turning on the power.
The gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the gaming machine is characterized by the above.

[Aspect 5]
The second control means can execute a predetermined effect based on an instruction from the first control means.
The second control means can execute the predetermined effect based on the instruction of the first processing means for receiving the identification information output from the first control means and the first processing means, and can execute the predetermined effect from the identification information. A second processing means for holding reference information capable of discriminating a specific first control means is provided.
The first processing means outputs the identification information received from the first control means to the second processing means.
The second processing means collates the identification information output from the first processing means with the reference information, and determines whether or not the first control means that outputs the identification information is the specific first control means. ,
The gaming machine according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, characterized in that.

[Aspect 6]
The first processing means holds the first identification information that can identify the first processing means, and outputs the first identification information to the second processing means.
The second processing means holds first reference information which is reference information capable of discriminating a specific first processing means from the identification information, and the first identification information output from the first processing means. And the first reference information are collated, and it is determined whether or not the first processing means that outputs the identification information is the specific first processing means.
The gaming machine according to aspect 5, characterized in that.

Although the present embodiment has been described above based on the embodiments and modifications, the embodiments of the above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present embodiment, and do not limit the present embodiment. This aspect may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit and claims, and this aspect includes its equivalents.

It should be understood that the terms used herein are used in the meaning commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless otherwise defined, all terminology and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, this specification (including definitions) takes precedence.

1 ... Game machine 7 ... Image display device (notification means)
80 ... Main control board (main control means)
85 ... Main EEPROM-ROM (main storage means)
90 ... Sub control board (sub control means)
98 ... Sub EEPROM (sub storage means)
100 ... Image control board (secondary control means)
108 ... Image control EEPROM-ROM (secondary storage means)

Claims (1)

Notification means and
The first control means for holding the identification information and
A second control means for holding the identification information,
A third control means that holds the identification information,
With
The first control means transmits the identification information held by itself, and the first control means transmits the identification information.
The second control means transmits the identification information held by itself, and the second control means transmits the identification information.
The third control means receives the identification information of the first control means and the identification information of the second control means, and receives the identification information of the first control means and the received second control. The identification information of the means is collated with the identification information held by itself, and the identification information of the first control means, the identification information of the second control means, and the identification information held by itself are predetermined respectively. In the case of the above relationship, it is determined that none of the first control means, the second control means, and the third control means has been exchanged, and the identification information of the first control means is used. Of the identification information of the second control means and the identification information held by the second control means, two identification informations have a predetermined relationship, and the other identification information is predetermined with the two identification informations. If it is not related, it is determined that the control means corresponding to the other identification information has been exchanged .
The notification means notifies the determination result of the third control means.
A game machine characterized by that.

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