JP2012075538A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure appropriate operation of a movable gimmick.SOLUTION: A Pachinko game machine 100 includes: a setting unit 401; and a drive control unit 403. The setting unit 401 sets one of a plurality of control modes having different contents of control signals to be input to a drive unit 200 for driving the movable gimmick 130 in each performance. The drive control unit 403 inputs a performance control signal to be executed which is determined by the set control mode, to the drive unit 200, on the basis of the performance to be executed and the control mode set by the setting unit 401, to drive the movable gimmick 130.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine that includes a plurality of movable accessories on a game board and performs an effect using the movable accessories.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a gaming machine that draws a lottery by winning a game ball at a starting port on a game board and displays three rows of symbols (for example, symbols of numbers 1 to 12) on a variable display device. there were. When such a gaming machine is won in the big win lottery, the three rows of symbols that are variably displayed are stopped and displayed in a specific combination (for example, “7 · 7 · 7”) to be in the big hit gaming state. When the big hit gaming state is reached, the big winning opening on the game board is opened, and the player can acquire a large number of winning balls by winning the gaming balls in the big winning opening.

  In addition, there have been gaming machines that perform various effects during the display of symbols to increase the player's expectation. For example, such a gaming machine produces a game by driving a movable accessory arranged in the game area (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2008-228824 A

  However, when the movable accessory is driven by a predetermined control signal as in the above-described prior art, the operation intended by the manufacturer may not be able to be performed depending on the movable accessory. In such a case, the production effect may be reduced. For example, an industrial product such as a pachinko machine has a solid difference due to various factors during manufacturing. For this reason, if it is a predetermined control signal, depending on the movable accessory, it may not stop at the position intended by the manufacturer, and if it stops at a halfway position, the production effect will be reduced. There was also.

  Furthermore, in a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a movable accessory, the movable accessory may become stale with the passage of time. When settling occurs, depending on the settling condition, the difference in solid of each movable accessory increases, and the above-described problem may appear more remarkably.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko gaming machine that can ensure proper operation of a movable accessory in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention employs the following configuration. Reference numerals in parentheses indicate correspondence with the embodiments in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. A pachinko gaming machine (100) according to the present invention is arranged on a game board (101), and includes a driving part (200) and is driven by the driving part (200). A setting means (401) for setting any one control mode among a plurality of control modes having different contents of control signals input to the drive unit (200) in the effect, an effect to be executed, and the setting means ( 401) based on the control mode being set in accordance with the control mode being set, the execution target control signal determined in the control mode being set is input to the drive unit (200), and the movable accessory (130) Drive control means (403) for driving the motor.

  In the above invention, the drive control means (403) includes a plurality of control tables (T1, T2, T3) that define the contents of the control signal in each production corresponding to the plurality of control modes. It is also possible to input a control signal having the contents defined in the control table (T1, T2, T3) corresponding to the control mode being set.

  In the above invention, the drive control means (403) includes a reference value table that defines reference values of control signals to be input in the respective effects, and a plurality of compensation amounts that are determined according to the plurality of control modes. It is also possible to input a control signal having a content obtained by compensating the performance reference value to be executed with a compensation amount corresponding to the control mode being set.

  Further, in the above invention, the drive based on the detection means (404) for receiving the operation, the detection means (404) for detecting the position of the movable accessory (130), and the detection result by the detection means (404). A measuring means (405) for measuring a required time when the control means (403) drives the movable accessory (130) for a predetermined distance, and an informing means (406) for notifying a measurement result by the measuring means (405). The drive control means (403) inputs a control signal having a predetermined content to the drive section (200), drives the movable accessory (130) for the predetermined distance, and sets the setting means ( 401) may set the control mode based on the operation received by the receiving means (402).

  In the above invention, the notifying means (406) determines whether the measurement result is a condition based on the measurement result and a condition corresponding to the plurality of control modes for comparison with the measurement result. It is good also as notifying the control mode which satisfy | filled.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that an appropriate operation of the movable accessory can be secured.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the pachinko gaming machine of embodiment concerning this invention. It is a front view (the 1) of a movable accessory of this embodiment. It is a front view (the 2) of the movable accessory of this Embodiment. It is a front view (the 3) of the movable accessory of this Embodiment. It is a front view (the 4) of the movable accessory of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the pachinko game machine of embodiment concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of a control table group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of a compensation amount table. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the main process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of an effect main process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of effect timer interruption processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of command reception processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a lamp main process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a movable accessory initial setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the movable accessory control process of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows the example of alerting | reporting by the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the recommended condition table. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows the example of alerting | reporting by the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an example in which the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (so-called “digital patch”) belonging to the former first class.

(Basic configuration of pachinko machine)
First, the basic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 101. A launcher (see reference numeral 392 in FIG. 3) is disposed at a lower position of the game board 101.

  A game ball launched by driving the launching unit rises between the rails 102 a and 102 b and reaches the upper position of the game board 101, and then falls within the game area 103. The game area 103 is provided with a plurality of nails (not shown), and the game balls fall in an unspecified direction by the nails. In the game area 103, a windmill and various winning openings (such as a start opening and a big winning opening) that change the falling direction of the gaming balls are arranged at positions in the middle of the falling of the gaming balls.

  An image display unit 104 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game board 101. As the image display unit 104, a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or the like is used. A first start port 105 and a second start port 106 are disposed below the image display unit 104. The first start port 105 and the second start port 106 are winning ports for starting and winning.

  In the vicinity of the second starting port 106, an electric tulip 107 is provided as an ordinary electric accessory (an accessory that operates based on a lottery result of an ordinary symbol lottery described later). The electric tulip 107 has a closed state (a closed state) that makes it difficult to win the game ball to the second starting port 106 and an open state (opened state) that makes it easier to win a prize than the closed state. Control of these states is performed by a solenoid (see reference numeral 331 in FIG. 3) provided in the electric tulip 107.

  The electric tulip 107 is opened based on the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball passes through the gate 108 arranged on the left side of the image display unit 104. The gate 108 is not limited to the left side (the illustrated position) of the image display unit 104, and may be disposed at an arbitrary position in the game area 103.

  A big prize opening 109 is provided below the second start opening 106. The big winning opening 109 is a winning opening that is opened when a big hit state is reached and for paying out a predetermined number (for example, 15) of winning balls by winning a game ball.

  A normal winning opening 110 is provided on the side of the image display unit 104 or below. The normal winning opening 110 is a winning opening for paying out a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls by winning a game ball. The normal winning opening 110 is not limited to the position shown in the figure, and may be arranged at an arbitrary position in the game area 103. At the bottom of the game area 103, there is provided a collection port 111 for collecting game balls that have not won any winning ports.

  In the lower right part of the game board 101, a special symbol display unit 112 for displaying special symbols is arranged. The special symbol display unit 112 includes a first special symbol display unit (see reference numeral 112a in FIG. 3) on which the first special symbol is displayed and a second special symbol display unit (reference symbol in FIG. 3) on which the second special symbol is displayed. 112b).

  Here, the first special symbol is a symbol representing the lottery result of the first big hit lottery performed when the game ball wins the first starting port 105. The second special symbol is a symbol representing the lottery result of the second big hit lottery performed when the game ball wins the second starting port 106. The first jackpot lottery and the second jackpot lottery are lotteries for determining whether or not the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a jackpot gaming state.

  In addition, a normal symbol display portion 113 for displaying normal symbols is arranged in the lower right portion of the game board 101. Here, the normal symbol is a symbol representing the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery. The normal symbol lottery is a lottery for determining whether or not to open the electric tulip 107 as described above. For example, a 7-segment display is used as the special symbol display unit 112 and the normal symbol display unit 113.

  On the left side of the special symbol display unit 112 and the normal symbol display unit 113, a reserved ball number display unit 114 for displaying the number of reserved balls for the special symbol or the normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as “the number of reserved balls”) is arranged. For example, an LED is used as the reserved ball number display unit 114. A plurality of LEDs serving as the reserved ball number display unit 114 are arranged, and the number of held balls is indicated by turning on / off.

  A frame member 115 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 103 of the game board 101. The frame member 115 has a shape that surrounds the periphery of the game area 103 on the four sides of the game board 101 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The frame member 115 has a shape protruding from the board surface of the game board 101 toward the player side.

  On the two sides which are the upper side and the lower side of the game area 103 in the frame member 115, an effect light part (frame lamp) 116 is provided. Each effect light unit 116 includes a plurality of lamps and a motor (not shown). Each lamp irradiates a player who is in front of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Moreover, each lamp can change the irradiation direction of light into the up-down direction and the left-right direction by driving the motor. In addition, each lamp can irradiate the periphery of the pachinko gaming machine 100, and the light irradiation direction can be rotated so that the irradiation position forms a circle with respect to the pachinko gaming machine 100.

  An operation handle 117 is disposed at a lower position of the frame member 115. The operation handle 117 is operated by the player when the game ball is fired by driving the launching unit. Similar to the frame member 115 described above, the operation handle 117 has a shape that protrudes from the board surface of the game board 101 to the player side.

  The operation handle 117 includes a firing instruction member 118 that drives the above-described launching unit to launch a game ball. The firing instruction member 118 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation handle 117 so as to be rotated clockwise as viewed from the player. Although not described because it is a known technique, the operation handle 117 is provided with a sensor that detects that the player directly operates the firing instruction member 118. Thereby, the launching unit launches the game ball when the firing instruction member 118 is directly operated by the player.

  In the frame member 115, an effect button (chance button) 119 and a cross key 120 are provided on the lower side of the game area 103. The effect buttons 119 and the cross key 120 constitute an operation accepting unit that accepts an operation from a player in the pachinko gaming machine 100. The frame member 115 incorporates a speaker (see reference numeral 354 in FIG. 3) that outputs sound.

  A movable accessory 130 is arranged at a position on the image display unit 104 that is in front of the player. The movable accessory 130 includes a drive unit (see reference numeral 200 in FIG. 2A) such as a solenoid or a motor, and is driven by the drive of the drive unit. For example, the movable accessory 130 is normally accommodated in an accommodation space provided above the image display unit 104, and below the image display unit 104 above when performing an effect using the movable accessory 130 (hereinafter referred to as “actual effect”). To the front of the image display unit 104. The detailed configuration and operation of the movable accessory 130 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2-1 to 2-4.

(Basic operation of pachinko machines)
Next, an example of the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 100, when the game ball wins the first start port 105 or the second start port 106, performs a lottery lottery according to the winning start port. For example, when a game ball wins the first start opening 105, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs a first big hit lottery. When the first jackpot lottery is performed, the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays the first special symbol of the first special symbol display unit 112a. Then, after the lapse of a predetermined period from the start of the variable display, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed with the symbol indicating the lottery result of the first jackpot lottery.

  When the game ball wins the second starting port 106, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs the second big hit lottery. For example, here, the second jackpot lottery can be a jackpot lottery in which the player is more advantageous than the first jackpot lottery. When the second jackpot lottery is performed, the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays the second special symbol of the second special symbol display unit 112b. Then, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the variable display, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed with a symbol indicating the lottery result of the second big hit lottery.

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays a special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol), the effect symbol (for example, three columns of numbers) of the image display unit 104 is variably displayed. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the effect symbol is stopped and displayed. For example, when a special symbol is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol indicating a jackpot (the jackpot was won in the first jackpot lottery or the second jackpot lottery), the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a combination that indicates a jackpot (for example, The production symbol is stopped and displayed at “7,7,7”).

  When the effect symbol is stopped and displayed with the combination indicating the big hit, the pachinko gaming machine 100 sets the gaming state to the big hit gaming state, and opens the big winning opening 109 for the round corresponding to the winning big hit (for example, 15 rounds). If the game ball wins the big winning opening 109 during the opening, the pachinko gaming machine 100 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls.

(Composition of movable accessory)
Next, the configuration of the movable accessory 130 will be described. FIG. 2-1 is a front view (part 1) of the movable accessory of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the movable accessory 130 includes a drive unit 200, a slide gear 210, and a decorative member 220. Here, the drive unit 200 includes a drive motor 201, a drive gear 202, and a driven gear 203. The drive motor 201 converts the supplied electric energy into mechanical energy, and drives and rotates the drive gear 202. The driven gear 203 is meshed with the drive gear 202 and rotated by the rotational force of the drive gear 202.

  The slide gear 210 meshes with the driven gear 203 and causes the movable accessory 130 to reciprocate in the vertical direction in FIG. 2A as the driven gear 203 rotates. In FIG. 2A, the first sensor S <b> 1 is provided above the slide gear 210. For example, a contact sensor can be adopted as the first sensor S1. In this case, the first sensor S1 can detect the position of the movable accessory 130 when the slide gear 210 contacts. As shown in FIG. 2A, the position of the movable accessory 130 when one end (the upper end in FIG. 2A) of the slide gear 210 contacts the first sensor S <b> 1 is hereinafter referred to as “first sensor position”.

  In FIG. 2A, a second sensor S <b> 2 is provided below the slide gear 210. For example, a contact sensor can be adopted as the second sensor S2, and the position of the movable accessory 130 can be detected when the slide gear 210 comes into contact. The position of the movable accessory 130 when one end (the lower end in FIG. 2A) of the slide gear 210 contacts the second sensor S2 is hereinafter referred to as “second sensor position” (see FIG. 2-3).

  Note that a non-contact sensor such as a photo sensor may be employed as the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2. Although a detailed description is omitted because of a known technique, the photosensor includes a light receiving element and a light emitting element facing in the same direction. The photo sensor can detect the position of the movable accessory 130 by applying light emitted from the light emitting element to the slide gear 210 and detecting the presence or absence of reflected light by the light receiving element.

  A decorative member 220 is fixed to the slide gear 210. For example, the decorative member 220 is provided with a lamp 221 or the like. The lamp 221 is turned on or blinked during production. Further, the decorative member 220 is provided with a roller 222. The roller 222 is in contact with a guide rail 223 provided on a frame (not shown), and the decorative member 220 is movable along the guide rail 223. The shape or the like of the decorative member 220 is not limited to the illustrated shape, and may be an arbitrary shape.

(Movement of the moving object)
Next, the operation of the movable accessory 130 will be described. FIG. 2-2 is a front view (part 2) of the movable accessory of the present embodiment. FIG. 2-3 is a front view (part 3) of the movable accessory of the present embodiment. FIG. 2-4 is a front view (part 4) of the movable accessory of the present embodiment.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 sets the movable accessory 130 to the retreat position during normal times (when other than the effect production). Here, the retracted position refers to, for example, by inputting a pulse signal of a prescribed number of pulses (for example, 10 pulses) from the first sensor position to the drive motor 201, thereby moving the movable accessory 130 upward in FIG. This is the driven position. FIG. 2-2 shows the movable accessory 130 in the retracted position. The movable accessory 130 positioned at the retreat position is stored in a storage space (not shown) provided above the image display unit 104.

  When the accessory production is performed, the pachinko gaming machine 100 slides the movable accessory 130 downward in FIG. 2-2, and the movable accessory 130 passes the first sensor position shown in FIG. This is the second sensor position. As described above, the second sensor position is a position when one end (the lower end, see FIG. 2-3) of the slide gear 210 comes into contact with the second sensor S2. FIG. 2-3 shows the movable accessory 130 at the second sensor position. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 slides the movable accessory 130 downward through the second sensor position, and sets the movable accessory 130 as an effect position.

  Here, the effect position is, for example, by inputting a pulse signal of a prescribed number of pulses (for example, 10 pulses) from the second sensor position to the drive motor 201, thereby moving the movable accessory 130 downward in FIG. This is the driven position. Fig. 2-4 shows the movable accessory 130 at the effect position. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 100 produces a game by moving the movable accessory 130 that is normally retreated to advance to the production position during the effect production.

  In the following, the rotation of the drive motor 201 for driving the movable accessory 130 toward the effect position is referred to as “forward rotation”, and the drive motor 201 for driving the movable accessory 130 toward the retracted position is referred to as “forward rotation”. The rotation is called “reverse rotation”. When ending the character effect, the pachinko gaming machine 100 rotates the drive motor 201 in the reverse direction to drive the movable character 130 from the effect position shown in FIG. 2-4 to the retracted position shown in FIG.

(Internal configuration of pachinko machine)
Next, an internal configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 300 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a main control unit 301 that controls the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100 and an effect control unit that controls the contents of the production performed by the pachinko gaming machine 100. 302 and a prize ball control unit 303 that controls the payout of prize balls performed by the pachinko gaming machine 100. Each control unit will be described in detail below.

(1. Main control unit)
The main control unit 301 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 313, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. The

  The CPU 311 executes various programs relating to the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 100, such as a main process (see FIG. 5) and a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 6). The ROM 312 stores various programs necessary for the CPU 311 to execute the above processing, various tables used when executing the programs, and the like. The RAM 313 functions as a work area for the CPU 311. The data set in the RAM 313 by the CPU 311 executing the above program is transmitted to each component connected to the main control unit 301 at a predetermined timing.

  That is, the main control unit 301 functions to control the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 100 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 312 while the CPU 311 uses the RAM 313 as a work area. For example, the main control unit 301 is realized by a main control board (detailed description is omitted because it is a known technique).

  The main control unit 301 includes various switches (SW) that function as detection means for detecting a game ball, a solenoid for opening and closing an electric accessory such as a prize winning port 109, the first special symbol display unit 112a, The second special symbol display unit 112b, the normal symbol display unit 113, the reserved ball number display unit 114, and the like are connected.

  Specifically, the various SWs described above include a first start port SW321 that detects a game ball won in the first start port 105, and a second start port SW322 that detects a game ball won in the second start port 106. , A gate SW 323 that detects a game ball that has passed through the gate 108, a big winning opening SW 324 that detects a gaming ball that has won a prize winning opening 109, and a normal winning opening SW 325 that detects a gaming ball that has won a winning prize 110 Is connected to the main control unit 301.

  Detection results by the respective SWs (321 to 325) are input to the main control unit 301. A proximity switch or the like can be used for these SWs. It should be noted that a plurality of the normal winning opening SW325 may be provided for each arrangement position of the normal winning opening 110.

  Further, as the solenoid, an electric tulip solenoid 331 that opens and closes the electric tulip 107 and a big prize opening solenoid 332 that opens and closes the big prize opening 109 are connected to the main control unit 301. The main control unit 301 controls driving of the solenoids (331, 332). For example, the main control unit 301 controls the driving of the electric tulip solenoid 331 based on the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery, and the driving of the big winning opening solenoid 332 based on the lottery result of the big hit lottery.

  Further, the main control unit 301 selects the first special symbol display unit 112a, the second special symbol display unit 112b, the normal symbol based on the lottery result of the big jackpot lottery (the first jackpot lottery, the second jackpot lottery) and the normal symbol lottery. The display content of the display unit 113 is controlled. For example, the main control unit 301 variably displays the first special symbol of the first special symbol display unit 112a when the first big hit lottery is performed. Then, after the predetermined period, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed with the symbol indicating the lottery result of the first big hit lottery.

  Similarly, the main control unit 301 displays the second special symbol on the second special symbol display unit 112b when the second jackpot lottery is performed, and the normal symbol on the normal symbol display unit 113 when the normal symbol lottery is performed. Let

  Further, the main control unit 301 is also connected to the effect control unit 302 and the prize ball control unit 303, and transmits various commands to each. For example, when the main control unit 301 performs a lottery lottery, the main control unit 301 transmits a change start command to the effect control unit 302. Here, in the variation start command, the lottery result of the jackpot lottery (the type of special symbol to be stopped display), the current gaming state, the time for the special symbol to be variably displayed before showing the lottery result of the jackpot lottery (hereinafter referred to as “variable time”). ")" Is included.

  In addition, when the main control unit 301 detects a game ball won in each winning opening (starting ports 105 and 106, large winning port 109, and normal winning port 110), it transmits a winning ball command to the winning ball control unit 303. To do. Here, the prize ball command includes information indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out.

(2. Production control unit)
The production control unit 302 includes a production control unit 302a, an image / audio control unit 302b, and a lamp control unit 302c, and has a function of controlling production contents of production performed by the pachinko gaming machine 100. Here, the effect control unit 302a has a function of controlling the entire effect control unit 302 based on a command (for example, a change start command) received from the main control unit 301. The image / sound control unit 302b has a function of controlling images and sounds based on instructions from the production control unit 302a. The lamp control unit 302c has a function of controlling lighting of lamps provided on the game board 101, the frame member 115, and the like.

(2-1. Director of Production)
First, the configuration of the production control unit 302a will be described. The production control unit 302a includes a CPU 341, a ROM 342, a RAM 343, a real time clock (hereinafter referred to as “RTC”) 344, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like.

  The CPU 341 executes various programs for overseeing the entire effect control unit 302, such as effect main processing (see FIG. 8). The ROM 342 stores a program necessary for the CPU 341 to execute the above processing. The RAM 343 functions as a work area for the CPU 341. The data set in the RAM 343 when the CPU 341 executes the program is transmitted to the image / sound controller 302b and the lamp controller 302c at a predetermined timing.

  In other words, the effect control unit 302a functions to control the entire effect control unit 302 by executing a program stored in the ROM 342 while the CPU 341 uses the RAM 343 as a work area. For example, the effect supervising unit 302a determines an effect to be executed in accordance with the change display of the special symbol based on the change start command, and executes predetermined processing on the image / sound control unit 302b and the lamp control unit 302c. The instruction is output to control the entire production control unit 302.

  The RTC 344 functions as a time measuring means for measuring and outputting real time. The RTC 344 continues timing operation by a backup power source (not shown) even when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is cut off. Note that the RTC 344 is not limited to the example in which the RTC 344 is arranged in the production control unit 302 such as the production control unit 302a, but may be arranged in the main control unit 301. Further, the RTC 344 may be arranged alone and clock and output real time to the effect control unit 302 and the main control unit 301.

  In addition, an effect button 119 and a cross key 120 are connected to the effect control unit 302a. The effect button 119 and the cross key 120 input a signal corresponding to the operated button or key to the effect control unit 302a.

(2-2. Image / Audio Control Unit)
Next, the configuration of the image / sound controller 302b will be described. The image / audio control unit 302b includes a CPU 351, a ROM 352, a RAM 353, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like.

  The CPU 351 executes a program for performing processing related to display control of the image display unit 104 and processing related to audio output from the speaker 354. The CPU 351 executes a program for setting a valid period. ROM 352 stores a program for performing the above-described processing, presentation data such as image data such as a background image, a design for presentation (hereinafter referred to as “production design”), and a character image necessary for the processing. Yes. The RAM 353 functions as a work area of the CPU 351, and temporarily stores display data of an image to be displayed on the image display unit 104 and audio data output from the speaker 354. For example, the RAM 353 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) in which image data representing an image to be displayed on the image display unit 104 is temporarily stored.

  That is, the image / sound control unit 302b causes the image display unit 104 to display based on an instruction from the production control unit 302a by executing the program stored in the ROM 352 while the CPU 351 uses the RAM 353 as a work area. It functions to control images and sound output from the speaker 354.

  For example, the CPU 351 controls a display control process (not shown) for controlling the display content displayed on the image display unit 104 and the audio content output from the speaker 354 based on the instruction content instructed from the production control unit 302a. Voice control processing (not shown) is executed. At this time, the CPU 351 reads image data and audio data necessary for processing from the ROM 352 and writes them in the RAM 353.

  Image data such as background images and effect designs written in the RAM 353 is output to the image display unit 104 connected to the image / sound control unit 302b, and is superimposed on the display screen of the image display unit 104. That is, the effect design is displayed so that it can be seen in front of the background image. When the background image overlaps with the effect design at the same position, the effect design is given priority by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of the display data of each image by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. It is stored in the RAM 353.

  The audio data written in the RAM 353 is output to the speaker 354 connected to the image / audio control unit 302b, and audio based on the audio data is output from the speaker 354.

(2-3. Lamp control unit)
Next, the configuration of the lamp control unit 302c will be described. The lamp control unit 302c includes a CPU 361, a ROM 362, a RAM 363, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. The CPU 361 executes processing for controlling driving of the movable accessory 130, such as lamp main processing (see FIG. 11), and controlling lighting of lamps such as the effect light unit 116 and the panel lamp 364. The ROM 362 stores various programs necessary for executing the above processing, data necessary for the processing, and the like. The RAM 363 functions as a work area for the CPU 361.

  The lamp control unit 302c is connected to the effect light unit (frame lamp) 116, the panel lamp 264, and the movable accessory 130, and outputs lighting control data and drive control data to these. Thereby, the lamp control unit 302c functions to control the driving of the movable accessory 130 and to control the lighting of the lamps provided on the game board 101, the frame member 115, and the like. The lamp control unit 302c is connected to the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2, and the detection signals output from these sensors are input.

  In the present embodiment, the production control unit 302 includes a production control unit 302a, an image / sound control unit 302b, and a lamp control unit 302c that are provided as different board functions, but these are configured on the same printed board. May be. However, each function is independent even when they are incorporated on the same printed circuit board.

(3. Prize ball control unit)
Next, the configuration of the winning ball control unit 303 will be described. The prize ball control unit 303 includes a CPU 381, a ROM 382, a RAM 383, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. The CPU 381 executes a prize ball control process for controlling a prize ball to be paid out. The ROM 382 stores programs necessary for the processing. The RAM 383 functions as a work area for the CPU 381.

  The prize ball control unit 303 is connected to a payout unit (payout drive motor) 391, a launch unit 392, a fixed position detection SW393, a payout ball detection SW394, a ball presence detection SW395, and a full tank detection SW396. .

  The winning ball control unit 303 controls the paying unit 391 to pay out the number of winning balls at the time of winning. The payout unit 391 includes a motor for paying out a predetermined number from the game ball storage unit. Specifically, the winning ball control unit 303 applies the game balls won to the winning units 391 to the winning ports (the first starting port 105, the second starting port 106, the big winning port 109, and the normal winning port 110). Control to pay out the corresponding number of prize balls.

  Further, the prize ball control unit 303 detects the operation of launching the game ball with respect to the launch unit 392 and controls the launch of the game ball. The launching unit 392 launches a game ball for a game, and includes a sensor that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid that launches the game ball, and the like. When the award ball control unit 303 detects a game operation by the sensor of the launch unit 392, the game ball 103 is intermittently fired by driving a solenoid or the like in response to the detected game operation, thereby playing the game area 103 of the game board 101. A game ball is sent out.

  The prize ball control unit 303 is connected to various detection units for detecting the state of the game ball to be paid out, and detects the payout state for the prize ball. These detection units include a fixed position detection SW 393, a payout ball detection SW 394, a ball presence detection SW 395, a full tank detection SW 396, and the like. For example, the prize ball control unit 303 realizes its function by a prize ball control board.

  The main control unit 301, the effect control unit 302, and the prize ball control unit 303 configured as described above are provided on different printed circuit boards (main control board, effect control board, and prize ball control board). For example, the prize ball control unit 303 may be provided on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 301.

  In addition, a panel external information terminal board 397 is connected to the main control unit 301, and various information executed by the main control unit 301 can be output to the outside. The prize ball control unit 303 is also connected to the frame external information terminal board 398, and can output various information executed by the prize ball control unit 303 to the outside.

(Basic operation of pachinko machines)
Next, an example of the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 100, when the game ball wins the first starting port 105 or the second starting port 106, performs a big hit lottery according to the winning starting port. For example, when a game ball wins the first start opening 105, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs a first big hit lottery. At this time, the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays the first special symbol of the first special symbol display unit 112a. Then, after the lapse of a predetermined period from the start of the variable display, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed with the symbol indicating the lottery result of the first jackpot lottery.

  Further, when the game ball wins the second start opening 106, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs the second big hit lottery. At this time, the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays the second special symbol of the second special symbol display unit 112b. Then, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the variable display, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed with a symbol indicating the lottery result of the second big hit lottery.

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 variably displays a special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol), the decorative symbol (for example, three columns of numbers) of the image display unit 104 is variably displayed. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed. For example, when a special symbol is stopped and displayed with a predetermined symbol indicating a jackpot (the jackpot was won in the first jackpot lottery or the second jackpot lottery), the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a combination that indicates a jackpot (for example, “ 7 ・ 7 ・ 7 ”) stop displaying decorative symbols.

  When the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed with the combination indicating the big hit, the pachinko gaming machine 100 sets the gaming state to the big hit gaming state, and opens the big winning opening 109 for the round corresponding to the winning big hit (for example, 15 rounds). If the game ball wins the big winning opening 109 during the opening, the pachinko gaming machine 100 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs a normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 108. At this time, the normal symbol on the normal symbol display unit 113 is displayed in a variable manner. Then, after a predetermined period from the start of the fluctuation, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the symbol indicating the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery. In the case of winning the normal symbol per lot (hereinafter referred to as “per normal symbol”) in the normal symbol lottery, the pachinko gaming machine 100 stops displaying the normal symbol at a predetermined symbol indicating the per symbol. Thereafter, the electric tulip 107 is opened for a predetermined period.

(Functional configuration of pachinko machine)
Next, a functional configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described. FIG. 4-1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a setting unit 401 and a drive control unit 403.

  The setting unit 401 has a function of setting any one control mode from a plurality of control modes having different contents of control signals input to the driving unit 200 in each production. For example, the setting unit 401 is connected to the receiving unit 402 as illustrated in FIG. Here, the accepting unit 402 has a function of accepting an operation. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 100 accepts an operation from an administrator of the pachinko gaming machine 100 by the accepting unit 402. The setting unit 401 sets a control mode corresponding to the operation received by the receiving unit 402.

  The drive control unit 403 has a function of driving the movable accessory 130 by inputting a control signal (eg, a pulse signal) to the drive motor 201 (eg, a stepping motor). For example, when the drive control unit 403 receives a command instructing execution of an effect (for example, a variable effect start command to be described later), the drive control unit 403 outputs an execution target control signal determined by the setting unit 401 in the control mode being set. An input to the driving unit 200 drives the movable accessory 130.

  For example, the drive control unit 403 has a plurality of control tables that define the contents of the control signals in each effect corresponding to the plurality of control modes, and is determined by the control table corresponding to the control mode being set. The control signal with the specified content is input. Here, an example of a control table included in the drive control unit 403 will be described.

(About the control table)
FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the control table group. As shown in FIG. 4B, the pachinko gaming machine 100 associates the control table T1 associated with the first control mode, the control table T2 associated with the second control mode, and the third control mode. The control table group 420 includes the control table T3. The control table group 420 is stored in the ROM 362, for example.

  In the control table group 420, each of the control tables T1 to T3 includes a plurality of drive patterns. Here, the drive pattern defines the drive content of the movable accessory 130 in each production. Specifically, the number of pulses of the control signal, the pulse speed, and the like are determined for each drive pattern. Further, the drive pattern may include a timing for inputting a control signal.

  For example, the control table T1 is composed of drive patterns Kp11, Kp12, Kp13. The drive pattern Kp11 defines the drive content of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect A. The drive pattern Kp12 defines the drive content of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect B. The drive pattern Kp13 defines the drive content of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect C.

  Similarly, the control table T2 includes a driving pattern Kp21 that determines the driving details of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect A, a driving pattern Kp22 that determines the driving details of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect B, and the accessory. It is comprised by the drive pattern Kp23 which defined the drive content of the movable accessory 130 in the production C. The control table T3 includes a drive pattern Kp31 that defines the drive details of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect A, a drive pattern Kp32 that defines the drive details of the movable accessory 130 in the accessory effect B, and a bonus effect C. It is comprised by the drive pattern Kp33 which defined the drive content of the movable accessory 130. In this way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, different drive patterns are prepared for each control mode for the same effect.

  For example, when the drive control unit 403 receives a command instructing the start of the accessory effect A from an effect execution unit (not shown), the drive pattern Kp11 is set to the second control mode if the first control mode is set. If the driving pattern Kp21 is set, the driving pattern Kp31 is selected if the third control mode is set, and the driving control of the movable accessory 130 is performed according to the selected driving pattern.

  Further, the drive control unit 403 may include a reference value table that defines a reference value of a control signal for each effect, and a compensation amount table that defines a compensation amount in each control mode. In this case, the drive control unit 403 inputs, to the drive unit 200, a control signal obtained by compensating the performance reference value to be executed with a compensation amount corresponding to the control mode being set.

  FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram of an outline of the compensation amount table. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the compensation amount table 430 is configured by associating each control mode with a compensation amount in each control mode. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4-3, “−n pulse” is set in the first control mode, “± 0 pulse” is set in the second control mode, and “+ n pulse” is set in the third control mode. "

  Here, the above-described control table T2 is a reference value table. In this case, when a command instructing the start of the accessory effect A is received, if the first control mode is set, the drive control unit 403 determines n from the number of pulses (for example, X pulse) determined by the drive pattern Kp21. A control signal obtained by subtracting only the pulse is input to the drive unit 200. If the third control mode is set, the drive control unit 403 inputs a control signal obtained by adding n pulses to the number of pulses determined by the drive pattern Kp21 to the drive unit 200. By doing so, the pachinko gaming machine 100 does not need to have a control table for each control mode, and can prevent a limited storage area from being compressed by the control table.

  For example, the drive control unit 403 may be connected to the detection unit 404 or the measurement unit 405 as illustrated in FIG. Here, the detection unit 404 has a function of detecting the position of the movable accessory 130. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 404 is connected to the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2, and can detect the movable accessory 130 that has reached the first sensor position and the second sensor position. The detection unit 404 outputs the detection result to a connection destination such as the drive control unit 403 or the measurement unit 405.

  The measuring unit 405 has a function of measuring a required time when the drive control unit 403 drives the movable accessory 130 for a predetermined distance based on the detection result by the detection unit 404. In the present embodiment, since the detection unit 404 detects the movable accessory 130 at the first sensor position and the second sensor position, the measurement unit 405 is driven a predetermined distance between the first sensor position and the second sensor position. Measure the time required.

  The measurement unit 405 may measure a control signal when the drive control unit 403 drives the movable accessory 130 for a predetermined distance. In this case, for example, the measurement unit 405 measures the number of pulses of the control signal input when driving a predetermined distance between the first sensor position and the second sensor position. The measuring unit 405 may obtain the number of pulses of the input control signal from the required time and the pulse speed of the input control signal. Measurement unit 405 outputs the measurement result to notification unit 406.

  The notification unit 406 has a function of receiving a measurement result from the measurement unit 405 and notifying the measurement result. For example, the notification unit 406 notifies the time required for driving a predetermined distance and the content (for example, the number of pulses) of the control signal input at this time. The notification unit 406 performs the above notification using an arbitrary notification unit such as displaying the measurement result on the image display unit 104. Further, the notification unit 406 may notify a control mode (a control mode in which setting is recommended) that matches the measurement result from conditions and measurement results that are predetermined for each control mode.

  For example, the function units of the setting unit 401 and the drive control unit 403 can realize their functions when the CPU 361 of the lamp control unit 302c executes a program stored in the ROM 362. Further, the setting unit 401 may realize its function by the CPU 341 of the production supervision unit 302a executing a program stored in the ROM 342.

  As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can drive the movable accessory 130 by inputting a control signal corresponding to a control mode set in advance (for example, at the time of activation) to the drive unit 200 at the time of production. Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 100 compensates for the solid difference of the movable accessory 130 generated at the time of manufacture and the solid difference of the movable accessory 130 generated after the manufacture (for example, the solid difference due to the slack). Proper operation can be ensured.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 can drive the movable accessory 130 to a predetermined presentation position by appropriately performing the accessory presentation intended by the manufacturer, and the movable accessory 130 stops at a halfway position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the production effect from being lost, or to drive the movable accessory 130 too much and apply a large load to the drive unit 200.

(Processing performed by pachinko machines)
(Processing performed by the main control unit)
Next, a process performed by the pachinko gaming machine 100 to realize the above operation will be described. Here, the process performed by the main control unit 301 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described first. Each process performed by the main control unit 301 described below is performed, for example, by the CPU 311 of the main control unit 301 executing various programs stored in the ROM 312.

(Main process)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the main processing. For example, when power is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 100, the main control unit 301 starts executing this main process. As shown in FIG. 5, in the main process, the main control unit 301 first waits for 1000 ms (step S501) and permits access to the RAM 313 (step S502). When permitting access to the RAM 313, the main control unit 301 determines whether or not the RAM clear switch is ON (step S503).

  If the RAM clear switch is ON (step S503: Yes), the main control unit 301 clears the RAM (step S504). Since the RAM clearing is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in step S504, the main control unit 301 sets various flags set by the main control unit 301 and count values related to the flags to a predetermined value. Set to the initial state.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 performs initial setting of the peripheral part (step S505). For example, in step S505, the main control unit 301 transmits an initial setting command instructing each peripheral unit such as the effect control unit 302 and the prize ball control unit 303 to perform predetermined initial settings.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is not ON (step S503: No), the main control unit 301 determines whether the backup flag is ON (step S506). If the backup flag is ON (step S506: Yes), the main control unit 301 determines whether the checksum is normal (step S507).

  If the checksum is normal (step S507: Yes), the main control unit 301 executes a recovery process (step S508). Although detailed description and illustration are omitted, in the recovery process, the main control unit 301 sets the gaming state and the like to be in the same state as before the power shutdown based on the backup information stored at the time of the power shutdown. In the restoration process, the main control unit 301 transmits a restoration command indicating that the restoration has been performed to the effect control unit 302.

  If the backup flag is not ON in step S506 (step S506: No) or the checksum is not normal in step S507 (step S507: No), the main control unit 301 proceeds to step S504 and clears the RAM. .

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 sets a cycle (for example, 4 ms) of a built-in CTC (timer counter) (step S509). In the cycle set in step S509, the main control unit 301 executes a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 6) described later. When the CTC cycle is set, the main control unit 301 executes a power shutdown monitoring process (step S510). Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, in the power shutdown monitoring process, the main control unit 301 monitors the cutoff of the supplied power and creates backup information used in the recovery process when the power is shut off. Store in RAM 313.

  When the power-off monitoring process is executed, the main control unit 301 performs an interrupt prohibition setting for prohibiting the interrupt execution of the timer interrupt process (step S511), and updates random numbers used for various lotteries performed by the main control unit 301. A random number update process is executed (step S512). In step S512, the main control unit 301 updates various random numbers such as, for example, a design random number used in the jackpot lottery, a hit determination random number, or a variation pattern random number used when selecting the variation pattern (for example, the count value of the counter corresponding to each random number is changed). +1). Subsequently, the main control unit 301 performs an interrupt permission setting for permitting interrupt execution of the timer interrupt process (step S513), and proceeds to step S510. Thereafter, the main control unit 301 repeatedly executes the processing from step S510 to step S513.

(Timer interrupt processing)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the timer interrupt processing. The main control unit 301 interrupts and executes the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 6 with the period (for example, 4 ms) set in step S509 with respect to the main process in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the timer interrupt process, the main control unit 301 first executes a random number update process as in step S512 of FIG. 5 (step S601). Subsequently, the main control unit 301 executes a switch process related to the detection of the game ball (step S602). In this switch process, the main control unit 301 detects a game ball won at the start port (first start port 105, second start port 106), a start port switch process, and a gate that detects a game ball that has passed through the gate 108. Switch processing, winning port switch processing for detecting a game ball won in the big winning port 109 and the normal winning port 110, and the like are performed. Since this is a known technique, the detailed contents of the switch processing are not described and illustrated.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 executes symbol processing relating to special symbols and normal symbols (step S603). Here, the symbol process includes a special symbol process related to the special symbol and a normal symbol process related to the normal symbol. In the special symbol process, the main control unit 301 performs a lottery lottery to display the special symbol in a variable display / stop display (see FIG. 7). In the normal symbol processing, the main control unit 301 performs the normal symbol lottery and displays the normal symbols in a variable display / stop display (illustration and detailed description are omitted).

  When the symbol process is executed, the main control unit 301 executes an electric accessory control process related to operation control of various electric accessories (step S604). Although detailed explanation and illustration are omitted because of a known technique, the electric accessory control process includes an electric tulip control process for controlling the operation of the electric tulip 107 and a big prize opening process for controlling the operation of the big prize opening 109 ( The illustration and detailed description are omitted).

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 executes a prize ball process relating to a prize ball (step S605), and commands set in the RAM 313 by the above-described processes are sent to each peripheral part such as the effect control unit 302 and the prize ball control unit 303. The output process to output is executed (step S606), and the timer interrupt process is terminated. When the timer interrupt process ends, the main control unit 301 returns to the main process.

(Special symbol processing)
Next, processing contents of the special symbol process included in the symbol process shown in step S603 of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the special symbol processing. As shown in FIG. 7, in the special symbol process, the main control unit 301 first determines whether or not the winning game flag set at the time of winning the big win or the small win is set (step S701).

  If the winning game flag is ON (step S701: Yes), the main control unit 301 ends the special symbol process as it is without variably displaying the special symbol. If the winning game flag is not ON (step S701: No), the main control unit 301 determines whether the special symbol is being variably displayed (step S702). If the special symbol is not being variably displayed (step S702: No), the main control unit 301 has a number U2 of retained balls (hereinafter referred to as “the number of retained balls”) U2 for the game balls won at the second starting port 106. Is determined (step S703).

  If the number of retained balls U2 is 1 or more (U2 ≧ 1) (step S703: Yes), the main control unit 301 sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the retained ball number U2 as a new retained ball number U2 (step S704). The process proceeds to step S707. If the number of held balls U2 is 0 (U2 = 0) (step S703: No), the main control unit 301 determines whether the number of held balls U1 for the game ball won at the first start port 105 is 1 or more. (Step S705).

  If the number of reserved balls U1 is 0 (U1 = 0) (step S705: No), the main control unit 301 ends the special symbol process as it is. If the number of reserved balls U1 is 1 or more (U1 ≧ 1) (step S705: Yes), the main control unit 301 sets a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the number of retained balls U1 as a new number of retained balls U1 (step S706). ), The process proceeds to step S707.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 performs a jackpot lottery process (step S707). In the jackpot lottery process in step S707, for example, the main control unit 301 determines the winning determination random number acquired when winning the starting opening (the first starting opening 105 or the second starting opening 106) and the winning determination stored in the ROM 312. Using the table, it is determined whether it is a big hit, a small hit or a loss. If it is a jackpot, the contents of the jackpot are determined (for example, whether it is a probability hit or a latent hit) using the symbol random number and the symbol determination table. Next, the main control unit 301 executes a variation pattern selection process for selecting a variation pattern defining the variation time of the special symbol from the variation pattern table stored in the ROM 312 (step S708).

  Next, the main control unit 301 starts a special symbol change display of the special symbol display unit 112 (step S709). At this time, when the variable display is performed based on the lottery result of the second big hit lottery, the second special symbol of the second special symbol display unit 112b is variablely displayed. When variably displaying based on the lottery result of the first jackpot lottery, the first special symbol of the first special symbol display unit 112a is variably displayed.

  Next, the main control unit 301 sets a change start command in the RAM 313 (step S710). The variation start command set in step S710 includes the lottery result of the jackpot lottery process in step S707, information indicating the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection process in step S708, and the like. Further, the change start command set in step S710 is output to the effect control unit 302 when the output process in step S606 of FIG. 6 is executed.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 determines whether a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed from the start of the fluctuation display (step S711). In step S711, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the fluctuation display is the fluctuation time defined by the fluctuation pattern selected immediately before the start of the fluctuation display. If the predetermined fluctuation time has not elapsed (step S711: No), the main control unit 301 ends the special symbol process as it is.

  On the other hand, if the variation time has elapsed (step S711: Yes), the main control unit 301 stops and displays the special symbol that is being varied and displayed on the special symbol display unit 112 (step S712), and displays a variation stop command in the RAM 313. (Step S713). The variation stop command set in step S713 is output to the effect control unit 302 when the output process in step S606 of FIG. 6 is executed.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 301 executes a stop process (step S714) and ends the special symbol process. Although detailed description and illustration are omitted, in the stop process, the main control unit 301 sets a flag relating to the gaming state or performs a count using the count value relating to the flag. Further, when the special symbol is being variably displayed in step S702 (step S702: Yes), the process proceeds to step S711, the main control unit 301 determines whether the variability time has elapsed, and performs the above processing.

(Processing performed by the Director of Production)
Next, processing performed by the production control unit 302a of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described. Each process performed by the production control unit 302a described below is performed, for example, when the CPU 341 of the production control unit 302a executes various programs stored in the ROM 342.

(Direction main processing)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect main process. For example, when the power is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 100, the production control unit 302a starts executing this production main process. As shown in FIG. 8, in the production main process, the production supervision unit 302a first waits until a command transmitted from the main control unit 301 such as a recovery command or an initial setting command is received at the time of activation (step S801: No). Loop).

  When a recovery command or an initial setting command is received (step S801: Yes), predetermined initial setting is performed (step S802). In step S802, for example, the effect supervising unit 302a sets a flag indicating the effect mode and a count value related to the flag to a predetermined value.

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a transmits a restoration command and an initial setting command to the image / sound control unit 302b and the lamp control unit 302c (step S803). And it waits until a measurement result command is received from the lamp | ramp control part 302c (step S804: No loop). Here, the measurement result command is a command indicating a required time, a control signal, and the like when the movable accessory 130 is driven from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. When the production control unit 302a receives the measurement result command (step S804: Yes), the production control unit 302a transmits the measurement result command to the image / sound control unit 302b (step S805).

  For example, when the image / sound control unit 302b receives the measurement result command, the image display unit 104 displays the required time, the control signal, and the like indicated by the measurement result command, thereby notifying the administrator of the measurement result (FIG. 14).

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a waits until receiving an instruction from the administrator for the desired control mode (step S806: No loop). For example, in step S806, the production control unit 302a causes the image display unit 104 to display a display screen for accepting the designation of the control mode in the image / sound control unit 302b. And the designation | designated of the control mode to set is received from an administrator (refer FIG. 14). When the designation of the control mode is received (step S806: Yes), a control mode command indicating the designated control mode is transmitted to the lamp control unit 302c (step S807).

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a sets a cycle (for example, 4 ms) of a built-in CTC (timer counter) (step S808). In the period set in step S808, the effect supervision unit 302a executes an effect timer interrupt process (see FIG. 9) described later. Subsequently, the effect supervising unit 302a executes an effect random number updating process for updating the effect random numbers used in various lotteries performed by the effect managing unit 302a (step S809). Thereafter, the production control unit 302a repeatedly executes the process of step S809.

(Production timer interrupt processing)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect timer interruption process. The effect supervision unit 302a interrupts and executes the effect timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 9 at the period (for example, 4 ms) set in step S804 with respect to the effect main process of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the production timer interruption process, the production supervision unit 302a first performs a command reception process (step S901). The contents of the command reception process will be described later with reference to FIG. Subsequently, an operation reception process is performed (step S902). For example, in step S902, when the production supervision unit 302a accepts an operation of the production button 119 from the player, it sets an operation command indicating that the operation has been accepted in the RAM 343.

  When the operation accepting process is performed, the effect supervising unit 302a performs a command transmission process (step S903), and ends the effect timer interrupt process. In step S903, the effect supervising unit 302a outputs the command set in the RAM 343 by the command receiving process or the effect button process to the image / sound control unit 302b and the lamp control unit 302c.

(Command reception processing)
Next, the processing content of the command reception processing shown in step S901 in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the command reception processing. As shown in FIG. 10, in the command reception process, the effect supervising unit 302a first determines whether a variation start command has been received from the main control unit 301 (step S1001). If the change start command has not been received (step S1001: No), the process proceeds to step S1004 described later.

  If the change start command has been received (step S1001: Yes), the effect supervising unit 302a selects the effect to be performed when the effect symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the display screen (hereinafter referred to as “change effect”). Processing is performed (step S1002). For example, in the variation effect selection process, the effect supervision unit 302a selects an effect pattern that defines the contents of the variation effect from the effect pattern table by a variation pattern of the received variation start command or a lottery using a random number for effect. To do. When an effect pattern is selected, a change effect start command for starting a change effect defined by this effect pattern (for example, displaying on the image display unit 104) is set in the RAM 343 (step S1003). The variation production start command includes information indicating the variation production to be started.

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a determines whether a change stop command has been received from the main control unit 301 (step S1004). If the fluctuation stop command has not been received (step S1004: No), the process proceeds to step S1006 described later. If the change stop command has been received (step S1004: Yes), the effect supervision unit 302a sets a change effect end command to end the change effect in the RAM 343 (step S1005).

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a determines whether an opening command (a command output when the main control unit 301 starts opening) is received from the main control unit 301 (step S1006). If the opening command has not been received (step S1006: No), the process proceeds to step S1009 described later.

  If the opening command has been received (step S1006: Yes), the production control unit 302a produces an effect (hereinafter referred to as “winning effect”) that is performed in the winning gaming state (the opportunity that triggered the opening command). ”) Is selected (step S1007), and a winning effect start command for starting the selected winning effect is set in the RAM 343 (step S1008).

  For example, in the winning effect selection process, the effect supervising unit 302a selects a winning effect for probability variation if winning per probability change, and short winning (latent probability winning if winning per chance or small hit. -Select the effect for small hits.

  Subsequently, the production control unit 302a determines whether an ending command has been received from the main control unit 301 (step S1009). If the ending command has not been received (step S1009: No), the production supervision unit 302a ends the command reception process as it is.

  If the ending command has been received (step S1009: Yes), the effect supervising unit 302a sets a winning effect end command to end the winning effect in the RAM 343 (step S1010), and ends the command receiving process.

(Processing performed by the lamp controller)
Next, processing performed by the lamp control unit 302c will be described. Each process performed by the lamp control unit 302c described below is performed by the CPU 361 of the lamp control unit 302c executing various programs stored in the ROM 362.

(Ramp main processing)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the lamp main processing. For example, when power is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 100, the lamp control unit 302c starts executing the lamp main process. As shown in FIG. 11, in the lamp main process, the lamp control unit 302c first determines whether a restoration command or an initial setting command has been received from the production control unit 302a (step S1101).

  If no recovery command or initial setting command has been received, the process waits until they are received (step S1101: No loop). When the recovery command or the initial setting command is received (step S1101: Yes), the lamp control unit 302c performs a movable accessory initial setting process for initial setting of the movable accessory 130 (step S1102). The movable accessory initial setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c performs a movable accessory detection process for detecting the position of the movable accessory 130 (step S1103). And the movable accessory control process which performs drive control of the movable accessory 130 is performed (step S1104). The movable accessory control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, a lighting content control process for controlling the lighting of the lamp is performed (step S1105), the process returns to step S1103, and the processes from step S1103 to step S1105 are repeated.

(Movable accessory initial setting process)
Next, the movable accessory initial setting process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the movable accessory initial setting process. As shown in FIG. 12, in the movable accessory initial setting process, the lamp controller 302c first determines whether the first sensor S1 is ON (step S1201).

  If the first sensor is ON (step S1201: Yes), the lamp control unit 302c rotates the drive motor 201 in the forward direction and drives the movable accessory 130 until the first sensor S1 is turned OFF ( In step S1202), the movable accessory 130 is driven until the first sensor is turned on by reverse rotation (step S1203). If the first sensor S1 is OFF (step S1201: No), the process proceeds to step S1203. Through steps S1201 to S1203, the movable accessory 130 becomes the first sensor position.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c starts measurement of the control signal (step S1204), and drives the movable accessory 130 until the second sensor S2 is turned on by rotating the drive motor 201 forward (step S1205). . When the second sensor S2 is turned on, the driving of the movable accessory 130 is stopped and the measurement of the control signal is ended (step S1206). Although the control signal is measured here, the lamp control unit 302c may measure the required time. Also in this case, measurement of the required time is started in step S1204, and measurement of the required time is ended in step S1206.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c transmits a measurement result command representing the measurement result of step S1206 to the effect control unit 302a (step S1207), and waits until a control mode command is received (step S1208: No loop). When the control mode command is received (step S1208: Yes), the lamp control unit 302c sets a control table corresponding to the control mode indicated by the control mode command in the RAM 363 (step S1209), and ends the movable accessory initial setting process. .

(Movable accessory control process)
Next, the contents of the movable accessory control process shown in step S1104 of FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the movable accessory control process of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the movable accessory control process of the present embodiment, the lamp control unit 302c determines whether or not a variable effect start command has been received (step S1301). If the change effect start command has not been received (step S1301: No), the process proceeds to step S1306.

  If the change effect start command is received (step S1301: Yes), the lamp control unit 302c analyzes the change effect start command (step S1302), and acquires information included in the change effect start command. For example, the lamp control unit 302c acquires information indicating the variation effect pattern included in the variation effect start command.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c determines whether or not the effect indicated by the change effect pattern of the change effect start command is a feature effect using the movable accessory 130 (step S1303). If it is not an effect effect (step S1303: No), the process proceeds to step S1306. If it is a combination effect (step S1303: Yes), a drive pattern is selected from the drive pattern table currently set in the RAM 363 based on the change effect pattern of the change effect start command (step S1304).

  Specifically, at this time, the lamp control unit 302 selects a drive pattern associated with the variation effect pattern in the drive pattern table being set. When the driving pattern is selected, the lamp control unit 302c starts driving the movable accessory 130 according to the driving pattern (step S1305). For example, in step S1305, the lamp control unit 302c inputs a control signal having a predetermined content according to the drive pattern to the drive motor 201 to rotate the drive motor 201 in the forward direction, thereby producing the effect position of the movable accessory 130. Start driving towards. In addition, for example, the lamp control unit 302c is movable until the driving of the driving content determined by the driving pattern is completed, or until a command (for example, a variable effect end command to be described later) is received. Continue driving 130.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c determines whether or not a variation effect end command has been received (step S1306). If the change effect end command has not been received (step S1306: No), the movable accessory control process ends. If the change effect end command is received (step S1306: Yes), the received change effect start command is analyzed (step S1307), and the information included in the change effect end command is acquired.

  Subsequently, the lamp control unit 302c determines whether or not the effect indicated by the change effect pattern of the change effect end command is a feature effect using the movable accessory 130 (step S1308). If it is not an effect production (step S1308: No), a movable accessory control process will be complete | finished. If it is a combination effect (step S1308: Yes), the lamp control unit 302c finishes driving the movable combination 130 (step S1309), and ends the movable combination control process. In step S1309, when the movable accessory 130 is in a position other than the retracted position at the time of receiving the variable effect end command, the lamp control unit 302c returns the movable accessory 130 to the retracted position, The driving of the object 130 is finished.

(Example of notification by pachinko machines)
Next, a notification example of the measurement result by the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a notification example by the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. When the movable accessory 130 is driven from the first sensor position to the second sensor position and the control signal input at this time and the time required for the measurement are measured, as shown in FIG. Then, a measurement result screen 1401 is displayed on the image display unit 104. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the number of pulses of the control signal input when the movable accessory 130 is driven from the first sensor position to the second sensor position is “X pulses”, and the required time at this time is “Y seconds”. ". Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can notify the administrator of the measurement result.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 displays a control mode selection screen 1402 for accepting designation of the control mode on the image display unit 104. On the control mode selection screen 1402, reference values are displayed for the respective control modes so as to be a reference when the administrator selects the control mode. The reference value to be displayed is predetermined by the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the example of FIG. 14, the reference value in the first control mode is “U pulse”, and the reference value in the second control mode. Is “X pulse”, and the reference value of the third control mode is “Z pulse”.

  On the control mode selection screen 1402, the administrator places the cursor 1403 on the control mode to be selected with the left and right buttons of the cross key 120 and presses the effect button 119. Thereby, the administrator can set an appropriate control mode from the measurement result, and the pachinko gaming machine 100 can appropriately drive the movable accessory 130. In the example of FIG. 14, since the measurement result is “X pulse”, the cursor 1403 is positioned on the second control mode in which the reference value is “X pulse”, and the second control mode is selected. .

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 may also notify which control mode setting is recommended. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the recommended condition table. As shown in FIG. 15, the recommended condition table 1500 is configured by associating each control mode with a condition (recommended condition) for recommending setting to each control mode. Here, the recommended conditions are determined in advance by the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the recommended condition for the first control mode is “less than U pulse”, the recommended condition for the second control mode is “more than U pulse and less than Z pulse”, and the third control mode The recommended condition is “Z pulse or more”.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 determines whether the measurement result when the movable accessory 130 is driven from the first sensor position to the second sensor position matches the recommended condition associated with which control mode in the recommended condition table 1500. judge. Specifically, for example, the recommended condition table 1500 is stored in advance in the ROM 342, and when the production control unit 302a receives the measurement result command, the measurement result indicated by the measurement result command is compared with the recommended condition table 1500. The above determination is made. Then, the image / audio control unit 302b is instructed to notify the control mode that matches the recommended condition.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating a notification example by the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. When it is determined in the recommended condition table 1500 that the “X pulse” of the measurement result matches the recommended condition associated with which control mode, the control mode that matches the recommended condition becomes the second control mode. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16, the pachinko gaming machine 100 displays a message such as “recommends the second control mode” on the image display unit 104 to notify the administrator of the control mode for which setting is recommended. be able to.

  As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can input the control signal corresponding to the set control mode to the driving unit 200 at the time of production to drive the movable accessory 130. Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can compensate for the solid difference of the movable accessory 130 generated at the time of manufacture and the solid difference of the movable accessory 130 generated after the manufacture (for example, the solid difference due to the settling). Safe operation can be secured.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can drive the movable accessory 130 to a predetermined effect position by appropriately performing the accessory effect intended by the manufacturer, and the movable accessory 130 can be at a halfway position. Can be prevented from being stopped and the production effect being impaired, or the movable accessory 130 being driven too much and applying a large load to the drive unit 200.

  Then, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can inform the contents and required time of the control signal input to the driving unit 200 by driving the movable accessory 130. Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 100 can suggest information for facilitating setting of an appropriate control mode to the administrator, and can ensure an appropriate operation of the movable accessory 130. Furthermore, if the control mode that recommends the setting is also notified, the setting of the appropriate control mode can be facilitated even for an administrator who does not have knowledge about the setting, and the proper operation of the movable accessory 130 is ensured. Can do.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure an appropriate operation of the movable accessory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Pachinko game machine 101 Game board 301 Main control part 302 Effect control part 302a Effect control part 302b Image | voice sound control part 302c Lamp control part

Claims (5)

A movable accessory disposed on the game board and provided with a drive unit and driven by the drive unit;
Setting means for setting any one control mode from among a plurality of control modes in which the contents of the control signal input to the drive unit in each effect are different;
Based on the performance to be executed and the control mode being set by the setting means, the control signal for the performance to be executed determined in the control mode being set is input to the drive unit, and the movable combination Drive control means for driving an object;
A pachinko gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The drive control means has a plurality of control tables that define the contents of the control signal in each production corresponding to the plurality of control modes, and is determined by a control table corresponding to the control mode being set. 2. The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a control signal having the contents described above is input.   The drive control means includes a reference value table that defines a reference value of a control signal input in each effect, and a plurality of compensation amount tables that determine compensation amounts corresponding to the plurality of control modes, The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a control signal having a content obtained by compensating a performance reference value to be executed with a compensation amount corresponding to the control mode being set is input. An accepting means for accepting an operation;
Detecting means for detecting the position of the movable accessory;
Based on a detection result by the detection means, a measurement means for measuring a required time when the drive control means drives the movable accessory for a predetermined distance;
A notification means for notifying a measurement result by the measurement means;
The drive control means inputs a control signal having a predetermined content to the drive unit, drives the movable accessory for the predetermined distance,
The pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting unit sets the control mode based on an operation received by the receiving unit.   The notification means notifies the control mode in which the measurement result satisfies the condition based on the measurement result and a condition provided corresponding to the plurality of control modes for comparison with the measurement result. The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that it is characterized in that

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