JP7464992B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is equipped with various presentation means on the gaming machine frame.

Previously, there have been proposals to equip the game machine frame with various presentation means, such as slot machines (Patent Document 1) and pachinko machines (Patent Document 2) that are capable of implementing deep bass sound presentations, pachinko machines with presentation buttons that have a vibration function (Patent Document 3), and pachinko machines equipped with side units that give the island equipment a colorful feel and leave a strong impact on the player (Patent Document 4).

JP2006-109914 Patent Publication 2007-143875 Patent Publication 2007-075331 Patent Publication No. 2019-76353

While conventional technology can provide powerful effects by equipping the gaming machine frame with various presentation means, it has problems such as the need for complex wiring to send and receive control signals and detection signals between these presentation means and the presentation control board, as well as the need to change the design of the presentation control board.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a gaming machine that can flexibly respond to problems such as design changes resulting from an increase or change in performance execution means.

The gaming machine of the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, is a gaming machine comprising a main control means capable of controlling the variation of patterns and awarding a bonus when a specified lottery is won, a performance execution means, a performance data storage means which stores performance data, and a performance control means which causes the performance execution means to execute a performance using the performance data stored in the performance data storage means, and further characterized in having the following configuration.
(1A) The effect execution means includes a means that is attached to the gaming machine frame and executes an effect by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the effect control means.
(1B) The presentation control means is provided with a substrate having a general-purpose terminal whose use is not limited, and the general-purpose terminal is connected so as to be able to send and receive signals between the gaming machine frame.
(1C) The presentation control means is configured as a means for outputting a serial signal to a control object provided on the gaming machine frame side via the general-purpose terminal.
(2A) The serial signal output by the presentation control means through the general-purpose terminal is added with address information that identifies the control object, and a signal distribution means is provided between the gaming machine frame and the presentation control means for distributing the serial signal so as to execute signal input to the control object based on the address information.
(2B) The performance control means stores information capable of identifying the correspondence between the control object and an address signal, and the signal distribution means stores information capable of identifying the correspondence between the address signal and a general-purpose terminal to which the control object is connected.
(3) The substrate having the general-purpose terminal is provided with a ground terminal, and the gaming machine frame is provided with a resistive load for terminal processing, and when the general-purpose terminal does not have the controlled object, the general-purpose terminal that does not have the controlled object is wired so as to be connected to the ground terminal via the resistive load.
(4A) A serial/parallel conversion means and a parallel/serial conversion means are provided between the control object provided on the gaming machine frame and the general-purpose terminal.
(4B) The serial/parallel conversion means is installed between a general-purpose terminal for signal output among the general-purpose terminals and the controlled object, and the parallel/serial conversion means is installed between a general-purpose terminal for signal input among the general-purpose terminals and the controlled object.
(5A) The device includes a connection status inspection means for inspecting the connection status between the general-purpose terminal and the controlled object when power is turned on, and a notification means for notifying the result of the inspection by the connection status inspection means.
(5B) The connection status inspection means is configured as a means for sequentially outputting a serial signal for executing a specified operation on the controlled object to the signal distribution means together with the address information, and inspecting the suitability of the connection status based on an answer entered in response to a question inquiring as to whether the specified operation has been executed as a result of a serial signal being output via the signal distribution means based on the address information.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the performance control means is provided with a board having a general-purpose terminal, and this general-purpose terminal is connected so as to be able to send and receive signals to and from the gaming machine frame. The performance control means is configured to output a serial signal to a control target provided on the gaming machine frame side via this general-purpose terminal. Therefore, for example, if a performance execution means is added to the gaming machine frame, the performance control means can provide a control signal to the performance execution means added to the gaming machine frame via the general-purpose terminal.

According to the gaming machine having the configurations of (2A) and (2B) , the signal distribution means specifies the control object and executes the signal input based on the address information added to the serial signal output by the performance control means through the general-purpose terminal. This allows the general-purpose terminal, which has no limited use, to function as a terminal that outputs a control signal to a specific control object.

According to a gaming machine having the configuration of (3), even if the general-purpose terminal does not have a control target, the general-purpose terminal is connected to the ground terminal on the board side via a resistive load for terminal processing provided on the gaming machine frame, so that no unauthorized signal can be input to the board side. As a result, the board equipped with the performance control means can also be equipped with an unused general-purpose terminal, which makes it possible to flexibly respond to design changes due to an increase or change in the performance execution means while preventing unauthorized acts.

According to a gaming machine having the configurations of (4A) and (4B) , even if the effect execution means added to the gaming machine frame is, for example, a speaker or a motor, it is possible to execute sound effects, vibration effects, etc. by signal input from one general-purpose terminal. Conversely, it is possible to convert the operation signal of a button or the like added to the gaming machine frame into a serial signal and input it to the general-purpose terminal of the effect control means to trigger an operation effect.

According to a gaming machine having the configurations of (5A) and (5B) , when the power is turned on, the connection status inspection means inspects the connection status between the general-purpose terminal and the control object, and the notification means notifies the result of the inspection, thereby making it possible to check whether the wiring, etc. is made in a state in which the correct game presentation can be executed when the gaming machine is shipped or installed in an amusement facility.

The present invention provides a gaming machine that can flexibly respond to problems such as design changes due to an increase or change in performance execution means.

1A shows a pachinko machine of Example 1, with (A) being a front view, (B) being a right side view, and (C) being a rear view. A block diagram showing the overall configuration of a control device for a pachinko machine of Example 1. 1 shows the configuration of the control board of the pachinko machine of Example 1, where (A) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the main control board, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the performance control board. 1 shows the configuration relating to the presentation means of the control device of the pachinko machine of Example 1, where (A) is a block diagram of the entire control system, and (B) is a block diagram showing the connection state between the presentation means installed in the gaming machine frame and the presentation control board. 13 is a flowchart of a connection confirmation process for a presentation means added to a gaming machine frame executed by a presentation control board in a pachinko machine of Example 1. A block diagram showing the connection state between the presentation means installed on the gaming machine frame and the presentation control board, among the configuration related to the presentation means of the control device of the pachinko machine of Example 2. A block diagram showing the connection state between the presentation means installed on the gaming machine frame and the presentation control board, among the configuration related to the presentation means of the control device of the pachinko machine of Example 3.

Below, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[1. Overview of the gaming machine]
As shown in Fig. 1 (A) and (B), the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment includes an outer frame A, a middle frame B, a game board C, a front frame D, an upper ball tray E, a lower ball tray F, and a launching device G. The outer frame A is a vertical rectangular frame that constitutes the outer hull of the pachinko machine P. The middle frame B is a vertical rectangular frame for setting various game components, and is assembled to the front side of the outer frame A in an openable, closable, and detachable manner. The game board C is attached to the opening of the middle frame B. The front frame D is a see-through protective window for the game board C, and is assembled to the front side of the middle frame B so that it can be opened and closed by operating the locking device H. The upper ball tray E is a tray for loan balls and prize balls, and is integrally formed with the lower part of the front frame D in this embodiment. Therefore, when the front frame D is opened and closed relative to the middle frame B, the upper ball tray E is also opened and closed. The lower ball tray F is a tray for receiving game balls that are discharged when the upper ball tray E becomes full, missed game balls, etc., and is fixed to the lower part of the middle frame B. The launching device G is a device for launching game balls sent from the upper ball tray E to the launching rail with a strength corresponding to the handle operation, and is installed in the lower right part of the middle frame B.

As shown in FIG. 1(A), the game board C has a center device 30 attached to the center of a game area 10 where obstacle nails 11 and windmills 12 are planted, and a start winning device 7 is provided directly below the center of the center device 30. In addition, a large winning opening 15 is installed diagonally below and to the right of the start winning device 7, and a right-hand hitting passage 20 is provided on the right side of the center device 30 to allow a game ball to win from the right side when the large winning opening 15 is opened. In addition to the above, the game board C is also equipped with a guide rail 17, a normal winning opening 18, an outlet 19, etc.

The center role 30 is ring-shaped and includes a large decorative body 31, a stage 32, and a warp passage 33, and an obstacle block 34 is provided in the upper left portion in place of the obstacle nails. The center role 30 also includes a right-side tunnel 35 with an entrance 35a that receives game balls that have entered the right-hand hitting passage 20. A gate 37 is provided so as to be located directly below the exit 35b of the right-side tunnel 35. A second start-up winning device 27 is also installed on the lower right side of the center role 30. This second start-up winning device 27 includes an electric tulip that opens and closes based on the results of a normal pattern lottery that is executed when a game ball passes through the gate 37.

The pachinko machine P of this embodiment is equipped with full-range speakers SPfr, SPfr that output sound from the left and right positions on the upper front surface of the front frame D, and a woofer SPwf that outputs sound from the lower left position on the front surface of the middle frame B. Note that the woofer SPwf is an effect device that is not included in the basic specifications of the pachinko machine P.

As shown in FIG. 1(C), the pachinko machine P of the embodiment has a mechanism plate K attached to the middle frame B, and a back unit J attached so as to fit into this mechanism plate K. The liquid crystal display device LCD is attached to an opening window formed in the back unit J.

The main control board 310, the performance control board 320, the payout control board 330, the launch control board 340, the interface board 350, the power supply board 360, the display control board 370, the power supply relay board 380, the signal relay board 410, the lamp control board 420, and the sound control board 430 are attached to the back of the mechanism board K, the rear unit J, and the liquid crystal display LCD. The rear side of each is covered with a board case, and the boards are connected to each other with harnesses through socket openings formed in the board case. The harness wired from the main control board 310 is wired in a harness duct attached to the back of the board case. In addition, harness ducts are attached to the board cases of the performance control board 320, the payout control board 330, and the launch control board 340 to store the harness wired from the main control board 310. In addition, a harness duct for storing a harness is also attached to the interface board 350.

[2 Overall control device]
Next, the game characteristics of the pachinko machine P of this embodiment will be described. First, the control system will be described based on Fig. 2. The main control board 310 equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, clock, etc. is configured to receive detection signals from the special number 1 switch SW1 provided in the start winning device 7, the special number 2 switch SW2 provided in the second start winning device 27, the normal number switch SW3 provided in the gate 37, the winning detection switch SW7 provided in the large winning port 15, the winning detection switches SW11 and SW12 provided in the normal winning devices 18, 18, ..., and the discharged ball detection switches SW41 to 43 provided in the ball discharge passage provided at a predetermined position of the back unit J.

In addition, commands are output from the main control board 310 to the performance control board 320, the payout control board 330, the launch control board 340, the special chart display TKZ, the solenoid SOL7 for opening and closing the large winning port 15, and the solenoid SOL27 for opening and closing the normal electric role of the second start winning device 27. The interface board 350 is configured to exchange commands with the payout control board 330. The power supply board 360 is configured to supply power to the main control board 310 via the power supply relay board 380. The performance control board 320 is configured to output commands to the display control board 370. In addition, the push signals from the ball lending button Q and the card removal button R are input to the ball lending operation board 390, and are input from this ball lending operation board 390 to the payout control board 330 via the interface board 350. The interface board 350 is also configured to exchange commands with the card unit 500. It is also configured to send hall management data such as the number of prize balls paid out and error notifications to the hall computer 400 via the payout control board 330.

The performance control board 320 outputs a command signal for display performance to the display control board 370 based on a command signal from the main control board 310. The performance control board 320 also outputs a command signal for executing sound performance, light emission performance, and movable body performance to the signal relay board 410 based on a command signal from the main control board 310. The signal relay board 410 outputs the command signal from the performance control board 320 to the lamp control board 420 for executing light emission performance, the voice control board 430 for executing sound performance, and the motor control IC 510 and solenoid control IC 520 for executing movable body performance. The movable body is installed in the space between the game board C and the back unit J so as to perform actions such as appearing and disappearing and rotating on the front side of the liquid crystal display device LCD.

The performance control board 320 is further configured to receive operation signals from the push button PB and cursor button CB. The push button PB is an operation button for displaying a menu and for performing game participation operations such as pushing, tapping repeatedly, and holding down in response to commands during a performance. The cursor button CB is an operation button for adjusting the volume or light intensity by increasing or decreasing the volume or light intensity by moving the cursor when the volume adjustment mode or light intensity adjustment mode is selected by the menu display. The cursor button CB is also used to switch background modes and BGM.

The main control board 310 is provided with a special chart 1 reserve memory section 311 and a special chart 2 reserve memory section 312 in the RAM in order to reserve and store up to four special chart 1 determination random numbers obtained in response to the input of a detection signal from the special chart 1 switch SW1, and up to four special chart 2 determination random numbers obtained in response to the input of a detection signal from the special chart 2 switch SW2. The special chart 1 determination random numbers and special chart 2 determination random numbers are respectively composed of "random numbers for hit/miss determination (random number 1: SW1-1, SW2-1)", "random numbers for special chart allocation determination (random number 2: SW1-2, SW2-2)", "random numbers for performance execution determination (random number 3: SW1-3, SW2-3)", and "random numbers for variation pattern allocation (random number 4: SW1-4, SW2-4)". Random number 1 is obtained by hardware logic in response to the input of a special switch detection signal, and random numbers 2 to 4 are obtained by software logic in response to the input of a special switch detection signal.

In the judgment process executed at a predetermined timing, the main control board 310 judges that it is a "jackpot" when the random number 1 matches a preset "jackpot judgment value", and judges that it is a "miss" if it does not match. The random number for special chart allocation judgment (random number 2) is a random number for allocating the jackpot type, such as the number of rounds in a special game. The random number for effect execution judgment (random number 3) is a random number for determining whether or not to perform a reach effect. The reach effect is configured to be executed at a predetermined rate not only in the case of a "win" but also in the case of a "miss". The random number for variation pattern allocation (random number 4) is a random number for allocating variation patterns. Note that if random number 1 results in a "jackpot", the jackpot type is allocated by random number 2 to one of several types of win types with different advantages to the player, such as "2R", "7R", and "15R".

The effect control board 320 is equipped with an effect data storage means 325 for executing sound effects, display effects, light emission effects, and movable body effects. The effect data storage means 325 stores during-variation game effect data DH executed during the special symbol variation game, during-jackpot effect data DV executed during a jackpot game, during-demo effect data DM executed during a demo, and decorative symbol variation effect data DKZ for displaying a decorative symbol variation game according to the variation pattern executed in the special symbol variation game.

The variable game performance data DH is a combination of background display data, character display data, light emission performance data, sound performance data, and movable body performance data. The variable game performance data DH has multiple types of patterns for each of the lottery results by the main control board 310 (normal miss, normal win, reach miss, reach win, super reach miss, super reach win, etc.). In these patterns, for example, data for performing a variable game performance without a movable body performance is composed of blank data for the movable body performance data.

Like the variable game performance data DH, the jackpot performance data DV is also composed of a combination of some or all of the background display data, character display data, light emission performance data, sound performance data, and movable body performance data, and multiple patterns are provided depending on the type of jackpot.

The demo performance data DM, like the variable game performance data DH, is composed of a combination of some or all of the background display data, character display data, light emission performance data, sound performance data, and movable body performance data, and is provided with multiple patterns such as for demo 1 and demo 2.

The decorative symbol variation performance data DKZ is stored as data corresponding to a variation pattern commanded based on the results of a lottery by the main control board 310, such as normal miss, normal win, reach miss, reach win, super reach miss, and super reach win. For this reason, in this embodiment, the decorative symbol variation performance data DKZa for normal state, which is the decorative symbol variation time corresponding to the normal state variation pattern table 315, and the decorative symbol variation performance data DKZb for variable short state, which is the decorative symbol variation time corresponding to the variable short state variation pattern table 316, are stored in the performance data storage means 325 of the performance control board 320.

The display control board 370 displays the decorative pattern variation performance data DKZ corresponding to the variation pattern by superimposing it on the background image displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD in accordance with the background display data commanded from the performance control board 320. In addition, in this display performance, if character display data exists, a performance is also executed in which a character image is superimposed and displayed.

Here, in this embodiment, the in-game performance data DH does not have a one-to-one correspondence with the variation patterns, but is configured to be determined by the performance control board 320 by allocation from among multiple, such as performance 1, performance 2, etc. for variation pattern 1. Similarly, the decorative pattern variation performance data DKZ also has a one-to-one correspondence, such as variation time 1 for variation pattern 1, variation time 2 for variation pattern 2, etc., but multiple decorative pattern variation patterns are provided for each variation time, and the performance control board 320 is configured to determine by allocation from among these multiple. The allocation probability is set for these allocable performance data DH and decorative pattern variation patterns DKZ to form reliability groups, such as a group that is easily allocated when the variation pattern is a big hit and difficult to allocate when it is a miss, and the opposite group.

In this embodiment, in addition to the basic specifications of the pachinko machine P, the above-mentioned woofer [SPwf], three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], DC vibration motor [VBRMT], and additional button [ADDBTN] are installed in appropriate locations on the gaming machine frame. These additional devices are connected to the performance control board 320 via the signal relay board 410.

[3. Configuration of control board]
As shown in Fig. 3A, the main control board 310 includes a one-chip microcomputer incorporating a main control CPU 310a, a main control ROM 310b, and a main control RAM 310c, an input/output circuit 310d, and other crystal oscillator circuits not shown. The input/output circuit 310d inputs power through a power relay board 380, and inputs signals from the special switch SW1, SW2, the normal switch SW3, the winning detection switch SW7 of the large winning port, the winning detection switches SW11, SW12 of the normal winning port, and the ball discharge ball detection switches SW41-43 to the main control CPU 310a, and is connected to the one-chip microcomputer so as to output signals from the main control CPU 310a to the performance control board 320, the payout control board 330, the launch control board 340, the special display TKZ, the large winning port opening/closing solenoid SOL7, and the second start winning device opening/closing solenoid SOL27. The main control board 310 is connected to the payout control board 330 and the launch control board 340 so as to receive signal inputs. The main control CPU 310a receives inputs from the various switches described above and exchanges information with the main control ROM 310b and the main control RAM 310c, while executing various processes that are the core of the pachinko machine, such as the payout of prize balls and the selection of special symbols.

For this reason, the main control ROM 310b is provided with a program storage section 310e that stores a program for the main control CPU 310a to execute processing related to the game, and a data storage section 310f that stores data such as a "win determination value" used in arithmetic processing based on this program. The main control ROM 310b is further provided with a variation pattern storage section 310g that stores a plurality of types of variation patterns that can be selected by special symbol lottery. The variation pattern indicates a pattern that is the basis of the game presentation (display presentation, etc.) from the start of the variation display of the special symbol to the fixed stop display of the special symbol. The variation pattern in this embodiment is such that it is possible to specify the variation time (presentation time) from the start of the variation display of the special symbol to the fixed stop display of the special symbol, and the variation content (presentation content) of the decorative symbol variation game during that variation time.

In addition, the main control RAM 310c is provided with a temporary memory section 310h, which serves as a work memory when the main control CPU 310a executes various processes, as well as a reserve memory section 310i, which in particular reserves and stores the results of the special symbol lottery and the results of the normal symbol lottery up to a predetermined number.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the presentation control board 320 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer incorporating a presentation control CPU 320a, a presentation control ROM 320b, and a presentation control RAM 320c, an input/output circuit 320d, and other components such as a crystal oscillator circuit (not shown). The input/output circuit 320d is connected to the one-chip microcomputer so as to input signals from the main control board 310, the push button PB, and the cursor button CB to the presentation control CPU 320a, and output signals to the display control board 370 and the signal relay board 410. The presentation control CPU 320a performs processing to execute game presentations based on signals input from the main control board 310. It also performs processing to change the game presentations based on input signals from the push button PB and the cursor button CB.

For this reason, the presentation control ROM 320b is provided with a program memory section 320e that stores a program for the presentation control CPU 320a to execute processing related to game presentations, and a data memory section 320f that stores data such as a "determination value for presentation content selection" used in the calculation processing using this program. The main control ROM 320b is further provided with a presentation data memory section 320g that stores multiple types of presentation data for various presentations selected in response to the variation pattern input from the main control board 310. The presentation control RAM 320c is also provided with a temporary memory section 320h that serves as a work memory when the presentation control CPU 320a executes various processes, as well as a look-ahead memory section 320i that particularly stores the results of the special symbol lottery by looking ahead.

In this embodiment, the payout control board 330, launch control board 340, display control board 370, signal relay board 410, lamp control board 420, sound control board 430, motor control IC 510, solenoid control IC 520, etc. are also configured with a one-chip microcomputer, just like the main control board 310 and performance control board 320.

In the pachinko machine P of this embodiment, the main control CPU 310a in the main control board 310 receives a signal via the input/output circuit 310d, and performs temporary storage or reserved storage in the main control RAM 310c using programs and data previously stored in the main control ROM 310b, and executes a process of outputting a signal to the performance control board 320, etc. via the input/output circuit 310d.

In the pachinko machine P of this embodiment, the performance control board 320 is triggered by a signal input via the input/output circuit 320d, and the performance control CPU 320a temporarily stores or reserves the data in the performance control RAM 320c using programs and data previously stored in the performance control ROM 320b, and executes a process to output a signal to the display control board 370 and the signal relay board 410 via the input/output circuit 320d, thereby playing a role in comprehensively controlling the display performance, audio performance, light emission performance, and movable body performance, and the display control board 370, signal relay board 410, lamp control board 420, audio control board 430, motor control IC 510, and solenoid control IC 520 are in a relationship in which they execute specific performances.

[4. Control device related to performance]
[4.1 Directing Means Corresponding to Basic Specifications]
4A, the display control board 370 outputs a control signal to the liquid crystal display device LCD based on a command signal for performance display from the performance control board 320, and executes a display performance. Also, the lamp control board 420 outputs a control signal to the LED board based on a command signal received via the signal relay board 410, and executes a light emission performance. Similarly, the audio control board 430 outputs a control signal to the full-range speakers SPfr, SPfr based on a command signal received via the signal relay board 410, and executes an audio performance.

Command signals for the movable body performance output from the performance control board 320 are input to the motor control IC 510 and the solenoid control IC 520 via the signal relay board 410. The motor control IC 510 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer for controlling the operation of the movable body, and is connected to input a detection signal from the movable body's original position sensor and output a drive signal to the motor for driving the movable body. The solenoid control IC 520 is composed of a one-chip microcomputer connected to a solenoid for driving the movable body, which is operated by solenoid drive.

[4.2 Gaming Machine Slot Addition Presentation Means]
Next, the connection relationship between the game machine frame additional performance means (woofer [SPwf], three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], DC vibration motor [VBRMT], additional button [ADDBTN]) and the performance control board 320 and signal relay board 410 will be explained based on Fig. 4 (B). Note that the MT, SOL, and LED boards surrounded by dotted lines are for performance using movable objects in the game board C or the space between the game board C and the back unit J.

In this embodiment, the performance control board 320 is a circuit board that includes terminals for serial control signals [TML01] to [TML05], ground terminals [GRND1, GRND2], and a common terminal [CMMON], the uses of which are defined in the basic specifications, as well as general-purpose terminals [UTL01] to [UTL11], the uses of which are not defined, and additional ground terminals [GRND3] and [GRND4].

The signal relay board 410 is a circuit board equipped with serial control signal terminals [TML01]-[TML05], ground terminals [GRND1], [GRND2], and common terminal [CMMON] that are basic specifications of the performance control board 320, as well as input/output terminals 411a-411u on the performance control board side that can be connected to general-purpose terminals [UTL01]-[UTL11] and ground terminals [GRND3], [GRND4], and input/output terminals 412a-412u on the gaming machine frame side.

The performance control board 320 is configured to input and output serial signals with address information via the general-purpose terminals [UTL01] to [UTL11]. Depending on the address information of the serial signal input via these general-purpose terminals [UTL01] to [UTL11], the signal relay board 410 determines which of its own gaming machine frame side input/output terminals 412a to 412u should be used to perform input/output between the performance device added to the gaming machine frame.

For example, when a serial signal instructing the sound effect by the woofer [SPwf] is output from the general-purpose terminals [UTL01] and [UTL02] from the effect control board 320, address information is added to the serial signal to identify the woofer [SPwf] connected to the output terminals 412i and 412j in the signal relay board 410. This allows the signal relay board 410 to input the serial signal to the woofer [SPwf] added to the gaming machine frame. Here, the gaming machine frame is provided with a serial/parallel converter [S/P-CNV01] between the signal relay board 410 and the woofer [SPwf], and a parallel signal is input to the woofer [SPwf]. The woofer [SPwf] added to the gaming machine frame can perform the sound effect after performing necessary processing such as amplification on the data identified by the parallel signal.

In addition, when a serial signal commanding a light-emitting effect by the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] is output from the effect control board 320 via the general-purpose terminals [UTL03] to [UTL05], address information specifying the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] connected to the output terminals 412k to 412m in the signal relay board 410 is added to the serial signal. This allows the signal relay board 410 to input the serial signal to the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] added to the gaming machine frame, and the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] added to the gaming machine frame can execute the light-emitting effect specified by this serial signal.

Furthermore, when the serial signal instructing the vibration effect by the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] is output from the general-purpose terminals [UTL06] and [UTL07] from the effect control board 320, address information is added to the serial signal that specifies the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] connected to the output terminals 412n and 412o in the signal relay board 410. This allows the signal relay board 410 to input the serial signal to the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] added to the gaming machine frame. Here, the gaming machine frame is provided with a serial/parallel converter [S/P-CNV02] between the signal relay board 410 and the DC vibration motor [VBRMT], and a parallel signal is input to the DC vibration motor [VBRMT]. The DC vibration motor [VBRMT] added to the gaming machine frame can perform vibration effects after performing necessary processing such as amplification on the data specified by this parallel signal.

The additional button [ADDBTN] added to the gaming machine frame is connected so that the signal from its sensor is input as a serial signal to the input terminals 412p, 412q of the signal relay board 410 via the parallel/serial converter [P/S-CNV01]. Address information is added to this serial signal, specifying that the output source is the additional button [ADDBTN]. Based on this address information, the signal relay board 410 outputs the serial signal input from the input terminals 412p, 412q to the general-purpose terminals [UTL08], [UTL09] of the performance control board 320 via the output terminals 411p, 411q. The performance control board 320 can execute the additional button operation performance based on the serial signal input from the general-purpose terminals [UTL08], [UTL09].

On the other hand, among the general-purpose terminals [UTL01] to [UTL11] equipped on the performance control board 320, as a result of not being connected to the performance means added to the gaming machine frame, the gaming machine frame is equipped with resistive loads [ETR01] and [ETR02] for terminal processing to connect to the spare general-purpose terminals [UTL10] and [UTL11] and then to the ground terminal [GRND03]. This makes it possible to prevent the input of unauthorized signals to the vacant general-purpose terminals [UTL10] and [UTL11].

[5. Confirmation of connection with gaming machine frame additional performance means]
In this embodiment, in addition to the basic specifications, a woofer [SPwf], a three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], a DC vibration motor [VBRMT], and an additional button [ADDBTN] are additionally installed to perform input and output between the general-purpose terminals UTL01 to UTL09 provided on the circuit board of the performance control board 320.

When the power is turned on, the performance control means 320 issues commands to these additional performance means to perform performance operations using the control system shown in Figure 4 (B), and checks whether each is connected correctly.

As shown in FIG. 5, the presentation control board 320 outputs a command to start connection check of the gaming machine frame addition presentation means to the display control board 370, and causes the liquid crystal display device LCD to display a connection check screen (S110). A screen listing the devices for which a connection check is about to be performed is displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD.

Next, the performance control board 320 outputs a command to the signal relay board 410 to check the connection of the woofer [SPwf] (S120), and causes the display control board 370 to display an inquiry message on the liquid crystal display LCD asking the operator to answer [YES/NO] whether or not the sound performance has been performed by the woofer [SPwf] among the target devices listed (S130), and waits for a press signal to be input from the push button PB (S135).

When the operator confirms that the sound effect has been produced by the woofer [SPwf], he or she follows the inquiry message on the liquid crystal display LCD by using the cursor button CB to move the cursor to [YES] and then pressing the push button PB.

If the performance control board 320 can confirm the connection of the woofer [SPwf] (S135/YES), it stores the fact that the connection of the woofer [SPwf] is normal (S140); if the connection of the woofer [SPwf] cannot be confirmed (S135/NO), it stores the fact that the connection of the woofer [SPwf] is abnormal (S145).

Next, the performance control board 320 outputs a command to the signal relay board 410 to check the connection of the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] (S150), and causes the display control board 370 to display an inquiry message prompting the operator to answer [YES/NO] whether or not a light-emitting performance has been performed by the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] among the target devices listed on the liquid crystal display LCD (S160), and waits for a press signal to be input from the push button PB (S165).

When the operator confirms that the light-emitting effect has been performed by the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], he or she follows the inquiry message on the liquid crystal display LCD by using the cursor button CB to move the cursor to [YES] and then pressing the push button PB.

If the performance control board 320 confirms the connection of the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] (S165/YES), it stores the fact that the connection of the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] is normal (S170); if the connection of the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] cannot be confirmed (S165/NO), it stores the fact that the connection of the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] is abnormal (S175).

Next, the performance control board 320 outputs a command to the signal relay board 410 to check the connection of the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] (S180), and causes the display control board 370 to display an inquiry message prompting the operator to answer [YES/NO] whether or not a vibration performance has been performed by the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] among the target devices listed on the liquid crystal display device LCD (S190), and waits for a press signal to be input from the push button PB (S195).

When the operator confirms that the vibration effect has been generated by the DC vibration motor [VBRMT], he or she follows the inquiry message on the liquid crystal display LCD, moves the cursor to [YES] using the cursor button CB, and then presses the push button PB.

If the performance control board 320 confirms the connection of the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] (S195/YES), it stores the fact that the connection of the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] is normal (S200), and if the connection of the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] cannot be confirmed (S195/NO), it stores the fact that the connection of the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] is abnormal (S205).

Next, the performance control board 320 outputs a command to the signal relay board 410 to check the connection of the add button [ADDBTN] (S210), causes the display control board 370 to display a request message requesting the operation of the add button [ADDBTN] among the target devices listed on the liquid crystal display device LCD (S220), and waits for a signal input from the add button [ADDBTN] (S225).

The worker operates the add button [ADDBTN] in accordance with this request message.

If the performance control board 320 confirms the connection of the add button [ADDBTN] within a specified time (S225/YES), it stores the fact that the connection of the add button [ADDBTN] is normal (S230); if the connection of the add button [ADDBTN] cannot be confirmed even after the specified time has elapsed (S225/NO), it stores the fact that the connection of the add button [ADDBTN] is abnormal (S235).

Once this series of connection check operations is completed, the performance control board 320 reads the results of the connection checks for the woofer [SPwf], three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], DC vibration motor [VBRMT], and additional button [ADDBTN] (S240), and issues a command to the display control board 370 to display the connection check results on the liquid crystal display device LCD (S250).

The operator can look at this display and determine whether or not each of the additional presentation means installed in the gaming machine frame is connected correctly. Note that when displaying the connection check results, if there is a target device that is determined to be "abnormal," the presentation control board 320 can be configured to cause the lamp control board 420 and the sound control board 430 to perform an error notification operation using light emission and sound.

[6 Compatibility Information]
In the pachinko machine P of this embodiment, the main control board 310 and the performance control board 320 are equipped with control boards dedicated to the game machine's title and specifications. On the other hand, the control boards for executing control processes that do not correspond one-to-one to the game machine's title or specifications, such as the payout control board 330, launch control board 340, interface board 350, power supply board 360, display control board 370, power supply relay board 380, ball lending operation board 390, signal relay board 410, lamp control board 420, sound control board 430, MT control IC 510, and solenoid control IC 520, are designed not to necessarily be equipped with a control board dedicated to the game machine (hereinafter, these power supply boards 360 and the like are referred to as "compatible boards").

In addition, by providing the performance control board 320 with a circuit board equipped with general-purpose terminals UTL01 to UTL11 that can be used for a variety of purposes, it is possible to add performance equipment to the gaming machine frame that was not equipped in the basic specifications. As a result, the circuit board for the performance control board 320 itself can be reused as a compatible board by removing the ROM, etc.

In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the general-purpose terminal UTL01, etc. of the performance control board 320 can be used as a signal input/output terminal for adding sound effects, light emission effects, vibration effects, and operation effects that were not planned for in the basic specifications. For this reason, the performance control board 320 is configured to input/output serial signals via the general-purpose terminal UTL01, etc., to which address information is added to identify which general-purpose terminal's signal input/output will result in which additional performance device will be used to perform the performance. This address information is stored in the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 320k of the ROM 320b, as shown in FIG. 3(B).

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal relay board 410 also has a general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 410k for storing information corresponding to the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 320k. The general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 410k of the signal relay board 410 does not initially store information, and the information stored in the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 320k of the performance control board 320 is written into it during the manufacturing process of the pachinko machine.

As shown in FIG. 3(A), the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 310k in the ROM 310b of the main control board 310 can store the same information as the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage unit 320k of the performance control board 320. In this case, in addition to address information specifying the connection destination of the general-purpose terminal, the general-purpose terminal connection device information storage units 310k, 320k, and 410k can also store a device ID for specifying whether or not the device corresponds to the title and specifications, so that in addition to adding performance means using the general-purpose terminal, it is also possible to determine whether these added performance means are devices that correspond to the title and specifications.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pachinko machine of Example 2 adopts a configuration in which the connection destinations of the serial control signal terminals [TML01]-[TML05], ground terminals [GRND1, GRND2], and common terminal [CMMON], the uses of which are defined in the basic specifications of the circuit board of the performance control board 320, and the general-purpose terminals [UTL01]-[UTL11], the uses of which are not defined, and the additional ground terminals [GRND3] and [GRND4] are separated into a first signal relay board 410A and a second signal relay board 410B.

According to the second embodiment, even if a presentation means is added to the gaming machine frame, the first signal relay board 410A has the advantage that a board corresponding to the basic specification without adding a presentation means can be used as is.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pachinko machine of Example 3 is similar to Example 2 in that the general-purpose terminal UTL01 of the performance control board 320 is connected to the woofer [SPwf], three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED], DC vibration motor [VBRMT], and additional button [ADDBTN] added to the gaming machine frame via the second signal relay board 410B, and the serial/parallel converter [S/P-CNV01] for the woofer [SPwf] input, the serial/parallel converter [S/P-CNV02] for the DC vibration motor [VBRMT] input, and the parallel/serial converter [P/S-CNV01] for the additional button [ADDBTN] output are installed on the mechanism board side instead of the gaming machine frame side.

According to the third embodiment, even if a presentation means is added to the gaming machine frame, the first signal relay board 410A can be a board corresponding to the basic specifications without adding a presentation means, and there is also the advantage that there is no need to consider the installation space of the equipment relative to the gaming machine frame. Note that the serial/parallel converters [S/P-CNV01], [S/P-CNV02] and the parallel/serial converter [P/S-CNV01] may be mounted on the second signal relay board 410B.

In addition, in the first to third embodiments, for example, the three-wire serial LED [3LSRLED] and the woofer [SPwf] are controlled without passing through the lamp control board 420 and the audio control board 430, but they may be controlled through the lamp control board 420 and the audio control board 430. In this case, it is necessary to add input/output terminals to the circuit boards of the lamp control board 420 and the audio control board 430, but it is effective in that it is possible to add presentation means to the gaming machine frame using the general-purpose terminal UTL01 of the circuit board of the presentation control board 320, etc.

As explained above, this embodiment can provide a gaming machine that can flexibly respond to problems such as design changes due to an increase or change in the performance execution means.

The above describes an embodiment as the best mode for carrying out the invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the present invention can be applied when adding presentation means to a slot machine, or it can be configured to automatically check the connection when the power is turned on using a microphone, vibration sensor, light sensor, etc., or to be executed by connecting an external device.

The present invention can be used in gaming machines.

3LSRLED...Three-wire serial LED, 7...Start winning device, 15...Large winning port, 18...Normal winning device, 27...Second starting winning device, 37...Gate, 310...Main control board, 310a...Main control CPU, 310b...Main control ROM, 310c...Main control RAM, 310d...Input/output circuit, 310e...Program memory section, 310f...Data storage section, 310g...Fluctuation pattern memory section, 310h...Temporary memory section, 310k...General-purpose terminal connection device information memory section, 315...Normal state fluctuation pattern table, 316...Short state fluctuation pattern table, 320...Performance control board, 320a...Performance control CPU, 320b...Performance control ROM, 320c...Performance control RAM, 320d...Input/output circuit, 320e...Program memory section, 320f...Data storage section , 320g...performance data memory unit, 320h...temporary memory unit, 320i...look-ahead memory unit, 320k...general-purpose terminal connection device information memory unit, 325...performance data memory means, 330...payout control board, 340...launch control board, 350...interface board, 360...power supply board, 370...display control board, 380...power supply relay board, 390...ball lending operation board, 400...hall computer, 410...signal relay board, 410A...first signal relay board, 410B...second signal relay board, 410k...general-purpose terminal connection device information memory unit, 411a to 411u...input/output terminals on the performance control board side, 412a to 412u...input/output terminals on the gaming machine frame side, 420...lamp control board, 430...audio control board, 500...card unit, 510...motor control IC, 520...solenoid control IC.
A: outer frame, ADDBTN: additional button, B: middle frame, C: game board, CB: cursor button, CMMON: common terminal, D: front frame, DKZ: decorative symbol change performance data, DKZa: decorative symbol change performance data for normal state, DKZb: decorative symbol change performance data for short state, DH: performance data during the change game, DV: performance data during the jackpot, DM: performance data during the demo, E: upper ball tray, ETR01, ETR02: resistive load for terminal processing, F: lower ball tray, G: launching device, GRND1, GRND2: ground terminal, GRND3, GRND4: additional ground terminal, J: rear unit, K: mechanism board, LCD: liquid crystal display device, P... Pachinko machine, PB... Push button, P/S-CNV01... Parallel/serial converter, S/P-CNV01, S/P-CNV02... Serial/parallel converter, SOL7... Opening/closing solenoid, SOL27... Solenoid for opening and closing regular electric parts, SPfr... Full-range speaker, SPwf... Woofer, SW1... Special chart 1 switch, SW2... Special chart 2 switch, SW3... Regular chart switch, SW7, SW11, SW12... Winning detection switch, SW41-43... Discharged ball detection switch, Q... Ball loan button, R... Card removal button, TML01-TML05... Terminal for serial control signal, UTL01-UTL11... General-purpose terminal, VBRMT... DC vibration motor.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising a main control means capable of controlling the variation of symbols and awarding a special privilege when a specified lottery is won, a performance execution means, a performance data storage means for storing performance data, and a performance control means for causing the performance execution means to execute a performance using the performance data stored in the performance data storage means, said gaming machine further comprising the following configuration:
(1A) The effect execution means includes a means that is attached to the gaming machine frame and executes an effect by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the effect control means.
(1B) The presentation control means is provided with a substrate having a general-purpose terminal whose use is not limited, and the general-purpose terminal is connected so as to be able to send and receive signals between the gaming machine frame.
(1C) The presentation control means is configured as a means for outputting a serial signal to a control object provided on the gaming machine frame side via the general-purpose terminal.
(2A) The serial signal output by the presentation control means through the general-purpose terminal is added with address information that identifies the control object, and a signal distribution means is provided between the gaming machine frame and the presentation control means for distributing the serial signal so as to execute signal input to the control object based on the address information.
(2B) The performance control means stores information capable of identifying the correspondence between the control object and an address signal, and the signal distribution means stores information capable of identifying the correspondence between the address signal and a general-purpose terminal to which the control object is connected.
(3) The substrate having the general-purpose terminal is provided with a ground terminal, and the gaming machine frame is provided with a resistive load for terminal processing, and when the general-purpose terminal does not have the controlled object, the general-purpose terminal that does not have the controlled object is wired so as to be connected to the ground terminal via the resistive load.
(4A) A serial/parallel conversion means and a parallel/serial conversion means are provided between the control object provided on the gaming machine frame and the general-purpose terminal.
(4B) The serial/parallel conversion means is installed between a general-purpose terminal for signal output among the general-purpose terminals and the controlled object, and the parallel/serial conversion means is installed between a general-purpose terminal for signal input among the general-purpose terminals and the controlled object.
(5A) The device includes a connection status inspection means for inspecting the connection status between the general-purpose terminal and the controlled object when power is turned on, and a notification means for notifying the result of the inspection by the connection status inspection means.
(5B) The connection status inspection means is configured as a means for sequentially outputting a serial signal for executing a specified operation on the controlled object to the signal distribution means together with the address information, and inspecting the suitability of the connection status based on an answer entered in response to a question inquiring as to whether the specified operation has been executed as a result of a serial signal being output via the signal distribution means based on the address information.