JP2000116845A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a common main control board 30 regardless of the grade and the contents of a game device capable of executing the contents of a game by the computer control on the basis of the program soft. SOLUTION: A main control board 30 controls the contents as a base of a game. A plurality of sub-control boards 33, 34 control a liquid crystal display device and a speaker. The image control board 33 and the voice control board 34 respectively comprise the means for judging the message signals input from the main control board 30. The image control board 33 and the voice control board 34 are connected to a specific connection port 35 of the main control board 30 in series. Whereby the image control board 33 can be demounted and the voice control board 34 can be directly connected to an output connector 36 with respect to a throttle machine not having the liquid crystal display device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to connection of a control board in a computer controlled game device. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of connecting the control boards when the control board is divided into a main control board and a sub control board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, the contents of a game are executed by computer control based on program software (game software). Computer control in the field of this type of game apparatus differs from other fields in that the memory capacity available for program software is subject to legal restrictions.

[0003] In the case of general-purpose computer programs, at the present time when the memory price has become remarkably low, it is possible to construct a program that makes full use of the memory capacity.
In addition, various controls can be performed by executing these programs by a CPU whose processing speed is significantly increased. However, in game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines, the memory capacity, that is, the program area, is strictly regulated from the viewpoint of eliminating illegal machines that are out of compliance with laws and regulations. For example, in a slot machine, the program is limited to 4 Kb and the data is 3 Kb.

[0004] The reason for this is that, in the case of a game device equipped with a large-capacity memory, it is possible to write an illegal program into a free area of the memory after completing an inspection in accordance with laws and regulations. There is a possibility that an unauthorized game based on the program (for example, a game having a high gambling property) will be played. It is almost impossible to examine each game device on the market to determine whether or not an illegal program is written in a free area of the memory, and it is impossible to prevent a possibility that an illegal act is performed. Therefore,
That is, only the minimum necessary memory area is permitted for each game device, so that an illegal program is prevented from being introduced as much as possible.

[0005] On the other hand, in order to keep the players tired of the game,
Recent game contents tend to be complex and sophisticated. Along with the sophistication of game contents, the contents of programs for controlling the game contents also tend to be complicated and have a large capacity. For this reason,
With the memory capacity regulated by law, it is insufficient to store a new game or a program with more interesting game contents, and it is becoming difficult to create a new game.

One solution is to divide the game functions into basic functions unique to the game and peripheral functions added to the basic functions, such as an image display function and a sound output function. Was. In this case, the program for executing the basic function unique to the game is stored in a memory area subject to laws and regulations. Further, a program for executing a peripheral function added to the basic function can be stored in a sub-control board that is not subject to regulations.

[0007] For example, in the case of a slot machine, a so-called sub C
The use of PU is being considered. With such a configuration, since only the program of the basic part of the game need be stored in the memory area of the main control board, the game device having more interesting game contents within the range of the memory capacity regulated by law. Can be realized.

[0008]

When a control board is divided into a main control board and a plurality of sub-control boards, it is necessary to connect the boards. Generally, FIG.
As shown in (1), a plurality of sub-control boards, that is, an image control board 2, an audio control board 3, and other sub-control boards 4 are connected in parallel to the main control board 1.

However, when such a connection structure is employed, a command is sent from the main control board 1 to the image control board 2, another command is sent to the voice control board 3, and further other sub-controls are sent. Another command must be sent to the control board 4 as well. That is, as the number of sub-control boards 2, 3, and 4 that execute peripheral functions increases, the types of commands also increase, and a new problem arises in that the function load on the main control board increases.

Further, depending on the grade and contents of the game device, some devices do not require all the sub-control boards.
For example, taking a slot machine as an example, there are a case where an image display device is provided and a case where an image display device is not provided.
In the former, the image control board 2 is necessary, but in the latter, it is not. On the other hand, even if the slot machine does not require the image control board 2, the main control board 1, the audio control board 3, and the other sub-control boards 4 can be used as they are.
However, since the image control board 2 becomes unnecessary, the connector portion (connection port) 5 for connecting the liquid crystal control board 2 on the main control board 1 remains as a so-called "idle connector".

The provision of such an "idle connector" 5 on the main control board 1 is legally prohibited from the viewpoint of preventing fraud as well as the limitation of the program capacity. For this reason,
In a slot machine that does not connect an image control board, a new main control board except for a connector for connecting the image control board 2 must be prepared even though the same main control board 1 can be used. It was uneconomical in terms of manufacturing costs.

The present invention has been made under such a background. In a game apparatus in which the contents of a game are executed by computer control based on program software,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device that can use a common main control board regardless of the grade or content of the game device.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circuit board for controlling a game device in which a game is executed by computer control based on program software stored in advance. The circuit board includes a main control board that controls the basic content of the game, and a plurality of peripheral circuits that control peripheral functions added to the basic content of the game in accordance with the grade of the game device, the game content, and the like. Each of the sub-control boards is provided with means for determining a predetermined message signal input from the main control board, and the main control board serially transmits a message signal to a plurality of sub-control boards. Is provided so that a plurality of sub-control boards can be connected in series to a predetermined connection port of the main control board. A.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the first aspect, each of the sub-control boards responds to the determination of the message signal by the message signal determination means and responds to the message signal. A control execution means for performing control is provided. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the first or second aspect, the sub-control board includes an image control board and an audio control board.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the third aspect, the image control board includes a liquid crystal display control board. Claim 5
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the order of connection of the plurality of sub-control boards in the case of serial connection is predetermined according to the function of each sub-control board. It is characterized by having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the third aspect, the connection order of the series connection of the sub-control boards is determined in the order of an image control board and a voice control board. Things. According to the configuration of the first aspect, since the plurality of sub-control boards are connected in series to the predetermined connection port of the main control board, the message signal is output when the message signal is output from the predetermined connection port of the main control board. The message signal is supplied to a plurality of sub-control boards connected in series. Therefore, the processing for outputting the message signal is simple, and the function load for outputting the message signal on the main control board does not increase.

On the other hand, each of the plurality of serially connected sub-control boards determines a message signal input from the main control board, so that each sub-control board can perform control according to the message signal. When there are many types of message signals, each sub-control board executes control corresponding to the type of the message signal.

In the case of a pachinko machine or a slot machine, an image display or an audio output device (such as a speaker) is provided as a device for performing a peripheral function. It is preferable that the image control board and the audio control board for controlling be sub-control boards. Further, when the image control board is a liquid crystal display control board, the control of the liquid crystal display device which can be easily incorporated into the game device can be easily performed by the sub control board.

By adopting the constitutions of claims 1 to 4, the main control board can be shared irrespective of the grade and contents of the game machine, and a versatile main control board conforming to laws and regulations can be manufactured. And can be widely applied to game devices. Further, according to the control board connection structure of the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device in which assembling of the control circuit is simple and the fraud prevention is highly effective.

A necessary number of sub-control boards are connected in series according to the grade and contents of the game device.
According to claim 5 or 6, the connection order of the series connection is predetermined according to the function of each control board.
Practically convenient. When the order of the serial connection of the sub-control boards is determined, a unique control signal independent of the main control board is given from the sub-control board connected first to the sub-control board connected later. Can be. Thus, the processing content of the sub-control board connected later can be controlled within a predetermined range by the sub-control board connected earlier.

In particular, when the two sub-control boards are an image control board and an audio control board, if the connection order is determined in the order of the image control board and the audio control board, then the image The audio control board can be controlled in accordance with the image content controlled by the control board, and an audio output synchronized with the image can be generated independently of the control by the main control board.

[0022]

FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot machine 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The slot machine 10 includes three reels 11a, 11b, and 11c each of which has a plurality of symbols displayed on a peripheral surface thereof, and a reel display window 12, a medal count display 14, and a medal payout on the front of the body. Number indicator 15, medal slot 16, start lever 17, stop button switch 18a, 1
8b, 18c, a medal insertion switch 19, a medal insertion number changeover switch 20, a settlement switch 21, a liquid crystal display 2
2, a lamp 23, a speaker 24 and the like are provided.

The upper unit 25 provided with the lamp 23 and the speaker 24 may be configured to be separable from the main unit 26 thereunder, or may be integrated. In the reel display window 12, three reels 11a, 11b, 1
A part of the peripheral surface of 1c is arranged so as to be visible, and the rotation state of each of the reels 11a, 11b, 11c can be confirmed from the reel display window 12. Reel 11a, 1
When 1b and 11c are stopped, for example, 3
The top, middle, bottom and diagonal stop lines L
So that the arrayed in a line on ₁ ~L _5. These stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ are sequentially enabled in response to the insertion number of medals, one stop line L ₁ when one medal is inserted is when the two medal is inserted the three stop lines L ₁ ~L ₃ is three medals stop line L ₁ ~L ₅ of five when thrown, the respective effective line. If the combination of the symbols arranged on the activated line is related to a predetermined winning, a predetermined number of medals determined for each type of winning are paid out.

The starting lever 17 has three reels 11a,
11b and 11c are started simultaneously.
Stop switches 18a, 1 provided for each reel
8b, 18c are the corresponding reels 11a, 11b, 11
This is a switch for stopping c. When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 16 or when valid data of a card is read by a card reader (not shown), the medal is displayed on the medal number display 14 for use in a game. The number of medals is displayed. The payout number display 15 displays the number of medals to be paid out when a prize is won. When the medal insertion switch 19 is pressed, the display of the medal deposit number display 14 is decremented,
The deposited medals are used for the game. The medal insertion number switch 20 is pressed when two or three medals are used in the game. The settlement switch 21 is a switch that is pressed when the settlement is completed after the game.

The liquid crystal display 22 explains a display for exciting the atmosphere of the game, a display for notifying that a so-called bonus game in which a payout of a high payout medal is guaranteed from a normal game, and a manner of the game. And a demonstration display for displaying a sample of the game content. Lamp 2
The speaker 3 and the speaker 24 are both for raising the atmosphere of the game, and for raising the atmosphere of the game by light and sound.

Although the liquid crystal display 22 is provided in the slot machine 10, not all the slot machines are provided with the liquid crystal display 22.
The reason for this is that the liquid crystal display 22 is mainly used to enhance the atmosphere of the game, and even if the liquid crystal display 22 is not provided, there is no problem in playing the original game of the slot machine. Therefore, it is necessary to change the control content (control board) between the slot machine provided with the liquid crystal display 22 and the slot machine not provided with the liquid crystal display 22. However, if the control boards are replaced depending on whether or not the liquid crystal display 22 is provided, there is a problem that a large number of control boards have to be designed, and the manufacturing cost rises.

Thus, in this embodiment, the control board of the slot machine 10 provided with the liquid crystal display 22 can be applied to a slot machine not provided with the liquid crystal display 22 as follows. It has been like that. This is one of the features of this embodiment. FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit provided in the slot machine 10. FIG. The control circuit includes a plurality of control boards. In other words, the control circuit
It is divided into a plurality of control boards. Specifically, the control circuit includes a main control board 30, a reel control board 31, a hopper control board 32, an image control board 33, and an audio control board 3.
4 is included. Each control board is connected by a connector and a connection line.

The main control board 30 is a circuit board for controlling the basic contents of the game by the slot machine. The main control board 30 is a central control CPU, a ROM storing program software, and data necessary for control. Is written in the RAM. The reel control board 31 is for controlling the rotation of the three reels 11a, 11b, 11c. The reel control board 31 includes the main control board 30
Performs a reel control operation based on a command given from the main control board 30 and transmits a control result and necessary data to the main control board 30.
Return to

The hopper control board 32 controls a hopper (not shown) for paying out medals. The hopper control board 32 also operates based on a predetermined command given from the main control board 30, and returns control results and predetermined data to the main control board 30. The image control board 33 is a board for controlling an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 22, lighting of the lamp 23, and the like. The sound control board 34 is a board for controlling sound output from the speaker 24. The feature of this embodiment is that an image control board 33 and an audio control board 34 are connected in series to the main control board 30. More specifically, the output connector 35 of the main control board 30 and the input connector 36 of the image control board 33 are connected by a connection line 37, and the output connector 38 of the image control board 33 and the audio control board 34 Of the input line 39 and the connection line 40
Connected by With this configuration, the main control board 30
To the image control board 33. The message signal is sent to the image control board 3
3 and also to the voice control board 34. The message signal is a signal having a capacity of, for example, about 2 to 6 bytes, and is a signal for notifying a winning message, a medal insertion message, a medal payout message, a bonus game message, a demonstration screen display message, and the like.

Image control board 33 and audio control board 34
When a message signal is given, the liquid crystal display 22, the lamp 23, and the speaker 24 are controlled based on the message (contents) to output a predetermined image, blinking light, or sound. At this time, no signal is returned from the image control board 33 and the audio control board 34 to the main control board 30, and these two control boards 3
3 and 34 perform image control and voice control based on a message signal unilaterally supplied from the main control board 30.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the processing performed by the image control board 33. The image control board 33 determines whether or not a message signal is provided from the main control board 30. When the message signal is provided, the image control board 33 determines what kind of message the given message signal is. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the message signal is a winning signal (step S).
1) If it is a winning signal, the same winning signal is output to the voice control board 34 (step S2), and a display for enlivening the game atmosphere accompanying the winning is displayed on the liquid crystal display 22 (for example, energy is charged in the energy tank). Such images, other predetermined images, etc.) are displayed. Further, the lamp 23 blinks in a predetermined manner (step S3).

If the message signal is not a winning signal,
Steps S2 and S3 are skipped, and in the next step S4, it is determined whether the message signal is a BB signal. If the message signal is not a BB signal, it is determined in step S7 whether or not it is an RB signal, and if not, it is determined in step S10 whether it is an SB signal.

Here, a BB (big bonus) signal and an RB (re
The guler bonus) signal and the SB (small (single) bonus) signal indicate that the game has shifted from a normal game to a bonus game in which a high payout medal payout is guaranteed. Is a signal indicating whether When you win a bonus game,
A game with a high payout probability of a high payout is executed a plurality of times. For example, once for SB and eight times for RB. In addition, if a player wins a BB, three R games are performed during 30 regular games.
A game having a high probability of winning B is executed.

When it is determined that the signal is a signal of each bonus game, the same signal as the determined signal is output to the voice control board 34 (step S5).
S8, S11), the liquid crystal display 22 is informed of the bonus game, and a predetermined display for exciting the atmosphere of the game is performed (steps S6, S11).
9, S12). For example, in the BB display, a display in which fireworks are fired repeatedly is performed, in the RB display, a display in which a fanfare resounds is displayed, and in the SB display, a display in which flowers are blooming is made. At the same time, the lamp 23 blinks in a predetermined manner (step S
6, S9, S12).

If the message signal given from the main control board 30 is not any of the bonus game signals,
Further, it is determined whether or not the signal is a demonstration signal (step S13). In this embodiment, when the slot machine 10 is powered on and the so-called idle platform in which the player is not playing a game continues for a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes), a demonstration from the main control board 30 is performed. It is programmed to output a signal.

When the image control board 33 determines that the given message signal is a demonstration signal, it causes the liquid crystal display 22 to display a demonstration screen based on the signal. Further, the lamp 23 is flickered as necessary. Also, the audio control board 34 is set so that the audio is output from the speaker 24 in accordance with this display.
Is given a voice output command (step S1).
4). In this case, the voice output command is
Is a command signal that outputs a sound in accordance with the demonstration screen displayed on the display screen. The sound output signal is transmitted from the image control board 33 to the sound control board 34, which is not based on a command from the main control board 30. This is the signal given.

As a result, in the slot machine 10 in which the player does not play a game, for example, a demonstration screen showing the content of the game is displayed on the liquid crystal display 22, and a sound effect according to the display screen is displayed on the speaker 24. Will be output. The content of the demonstration screen does not represent the content of the game,
For example, a screen that displays a state in which three competing horses are competing while running on a track, for example, using a character or the like may be used.

If the message signal supplied from the main control board 30 is not a demonstration signal, it is further determined whether or not it is a medal insertion signal (step S1).
6) In the case of a medal insertion signal, a medal insertion signal is output to the voice control board 34 (step S17), an image indicating that a medal has been inserted is displayed on the liquid crystal display 22, and the lamp 23 blinks. (Step S1
8).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the voice control board 34. The voice control board 34 receives the message signal from the image control board 33 as described above. Then, according to the type of the message signal, the speaker 2
4 to output a sound effect. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the message signal is a winning signal (step P1).
If it is a winning signal, a winning effect sound is output from the speaker 24 (step P2). If the signal is a BB signal (step P3), the sound effect of the BB winning, for example, the sound of bursting fireworks is generated from the speaker 24 (step P4).

Similarly, if the signal is an RB signal (step P
5) The sound effect is generated from the speaker 24 (step P6). If the signal is an SB signal (step P7), the sound effect is output from the speaker 24 (step P8).
Further, if the signal is a demonstration signal (step P9), a sound effect for the demonstration corresponding to the given signal is generated from the speaker 24 (step P10).

Further, in the case of an input signal (step P1
1), the sound effect is generated (step P12). The types and contents of the message signals described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 are examples, and other message signals may be used. In the description with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The image control board 33 first determines the type of message signal, and outputs a message signal of the determined type from the image control board 33 to the audio control board 34. Instead of such a processing procedure, processing in the image control board 33 may be performed as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, the main control board 3
When a signal is given from 0 (step S21), the signal is passed through to the voice control board 34 as it is (step S22), and at the same time, the type of the given signal is determined (step S23). Then, image display control is performed according to the determined signal type (step S24). Even in such a procedure, image display control (control of the liquid crystal display 22 and the lamp 23) according to the type of the message signal can be performed as in the procedure of FIG.

The image control board 33 shown in FIG.
The input interface circuit connected to the input connector 36 of the audio control board 34 and the input interface circuit connected to the input connector 39 of the audio control board 34 have the same circuit configuration. Therefore, in the case of a slot machine without the liquid crystal display 22, the configuration of the control circuit can be the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the image control board 33 shown in FIG. 3 may be removed, and the input connector 39 of the audio control board 34 may be directly connected to the output connector 35 of the main control board 30. By doing so, for a slot machine without the liquid crystal display 22, simply removing the image control board 33, the main control board 30, the reel control board 31, the hopper control board 32
And the voice control board 34 can be utilized as it is. Therefore, it is not necessary to redesign the control board, especially the main control board 30, every time the grade of the slot machine or the content of the game changes, and a control circuit configuration having a wide applicable range can be obtained.

In the above description, the image control board 33 has been described as a board for controlling the liquid crystal display 22 and the lamp 23. However, the image control board 33 is further replaced with a liquid crystal display control board 33A as shown in FIG. And lamp control board 3
It may be divided into 3B and connected in series. In the description of the above embodiment, the image control board 3
When the lamp 3 is removed, no control signal is given to the lamp 23, so that the lamp 23 does not blink. Therefore, the blinking control of the lamp 23 can be performed relatively easily.
The sound control circuit may control the lamp 23. Alternatively, as described in FIG. 8, the image control circuit may be divided into the liquid crystal display control circuit 33A and the lamp control circuit 33B.

Although the above description has been made by taking a slot machine as an example, the present invention is similarly applied to various computer-controlled game machines, such as pachinko machines, which are restricted by a circuit configuration such as a memory capacity or the like according to laws and regulations. Applicable. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional connection structure between a main control board and a plurality of sub-control boards.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit provided in the slot machine 10.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a process performed by an image control board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the content of a process performed by a voice control board.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents according to another form in the image control board.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection structure of a control board for a slot machine without a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection structure according to still another embodiment of the control board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 22 Liquid crystal display 23 Lamp 24 Speaker 30 Main control board 31 Reel control board 32 Hopper control board 33 Image control board 33A Liquid crystal display control board 33B Lamp control board 34 Voice control board

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which the contents of a game are executed by computer control based on pre-stored program software, comprising a circuit board for performing control, the circuit board controlling the basic contents of the game. And a plurality of sub-control boards that control peripheral functions added to the basic contents of the game in accordance with the grade of the game device, the game content, and the like. Means for determining a predetermined message signal input from the main control board, and a predetermined connection port of the main control board is provided so that the message signal is serially supplied from the main control board to a plurality of sub-control boards. A plurality of sub-control boards can be connected in series. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub-control boards responds to the message signal discriminating means discriminating the message signal and performs control corresponding to the message signal. A game device comprising: 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the sub control board includes an image control board and a sound control board. 4. The game device according to claim 3, wherein said image control board includes a liquid crystal display control board. 5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the order of connection of the plurality of sub-control boards in the case of serial connection is predetermined according to the function of each sub-control board. A game device comprising: 6. The game device according to claim 3, wherein the connection order of the series connection of the sub-control boards is determined in the order of an image control board and a voice control board.