JP2000140328A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the game ball control load on a game control means securing the reliability of the prize ball supply process by constituting the prize ball control means so as to control ball supply based on the memorized number of un supplied balls. SOLUTION: In the timing diagram showing a condition a prize ball is normally processed, when switches equipped on prize winning ports or corresponding to prize winning devices are turned ON, the CPU of the main circuit board immediately sends out a prize ball command to a prize ball control circuit board. When all the prize balls are completely sent out, the actual number of supply balls is compared with a prescribed number of ball supply. The prize ball supply is completely carried out to be quickly finished. Because a break time T15 is set every time the prescribed number of balls are supplied during continuous prize ball supply, a player can easily grasp the number of prize balls. Thus, the load on the game control means is reduced and the prize ball supply is quickly executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine or a coin game machine in which a game is played in response to a player's operation. It relates to a gaming machine in which a game is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a gaming machine, there is provided a prize ball processing device for processing a game ball which has won a prize area provided in a game area, and a predetermined prize ball processed by the prize ball processing device is predetermined. Some pay out a number of prize balls to a player. The winning ball processing device is provided with a winning ball holding means for holding a winning ball, and a winning ball detecting means for detecting a winning ball held by the winning ball holding means. And such a game machine has a game control means for controlling a game state and a prize ball payout means for paying out prize balls.

[0003] The detection signal from the winning ball detecting means is input to the winning ball payout means. Upon receiving the detection signal from the winning ball detecting means, the winning ball payout means sends a winning ball detecting signal indicating that the winning ball has been detected to the game control means. Then
The game control means returns a prize ball number signal indicating the number of prize balls for the prize to the prize ball payout means. The prize ball payout means drives the ball payout device so that the prize balls are paid out by the number specified by the prize ball number signal.

Since the number of prize balls for each winning must be a predetermined value, the ball payout device is provided with a switch means for detecting the number of game balls paid out. Then, the game control means inputs the detection signal of the switch means and monitors so that a number of game balls corresponding to a predetermined number determined in advance are paid out.

[0005]

Since the conventional gaming machine is constructed as described above, the game control means must control the payout operation of the prize ball payout means while monitoring the prize ball payout operation. Therefore, the burden on the prize ball payout control of the game control means is large. Since the game control means is generally realized by a microcomputer, it takes time to control the prize ball payout, so that the time required for the original game control is reduced, and the effect of the game effect is reduced accordingly. There is.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the burden on the award ball payout control of the game control means while ensuring the reliability of the award ball payout process.

[0007]

A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
A gaming machine in which a gaming area is provided on a gaming board, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out from a prize ball payout apparatus in accordance with a prize in a prize area provided in the game area, and the prize ball payout apparatus is driven. Prize ball control means for performing prize ball payout, and controlling the progress of the game, and upon detecting a prize in the prize area, immediately notifies the prize ball control means of the prize ball payout number corresponding to the prize so as to be specified. And game control means for storing the total number of payouts by each notification in a identifiable manner, wherein the prize ball control means is configured to store the number of incomplete payouts and to perform payout control based on the stored number. It is a thing.

[0008] The game control means is configured to input payout ball detection information from the payout ball detection means for detecting the payout balls paid out by the prize ball payout device, and to monitor whether or not the number of payouts is normal. You may.

If the number of payouts based on the payout ball detection information is less than the total number of payouts by each notification to the prize ball control means, and the payout ball detection information is not input for a predetermined period of time, the game control means runs out. It may be configured to output correction information for performing prize balls for several minutes to the prize ball control means.

[0010] The prize ball control means may be configured to store the number of prize balls paid out as the number of prize balls to be performed for each number of different types of prize balls.

The prize ball control means may be configured to give priority to any one of the prize balls having different numbers of prize balls regardless of the notification order from the game control means.

The prize ball control means may be configured to perform payout control such that the prize ball payout device is driven for each individual prize ball number.

The gaming machine includes winning ball detecting means corresponding to each of the plurality of winning areas, and the game controlling means notifies the winning ball controlling means based on the detection result of each winning ball detecting means. It may be configured.

[0014]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the back. Here, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1
It has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. Below the hitting ball supply tray 3, a surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing premium balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided. A game board 6 is detachably mounted behind the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display section 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a 7-segment L
A variable display device 8 including a variable display 10 using an ED is provided. On the side of the variable display device 8, a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided. The hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11 is guided to the starting winning opening 14 via the ball exit 13. In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 for detecting a hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the starting winning port 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the starting port switch 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

Below the variable winning ball device 15, there is provided an opening / closing plate 20 which is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state). Opening / closing plate 20
The winning ball that has entered one (V zone) of the winning balls guided to the back of the game board 6 is detected by the V count switch 22. The winning ball entering the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. In the lower part of the variable display device 8,
A start winning prize storage display 18 having four display sections for displaying the number of winning spheres entering the start winning port 14 is provided.
In this example, with a maximum of four, every time there is a starting prize,
The start prize memory display 18 increases the number of lit display units one by one. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display unit 9 is started, the number of the lit display units is reduced by one.

The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 19 and 24. The winning balls that entered the winning openings 19 and 24 are
These are detected by the winning opening switches 19a and 24a, respectively.
At the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 which are displayed blinking during the game, and at the lower part there is an out port 26 for absorbing hit balls which have not won. In addition, two speakers 2 emitting sound effects are provided on the upper left and right sides outside the game area 7.
7 are provided. A game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c are provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.

In this example, one of the speakers 27
Is provided with a prize ball lamp 51 which is turned on when a prize ball is paid out, and near the other speaker 27, a cutout lamp 52 which is turned on when a supply ball is cut out is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming table 1 and enables lending of balls by inserting a prepaid card.

The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 for indicating whether or not the card can be used. If there is a fraction (less than 100 yen) in the balance information recorded in the card, the fraction is displayed. Fraction display switch 1 for displaying on a frequency display LED provided near hit ball supply tray 3
52, a link stand direction indicator 15 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 the card unit 50 corresponds to
3. Card insertion indicator 154 indicating that a card has been inserted into card unit 50, card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and a card reader provided on the back of card insertion slot 155 A card unit lock 156 is provided for releasing the card unit 50 when checking the mechanism of the writer.

The hit ball fired from the hitting ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hitting ball rail, and thereafter, enters the game area 7.
Come down. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, if the change of the symbol can be started, the display number of the variable display 10 that normally displays the symbol variably changes. . If it is not in a state where the fluctuation of the symbol can be normally started, the gate passage memory is increased by one.

When a hit ball enters the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening switch 17, the three symbols in the variable display section 9 start rotating. The rotation of the image in the variable display unit 9 is as follows.
Stops after a certain period of time. If the combination of the symbols at the time of stop is the combination of the big hit symbols, the game shifts to the big hit game state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. Then, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning area while the opening and closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening and closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

The combination of the symbols in the variable display section 9 at the time of stop is a combination of the big hit symbols with the probability variation,
When the symbol indicated by the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol, the variable winning ball device 15 is thereafter opened with a high frequency, and the probability of the next big hit increases. That is, the state becomes more advantageous for the player.

If the combination of images in the variable display section 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols accompanied by a probability change, the probability of the next big hit increases. That is, a high probability state, which is more advantageous for the player, is obtained. Also, when the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol on the variable display 10 hits the symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened are increased.

The game area 7 is also provided with a display for displaying the gate passage memory, but is omitted in FIG. In addition, a 7-segment LED or the like for performing a round display in a big hit game state and a ten count display during each round, or an LED for performing a V winning display may be provided.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island, a prize ball is thrown from above. It is supplied to a tank 38. The prize ball in the ball tank 38 reaches the ball payout device 97 through the guide gutter 39. In addition, a terminal board 160 provided with a terminal for outputting each information in the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the outside, a power connector, a power switch, and the like is provided on an upper portion of the mechanism board 36. In addition,
On the back surface of the terminal board 160, a power supply board on which a power supply circuit for generating voltages used in various boards is mounted.

The ball tank 38 is screwed at a predetermined position of the upper base unit 161 (at this position, a concave portion is formed along the side surface shape of the ball tank 38) by mounting pieces provided on the left and right sides. Installed with. The ball tank 38 is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface, and a drop port 1 connected to a guiding gutter 39 downstream of the bottom surface.
68 are formed. A ball-break detection lever 166 pivotally supported on the inclined bottom surface above the falling port 168.
Is provided.

Below the ball-break detection lever 166, a ball-break detection switch 167 is provided. When the shortage detection switch 167 detects a shortage of replenishment balls in the ball tank 38, a replenishment ball request signal is output to a hall computer installed in the game arcade, and a shortage lamp provided on the game board 6. 52 is lit. The out-of-ball detection lever 166 turns off the out-of-ball detection switch 167 when replenishment balls are present in the ball tank 38, and the out-of-ball detection switch 167 when there is no more replenishment balls in the ball tank 38. Is turned on.

The guide gutter 39 disposed downstream of the ball tank 38 is attached to the upper base unit 161 at an angle from one end to the other end. A partition wall 39a is installed at the center of the inside of the guide gutter 39, and the partition wall 39a is
The replenishing balls flowing out of the falling port 168 are installed gradually higher in order to surely arrange the replenishing balls in two rows on the left and right. A ball leveling member 170 is installed in the upper part on the downstream side of the guide gutter 39.
It acts so that the supply balls that flow in stages become one stage.
On the downstream side of the ball leveling member 170, a ball stopper 171 and a ball leveling metal 172 are provided. Ball stopper 1
Reference numeral 71 is for temporarily stopping the supply balls stored in the guide gutter 39 at the time of failure or inspection. The ball leveling fitting 172 is for finally aligning the supply balls in one stage.

On the further downstream side of the guide gutter 39, an inverted "ku"
A curve gutter 174 forming a U-shaped passage is connected. The curved gutter 174 is moved in the front-rear direction 2 by the guiding gutter 39.
The supply balls that flow down in a row are changed in direction so as to drop toward the ball payout device 97 in three rows in the left-right direction.
A bead opening is formed at the bent portion of the curve gutter 174, and the bead opening is closed by a bead removal valve 175. The ball removal valve 175 is opened by inserting a ball removal pin from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A ball-drop passage 176 is formed below the ball-drop valve 175.

At the lower left and right sides of the curve gutter 174, a connecting projection 1 is provided.
77 are provided. The connecting protrusion 177 has a connecting concave protrusion 1 formed at the upper end of the intermediate base unit 162.
82 is inserted. In this state, screws are made from above the connecting concave projection 182, and the intermediate base unit 162 is fixed to the upper base unit 161. The passage body through which the supply ball passing through the curve gutter 174 passes and the ball dispensing device 97 are fixed to the intermediate base unit 162, and the configurations of the intermediate base unit 162 and the ball dispensing device 97 will be described in detail later. I do.

A lower base unit 163 is provided below the mechanism plate 36. A prize ball collecting gutter 203 is provided at an approximately middle position on the front side (the game board 6 side) of the lower base unit 163. The winning ball collecting gutter 203 receives the winning ball that has won each of the winning devices of the game board, and guides it to the winning ball exit 221. Therefore, the downstream side of the prize ball gathering gutter 203 is a prize ball guide path 205 for causing the prize balls to flow down one by one. The prize ball guiding passage 205 is provided with a collective detector 115 which is a switch for detecting a prize ball passing therethrough. In addition, an out ball guiding passage 206 for guiding out balls from the out port 26 of the game board 6 is also formed. Out ball guidance passage 206
Is formed so as to join the ball-drop lower passage 207.

On the rear side of the lower base unit 163 (far side from the game board 6), a prize ball payout passage 208 is formed. An upper plate communication port 210 is formed at the lower end of the prize ball payout passage 208. Upper plate communication port 210
Is for guiding a prize ball to the hitting ball supply tray 3 installed on the front of the gaming machine. In addition, on the side of the prize ball payout passage 208, the ballless lower passage 2 communicating with the ballless passage 176.
07 is formed. The ballless lower passage 207 communicates with the prize ball payout passage 208 and the winning ball exit 221 on the way,
Eventually, it merges with the out ball guiding passage 206.

Below the lower base unit 163, a board box 149 attached to the prize ball control circuit board storage section 148 is installed. The board box 149 houses a prize ball control board 37. The prize ball control board 37 includes the ball payout device 97 and the card unit 5.
A connector 153 for connecting wiring from 0 is provided.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the gaming board 6, there is provided a winning ball set cover 40 for guiding a winning ball which has won each winning port and a winning ball device along a predetermined winning route. Of the prize balls guided to the prize ball collection cover 40, those that have won through the opening and closing plate 20 are controlled so that the ball payout device 97 pays out a relatively large number of prize balls (for example, 15). The winnings through the starting winning opening 14 are controlled so that a ball payout device (not shown in FIG. 3) pays out a relatively small number of prize balls (for example, six). Then, the winnings through the other winning ports 24 and the winning ball device are controlled so that the ball payout device pays out a relatively medium number of prize balls (for example, 10).
Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the relay board 33 as an example.

In order to perform the prize ball payout control, the set detector 1
15, starting port switch 17, winning port switch 19a, 2
Signals from 4 a and the count switch 23 are sent to the main board 31. When the starting port switch 17 is turned on, a prize ball control command indicating the number of prize balls “6” is output from the main board 31 to the prize ball control board, and when the count switch 23 is turned on, the prize ball control board is sent from the main board 31 to the prize ball control board. Number of balls "1
A prize ball control command indicating "5" is output. When the winning opening switches 19a and 24a are turned on, the main board 31 is turned off.
Outputs a winning ball control command indicating the number of winning balls “10” to the winning ball control board.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a prize is detected by a switch provided for each prize port and a prize device, the main board 31 instructs the prize ball control board to immediately pay out the prize ball. An award ball control command is transmitted. After a prize is detected by a switch provided for each prize port and a prize device, if a prize ball is not detected by the set detector 115 after a predetermined time has elapsed, whether an illegal prize has occurred is determined. Alternatively, the gaming machine is put into an error state assuming that a jam has occurred in the winning ball collecting gutter 203 or the winning ball guiding passage 205.

Next, the configurations of the intermediate base unit 162 and the ball payout device 97 installed on the mechanism plate 36 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate base unit 162
Are formed on the upper and lower sides with connecting concave protrusions 182. The connection concave protrusion 182 connects and fixes the intermediate base unit 162 to the upper base unit 161 and the lower base unit 163. The upper connection concave protrusion 182 is connected and fixed to the connection protrusion 177 of the upper base unit 161. Then, the lower connecting concave protrusion 182 is connected and fixed to the connecting protrusion 202 of the lower base unit 163.

A passage 184 is fixed to the upper part of the intermediate base unit 162. The ball dispensing device 97 is fixed to a lower portion of the passage body 184. Passage body 184
Is a prize ball passage 186a, 1 for flowing down three rows of prize balls whose flow direction has been changed left and right by the curve gutter 174.
86b and 186c. Premium gift aisle 186a, 18
6b and 186c, a ball-break switch 187 is provided.
a, 187b and 187c are installed. The cutout switches 187a, 187b, 187c are connected to the prize ball passage 18
6A, 186B, and 186C are used to detect the presence or absence of a prize ball. When the ball cutout switches 187a and 187b no longer detect a prize ball, the prize ball motor (not shown in FIG. 4) in the ball payout device 97 is detected. The rotation is stopped and the prize ball payout is immobilized.

When the ball out switch 187c no longer detects a prize ball, the rotation of the ball leasing motor (not shown in FIG. 4) in the ball payout device 97 is stopped to immobilize the ball lending. It should be noted that the burnout switches 187a, 187
b, 187c are prize ball paths 186a, 186b, 18
It is locked by a locking piece 188 at a position where it can be detected that 27 to 28 prize balls are present in 6c.

The central portion of the passage body 184 is formed in a shape curved right and left so as to reduce the ball pressure of the prize ball flowing down inside. And, prize ball passages 186a, 186b
A stop hole 189 is formed therebetween. A mounting boss provided on the intermediate base unit 162 is fitted into the back surface of the stop hole 189. In this state, the set screw is screwed, and the passage body 184 is fixed to the intermediate base unit 162. Before being screwed, the positioning of the passage body 184 can be performed by a locking projection 185 provided on the intermediate base unit 162.

Below the passage body 184, a ball payout device 97 is provided.
The prize ball is supplied to the ball and a ball payout device 9 is provided in the event of a failure or the like.
7 is provided with a ball stopping device 190 for stopping the supply of premium balls to the ball 7. The ball payout device 97 installed below the ball stopping device 190 is housed inside a rectangular parallelepiped case 198. Protrusions are provided at four places on the left and right of the case 198. In a state where each projection is related to the positioning projection 200 provided on the intermediate base unit 162, the elastic engagement piece 2 provided on the lower portion of the intermediate base unit 162 is provided.
01 is fitted with the lower end of the case 198.

Next, the structure and operation of the ball payout device 97 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a prize ball mechanism portion 97A which is a left portion of the ball payout device 97 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.
7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the prize ball mechanism portion 97A of the ball dispensing device 97 viewed from the side (a direction parallel to the mechanical plate 36). It is.

In the prize ball mechanism portion 97A, FIGS.
The stepping motor (prize ball motor) 289A rotates the screw 288A to pay out prize balls based on the prize ball one by one.

As shown in FIG. 5, the prize ball mechanism portion 97A of the ball payout device 97 has two cases 198a and 198b. The ball payout device 9 is provided at two places on the left and right of the case 198a.
7 are provided with engaging projections 280a and 280b that come into contact with positioning projections 200 (see FIG. 4) provided above the installation position. In addition, each case 198a, 19
8b, ball supply paths 281a and 281b are formed. The ball supply paths 281a and 281b are curved surfaces 282a and 2
The ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b are formed below the ends of the curved surfaces 282a and 282b. Further, ball discharge paths 283a and 283b are formed at the ends of the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b. Ball supply paths 281a and 281b, ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284
b and the ball discharge paths 283a, 283b
a and 198b are partition walls 295 that partition the front and rear, respectively.
a, 295b.

In front of the partition walls 295a and 295b, the ball pressure buffering member 285A is connected to the cases 198a and 198b.
8b. The ball pressure buffering member 285A distributes the prize balls supplied to the prize ball mechanism portion 97A of the ball payout device 97 to the left and right sides and guides them to the ball supply paths 281a and 281b. Further, below the ball pressure buffering member 285A, a prize ball motor position switch 300A including a light emitting element (LED) 286A and a light receiving element 287A is provided. The light emitting element 286A and the light receiving element 287A are provided at a predetermined interval. The distal end of the screw 288A is inserted into the space. Note that the ball pressure buffering member 285A is connected to the cases 198a and 198.
When b is attached, it is completely stored and fixed therein.

The ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b have a screw 2 rotated by a payout motor 289A.
88A are arranged. The payout motor 289A is fixed to a motor fixing plate 290A, and the motor fixing plate 290A is
Fixing groove 2 formed behind partition walls 295a, 295b
91a and 291b are fitted. In this state, the motor shaft of the dispensing motor 289A projects forward of the partition walls 295a and 295b.
A is fixed. On the outer periphery of the screw 288A, the ball feed horizontal path 284a,
A spiral projection 288a for moving the prize ball placed on 284b forward is provided.

At the tip of the screw 288A,
A concave portion is formed so as to house the light emitting element 286A, and two notches 292A are formed on the outer periphery of the concave portion to each other.
It is formed 0 degrees apart. Therefore, screw 288
During one rotation of A, light from the light emitting element 286A is detected twice by the light receiving element 287A via the notch 292A. The wires 293A from the light emitting element 286A, the light receiving element 287A, and the payout motor 289A are collectively pulled out to the outside through drawer holes formed below the rear portions of the cases 198a, 198b, and connected to the connector 294A.

[0049] The prize balls are fed by ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b.
When the payout motor 289A rotates in a state where the prize ball is placed, the prize ball moves forward on the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b by the spiral projection 288a of the screw 288A. Finally, the ball discharge paths 283a, 283a,
3b. At this time, the left and right ball feed horizontal paths 284
a, 284b fall alternately. That is,
Each time the screw 288A makes a half turn, one prize ball falls from one side. Therefore, the light receiving element 28
If the control of stopping the driving of the payout motor 289A is performed when the number of signals output from the 7A reaches a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to one prize, the prize corresponding to the prize correctly can be obtained. You can pay out the number of balls.

Below the ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b, there are provided prize ball counting switches 301A and 301B, for example, which are proximity switches. Each time one prize ball falls from the ball feed horizontal path 284a, 284b, the prize ball count switches 301A, 301B are turned on. Therefore, the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B
, The number of prize balls actually paid out can be counted.

In this embodiment, the prize ball mechanism portion 97A has a two-row configuration, but may have a single-row configuration.
The ball lending mechanism shown on the right side of the prize ball mechanism 97A in FIG. 6 has a single-line configuration, but the configuration is the same as that of the prize ball mechanism 97A. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 8 to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The hit ball launching device 10 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 0, a hitting punch 417 for hitting and firing a pachinko ball, a motor (ball firing drive means) 94 serving as a driving source of the hitting punch 417, and a driving force of the motor 94 for driving the hitting punch 417.
And a lifting / lowering punch 424 for operating a ball supply device (not shown) every time the pachinko ball is fired to feed the next-generation pachinko ball into the hit ball firing device 90.
A launch control board 91 for controlling the driving of the motor 94 is mounted on the mounting board 411. Bent portions 412 are formed on both left and right ends of the mounting board 411, and the bent piece portion 412 has a mounting hole 412 a and a screw fixing hole 4 for mounting the hitting ball launcher 90 on the back side of the game board 6.
12b is provided. Further, mounting holes 413a to 413 for mounting various constituent members are provided in the mounting substrate 411.
f and locking flange portions 414a and 414b are formed, and a rotating shaft 415 that rotatably supports the lifting punch 424 is attached. The launch control board 91
A heat dissipating flange 416 for dissipating the heat generated from the firing control board 91 to the outside is formed at a portion of the mounting board 411 corresponding to the mounting position.

The hitting punch 417 has an arm shape, and has a shaft hole serving as a rotation center at one end, and a hammer 417b for hitting a pachinko ball is formed at the other end. A locking pin 417c for locking one end of the spring 418 is attached to substantially the center of the hitting punch 417. As the motor 94, for example, it can rotate forward and reverse,
In addition, a stepping motor capable of controlling the speed is used.
The drive shaft 419a of the motor 94 is passed through the mounting hole 413a of the mounting substrate 411, and the engagement fitting 421 is fitted in this state. The rotation transmitting member 420 has a disk shape, and has a shaft hole 420a serving as a rotation center in the center. The lifting punch 42 is provided on the outer peripheral end surface of the rotation transmitting member 420.
4, an engagement surface 420b that engages with the contact engagement portion 424c;
An attachment protrusion 420c is provided. Mounting projection 420
c, a locking pin 420d for locking the other end of the spring 418, a rotation transmitting pin 420e for transmitting the clockwise rotation of the rotation transmitting member 420 to the hitting punch 417 in FIG. Is attached. The surface of the rotation transmitting pin 420e is covered with an elastic member for absorbing vibration.

The shaft hole 417a of the hitting punch 417 is
4 is rotatably supported by an engagement fitting 421 fitted to the drive shaft 419a. Shaft hole 420a of rotation transmitting member 420
Is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 419a. In such an attached state, a spring 418 is bridged between the locking pin 417c of the hitting punch 417 and the locking pin 420d of the rotation transmitting member 420. In addition, bolts 422 a, washers and nuts 42 are provided in the mounting holes of the mounting substrate 411.
A rubber stopper 423 is attached via 2c. The stopper 423 is held in the attached state by the locking flange 414a, and regulates the counterclockwise rotation of the hitting punch 417 in FIG.

The elevating punch 424 has a U-shape, and a bent portion is provided with an insertion hole through which the rotating shaft 415 is inserted. An operating piece 424b for operating the ball supply device is formed at the upper end of the lifting / lowering punch 424, and the lower end of the lifting / lowering punch 424 is in contact with the engagement surface 420b of the rotation transmitting member 420 in a contact state. An engagement portion 424c is formed. Then, the elevating punch 424 is connected to the rotating shaft 415 via the e-ring.
Is rotatably supported. On the mounting substrate 411, a contact member 430 is mounted by a shaft 428 at a forward rotation start position of the hitting punch 417.

Various electronic components 437 including a CPU and a connector 438 are mounted on the emission control board 91. They control the driving of the motor 94 via a connector extending from the motor 94. The emission control board 91 is provided with a protective cover 440. Protective cover 4
Numeral 40 is for protecting the substrate 91 from disturbances and the like. A heat radiation opening for radiating the heat generated from the substrate 91 to the outside is provided on the wall surface of the protective cover 440, and a connector 43 is provided.
8 is provided. Further, the protective cover 440 is provided with mounting hooks 440 formed on upper and lower edges thereof.
By engaging c with the mounting hole 413f, the substrate 91 is mounted on the mounting substrate 411 while covering the substrate 91.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the main board 31. FIG. 11 shows a prize ball control board 37, a lamp control board 35, and a sound control board 7
0, a launch control board 91 and a display control board 80 are also shown. The main board 31 includes a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, and a gate switch 1.
2. Starting port switch 17, V count switch 22, count switch 23, set detector 115, surplus ball tray 4
Full switch 402 for detecting the full tank, winning opening switches 19a and 24a, a cut-out detection switch 167, a cut-out switch 1187, and a prize ball count switch 30
A switch circuit 58 for supplying signals from the basic circuit 53 to the solenoid circuit 59 for driving the solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable prize ball device 15 and the solenoid 21 for opening and closing the open / close plate 20 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53; , A lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the decorative lamp 25.

Further, according to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used to start image display on the variable display section 9, and probability fluctuation have occurred. And an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information or the like indicating the fact to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation in accordance with the control program, and an I / O port unit 57. The ROM 54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases.

Further, the main board 31 has an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on.
A periodic reset circuit 66 for periodically (eg, every 2 ms) giving a reset pulse to the basic circuit 53 to re-execute the game control program from the beginning, and decode an address signal given from the basic circuit 53. I
Address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting any I / O port in I / O port unit 57
Are provided.

A hit ball launching device that hits and launches a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on a launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, a game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b, 2
8c, the prize ball lamp 51, the out-of-ball lamp 52, the variable display 10, and the start-up prize memory display 18 blink or display by the lamp control CPU mounted on the lamp control board 35 by the lamp control command from the main board 31. Is controlled by performing a control operation in accordance with. Also, the lamp control board 3
The CPU for lamp control mounted on 5 is a gate passing memory display, a round display, a ten count display, and
The display control of the winning indicator is also performed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the prize ball control board 37 and its related components. As shown in FIG. 12, the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 71. Further, the detection signals from the cut-out detection switch 167 and the cut-out switch 187 are transmitted to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71.
Is input to

The CPU 56 is provided with a burnout detection switch 167.
Alternatively, if the detection signal from the out-of-ball switch 187 indicates that the ball is out, or the detection signal from the full switch 402 indicates the full state, a prize ball control command instructing to prohibit lending is awarded. Output to the ball control board 37. The prize ball control microcomputer of the prize ball control board 37 stops the prize ball processing according to the prize ball control command. When the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 indicates that the tank is full, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 outputs a prize ball control command to the prize ball control board 37 instructing a command to stop firing of a hit ball. The winning ball control microcomputer of the winning ball control board 37 outputs a firing stop command to the firing control board 91 in response to the winning ball control command.

That is, in this embodiment, the firing stop command is output from the main board 31 as being included in the prize ball control command. Therefore, the emission control board 91 from the main board 31
Wiring is no longer necessary. As a result, wiring routing in the gaming machine can be simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced. It is also advantageous in that the number of wirings from the main board 31 is reduced, thereby making it less susceptible to fraud.

The cutout switch 187 is equivalent to the cutout switch 187a, 187b, 187c shown in FIG. That is, when all of the cut-out switches 187a, 187b, and 187c are turned on, the detection signal is output from the cut-out switch 187. Furthermore, the prize ball count switches 301A, 30
1B, the relay board 72 and the relay board 7
1 is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31.

A prize ball control command is input to the prize ball control board 37 from the main board 31. The winning ball control command is input to the I / O port 372 via the buffer circuit 373. Each buffer in the buffer circuit 373 can pass a signal only in a direction from the main board 31 to the prize ball control board 37. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the award ball control board 37 side to the main board 31 side. Even if the circuit in the prize ball control board 37 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main control board 31 side.

The CPU 371 for controlling the prize ball controls the I / O
Through the port 372, a ball lending number signal indicating the lending ball number is output to the terminal board 160, and a buzzer driving signal is output to the buzzer board 75. A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer board 75. Further, an error signal is output to the error display LED 374 via the I / O port 372.

Further, the award ball control switches 37A and 301 are connected to the award ball control board 37 via the relay board 72.
The detection signal of B and the detection signal of the ball lending count switch 301C are input. Further, detection signals of the prize ball motor position sensors 300A and 300B and the ball lending motor position sensor 300C are input via the prize ball sensor board 73. Drive signals from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A and the ball lending motor are transmitted to the prize ball motor 289A and the ball lending motor via the relay board 72.
That is, in the ball payout device 97, the prize ball mechanism portion 97A
And a ball lending mechanism are provided as independent mechanisms, but they are collectively driven by a prize ball control board 37 provided separately from the main board 31. Therefore, even if the number of mechanical parts of the ball payout device 97 increases, the load on the means for performing game control does not increase.

The card unit 50 is equipped with a microcomputer for controlling the card unit. Also,
The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152, a connecting stand direction indicator 153, a card insertion display lamp 154, and a card insertion slot 155 (see FIG. 1). The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch, and a return switch provided near the hit ball supply tray 3.

From the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50
In response to the player's operation, a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are provided via the prize ball control board 37. Also, the balance display board 74 is sent from the card unit 50.
, A card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lending possible display signal are given via the prize ball control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the prize ball control board 37, a unit operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), a ball lending completion signal (EXS signal)
And a pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) are exchanged.

When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on,
The prize ball control CPU 371 of the prize ball control board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. When a card is accepted in the card unit 50 and the ball lending switch is operated to input a ball lending switch signal, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit outputs a BRDY signal to the prize ball control board 37. When a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRQ signal to the prize ball control board 37. The CPU 37 for controlling the prize ball of the prize ball control board 37
1 drives the ball lending motor 289C and pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. Then, when the payout is completed, the award ball control CPU 371 outputs an EXS signal to the card unit 50.

As described above, all the signals from the card unit 50 are input to the prize ball control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, the card unit 5
No signal is input from 0 to the main board 31, and there is no room for a signal to be incorrectly input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the main board 31.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the firing control board 91 for controlling the driving of the motor 94. As shown in FIG. 13, the launch control board 91 includes a speed control circuit section 101, a touch sensor circuit 103, a sequence control circuit section 104, a torque control circuit section 106, a motor drive circuit 105, and a power supply circuit 107. The speed control circuit unit 101 generates a voltage for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 94 during each of the ball hitting operation and the recovery / ball replenishment operation. In the ball hitting operation period, a voltage that gradually increases in accordance with the rotation operation angle with respect to the operation knob 5 is generated, and in the recovery / ball replenishment operation period, a predetermined voltage is generated.

The touch sensor circuit 103 outputs a firing permission signal to the sequence control circuit unit 104 while the human body is in contact with the human body detection electrode 93 attached to the operation knob 5. Specifically, a predetermined clock signal is output to the sequence control circuit unit 104.

Sequence control circuit unit 1 shown in FIG.
04 indicates four sequence operations (PA, PB, PC, P
In addition to controlling the switching of D), a driving pattern signal and a driving voltage switching signal necessary for driving the motor 94 are generated. The four sequence operations are the first operation P
A operation (ball hitting operation) and PB operation (first operation)
), A PC operation (restoration / ball replenishment operation) as a third operation, and a PD operation (second pause operation) as a fourth operation. In the PA operation, the hitting punch 417, which is stationary at a position where it comes into contact with the contact member 430, is rotated counterclockwise (forward rotation) to the position of the stopper 423 by the drive of the motor 94. In the PB operation, the driving of the motor 94 stops for a certain time. By the PB operation, the hitting punch 417 is
The striking position is maintained for a certain period of time until the rotational vibration converges. In the PC operation, the hitting punch 417 at the hitting position is rotated clockwise (reverse rotation) to the position (stationary position) of the contact member 430 by driving of the motor 94. In the PD operation, the driving of the motor 94 stops for a certain time. The hitting punch 417 is held at a stationary position for a fixed time until the rotational vibration converges.

The sequence control circuit section 104
4 is generated. The motor drive circuit 105 rotationally drives the motor 94 according to the drive voltage supplied from the torque control circuit unit 106 and the drive pattern signal from the sequence control circuit unit 104. The power supply circuit 107 rectifies AC power from a commercial AC power supply,
The smoothed DC power is supplied to the torque control circuit unit 106, and the voltage value of the DC power is controlled to a predetermined constant voltage to supply the smoothed DC voltage to various circuits.

The sequence control circuit unit 104 includes:
The launch control signal from the prize ball control board 37 is input. When the firing control signal indicates that the firing is stopped, the sequence control circuit unit 104 stops, for example, outputting the drive pattern signal. As a result, the drive motor 94 is not driven, and the firing of the ball is stopped.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the basic circuit 53 on the main board 31. As described above, this processing is performed by the reset pulse generated by the periodic reset circuit 66.
For example, it is activated every 2 ms. When the basic circuit 53 is started, the basic circuit 53 first sets a clock monitor register incorporated in the CPU 56 to a clock monitor enable state in order to make the clock monitor control operable (step S1). Note that the clock monitor control is a control in which a reset is automatically generated inside the CPU 56 when a decrease or stop of an input clock signal is detected.

Next, the CPU 56 performs a stack setting process for setting the designated address of the stack pointer (step S2). In this example, 00FFH is set in the stack pointer. Then, a system check process is performed (step S3). In the system check process, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the RAM 55 contains an error.
Processing such as initializing 5 is performed.

Next, after processing for setting the command data sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 is performed (display control data setting processing: step S
4), a process of outputting command data as display control command data is performed (display control data output process: step S5).

Next, processing for outputting the contents of the storage area for various output data to each output port is performed (data output processing: step S6). Further, the lamp timer is decremented by one, and when the lamp timer times out (when it becomes 0), the lamp data pointer is updated and a new value is set in the lamp timer (lamp timer processing: step S7).

Further, output data setting processing for setting output data such as data at the address indicated by the lamp data pointer, jackpot information, start information, and probability variation information output to the hall management computer in the storage area is performed (step S8). ). Further, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by a self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S9).

Next, a process of updating each counter indicating a random number for determination, such as a random number for big hit determination, used for game control is performed (step S10).

Next, the CPU 56 performs a special symbol process (step S11). In the special symbol process control, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Further, a normal symbol process is performed (step S12). In normal symbol processing, 7 segments L
A corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 by the ED in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

The CPU 56 further includes a switch circuit 58
, And performs necessary processing according to the switch state (switch processing: step S1).
3). Further, the audio timer is decremented by one, and when the audio timer times out (when it becomes 0), the audio data pointer is updated and a new value is set in the audio timer. Then, the data at the address indicated by the audio data pointer is transmitted to the audio control board 70 (audio processing:
Step S14).

The basic circuit 53 further performs processing for updating the display random number (step S15). That is, the counter for generating the symbol determining random number and the counter for generating the reach determining random number are counted up (addition is performed by 1).

The basic circuit 53 includes a prize ball control board 37.
Is performed (step S16). That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a winning ball control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the winning ball control board 37. Award ball control board 3
The CPU for controlling a prize ball mounted on 7 drives the ball payout device 97 according to the received number of prize balls. After that, the basic circuit 53 repeats the display random number updating process in step S17 until the next reset pulse is given from the periodic reset circuit 66.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of a special symbol processing program in the basic circuit 53. The special symbol process process shown in FIG. 15 is a specific process of step S11 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process processing, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 shown in FIG. 15 according to the value of the special symbol process flag. In each process, the following processes are performed.

Special symbol change waiting process (step S30)
0): The start winning port 14 (in this embodiment, the winning port of the variable winning ball device 15) is hit and the start port sensor 17 is turned on. When the starting port sensor 17 is turned on, the starting winning memory number is increased by + if the starting winning memory number is not full.
1 and a big hit determination random number is extracted. Special symbol determination processing (step S301): When a state in which the variable display of the special symbol can be started, the number of start winning prizes is confirmed. If the starting prize storage number is not 0, it is determined whether to make a big hit or a non-big hit according to the value of the extracted big hit determination random number. Stop symbol setting process (step S302): A stop symbol for the left and right middle symbols is determined.

Reach operation setting processing (step S30)
3): Whether or not the reach operation is performed is determined according to the value of the reach determination random number, and the variation mode of the reach operation is determined according to the value of the reach random number.

All symbols change start processing (step S30)
4): In the variable display section 9, control is performed so that all symbols start to change. At this time, with respect to the display control board 80,
The left and right middle final stop symbols and information instructing the variation mode are transmitted. When a background or a character is also displayed on the variable display unit 9, control is performed so that display control command data corresponding to the background or character is transmitted to the display control board 80.

All symbols stop waiting processing (step S30)
5): Control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display section 9 are stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. Also, control is performed so that the left and right symbols are stopped at a predetermined timing until the timing of stopping all symbols.

Big hit display processing (step S306): When the stop symbol is a combination of the big hit symbols, control is performed so that the display control command data of the big hit display is transmitted to the display control board 80 and the internal state (process flag) ) Is updated so as to shift to step S307. Otherwise, the internal state is changed to step S309.
Update to move to. The combination of the big hit symbols is a combination in which the right and left middle symbols are aligned. Also,
The display control CPU 101 of the game control board 80 displays a big hit on the variable display unit 9 according to the display control command data. The jackpot display is made to notify the player of the occurrence of the jackpot.

Opening process of opening the special winning opening (step S30)
7): Control for opening the special winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening.

Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S30)
8): Control for transmitting display control command data of the special winning opening round display to the display control board 80, processing for confirming establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. If the closing condition of the special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S307 unless the end condition of the big hit gaming state is satisfied. If the jackpot gaming state end condition is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309.

Big hit end processing (step S309):
A display for notifying the player that the jackpot gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal flags and the like are returned to the initial state, and the internal state is updated so as to shift to step S300.

In accordance with the processing of each step described above, the module (step S5 in FIG. 14) that performs processing for transmitting the display control command in the game control program outputs the corresponding display control command data to the output port.
The module that performs the output data setting process (step S8 in FIG. 13) sends the lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 in response to the timeout of the process timer.
The setting for transmitting the display control command data to the voice control board 70 is performed.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a lamp control command transmitted from the main board 31 to the prize ball control board 37. FIG. Each lamp control command data is 7
The lighting pattern is configured with bits, and specifies the lighting pattern and turning off of the lamp / LED according to the progress of the game, respectively. However, the examples shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are patterns corresponding to a specific gaming machine, and different types of gaming machine may use different lamp control command data in different types of gaming machines. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, there are four types of ramp designation during special fluctuation (05H to 08H), but in a gaming machine having more special fluctuation patterns, special types of ramp control command data are included in more types of lamp control command data. What is necessary is just to assign a variation pattern. Alternatively, the lamp control data that may be used in all the gaming machines may be defined, and the lamp control data to be used in each model may be selected as needed.

In this embodiment, the lamp control board 37
The CPU for lamp control mounted on the
H, the game effect LED 2 is received based on the blinking pattern stored corresponding to each command.
8a and the game effect lamps 28b and 28c are controlled to blink. When receiving the command of 70H to 72H,
The blinking control of the prize ball lamp 51 and the lighting / extinguishing control of the ball out lamp 52 are performed.

It should be noted that the command configuration shown in FIG. 16 is characterized by a normal lamp designation, a changing lamp designation,
That is, the command of the lamp designation at the time of the special fluctuation, the announcement at the time of the big hit, and the designation of the ramp at the time of the decision are different from each other by “1” between the time of the high probability and the case of the other times. With such a command configuration, the load when the CPU 56 of the main board 31 creates the lamp control command data is reduced. For example, when creating the lamp control command data of the normal lamp designation, the fluctuation lamp designation, the special fluctuation lamp designation, the big hit announcement lamp designation, or the fixed lamp designation, first, "01H", "03H", "05H" , "07
H ”,“ 09H ”or“ 0BH ”, and then
It is determined whether or not a high probability is in progress. If the probability is high, the set value may be incremented by +1. Otherwise, the set value is used as it is as the lamp control command data. That is, creation of the high-probability lamp control command data for the normal lamp designation, the fluctuation lamp designation, the special fluctuation lamp designation, the big hit notice, and the fixed lamp designation is shared as a step of incrementing the set value by +1.

As shown in FIG. 17, the ramp control command includes a round designation (0 = off to 16 (decimal)) for designating the number of rounds during the big hit game, and a large Ten count designation (0 = off to 10 (decimal)) indicating the number of winning opening winnings, V winning display lighting instruction and V winning display turning-off instruction indicating winning in the V zone during the big hit game, and starting winning memory storage number Increase (+1)
And decrease (-1), increase in the number of memory passing through the gate (+1)
And a decrease (-1), a normal symbol displayed on the variable display 10 is included. When receiving these commands, the lamp control CPU of the lamp control board 35 responds to the received command by displaying a round display, a ten-count display,
The display control of the V prize display, the start prize storage display 18 and the gate pass number display is performed, and the display control of the variable display 10 is performed.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the lamp control command. As shown in FIG. 18, 7 bits from bit 0 to bit 6 in one byte are used as the ramp control command data portion shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show output data setting processing (step S) in the main processing shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows 8). However, here,
Only the output data setting of the control command for the lamp control board 35 will be described.

First, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the lamp control command data is being sent (step S).
81). If not, it is determined whether or not the lamp data has been changed (step S82). Changing the lamp data corresponds to changing the blinking pattern of the lamp / LED. Then, the new lamp data corresponds to the new blinking pattern. Therefore, the CPU 56 sets a lamp control command (00H to 10H) according to the new lamp data.
Is determined, and the lamp control command is set in the lamp output data storage area (steps S83 and S8).
4).

If there is no change in the lamp data, it is checked whether or not the round designation has been changed (step S85). The round designation is changed when a new round of the big hit game is started in the special symbol process process (step S11) in the main process. When recognizing that the round designation has been changed, a lamp control command indicating the new number of rounds is set in the lamp output data storage area (step S86). Also, it is checked whether or not the ten count designation has been changed (step S8).
7). The ten count designation is changed when the ON of the count switch 23 is detected in the special symbol process processing.
When recognizing that the ten count designation has been changed, a lamp control command indicating a new ten count number is set in the lamp output data storage area (step S88).

Further, when there is a V prize, the CPU 56
A lamp control command indicating winning display lighting is set in the lamp output data storage area (steps S89 and S90). When the end of the round is recognized, a lamp control command indicating V winning display off is set in the lamp output data storage area (step S89). Steps S91 and S92).

Further, if the number of start winning storages is changed (step S93), a lamp control command indicating "starting winning storage number + 1" is set in the lamp output data storage area if the number has increased, and if the number has decreased, the lamp control command will be displayed. Sets a lamp control command indicating "number of stored winning prizes -1" in the lamp output data storage area (step S94). The starting winning number is stored in the starting symbol switch 1 in the special symbol process.
When the winning in 7 is detected, +1 is added, and when the change of the special symbol in the variable display section 9 is started, -1 is added. However, it does not increase if the upper limit has been reached. Also,
If there is a change in the number of stored gate passages (step S95),
If the number has increased, a lamp control command indicating “the number of stored gate passages + 1” is set in the lamp output data storage area,
If the number has decreased, a ramp control command indicating "number of stored gate passages-1" is set in the ramp output data storage area (step S96). The number of stored gate passages is increased when ball passage of the gate switch 12 is detected in the ordinary symbol processing, and is decremented by 1 when the variation of the ordinary symbol on the variable display 10 is started. However, it does not increase if the upper limit has been reached.

When the fluctuation timing of the ordinary symbol arrives (step S97), a lamp control command designating the altered ordinary symbol is set in the lamp output data storage area (step S98). In each of the above processes, when the lamp control command is set in the lamp output data storage area, the CPU 56 sets a lamp control command output request (step S99). When the lamp control command output request is set, the lamp control command is sent to the lamp control board 35 in the data output process (step S6) in the main process shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a ramp control command output portion of the data output process (step S6) in the main process shown in FIG. In the data output process related to the lamp control command output,
The CPU 56 determines whether or not a lamp control command output request has been set (step S601). If the lamp control command output request has been set, the lamp control command output request is reset (step S6).
02), the contents of the lamp output data storage area are output to an output port for outputting data to the lamp control board 35 (step S603). Further, the signal line (INT) indicating the data output is turned on (step S60).
4). Then, the output counter is incremented by 1 (step S6).
05), a data output flag is set (step S606).

If the lamp control command output request is not set, it is determined whether the value of the output counter is 0 (step S607). Output counter value is 0
If not, it is checked whether the value of the output counter is 2 (step S608). If the value of the output counter is not 2, that is, it is 1, the value of the output counter is increased by 1 (step S609).

If the value of the output counter is 2, the value of the output counter is cleared (step S61).
0), the signal line indicating the data output is turned off (step S611).

In this embodiment, the data output process shown in FIG. 21 is executed once every 2 ms. Therefore, FIG.
When the lamp control command data is output by the data output process shown in FIG.
The INT signal is turned on (low level) for 4 ms.
Lamp control CPU mounted on the lamp control board 35
Receives a lamp control command when the INT signal is on.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ramp control command includes a round designation during a big hit game, a ten count designation indicating the number of winning prize holes in each round, a V winning display lighting instruction, and a V winning prize. Display off instruction, increase (+1) and decrease (-1) of the number of memorized start winnings, increase (+1) and decrease (-1) of the number of memorized gates, and normal symbols displayed on the variable display 10 are included. Upon receiving these commands, the lamp control CPU of the lamp control board 35, in response to the received commands, displays a round indicator,
The display control of the ten-count display, the V winning display, the start winning storage display 18 and the gate passing number display, and the display control of the variable display 10 are performed. Therefore, the CPU 56 mounted on the main board 31 merely issues a display instruction,
Since the specific control does not need to be performed, the load on the CPU 56 for displaying them is reduced.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the switch processing (step S13) in the main processing shown in FIG. In the switch processing, the CPU 56
When it is detected that the gate switch 12 has been turned on, a gate switch ON flag is set (steps S121, S121).
122), when it is detected that the starting port switch 17 has been turned on, a starting port switch ON flag is set (step S).
123, S124), when it is detected that the count switch 23 is turned on, the count switch ON flag is set (steps S125, S126), and when it is detected that the V count switch 22 is turned on, the V count switch ON flag is set (step S123). S127, S12
8).

The gate switch ON flag is detected in the ordinary symbol process (step S12 of the main process), and the starting port switch ON flag is detected in the special symbol process (step S11 of the main process). The count switch ON flag and the V count switch ON flag are detected in the special symbol process.

Further, the CPU 56 sets the full state flag when the full state switch 402 for detecting the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 for storing the prize balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 is turned on (steps S129 and S130). When the full tank switch 402 is turned off, the full tank state flag is reset (steps S129 and S131). When the winning opening switches 19a and 24a are turned on, the winning opening ON flag is set (steps S132 and S133), and when it is detected that the aggregate detector 115 is turned on, the aggregation detector ON flag is set (steps S134 and S135). . In this embodiment, the full state flag and the winning opening O
The N flag and the set detector ON flag are referred to in the winning ball signal processing.

When the cut-out detection switch 167 or the cut-out switch 187 is turned on, a cut-out state flag is set (steps S136 and S137). When the cut-out detection switch 167 and the cut-out switch 187 are turned off, the cut-out state flag is set. Reset (Step S13)
6, S138). Also, the prize ball count switch 301
When it is detected that A and 301B have been turned on, a winning ball count switch ON flag is set (step S139,
S140). In this embodiment, the ball-out state flag and the winning ball count switch ON flag are referred to in the winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 24 shows the main board 31 to the prize ball control board 3.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a prize ball control command transmitted to No. 7; As shown in FIG. 24, 7 bits from bit 0 to bit 6 in one byte are used as a winning ball control command data portion. The upper three bits of bits 0 to 6 are used as control designation.

That is, bits 6, 5, 4 are set to "0, 0,
If it is "0", it indicates normal payout designation (prize ball number output),
“0, 0, 1” indicates the correction payout designation, and “0, 0, 1”
"1,0" indicates that ball lending is prohibited, and "0,1,
If "1", it indicates that the ball lending prohibition has been canceled. Note that the ball lending prohibition is specified when the out-of-ball detection switch 167 or the out-of-ball switch 187 is turned on (when the out-of-ball state flag is turned on), and when the surplus ball tray 4 becomes full, the full tank switch 402 is turned on. Is turned on (when the full state flag is turned on). Then, when those switches are turned off, a ball lending prohibition release designation is transmitted.

When the full tank switch 402 is turned on, a prize ball control command indicating a firing prohibition command whose bits 6, 5, and 4 are "1, 0, 0" is also transmitted from the main board 31 to the prize ball control board 37. When the full state flag is turned off, a prize ball control command indicating that the firing prohibition command is canceled with bits 6.5 and 4 being "1, 0, 1" is transmitted. CPU 371 for controlling the prize ball on the prize ball control board 37
When the prize ball control command indicating the firing prohibition command is received, sends a firing control signal indicating prohibition of hit ball firing to the firing control board 91. When receiving the prize ball control command indicating the release of the firing prohibition command, the control unit 91 sends the firing control board 91 a firing control signal indicating that the hit ball firing is permitted.

The award ball control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the award ball control board 37 via the output port as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, when the prize ball control command data is output from the main board 31, a signal (IN
T signal) becomes low level for 4 ms. The command configuration shown in FIG. 24 is an example, and another configuration may be used. For example, the upper and lower parts in one byte may be reversed from the configuration shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the processing of the game control means and the prize ball control means when the hit ball is hit in the winning area provided in the game board 6 and the amount of game balls in the ball tray 4 or the surplus ball tray 4 becomes a predetermined amount or more. The operation of the game control means and the prize ball control means at the time of the game will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 26 to 28 show the C of the basic circuit 53 on the main board 31.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the processing of the PU 56, and FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing error processing in winning ball signal processing. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the data output processing of the award ball control command. FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are flowcharts showing the operation of another embodiment. 33 to 37 are flowcharts showing the operation of the prize ball control CPU 371 of the prize ball control board 37.

FIGS. 38 and 39 are timing charts showing signals input to and output from the main board 31 and the prize ball control board 37 during the prize ball signal processing. FIG. 38 shows an example in which award balls are paid out normally, and FIG. 39 shows an example in which the CPU 56 of the main board 31 determines that the number of payouts is insufficient.

First, the winning ball signal processing in the main board 31 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As described above, the winning ball signal processing is executed once every 2 ms. First, each timer used will be described. (1) Timer T1: Set when the prize ball count switch is turned off, and when a timeout occurs, the number of payouts is checked. In other words, if the cumulative number of payout commands, which is added when the prize ball control command is sent and is decremented by one when the prize ball count switch is turned on, does not become 0 when the timer T1 times out, excessive prize balls or insufficient prize balls occur. It is determined that there is. (2) Timer T4: The timer T4 is started when each winning opening switch is turned on, and is stopped when the set detector 115 is turned on.
When a time-out occurs, it means that a winning ball has not been detected by the set detector 115 even though the winning opening switch has been turned on, and an error is determined as an illegal winning or a ball stop on the winning ball path. (3) Timer T5: Set when an error is detected, and an error is displayed until a timeout occurs. (4) Timer T6: The timer T6 is restarted repeatedly each time a timeout occurs. If the cumulative error count exceeds a predetermined count at the time of the timeout, an irrecoverable error occurs. If the cumulative error count is equal to or less than the predetermined count, the operation is continued.

In the winning ball signal processing, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 checks whether or not the ball-out state flag has been set (step S201). When it is set (when it changes from the off state to the set state), prize ball control command data indicating a ball lending prohibition designation and a firing prohibition command is stored in the data storage area (step S20).
2). When the out-of-ball state flag is reset (step S203), prize ball control command data indicating release of ball lending prohibition and release of the firing prohibition command is stored in the data storage area (step S204). When the full state flag is set (changed from the off state to the on state) (step S205), prize ball control command data indicating a firing stop command is stored in the data storage area (step S206). Then, when the full state flag is turned off (step S207), prize ball control command data indicating release of the firing stop command is stored in the data storage area (step S208).

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the timer T6 has timed out (step S211). If the timeout has occurred, the value of the winning ball error counter is checked (step S212). If the value of the winning ball error counter has exceeded a predetermined value, an error state is entered (step S213). In the error state, the basic circuit 53 enters a halt state (HALT state). For example, an operation stop flag is set. When the operation stop flag is set, for example, in the system check process (step S3) shown in FIG. 14, a halt state (for example, jump to the same address) is set.

If the value of the winning ball error counter does not exceed a predetermined number when the timer T6 times out, the winning ball error counter is initialized (step S214),
The timer T6 is started again (step S10)
5).

As will be described later, the value of the winning ball error counter is incremented when an error such as an excessive number of winning balls is detected. Therefore, if a prize ball excess error exceeding a predetermined number occurs within a predetermined time (within the count-up time of the timer T6), the state is not canceled even by the periodic reset signal. In this way, if the system is configured not to be in the halt state immediately when the prize-ball excess error occurs, but to be in the halt state when the prize-ball excess error occurs frequently, it is possible to temporarily recover from the error and recover naturally. The gaming machine is not disabled. In addition, when the prize ball excess error frequently occurs, an inspection or the like is often required. In such a case, the gaming machine can be made inoperable.

Here, the timer T6 is started irrespective of the occurrence of an error, and every time the timer T6 times out, the number of errors generated at the time T6 is checked. However, when an error occurs, the timer is started. Other monitoring methods may be used. In short, any monitoring method may be used as long as it can detect that an error has occurred more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

Next, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the award ball payout flag is on (step S221). If it is on, the process moves to step S235. If the prize ball paying flag is not on, the state of the switch provided in each winning opening is confirmed.

In this embodiment, fifteen prize balls are paid out for a prize passing through the special winning opening, six prize balls are paid out for a prize passing through the starting winning opening 14, and the other prize opening 24 and the winning prize ball are paid out. It is assumed that ten prize balls are paid out for a winning through the device. Therefore, the count switch 2
When the number 3 is on, the scheduled prize ball number 15, that is, fifteen prize ball control command data (see FIG. 24) designated as normal payout, is set in the data storage area (step S222,
S223). Further, the payout command number cumulative value is increased by +15 (step S224). The turning on of the count switch 23 is recognized by the count switch ON flag set in the switch processing shown in FIG.

When the starting port switch 17 is turned on, the expected prize ball number 6, ie, the normal payout designation six prize ball control command data, is set in the data storage area (step S).
225, S226). In addition, the cumulative value of the number of payout commands is +6.
(Step S227). The starting port switch 17
Is recognized by the starting port switch ON flag set in the switch processing shown in FIG.

When the winning opening switches 24a and 24b are turned on, the expected number of prize balls is 10, that is, the normal payout designation 10
The winning ball control command data is set in the data storage area (steps S228, S229). Further, the payout command number accumulation value is increased by 10 (step S230). The turning-on of the winning opening switches 19a and 24a is recognized by a winning opening switch ON flag set in the switch processing shown in FIG. The winning opening switch ON flag is reset when ON is detected in step S228.

Then, the CPU 56 starts the timer T4 (step S231) and turns on the prize ball payout flag (step S232). In addition, an award ball control command output request is set. (Step S233).

At the step S235, the CPU 56
Confirms whether the set detector 115 is turned on. When turned on, the timer T4 is stopped (step S23).
6). Further, it is determined whether or not the timer T4 has timed out (step S237). If a timeout has occurred, an error state is entered (step S238).

The timer T4 is started or restarted when any of the winning ports or the winning devices has a winning.
If the set detector 115 is not turned on within the time-up time of the timer T4, an error state is set. Therefore, an error state occurs when an illegal act occurs in which a signal from a switch for detecting a winning is turned on by some means even though the winning has not actually been won. Also,
An error state is also set when a ball stops in the winning ball guiding path on the back of the game board.

Further, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the error display flag is turned on (step S241). If it is on, the process moves to step S257. The error display flag will be described later. If the error display flag has not been turned on, the process waits until the award ball count switch is turned on (step S242). When detecting that the prize ball count switch is turned on, the CPU waits for the prize ball count switch to be turned off (step S242), and when turned off, decrements the payout command cumulative number by one (step S244). Then, the timer T1 is started (step S245). The paid prize balls pass through the prize ball count switch one by one, but by detecting the ON and OFF of the prize ball count switch, the passage of the ball is reliably detected. Then, when ball passing is detected, it is determined that there is one winning ball, and the payout command cumulative number is decremented by one.

The timer T1 is started or restarted each time the output of the winning ball count switch shown in FIG. The output of the prize ball count switch here is actually the prize ball count switch 301.
A, 301B corresponds to the output (OR) of the outputs.

If the award ball counting switch is not turned on in step S242, it is checked whether or not the timer T1 is operating (step S246). If the timer T1 is operating, the CPU 56 checks whether the timer T1 has timed out (step S250). If the timeout has not occurred, the process ends.

The value of the timer T1 (time from startup to timeout) is a payout cycle (a period from when the prize ball count switch is turned on to when it is turned on next time) when payout is normally performed. It is set longer. Therefore, when the payout is normally performed, the next prize ball count switch is turned on (step S242) before the timer T1 times out, except for the last payout. That is, when the payout is normally performed, the timer T1 times out only after the last payout is performed. In some cases, an interval time is provided between the prize ball payouts in continuous payout (the prize ball payout for a certain prize and the prize ball payout for the next prize are successively performed). The value of T1 is set longer than the interval time. That is, when the continuous payout is performed, the time-out occurs only after the last payout is performed.

When the timer T1 times out in step S250, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the payout command number accumulated value is 0 (step S25).
1). When a corrected payout, which will be described later, is performed, it is checked whether or not the stored value of the corrected number is 0. When the payout is normally completed, the payout command number accumulated value is incremented by one for the number of prize balls when the prize is awarded, and is decremented by one by turning on a prize ball count switch for detecting that there is a prize ball. Has a value of 0. Therefore, if the value is 0,
The prize ball payout flag is turned off and the process ends (step S
252).

If the payout command number accumulation value or the corrected number storage value is not 0 when the timer T1 times out, it means that there is an award ball excess or an award ball shortage. Therefore, when the payout command number accumulation value or the corrected number storage value is not 0, the CPU 56 checks whether the value is positive or negative (step S145). When the value is positive, that is, when it is determined that the payout is insufficient, the prize ball control command indicating the correction payout designation including the number to be corrected (the value of the payout command number cumulative value or the corrected number storage value) is issued. The number of corrections is stored in the data storage area (step S254), and the number of corrections is set as a stored number of corrections (step S25).
5), an award ball control command transmission request is set (step S256).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the error display process. In the error display process, the CPU
56 first checks whether the timer T5 is operating (step S261). If not in operation, an error display flag is turned on (step S262), and an error display request is set (step S263). Then, the timer T5 is started (step S264). Further, the value of the winning ball error counter is incremented by 1 (step S265). The value of the winning ball error counter is checked in step S212, and if the value exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a complete error state is set in which automatic recovery is not performed. When the error display request is set, an error is displayed on the display unit in, for example, the display control data setting process (step S4) and the display control data output process (step S5) shown in FIG. It is controlled so that an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 in the voice processing (step S14).

If the gaming state is the normal state (step S266), the game enters the halt state. The normal state is a state other than the big hit gaming state and the state where the variable display is performed on the variable display unit 9. Note that the halt state is a game control stopped state that is not released even by the periodic reset signal, and is released by turning off the power of the gaming machine and turning on the power again.

If the timer T5 is operating in step S261, the CPU 56 checks whether the timer T5 has timed out (step S27).
0). If a timeout has occurred, the error display request is reset (step S271), and the error display flag is turned off (step S272). Further, the award ball payout flag is turned off (step S273). Therefore,
The gaming machine returns to a state where the winning ball detection and the winning ball payout control can be performed again. When the error display flag is on, the game progress is interrupted.

Regarding the error state in step S213 (the value of the winning ball error counter has exceeded a predetermined value within a predetermined period) and the error state in step S238 (the winning ball has not passed through the set detector 115), For example, an error display and an error notification are performed, and control is performed so as to enter a halt state. In the halt state, for example, an operation stop flag is set. When the operation stop flag is set, for example, in the system check process (step S3) shown in FIG. 14, a halt state (for example, jump to the same address) is set.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a winning ball control command output portion of the data output process (step S6) in the main process shown in FIG. In the data output process relating to the prize ball control command output, the
U56 judges whether or not the award ball control command output request is set (step S621). If the award ball control command output request has been set, the award ball control command output request is reset (step S622), and the contents of the data storage area are output to the award ball control board 37. (Step S62)
3). Further, the signal line (INT) indicating the data output is turned on (step S624). Then, the output counter is incremented by 1 (step S625), and a data output flag is set (step S626).

If the prize ball control command output request is not set, it is determined whether or not the value of the output counter is 0 (step S627). If the value of the output counter is not 0, it is checked whether the value of the output counter is 2 (step S628). If the value of the output counter is not 2, that is, it is 1, the value of the output counter is increased by 1 (step S629).

If the value of the output counter is 2, the value of the output counter is cleared (step S63).
0), the signal line indicating the data output is turned off (step S631). As described above, the prize ball control command is transmitted to the prize ball control board 37 at the timing as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the CPU 56 does not monitor the completion of a prize ball for each of the prize balls (15, 10, or 6). It is transmitted to the control board 37. Then, when all the prize ball payouts specified by the respective prize ball control commands are completed, that is, at the time of T1 timeout, it is checked whether or not there is a prize ball shortage or an award ball excess. If there is a prize ball shortage, a correction payout instruction is issued. As described above, if a prize is awarded, a payout instruction is immediately issued, and the correction is performed collectively at the end, whereby the payout is promptly performed. In addition, even if correction is performed collectively at the end,
There is no disadvantage to the player.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 56 manages all payout ball payouts by one payout command number cumulative value. However, the CPU 56 may manage the payout ball counts for different numbers of individual payout balls. In that case, here, six different prize balls,
Since there are 10 and 15 counters, counters corresponding to each of them are used. FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are flowcharts showing the prize ball payout management by the counter.
However, FIGS. 31 and 32 show only a part of the processing. Other processes are the same as the processes shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 31, when the CPU 56 detects that the count switch 23 is turned on (step S22).
2) The prize ball expected number 15, that is, 15 prize ball control command data designated for normal payout is set in the data storage area (step S223), and the count value of the "15 counter" is incremented by 1 (step S224A). Further, when it is detected that the starting port switch 17 is turned on (step S22).
5) The expected prize ball number 6, that is, six prize ball control command data for normal payout designation, is set in the data storage area (step S226), and the count value of the "six counters" is incremented by one (step S227A). When it is detected that the winning opening switches 19a and 24a are turned on (Step S)
228), the planned number of prize balls, that is, 10 prize ball control command data designated for normal payout, is set in the data storage area (step S229), and the count value of the “10 counters” is incremented by 1 (step S230A).

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, when the winning ball count switch is turned on after being turned on, in this case, the value of the temporary counting counter is incremented by 1 (step S244A).
Then, it is determined whether the value of the “15 counters” is not 0 (step S244B). If it is not 0, it is checked whether or not the value of the temporary counter is 15 (step S244C). If it is 15, the value of the "15 counters" is decremented by one (step S244).
D), clear the temporary counting counter (step S24)
4E).

If the value of the "15 counters" is 0, it is checked whether the value of the "10 counters" is not 0 (step S244F). If it is not 0, it is checked whether or not the value of the temporary counter is 10 (step S244G). If it is 10, the value of the "10 counters" is decremented by 1 (step S244H).
Clear the temporary counting counter (step S244)
I). If the value of the "ten counters" is 0, it is checked whether the value of the temporary counter is 6 (step S244J). If it is 6, the value of the "six counters" is decremented by one (step S244).
K), clear the temporary counting counter (step S24)
4L).

Then, when T1 times out, that is, when the last payout is completed (step S25)
0), it is checked whether the values of the “15 counters”, “10 counters”, and “6 counters” are all 0 (step S251A). If it is not 0, the sign of the sum of the values of each counter is checked (step S253A).
If it is positive, the flow shifts to the correction payout control (step S254), and if it is negative, the flow shifts to error display (step S257).

FIGS. 33 to 37 are flowcharts showing the prize ball motor control processing. First, each timer used will be described. (1) Timer T11: When the driving of the prize ball motor is started,
Or set when one prize ball has been paid out,
When the timeout occurs, an error of the winning ball motor position sensor is determined. That is, it is an on-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor. In this embodiment, for example, when a signal from the prize ball motor position sensor is turned on once, one ball is paid out. It should be noted that the signal from the prize ball motor position sensor here actually corresponds to an OR of the prize ball motor position sensors 300A and 300B. (2) Timer T12: Set when the prize ball motor position sensor is turned on, and when the timeout occurs, it is determined that the prize ball motor position sensor has an error. That is, it is an off-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor. (3) Timer T13: Set when the prize ball motor position sensor is turned off. When the prize ball count switch (OR signal of the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B) is not turned on, a timeout occurs and an error is determined. (4) Timer T14: Set when the prize ball count switch is turned on. When the prize ball count switch is not turned off, the timer times out and an error is determined. (5) Timer 15: Separation of prize balls in continuous prize balls (for example, an interval between n prize balls (n = 6, 10, or 15) and the next n prize balls). (6) Timer T10: Retry monitoring timer when an error occurs.

When receiving the ball lending request signal from the card unit 50, the CPU 371 for controlling the prize ball (step S50)
1) The ball lending motor is driven to pay out a predetermined number of lending balls (step S502). Therefore, the card unit 5
If a ball lending request signal is received from 0, the prize ball control C
PU 371 is used to concentrate on the ball lending operation.
The prize ball request based on the prize ball control command is waited.

When no ball lending request signal has been received,
The winning ball control CPU 371 checks whether or not a winning ball control command has been received from the main board 31 (step S50).
3). Note that the award ball control command is received, for example, in an interrupt process. If a new award ball control command has not been received, it is determined whether or not award ball processing is being performed (step S504). If the prize ball processing is being performed, the process proceeds to the check processing of the prize ball motor position sensor (from step S533).

When the prize ball control command is received, if it is a ball lending stop instruction (step S505), the ball lending and the prize ball are stopped (step S50).
6). If it is a ball rental stop release instruction (step S50)
7), the state of stopping the ball lending and the prize ball is released (step S508). If the command is a firing stop command (step S509), a firing control signal indicating stop of hit ball firing is output to the firing control board 91 (step S51).
0). If it is a firing stop release command (step S51)
1) A firing control signal indicating permission to hit the ball is output to the firing control board 91 (step S512).

If the received prize ball control command is the normal payout designation for instructing the payout of 15 prize balls (step S521), the value of the “15 counter” is incremented by 1 (step S522). Then, the prize ball motor 289A is turned on (step S531), and the prize ball processing flag is set (step S532). If the received prize ball control command is the normal payout designation for instructing the payout of 10 prize balls (step S523), the value of the “10 counters” is incremented by 1 (step S524), and the prize ball motor 289A is turned on (step S53).
1) The award ball processing flag is set (step S53)
2).

If the received prize ball control command is the normal payout designation for instructing the payout of six prize balls (step S525), the value of the “six counters” is incremented by one (step S526), The motor 289A is turned on (step S531), and a winning ball processing flag is set (step S532). If the received prize ball control command is the correction payout designation (step S527), the number of corrections included in the command is set in the correction counter (step S528). Also, the prize ball motor 289A
Is turned on (step S531), and a winning ball processing flag is set (step S532).

Then, the prize ball controlling CPU 371 activates the timer T11 (step S533). Thereafter, the CPU 371 for controlling the prize ball waits for the prize ball motor position sensor to be turned on (step S534). If the timer T11 times out before turning on, the process proceeds to error processing (steps S535 and S536). When the prize ball motor position sensor is turned on, the timer T11 is stopped (step S11).
537), and start the timer T12 (step S54).
1). Thereafter, the CPU 371 for controlling the prize ball waits for the prize ball motor position sensor to be turned off (step S542).
If the timer T12 times out before turning off, the process proceeds to error processing (steps S543 and S545).

When the winning ball motor position sensor is turned off, the timer T12 is stopped (step S546), and the timer T1 is stopped.
3 is started (step S547). Then, it waits until the award ball count switch is turned on (step S55).
1). If the timer T13 times out before the output of the winning ball count switch is turned on, the process proceeds to error processing (steps S552 and S553).

When the output of the winning ball count switch is turned on, the timer T13 is stopped (step S55).
4) The timer T14 is started (step S555).
Then, it waits until the prize ball count switch is turned off (step S556). If the timer T14 times out before the winning ball count switch is turned off, the process shifts to error processing (steps S557 and S558). If the winning ball count switch is turned off before the timer T14 times out, the timer T14 is stopped (step S55).
9) The value of the temporary counter is incremented by 1 (step S5).
61).

By the above processing, the prize ball motor 289A
If the prize ball motor position sensor does not turn on or off within a predetermined time while driving, it is determined that an error has occurred. This is because if the prize ball motor position sensor does not turn on or does not turn off, a ball jam may occur.

If the prize ball count switch provided below the sensor is not turned on even though the output of the prize ball motor position sensor is normal, the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B. Is considered to be an error. If the prize ball count switch is not turned off, it is considered that an error has occurred because a ball may be jammed in the ball guide path near the prize ball count switch. When the processing of step S559 is performed, it means that one payout ball has been normally paid out. At that time, the value of the temporary counter is incremented by one.

When the temporary counting counter is incremented by 1 in step S561, the CPU 371 for controlling the winning sphere first
It is checked whether the value of the “15 counters” is not 0 (step S562). In the “15 counter”, the number of times that the payout number of 15 is instructed by the winning ball control command from the main board 31 is set. When the payout of 15 winning balls is completed, the value is decremented by one. If the value of the “15 counters” is not 0, the CPU 37 for controlling the prize ball
1 checks whether or not the value of the temporary storage counter has become "15" (step S563). If it is "15", the value of the "15 counters" is decremented by one (step S564), and the value of the temporary storage counter is cleared (step S565).

If the value of the "15 counters" is 0, it is checked whether the value of the "10 counters" is not 0 (step S571). In the “10 counters”, the payout number 10 by the winning ball control command from the main board 31 is displayed.
The number of times the prize ball has not been completed among the number of times the individual has been instructed is set. If the value of the “10 counters” is not 0, the award ball control CPU 371 checks whether the value of the temporary storage counter has become “10” (step S5).
72). If it is "10", the value of "10 counters" is decremented by 1 (step S573),
Clear the value of the temporary storage counter (step S57)
4).

If the value of "10 counters" is 0, it is checked whether the value of "6 counters" is not 0 (step S575). In the “six-counter”, the number of times that the prize balls have not been completed among the number of times the number of payouts has been designated by the prize ball control command from the main board 31 is set. If the value of "6 counters" is not 0,
The winning ball control CPU 371 checks whether the value of the temporary storage counter has become “6” (step S576).
If the value is "6", the value of the "six counters" is decremented by one (step S577), and the value of the temporary storage counter is cleared (step S578).

If the value of the "six counters" is also 0, it is checked whether the value of the correction counter is not 0 (step S581). In the correction counter, the number of prize balls that have not been completed among the correct payout numbers specified by the prize ball control command from the main board 31 is set. If the value of the correction counter is not 0, the value of the correction counter is decremented by 1 (step S582), and as a result of the subtraction,
It is checked whether the value of the correction counter has become 0 (step S583). When it becomes 0, it means that the correction payout is completed, and the award ball motor 289A is stopped (step S584).

"15 counters", "10 counters"
Alternatively, when the “six counters” is subtracted, the prize ball motor 289A is stopped (step S566), and T
A delay time of 15 is set (step S567). When subtraction of each counter is performed, “15”, “10”
This is when the “prize balls” payout of “pieces” or “six pieces” is made.
In this embodiment, at that time, a prize ball suspension period of T15 is set. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a large number of winnings are made, the winning balls are continuously executed in accordance with the winnings. However, a delimiter time is set for each winning ball number unit. As a result, even if continuous prize ball payouts are being performed, the player can easily check the number of prize ball payouts.

In this embodiment, the payout of 10 pieces and the payout of 6 pieces are not started until the value of the “15 pieces counter” becomes 0. Until the value of the "10 counters" becomes 0, the payout of 6 pieces is not started. By setting the priority in this way, the prize ball payout control is simplified. This example is merely an example, and the method of assigning priorities is arbitrary.

When the “15”, “10”, and “6” prize ball payouts or the correction payouts are completed, the prize ball control CPU 371 checks whether all the counter values are 0. It is confirmed whether or not it is (step S586). When all are 0, it means that all the prize balls paid out from the main board 31 have been paid out. When it is not 0, it indicates that there is a designated prize ball payout that has not been completed yet. Therefore, if it is not 0, the award ball motor 289A is turned on again (step S587),
It returns to step S501. If it is 0, the process returns to step S501.

FIG. 37 shows the error processing (step S53).
6, S545, S553, and S558). In this embodiment, in error processing, first, retry processing is performed. If the error is not recovered even after the retry, an error is displayed.

In the error processing, the CPU 3 for controlling the prize ball
In step 71, the prize ball motor 289A is once turned off (step S701). And a timer T10 for monitoring retry.
Is started (step S702), and the prize ball motor 28
9A is turned on again (step S703). Error # 1
In the case of (step S536), it is monitored that the prize ball motor position sensor is turned on (step S705), and when it is turned on, the process returns to step S541. If the sensor does not turn on and a timeout occurs (step S706), step S7
Move to 21. In the case of error # 2 (step S
In step 545), it is monitored that the prize ball motor position sensor is turned off (step S708).
Return to 7. If the sensor does not turn off and time out (step S709), the process proceeds to step S721.

In the case of error # 3 (step S553), it is monitored that the winning ball count switch is turned on (step S711), and when it is turned on, the process returns to step S555. If the switch is not turned on and a timeout occurs (step S712), the process proceeds to step S721. In the case of error # 4 (step S558), it is monitored that the winning ball count switch is turned off (step S713).
When turned off, the process returns to step S561. If the switch is not turned off and a timeout occurs (step S714), the process proceeds to step S721.

In step S721, the prize ball control C
The PU 371 displays a code corresponding to the error type on the error display LED 374 (see FIG. 12), and issues an instruction to sound the buzzer to the buzzer board 75 (step S722).

As described above, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 on the main board 31 monitors the output of the winning ball count switch. As described above, the prize ball control board 37
The prize ball control CPU 371 also introduces and monitors the output of the prize ball count switch, but by monitoring both, the payout control of the prize ball becomes more reliable. For example, even if an error occurs in the output of the prize ball count switch due to noise on the cable from the prize ball count switch to the prize ball control board 37, the payout control can be executed correctly.

When an error occurs, the award ball control CPU 371 performs a retry. If the error is not resolved by the retry, an error is displayed. Therefore, an error that has occurred temporarily can be eliminated by retrying.

FIG. 38 is a timing chart showing a state when a prize ball is normally performed. As shown in FIG. 38, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 sends out a prize ball control command to the prize ball control board 37 immediately when a switch provided for each winning port and a prize device is turned on. Then, when all the prize balls have been completed, that is, when the T1 timeout has occurred, the actual payout number and the expected payout number are compared.

As described above, the award ball control command is transmitted immediately when the switch is turned on, and when all the award balls are completed, the actual number of payouts is compared with the expected number of payouts. After the processing is executed, the prize ball can be completed promptly. Also, as shown in FIG. 38, during the continuous prize ball payout, the delimiter time T15 is set every time a predetermined number (6, 10, or 15) is paid out, so that the player can easily grasp the number of prize balls. it can.

FIG. 39 is a timing chart showing a state in which a prize ball shortage has occurred. As shown in FIG. 39, when the CPU 56 of the main board 31 detects a shortage in the number of payouts in the number check based on the T1 timeout, the CPU 56 sends a prize ball control command of a correction payout instruction in which the shortage number is a correction number and a prize ball control board 37. Send to The prize ball controlling CPU 371 performs the above-described correction payout process in accordance with the command. As described above, since the corrected payout process is executed, the shortage of payout is resolved, and the disadvantage is not given to the player.

[0184]

As described above, according to the present invention, as soon as the gaming machine detects a winning in the winning area, the gaming machine is immediately notified to the winning ball control means so as to specify the number of winning balls paid out according to the winning. Since the award ball control means is configured to store the number of incomplete payouts and perform the payout control based on the stored number, the burden of the award ball payout control of the game control means for controlling the progress of the game. And the prize ball payout is promptly executed.

When the game control means is configured to input the payout ball detection information from the payout ball detection means and monitor whether or not the payout number is normal, the game control means causes the payout number to be exceeded. Understand the shortage.

If the number of payouts based on the payout ball detection information is less than the total number of payouts by each notification to the prize ball control means, and the payout ball detection information is not input for a predetermined period, When the correction information for performing the prize ball for several minutes is configured to be output to the prize ball control means, there is an effect of not giving a disadvantage to the player.

When the prize ball control means is configured to store the number of prize balls paid out as the number of prize balls to be performed for each number of different types of prize balls, the storage area can be reduced. .

If the prize ball control means is configured to give priority to any one of the prize balls having different numbers of prize balls regardless of the notification order from the game control means,
This has the effect of simplifying the payout control.

When the prize ball control means is configured to drive the prize ball payout device by dividing the number of individual prize balls, there is an effect that the player can easily confirm the payout number.

A winning ball detecting means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of winning areas, and the game controlling means is configured to notify the winning ball controlling means based on the detection result of each winning ball detecting means. In such a case, there is an effect that the award ball payout can be started immediately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an intermediate base unit of a mechanism plate and a ball payout device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a prize ball mechanism portion in the ball payout device.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing a prize ball mechanism in the ball payout device.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a prize ball mechanism in the ball payout device.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the hit ball firing device.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the configuration of the hit ball firing device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a hit ball firing device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration on a main board.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a prize ball control board and components related thereto.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the emission control board.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing main processing of a basic circuit of a main board.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lamp control command.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lamp control command.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a lamp control command.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a lamp control command output processing portion of the output data setting processing.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a lamp control command output processing portion of the output data setting processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a ramp control command output processing portion of the data output processing.

FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing how the lamp control command data is output.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a switch process.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a winning ball control command.

FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing how the award ball control command data is output.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an error display process in the winning ball signal process.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a prize ball control command output processing portion of the data output processing.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing another example of the winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing another example of the winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the operation of the winning ball control CPU.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operation of the winning ball control CPU.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the operation of the winning ball control CPU.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the operation of the winning ball control CPU.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the operation of the winning ball control CPU.

FIG. 38 is a timing chart showing a state when a prize ball is normally performed.

FIG. 39 is a timing chart showing a state in which a prize ball shortage occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 game control board (main board) 37 prize ball control board 53 basic circuit 56 CPU 91 launch control board 97 ball payout device 97A prize ball mechanism part 289A prize ball motor 300A, 300B prize ball motor position switch 301A, 301B prize ball count switch 371 CPU for controlling prize balls

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine in which a game area is provided on a game board, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out from a prize ball payout device in accordance with a prize in a prize area provided in the game area, A prize ball control means for driving a ball payout device to pay out a prize ball; and controlling the progress of the game and, upon detecting a prize in a prize area, immediately issuing a prize ball to the prize ball control means in accordance with the prize. Game control means for notifying the number in a identifiable manner and storing the total payout number by each notification in a identifiable manner, wherein the prize ball control means stores the number of unpaid balls that have not been completed, based on the stored number. A gaming machine characterized by performing payout control. 2. The game control means inputs payout ball detection information from payout ball detection means for detecting a payout ball paid out by a prize ball payout device, and monitors whether or not the number of payouts is normal. The gaming machine described. 3. The game control means, if the number of payouts based on the payout ball detection information is less than the total number of payouts by each notification to the prize ball control means, and if the payout ball detection information is not input for a predetermined period, 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein correction information for performing the deficient prize balls is output to the prize ball control means. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the prize ball control means stores the number of prize balls paid out as the number of times a prize ball is performed for each different number of prize balls. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the prize ball control means gives priority to any one of the prize balls having different numbers of prize balls, regardless of the notification order from the game control means. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the prize ball control means performs payout control for driving a prize ball payout device for each of the number of prize balls. 7. A prize ball detecting means is provided for each of the plurality of prize areas, and the game control means notifies the prize ball control means based on a detection result of each of the prize ball detecting means. 7. The gaming machine according to 1 to 6.