JP2000185166A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the quantity of information to be simultaneously processed for outputting to be suppressed and the processing load on a game control means to be reduced by making an instruction information outputting means output instruction information in the order according to priority in case plural kinds of instruction information are orderly outputted. SOLUTION: A prize ball command and an INT signal transmitted from a game control board 31 to a prize ball control board 37 are inputted in an I/O port via a buffer circuit 373. A prize control microcomputer 370 controls a drive signal to be sent to a prize ball device or a ball lending device based on the prize ball command and controls the plural paying-outs of prize balls specified by the prize ball command. Since the prize ball control board 37 side successively transmits prize ball commands regardless of whether paying-out of prize balls is completed or not, balls are successively paid out based on stored data in a RAM 376 for the prize ball number data of the prize ball command by which the paying-out of balls is not completed yet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine and a coin game machine.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that pays out balls in response to fulfillment of predetermined ball payout conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine of this type is generally known from the prior art. For example, a ball payout means is provided in response to a predetermined ball payout condition such as a ball lending operation performed by a player. There was a gaming machine from which ball lending was paid out. In this type of gaming machine, a game control means comprising a microcomputer for controlling a gaming state of the gaming machine and a ball payout control means for controlling a payout state of a lending ball by the ball payout means are separately provided. When the ball payout condition is satisfied, the ball payout control means has paid out the ball.

[0003]

However, in this type of gaming machine, only the ball payout control means grasps the status of the ball payout means and controls the payout of the lending balls. Even if there is a situation where the ball is not paid out from the ball payout means due to the fullness of the ball storage plate that stores balls, the situation of the entire gaming machine is managed as much as possible to realize smooth game control In the required game control means, there is a problem that the status of the ball payout means for paying out the ball lending cannot be grasped and managed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of managing the state of ball payout means in game control means.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine for paying out balls in response to a predetermined ball payout condition being satisfied. A payoutable ball payout means, a ball storage means capable of storing balls including prize balls paid out by the ball payout means, and a ball stored in the ball storage means exceeding a predetermined amount Game control means for controlling the game state of the gaming machine, capable of outputting command information relating to the payout of lending balls, and the game control Means provided separately from the means, and capable of performing control of paying out a lending ball when the lending ball payout condition is satisfied, and receiving and receiving the command information output from the game control means. Control according to command information is possible Payout control means, the game control means may determine that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount based on the detection output of the stored ball detection means Possible determination means and means for outputting command information regarding the payout of the lending ball to the ball payout control means, wherein the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means exceeds a predetermined amount. Command information output means capable of outputting command information capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is to be stopped when the determination is made by the determination means, wherein the ball payout control means When the stop command information is received from the control means, control for stopping the payout of the lending ball from the ball payout means is performed according to the stop command information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the command information transmitted from the game control means to the ball payout control means includes a type of the command information. The order of priority is determined in advance, and the command information output means outputs the command information in the order according to the priority when sequentially outputting a plurality of types of the command information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, between the game control means and the ball payout control means, the game control means controls the ball payout control. Transmission of information by one-way communication to the means is performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the command information output means is capable of outputting information from inside to outside of the game control means. Is characterized by including an irreversible output means that cannot input information from the outside to the inside of the game control means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the command information output means outputs a command output condition relating to payout of a lending ball every time a command output condition occurs.
It is characterized in that the command information is output only once over a predetermined output continuation period so as to be receivable by the ball payout control means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, when the ball payout control means receives the command information from the game control means, Monitoring the command information for a predetermined period within a predetermined output continuation period, and performing control according to the command information on the condition that the content of the command information does not change for the predetermined period. I do.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the command information output means is configured such that an amount of balls stored in the ball storage means exceeds a predetermined amount. After the determination is made by the determination unit, it is recognized that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage unit does not exceed a predetermined amount based on the detection output of the stored ball detection unit over a predetermined period. In this case, command information capable of specifying that the stopped state of the payout of the lending ball in the ball payout means is released is output.

[0012] The present invention described in claim 8 is, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1, wherein the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means by the determination means exceeds a predetermined amount. When the determination is made, the game machine further includes a notification unit that notifies the outside of the gaming machine that the payout of the lending ball is impossible.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. Balls can be paid out by the function of the ball payout means. By the ball storing means, it is possible to store the balls including the prize balls paid out by the ball paying out means. By the function of the stored ball detection means, it is possible to detect that the number of balls stored in the ball storage means exceeds a predetermined amount. It is possible to output command information relating to the payout of ball lending by the operation of the game control means which is means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine. The command output from the game control means is provided by the action of the ball payout control means, which is provided separately from the game control means and is a means capable of performing control for paying out a lending ball when the ball lending payout condition is satisfied. It is possible to receive information and perform control according to the received command information. By the function of the determination means included in the game control means, it is possible to determine, based on the detection output of the stored ball detection means, that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount. . By the operation of the command information output means, which is a means for outputting the command information on the payout of the lending ball to the ball payout control means, it is determined that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount. When the determination is made by the determination means, it is possible to output command information capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is stopped. By the further function of the ball payout control means, when stop command information is received from the game control means, control for stopping the payout of ball lending from the ball payout means is performed according to the stop command information. In this manner, based on the detection of the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means for storing the prize balls paid out by the ball payout means, the amount of the stored balls can be paid out from the ball payout means. It is possible to determine that the predetermined amount is exceeded. Then, when it is determined that the amount of the ball exceeds the predetermined amount, stop command information capable of specifying that the payout of the lending ball is stopped is output to the ball payout control means, and the lending by the ball payout means is performed. Can be stopped, so that the game control means can manage the status of the ball payout means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The priority order of the command information transmitted from the game control means to the ball payout control means is determined in advance according to the type of the command information. By the further operation of the command information output means, when sequentially outputting a plurality of types of command information, the command information is output in an order according to the priority order. Thus, when sequentially outputting a plurality of types of command information, the command information is output in an order according to the priority order, so that it is not necessary to simultaneously output a plurality of types of command information. At the same time, the amount of information to be processed can be suppressed, and the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
Between the game control means and the ball payout control means, information is transmitted from the game control means to the ball payout control means by one-way communication. As described above, since the transmission of information between the game control means and the ball payout control means is performed based on the one-way communication from the game control means to the ball payout control means, the information is transmitted from the ball payout control means to the game control means. It is possible to minimize the illegal control operation of the game control means due to the input of illegal data.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed in addition to the operation of the first aspect.
By the function of the irreversible output means included in the command information output means, it is possible to output information from the inside of the game control means to the outside, but it is impossible to input information from the outside to the inside of the game control means. In this way, it is possible to output information from the inside of the game control means to the outside, but it is impossible to input information from the outside of the game control means to the inside, so that the game control means sends the information to the ball payout control means. One-way communication is ensured. This makes it possible to prevent an illegal act of inputting an illegal signal from outside the game control means such as the ball payout control means to the inside of the game control means and performing an illegal control.

According to the present invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following operation is performed.
By the further operation of the command information output means, the command information is output only once over a predetermined output continuation period so as to be receivable by the ball payout control means every time the output condition of the command relating to the payout of the lending ball occurs. In this way, the command information only needs to be output once for a predetermined output continuation period every time the output condition of the command regarding the payout of the lending ball occurs, so that the game control means repeatedly repeats the command information having the same content. It is not necessary to perform a process for outputting. This makes it possible to reduce the number of processes relating to the output of the command information, thereby further reducing the processing load on the game control means.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following operation is performed.
When receiving the command information from the game control means, the ball payout control means monitors the command information for a predetermined period within a predetermined output continuation period of the command information, and the content of the command information Performs control in accordance with the command information on condition that it does not change for the predetermined period. As described above, since the control according to the command information is performed on the condition that the content of the received command information does not change for a predetermined period, the normal command information instantaneously differs from the original one due to the influence of noise or the like. Even when the information is changed, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of erroneous control being performed based on the information. As a result, it is possible to perform payout control with high accuracy.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following operation is performed.
By the further operation of the command information output means, after the determination means determines that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount, the ball storage means based on the detection output of the stored ball detection means When it is recognized for a predetermined period that the amount of the balls stored in the ball does not exceed the predetermined amount, command information is output which can specify that the stopped state of the payout of the lending ball in the ball payout means is released. You. In this way, it is possible to pay out the ball lending on the condition that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storing means is not larger than the predetermined amount based on the detection output of the stored ball detecting means over a certain period. If it is determined that the absence state has been restored to a normal state, erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like can be prevented, and it is possible to reliably determine restoration from a state in which lending can not be paid out.

According to the present invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, it operates as follows.
By the further function of the notifying means, when it is determined that the amount of balls stored in the ball storing means has exceeded a predetermined amount by the determining means, it is determined that a state in which it is impossible to pay out ball lending is performed. Notified outside the machine. In this way, in response to the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means exceeding the predetermined amount, by being notified to the outside of the gaming machine that it is impossible to pay out the lending balls, Outside the gaming machine, it becomes possible to know that payout of lending is impossible.
Further, it is possible to perform a measure corresponding to a state in which ball lending is impossible outside the gaming machine.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or the like. The present invention can be applied to all gaming machines for which a ball is paid out according to the establishment.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 which is an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention, and a card unit 50 installed corresponding thereto.

The card unit 50 is provided with a card available indicator lamp 151.
Is notified to the player by the lighting or blinking of the card availability indicator lamp 151. The card unit 50 is installed in a state where it is inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on a gaming machine installation island, and a connection stand direction display indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected. Is displayed by the display 153.

When a player inserts a so-called nationwide common card having a card balance recorded therein into the card insertion slot 155, the card balance recorded on the nationwide common card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance of the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is supplied with the ball for the lending unit amount. Lent to plate 3.

The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152. This fraction display switch 152
By pressing, information such as a card balance and an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 156 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured so that the front side of the card unit 50 can be opened by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 156 and performing an unlocking operation.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. Behind this glass door frame 2,
The game board 6 is detachably mounted. Further, on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 and a hit ball operation handle (operation knob) 5 for a player to operate a hit ball are provided below the hit ball supply tray 3. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 5, the hit ball supply tray 3 is operated.
The pachinko balls stored inside can be fired one by one. The fired pachinko balls are guided to the game area 7 between the section rails 2 formed on the game board 6.
In the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device 8 for variably displaying a special symbol, which is an example of identification information, on condition that a starting ball is hit into the starting port 14. The variable display device 8 is provided with a variable display 10 in which a symbol is variably displayed as a hit ball passes through the pass gate 11a, a pass storage display 10a, and a start storage display 18. . Further, a movable piece 15 is provided below the variable display device 8.
The variable winning prize ball device 1 which is in an open state where a hit ball can be won by tilting of the opening 14 provided on the left and right and the opening / closing plate 20.
9 are provided. In addition, as a general winning opening, a winning opening 24a is provided above the variable display device 8, a winning opening 24d, 24e is provided on the left and right of the variable winning ball device 19, and a winning opening 24b, 24c is provided below the left and right of the game area 7. , Respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes an out port which is collected as an out ball when the hit ball does not win any of the winning ports or the variable winning ball devices, and 25 is a decorative lamp.

A game effect LED 28 is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.
a, game effect lamps 28b and 28c, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on during the payout of a prize ball, a prize ball device (a prize ball device 57a described later) that operates to pay out a prize ball (award ball), and A ball cutout lamp 52 is provided, which is turned on when a ball to be supplied to a ball lending device (a ball lending device 57b to be described later) for paying out ball lending occurs.
Speakers 27 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the speaker.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 6. With reference to this front view, the outline of various game machines and games will be described below.

The variable display device 8 is constituted by a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. On the variable display unit 9 at the center of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on condition that a start winning has occurred. Thereafter, as a result of the variable display being terminated after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, the big hit becomes a big hit if the slotted pattern of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, when a big hit occurs in a predetermined positively changing symbol among the big hit symbols, the state changes to a probability fluctuation state, and the big hit probability changes to a high probability. When a big hit occurs, the open / close plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 is tilted to open a big winning opening. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous to the player who can make the ball hit the large winning opening, and the gaming state becomes a gaming state (specific gaming state) advantageous to the player.

The large winning opening of the variable winning ball device 19 is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22. On the other hand, a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning area is detected by the count switch 23. The V count switch 22 and the count switch 23 are both
The prize balls that have won each prize area are quickly detected by the switches 22 and 23, and 15 prize balls are paid out each time a prize ball is detected.

The first state of the variable winning ball device 19 is when the number of hit balls entering the special winning opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, 9) or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When one of the earlier conditions is satisfied, the process is temporarily terminated and the opening / closing plate 20 is closed. As a result, the variable winning ball device 19 is controlled to the second state which is disadvantageous for a player who cannot make a hit ball. And
On condition that the ball hit during the period when the variable prize ball device 19 is in the first state makes a specific prize in the specific prize area and is detected by the V count switch 22, the variable prize ball device 19 is again set. Is set to the first state. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. In the repetition continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the upper limit number of times of the execution of the repetition continuation control is 16, the variable prize ball device 19 is used for the first round to the 16th round for 16 rounds.
State.

A warp entrance 11 is provided on each of the left and right portions of the variable display device 8.
The hit ball that has entered the warp entrance 11 is
The water flows downward through the back side of the game and is discharged again to the game area 7 from the warp outlet 13. Therefore, the warp exit 13
The ball that has been ejected from the ball is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the starting port 14. Usually, a symbol starting gate 11a is provided on the passage of the ball hitting the warp entrance 11 provided on the left side portion of the variable display device 8.

A ball hitting the symbol starting gate 11a is detected by the gate switch 12. The variable display 10 is variably started on condition that the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12. If a further hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable display 10 is variably displaying, the passing ball is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the storage number, and the storage number is passed. It is displayed on the storage display 10a.

The variable display 10 is composed of a 7-segment display, and variably displays identification information usually called a symbol. If the display result of the variable display 10 becomes a predetermined special display mode (for example, 7), "hit" is obtained.
When the display result of "hit" is derived on the variable display 10,
A pair of left and right movable pieces 15 provided in the starting port 14 is opened. As a result, the starting port 14 is in an open state, and the hit ball can be more easily started and won. If one of the hit balls wins while the starting port 14 is in the open state, the movable piece 15 closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state in which it is difficult to win. Further, if a predetermined period has elapsed since the opening of the starting port 14, the movable piece 15 is closed to the original position and the open state ends even if a start winning does not occur. The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 14 is promptly detected by the starting opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the starting winning ball is detected by the starting port switch 17, five winning balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detected output. The start winning detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the number of storages, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18.

The general winning opening 24 (24a, 24b,
24c, 24d, and 24e), the winning balls switch 240 (240a, 2) provided on the gaming board 6
40b, 240c, 240d, 240e), and is quickly detected, and based on this, ten prize balls are paid out.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 and components related thereto. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a game control board (also referred to as a main board) 31, a prize ball control board 37, a lamp control board 35, and a voice control board 7 as control boards.
0, a launch control board 91 and a display control board 80 are shown.

The game control board 31 has a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in accordance with a program, and various switches (gate switch 12, starting port switch 17, V
Count switch 22, count switch 23, winning opening switch 240 (240a, 240b, 240c, 24
0d, 240e), a switch circuit 58 for supplying a signal from a full switch 402) for detecting the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 for operating the movable piece 15 of the starting port 14, and a variable winning ball. A solenoid circuit 59 for driving a solenoid 21 for opening and closing the opening / closing plate 20 of the device 15 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53; And a lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the LED 25.

Also, according to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used for variable display of the variable display section 9, and occurrence of probability fluctuation. Is output to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 is a microcomputer for game control, a ROM 54 for storing a program for game control, and a RAM used as a work memory.
55, which performs a control operation according to a control program
It includes a PU 56 and an I / O port unit 57. Note that RO
The M54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases. Further, the game control board 31 includes a basic circuit 53
An address decode circuit 67 is provided for decoding an address signal provided from the I / O port and outputting a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports in the I / O port unit 57.

The basic circuit 53 is reset when the power is turned on. Further, the basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, 2 ms)
Each time the interrupt process is executed, the game control program is executed again from a predetermined position each time the interrupt process is executed.

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. The driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob (ball hitting operation handle) 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. The launch control board 91 is supplied with a launch control signal for controlling the launch state of the hit ball from the prize ball control board 37. In the firing control board 91, when the firing control signal is at the LOW level, the firing of the hit ball is prohibited, and the firing of the hit ball is controlled to be impossible. On the other hand, when the firing control signal is at the HIGH level, the firing of the hit ball is permitted, and the firing of the hit ball is controlled to be possible.

From the game control board 31 to the prize ball control board 37, command data (hereinafter simply referred to as command) as command information relating to payout control of prize balls and command data as command information relating to payout control of ball lending are provided. An award ball command including data is transmitted. When a prize ball command is output from the game control board 31, an INT signal indicating a valid period of the prize ball command is output accordingly. The INT signal has a low level (off state) in an invalid state, and has a high level (on state) in a valid state. The prize ball command is composed of 7-bit data. The lower 4 bits are used to specify the number of prize balls, and the upper 3 bits are used to specify the control content.

In accordance with the award ball command, the award ball control microcomputer 370 provided on the award ball control board 37 individually controls the award ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b. Microcomputer 370 for controlling prize balls
Is a ROM 375 for storing a program for controlling a prize ball (including a control relating to ball lending); a RAM 376 used as a work memory;
72. The ROM 375 and the RAM 376 are CP
It may be built in U371.

The detection signal from the full tank switch 402 is
It is input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the relay board 71. Also, the detection signals from the ball-out detection switch 167 and the ball-out switch 187 are transmitted to the game control board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71.
It is input to the / O port 57. If the detection signal from the out-of-ball detection switch 167 or the out-of-ball switch 187 indicates the out-of-ball state, or if the detection signal from the full switch 402 indicates the full state, the CPU 56 outputs If the out-of-state condition is detected or the detection signal from the full-state switch 402 indicates the full state, the detection signal from the out-of-state switch 187 indicates the out-of-state state, or the detection from the full state switch 402 is performed. If the signal indicates a full state, a prize ball prohibition command and a ball lending prohibition command are sent to the prize ball control microcomputer 370 of the prize ball control board 37 according to the situation, and the prize ball is output by the prize ball device 97a. The payout is stopped, and the payout of the lending by the ball lending device 97b is stopped.

Various winning opening switch 240, gate switch 12, starting opening switch 17, V count switch 2
2. The detection signal of the count switch 23 is
Is input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the. The ROM 54 of the game control board 31 stores a winning detection switch (240, 17, 22,
The prize ball number information which can specify the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signal of 23) is stored. R of basic circuit 53
The OM 54 includes a prize detection switch (240, 17, 2).
The information on the number of prize balls that can specify the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signals (2, 23) is stored. The game control board 31 specifies the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection signal of each switch, changes the INT signal for prize ball control from the invalid state to the valid state, and specifies the payout control content and the number of prize balls. The awarded ball command is output to the award ball control board 37 via the I / O port 57. For this reason, the payout control of the prize ball is quicker than the conventional gaming machine which pays out the prize ball after the detection of the all prize ball detection switch for detecting all the prize balls provided on the mechanism plate on the back of the game board. Can be performed.
Furthermore, various winning detection switches (240, 17, 2)
2, 23) are individually provided on the game board 6 corresponding to the respective winning ports, so that the winning of the hit ball can be detected more quickly,
Thereby, the payout control of the prize balls can be performed more quickly.

The portion of the I / O port 57 for outputting the prize ball command can output information from the inside of the game control board 31 to the outside, but can input information from the outside of the game control board 31 to the inside. It is constituted by an output buffer as irreversible output means which is impossible. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the award ball control board 37 to the game control board 31. Even if an unauthorized alteration is added to the transmission path of the award ball command, a signal output by the illegal alteration is not transmitted to the game control board 31 side. Therefore, one-way communication of signals between the game control board 31 and the prize ball control board 37 is ensured, and an illegal signal (data) is input to the game control board 31 via the transmission path of the prize ball command. In this way, it is possible to reliably prevent an unauthorized act of performing an unauthorized control operation.

The game control board 31 outputs the prize ball command immediately even if the payout of the prize ball based on the previously output prize ball command is not completed. The prize ball command and the INT signal sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball control board 37 are input to the I / O port 372 via the buffer circuit 373. The prize ball controlling microcomputer 370 controls the prize ball device 97a based on the prize ball command.
Alternatively, a drive signal given to the ball lending device 97b is controlled to perform payout control such as payout control of the number of winning balls specified by the winning ball command. On the prize ball control board 37 side, prize ball commands are sent one after another irrespective of whether or not the payout of the prize ball based on the previous prize ball command is completed. The winning ball number data of the command is stored in the RAM 376, and the payout of balls is sequentially performed based on the stored data. This eliminates the need for the game control board 31 to perform processing for storing the next prize ball command even when the payout of the prize ball based on the previously output prize ball command is not completed, and ,
Since there is no need to perform a process of outputting a prize ball command while checking the operation status of the prize ball control board 37, the control load of the basic circuit 53 is reduced.

The RAM 55 stores counters (counters A, B, C) that can be stored for each number of prize balls to be paid out. In the counter A, detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15 are collectively stored. The counter B stores a detection signal of the starting port switch 17, that is, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. The counter C stores a detection signal of each winning port switch 240, that is, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 10.

Each of the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b is provided with a ball supply passage individually.
Pachinko balls supplied to the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b from these supply passages are paid out as prize balls and lending balls from these devices. Prize ball device 9
Each supply passage of 7a and the ball rental device 97b is
Although they are provided individually, their supply passages branch off from one passage on the downstream side of the ball. That is, the path for guiding the pachinko balls supplied from the ball tank provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is branched into two, and the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97
This constitutes the respective supply passages b.

In the supply path of the pachinko balls to the prize ball device 97a, a ball-break detection switch 167 capable of detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the supply path is provided. The broken state of the device 97a is detected. In the supply passage of the pachinko balls to the ball lending device 97b, a ball-break switch 187 capable of detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the supply passage is provided. A condition is detected.

The award ball device 97a is provided with a ball advancing screw for advancing a ball and a award ball motor 289A for driving the ball advancing screw. The drive signal provided from the prize ball control board 37 via the relay board 72 drives the prize ball motor 289A to pay out prize balls. The ball lending device 97b is provided with a ball feeding screw for feeding a ball and a prize ball motor 289C for driving the ball feeding screw. A ball lending motor 289C is driven by a drive signal given from the prize ball control board 37 via the relay board 72, and payout (lending) of a ball lending is performed.

As described above, the game control board 31 is provided with various winning detection switches (240, 1) provided on the game board 6.
7, 22, 23), the award ball command can be immediately output to the award ball control board 37 based on the input of the detection signal. Is paid out. For this reason, the payout control of the prize ball can be performed more quickly than the conventional gaming machine that pays out the prize ball after the detection of the common all prize ball detector provided on the mechanism plate on the back of the game board. . Furthermore, since the various winning detection switches (240, 17, 22, 23) are provided individually on the game board 6 corresponding to the respective winning ports, it is possible to detect the winning of the hit ball more quickly. The payout control of the prize balls can be performed more quickly.

The buffer circuit 373 allows signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the prize ball control board 37, but does not allow signal transmission from the prize ball control board 37 to the game control board 31. This is an input interface with irreversibility that is not performed. Therefore, the prize ball control board 3
There is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the 7 side to the game control board 31 side. Even if a circuit in the prize ball control board 37 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is transmitted to the game control board 3.
It is not transmitted to one side. Therefore, the game control board 31
One-way communication between the prize ball control board 37 and the prize ball control board 37 is ensured, and it is possible to reliably prevent an unauthorized act of inputting an illegitimate signal from the prize ball control board 37 to the game control board 31 and performing improper control. Can be.

The same circuit as the buffer circuit 373 is provided not only for the prize ball control board 37 but also for the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80 in the same manner. Is provided. For this reason,
One-way communication of signals between the game control board 31 and each of the control boards 35, 70, 80 is ensured, and the control boards 35, 7
It is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act of inputting an invalid signal from 0, 80 to the game control board 31 to perform an illegal control. Further, the prize ball device 97a has a prize ball motor position sensor 300A for detecting the ball fed by the ball feed screw on the upper side of the prize ball mechanism portion, and after being fed by the ball feed screw, A prize ball count switch (# 1) 301A and a prize ball count switch (# 2) 301B for detecting a ball falling from the prize ball mechanism portion toward the hit ball supply tray 3 on the lower side of the prize ball mechanism portion are provided. Have been. Similarly, in the ball lending mechanism portion of the ball lending device 97b, a ball lending motor position sensor 300C for detecting the ball fed by the ball feeding screw on the upper side of the ball lending mechanism portion,
A ball lending count switch 301C is provided for detecting, on the lower side of the ball lending mechanism portion, a ball that drops from the ball lending mechanism portion toward the hit ball supply tray 3 after being fed by the ball feeding screw portion.

The detection signal from the ball lending count switch 301C is sent to the I / O of the prize ball control board 37 via the relay board 72.
Input to the O port 372. Prize ball count switch 3
The detection signals from 01A and 301B are input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71, and the I / O port 57 of the prize ball control board 37.
Input to the O port 372.

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, a signal for outputting an error signal is input to the error display LED 374 via the I / O port 372.

The card unit 50 is provided 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.

A card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lending possible display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the balance display board 74 via the prize ball control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the prize ball control board 37, a unit ball lending 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 provided. Be exchanged. In addition, although not shown, the prize-ball control board 37 sends the card unit 50 to the prize-ball control board 37 in order to confirm that the card unit 50 is connected to the prize-ball control board 37. A card unit connection confirmation signal to be used is provided.

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 the card is accepted in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated, and the ball lending switch signal is input, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit controls the prize ball control board 3
7, a BRDY signal is output. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit outputs a BRQ signal to the prize ball control board 37. The CPU 37 for controlling the prize ball on 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. If ball lending is in progress,
The EXS signal is turned on. As a result, the prize ball control board 37 notifies the card unit 50 that a ball is being lent. That is, the EXS signal is also used to notify the card unit 50 that a ball is being lent. When the payout is completed, the CPU for controlling the prize ball
371 turns off the EXS signal applied to the card unit 50. As a result, the award ball control board 37 notifies the card unit 50 that the ball lending has been completed. That is, the EXS signal is used for transmitting two types of information, that is, during ball lending and ball lending completion.

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

The game control board 31 and the prize ball control board 37 are provided with circuits for driving solenoids, motors and lamps, but those circuits are omitted in the figure.

Next, the award ball command will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing the contents of the data of the award ball command output from the basic circuit 53. The basic circuit 53 outputs command data in the format shown to the lamp control board 35, the prize ball control board 37, and the voice control board 70. Here, as a representative example,
The prize ball command will be described.

The command data is composed of, for example, 7 bits of 8-bit transmittable data as shown in the figure. Of these, bit 7 is used for the INT signal. As described above, the format of the command data is common to the lamp control board 35, the award ball control board 37, and the voice control board 70. Becomes easier.

In the command data for winning ball control, the number of winning balls is specified by a binary number using bits 0 to 3, and the control content is specified by a binary number using bits 4 to 6. The bit 7 is not used for specifying the number of winning balls, but is used for an INT signal. For example, when bits 4 to 6 are “001”, normal payout is designated. The prize ball command in which the normal payout is specified in this way is called a prize ball number command. Bit 4
If bit 6 is "010", ball lending prohibition is designated. When bits 4 to 6 are “011”, release of ball lending prohibition is designated. Bits 4 to 6 are "10
In the case of "0", prohibition of firing (prohibition of firing of hit balls) is specified. When bits 4 to 6 are "101", release of firing prohibition is designated. Bit 4 to Bit 6 are "110"
In the case of, prize ball prohibition is specified. Bit 4 to bit 6
Is "111", prize ball prohibition cancellation is designated.

When the normal payout is made in accordance with the winning, the normal payout is designated by bits 4 to 6 and
Bits 0 to 3 specify the number of payouts according to the winning. In the case other than the normal payout, the control content is specified by bits 4 to 6, but “0001” is fixedly specified by bits 0 to 3. That is,
“0001” in bits 0 to 3 specifies non-payout. Therefore, in cases other than the normal payout, the number of balls to be paid out is not specified, and no payout is made.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which the prize ball control board 37 receives a prize ball command. As described above, when the signal state of the INT signal is at a high level, the signal is valid, and when the signal is at a low level, the signal is invalid. When transmitting new command data, the game control board 31 switches the INT signal from the low level to the high level for 4 ms, and continues the command data of the required prize ball command to the prize ball control board 37 for 4 ms. Output. When it is necessary to continuously output award ball commands, a command non-output period of at least 4 ms is provided between commands as an interval period. Therefore, when it is necessary to continuously output the prize ball command, the INT signal becomes high level for 4 ms, and after the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms, the INT signal is output for at least 4 ms. The output of the prize ball command is stopped at the same time as the low level, and then the command transmission mode is such that the INT signal goes high for 4 ms and the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms.

The award ball control board 37 executes various controls based on award ball command data input when the INT signal is at a high level. Award ball control board 37
Once starts control based on command data, the control is continued until new command data is input.

As shown by "1" in the figure, the prize ball control board 37 extracts the prize ball command data when the INT signal changes from the invalid state to the valid state, and stores this in a predetermined storage area. I do. Then, when 500 μs elapses,
As shown by "2" in the figure, the award ball command data is extracted again. Then, it is confirmed that the newly extracted award ball command data matches the award ball command data extracted at the timing. Thereafter, when 500 μs elapses, as shown by “3” in the figure, the command data is extracted again, and under the condition that the command data has not changed, the control according to the award ball command data is performed. Execute. In other words, the award ball command data is extracted three times in succession while the INT signal is in the valid state, and when all the extraction results match, the award ball command data is regarded as regular data.

If the results of the three extractions of command data do not match, the extraction is repeated three times while the INT signal is in the valid state. When all the extraction results match by re-extraction, the award ball command data is regarded as regular data. As described above, the prize ball command data input from the game control board 31 is monitored for a predetermined period (during the period in which the INT signal is in the valid state), and when the content of the prize ball command data does not change (extracted three times). In the case where the obtained data continuously match), the prize ball command data is regarded as normal data, and control is performed in accordance with the prize ball command data. Can be prevented from being erroneously controlled based on the data even when the data is changed to data different from the original data. As a result, highly accurate payout control can be performed.

Note that the command data only needs to have a valid period of one time in a series (4 mS in the embodiment), and only the INT signal may fall and the command data may be continuously output. That is, the output in a mode that can be received by the award ball control board side may be one time.

The reception of such command data is similarly performed on each of the control boards 35, 70, and 80 other than the award ball control board 37. Therefore, the prize ball control board 37
Similar effects can be obtained in the control boards 35, 70, and 80 other than the above.

The prize ball command includes a game control board 3
When outputting from 1, the output priority is determined in advance. The ball lending prohibition command has the highest priority. Hereinafter, the prize ball prohibition command, the firing prohibition command, the ball lending prohibition release command, the prize ball prohibition release command, the firing prohibition release command, the prize ball number command (in FIG. 6, The priority is lower in the order of “payout”). Further, in the case of the prize ball number command, even with the same payout, the payout having the larger number of prize balls has higher priority.

If it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, the award ball commands are output in order from the one with the highest priority according to the priority determined in this way. As described above, the prize ball commands are sequentially output according to the priority order, so that the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. The reason is as follows.
In other words, if it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, and if a plurality of award ball commands are to be output at the same time, it is necessary to greatly increase the number of bits of the transmission command. In order to simultaneously prepare a number of data, it is necessary to process a large amount of data at the same time, so that the processing load on the basic circuit 53 that handles such data increases. On the other hand, when the prize ball commands are output in order according to the priority order, it is not necessary to output a plurality of types of command information at the same time, so that the amount of data to be processed simultaneously for output can be suppressed. Thus, the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.
Similarly, the microcomputer 370 for controlling the prize ball does not need to output a plurality of types of command information at the same time, so that the amount of data to be simultaneously processed for output can be suppressed. Thus, the processing load on the prize ball controlling microcomputer 370 can be reduced.

Since the priority of the output of the award ball command is determined, it is possible to output a command important for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 as soon as possible.

Next, a process for operating the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, the processing executed by the basic circuit 53 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit 53. In FIG. 7, (a) shows the main processing,
(B) shows the interrupt processing.

Referring to FIG. 7A, in the main processing, first, a stack setting processing for setting a designated address of a stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, an initialization process is performed (S2). In the initialization process,
The basic circuit 53 determines whether an error is included in the RAM 55, and if an error is included, performs processing such as initializing the RAM 55 and initial setting of various flags. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) for defining the timing at which an interrupt process to be described later is executed is set in the CPU 56. As a result, clocking for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after resetting due to power-on or the like is started.

Next, a display random number update process for determining a stop symbol or the like is performed (S3). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a special symbol stop symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on a random number (counter value of a random counter). In this S3, the display random number for determining such a stop symbol is updated. The display random number update process is continuously executed repeatedly by an infinite loop. However, when an interrupt process described later is started, the display random number update process is temporarily stopped at an executing position in a program constituting the display random number update process. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution is resumed from the position of the suspended program.

Next, referring to FIG. 7 (b), the interrupt processing is performed by setting the clock value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 to the set value (the timer interrupt time set in S2 or S14). Execution is started every time.

In the interrupt processing, first, display control data setting processing for setting a command code sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 is performed (S4), and then the command code is output as display control data. A display control data output process is performed (S5).

Next, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for sound generation and LED lighting control to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed. A data output process for transmitting such data is performed (S6). In addition, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing is performed according to the results, if necessary, to issue an alarm if necessary (S7).

Next, a process of updating each counter indicating various random numbers for determination used in game control is performed (S
8). In S8, specifically, the judgment random number such as the jackpot determination random number is updated. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, it is determined whether or not to generate a big hit based on the extracted value of the big hit determination random number.

Next, the basic circuit 53 performs a special symbol process (S9). In the special symbol process process, 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. Also, a normal symbol process is performed (S10).
In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

Further, the basic circuit 53 includes a gate switch 12, a starting port switch 17a, a V count switch 2
2. The state of the count switch 23 and the like is input, and a switch process is performed to determine whether or not there is a prize for each winning port or variable prize ball device (S11). The basic circuit 53
Performs the winning ball signal processing with the microcomputer 370 for controlling the winning ball (S12). That is, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the basic circuit 53 outputs a prize ball command and an INT signal to the prize ball control microcomputer 370 along with the INT signal. The prize ball controlling microcomputer 370 drives and controls the prize ball device 57a.

The game control microcomputer 31 comprises:
Further, a display random number updating process for updating the display random number for determining a stop symbol or the like is performed (S13). The game control microcomputer 31 further includes:
A timer interrupt time setting process is performed (S14). S1
In step 4, a process of setting the timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above in the same manner as in step S2 is executed. After S14, this interrupt processing ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt processing, S14
Thus, the timer interrupt time is set, and the timing for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt process is started. Therefore, the time for the timer interrupt is measured each time the interrupt processing ends, and thereafter, the interrupt processing is executed every time the timer interrupt time elapses. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution of the above-described program of the main processing is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the start winning opening check process executed by the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53.

This special winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG. First, the CPU 56
It is checked whether the seed start port switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value (SS1). The first-type start port switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal of the start port switch 17 continues.
If the first-type starting port switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, that is, if the duration of the input signal has not yet reached the specified value, the input signal may have noise or the like, and processing is performed. To end. On the other hand, when the first-type start-up switch counter matches the switch-on determination value, it is determined that the start-up switch 17 has detected the start winning, and the counter B is updated (+1) (SS2). It should be noted that the counter B is provided with the starting port switch 17 as described above.
, Ie, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol winning storage counter for counting the number of starting memories is equal to or more than the maximum value (= 4) of the special symbol winning memory counter (SS3). If the maximum value has been reached, the process ends without storing the start. If the maximum value has not been reached, the special symbol winning storage counter is updated (+1) (SS4). Next, a special symbol determination bank address corresponding to the count value of the newly stored special symbol winning storage counter is calculated (SS5). Next, the fluctuation shortening set time for shortening the variable display time of the special symbol is temporarily set in the fluctuation shortening timer bank (SS6). Note that the change reduction setting time set here can be changed to a normal variable display time according to the number of startup storages evaluated in SS11 described later. That is, when the number of stored memories is large, the setting is maintained as it is, and when the number of stored memories is small, the display time is changed to a normal variable display time.

Next, a special symbol determination random number for determining whether or not the variable display result is a big hit is extracted (SS
7). Next, a reach determination random number is extracted for determining whether or not the reach is established during the variable display (SS
8). Next, the special symbol determination random number extracted in SS7 is set in the special symbol determination bank, and the reach determination random number extracted in SS8 is set in the reach determination bank (SS
9). Next, the special symbol determination random number extracted in SS7 is set in the specific symbol determination bank (SS10). The special symbol determination bank is a bank that determines whether to generate a big hit based on the special symbol determination random number, or whether to generate a probability variable big hit that causes a probability variation,
The specific symbol determination bank is a bank used to determine the type of the stopped symbol according to the determination result by the special symbol determination bank.

Next, after executing the special symbol determination process (S
S11), the process ends. In the special symbol determination process, the variable display result of the variable display device 8 is determined based on the values stored in the specific symbol determination bank and the special symbol determination bank.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a special winning opening check process executed by the CPU 56. This special winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG.

In the special winning opening check process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the count switch counter does not coincide with the switch-on judgment value (ST1). The count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal from the count switch 23 continues. If the count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the count switch counter matches, the count switch 23 determines that the winning has been detected and sets a count passage flag indicating that (see FIG. 5). S
T2). Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value indicating the gaming state is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST3). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST4). Here, the counter A is added and updated based on the previously set count passage flag. As described above, the counter A is a counter that stores the detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15. Next, it is checked whether the V count switch counter (specific area count switch counter) does not match the switch-on determination value (ST5). The V count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the detection signal output from the V count switch 22 continues. If the V count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to SB20 described later. If they match, it is determined that the V count switch 22 has detected a winning. Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST6). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST8 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST7). Here, the V count switch 22
And updates the counter A based on the detection signal of Next, it is determined whether or not the continuation number counter for counting the number of executions of the repetition continuation control of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is equal to or more than the final value (= 16) of the continuation number counter (ST).
8). If the final value is reached, the process proceeds to SB20 described later. If the final value is not reached, a specific area passing flag indicating that the hit ball has passed the specific area is set (ST9).

Next, it is checked whether or not the winning opening switch counter matches the switch-on judgment value (ST10).
The winning opening switch counter is provided for each winning opening switch 240.
(240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240
The counter is added and updated as the output of the detection signal of e) continues. If the winning opening switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process ends. If they match, it is determined that the winning opening switch 240 has detected a winning, and the counter C is added and updated (ST1).
1). After that, the process ends. Note that the counter C is
As described above, the counter stores the detection signal of each winning opening switch 240, that is, the detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 10.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the winning ball signal processing executed by the CPU 56. 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. When the timer times out, the number of payouts is checked.

(2) Timer T5: Set when an error is detected, and an error is displayed until a timeout occurs.

(3) Timer T6: The timer T6 is repeatedly restarted each time a timeout occurs. If the accumulated error count exceeds a predetermined number at the time of the timeout, an irrecoverable error occurs.

In the winning ball signal processing, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 first executes a ball lending possible determination process (SA1). This ball lending possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not ball lending is possible, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, a firing possibility determination process is executed (SA2). This firing possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not it is possible to fire a hit ball, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the timer T6 has timed out (SA3). If the timeout has occurred, the timer value of the timer T6 is cleared and the value of the winning ball error counter is checked (SA6). If the timer T6 has timed out, after the determination of SA3, the timer value of the timer T6 is cleared. If the value of the winning ball error counter exceeds a predetermined value, an error state is entered (SA
9). In the error state, the basic circuit 53 enters a halt state (HALT state).

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 (SA7), and the timer T6 is started again (SA8).

As will be described later, the value of the winning ball error counter is counted up when 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. In this way, when the prize ball excess error occurs, the halt state is not immediately established,
If the halt state is set when a prize ball excess error frequently occurs, the gaming machine does not become inoperable due to an error that occurs temporarily and recovers naturally. 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, it is confirmed whether or not the award ball paying flag is on (SA4). If turned on, SB
Move to 1. If the prize ball paying flag is not on, it is confirmed whether or not a prize is detected (SA5).
Specifically, it is determined with reference to the counters (counters A, B, C) of the RAM 55 described above whether or not a winning has been detected. If no winning has been detected, the process ends. On the other hand, when a winning is detected, a winning ball possible determination process is executed (SA10). This prize ball possibility determination processing is processing for determining whether or not payout of prize balls is possible, and the content of the processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, after the prize ball possible determination processing is completed, a prize ball number command corresponding to winning is output in accordance with the following priority order. First, it is determined whether or not a winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 (SA11). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter A has a stored value.

In this embodiment, fifteen prize balls are paid out for a prize that has passed through the special winning opening. Therefore, when winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 (counter A> 0), the expected prize ball count is set to 1
Five are set (SA13), and then the total prize ball counter is updated by adding "15" (SA14). Then counter A
Is updated by subtracting "1" (SA14a). Here, the total prize ball counter is a counter for counting the total number of prize balls to be paid out.

When no winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23, the general winning opening 24, that is, each winning opening switch 240 (240)
a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e), it is determined whether or not a winning is detected (SA12). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter C has a stored value. In this embodiment, ten prize balls are paid out for a winning through the general winning opening 24. Therefore, the winning is detected by each winning opening switch 240 (counter C> 0).
Occasionally, ten are set as the expected prize ball count (SA15), and then the total prize ball counter is updated by adding "10" (SA1).
6). Next, the counter C is updated by subtracting "1" (SA1).
6a).

If no winning has been detected by any of the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and each winning opening switch 240, it can be determined that a winning has been detected by the starting opening switch 17. Specifically, it can be determined that there is a stored value in the counter B for storing the detection signal of the starting port switch 17. In this embodiment, in order to pay out five prize balls for a winning through the starting opening 14,
If NO is determined in SA12, 5 is set as the expected prize ball count (SA15), and then the total prize ball counter is set to "5".
The addition is updated (SA16). Next, the counter B is set to “1”.
The subtraction is updated (SA16a).

As described above, the game control board 31 performs the payout control corresponding to each detection signal in accordance with a predetermined priority order even when the detection signals are input from a plurality of winning detection switches simultaneously. .

Thereafter, the CPU 56 sets a prize ball command output flag to output a prize ball command according to the expected number of prize balls (SA17).

As described above, a prize ball command corresponding to each detection signal is output according to a predetermined priority order so that control when detection signals are simultaneously input from a plurality of winning detection switches is facilitated. . The prize ball control board 37
Of the prize ball control microcomputer 370 in Japan
U371 performs award ball payout control of the number specified by the award ball command.

Next, the CPU 56 turns on the award ball paying-out flag (SA18) and terminates the process. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, since the prize ball paying-out flag is ON in SA4, the process proceeds from SA4 to SB1.

At SB1, the CPU 56 checks whether the error display flag is on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to SB11. The error display flag will be described later. If the error display flag is not on, it is determined whether or not the prize ball count switch is on (SB2). Here, the output of the prize ball count switch used in this prize ball signal processing is actually equivalent to the output (OR) of the outputs of the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B. When the ON of the winning ball count switch is detected, the CPU waits for the OFF of the winning ball count switch (SB3).

Then, the timer T1 is started (SB
6). The timer T1 is started or restarted every time the output of the winning ball count switch is turned off after the output is turned on.

If the award ball count switch is not turned on in SB2, it is checked whether or not the timer T1 is operating (SB4). If the timer T1 is not operating, the process ends. On the other hand, if the timer T1 is operating, the CPU
56 checks whether the timer T1 has timed out (SB7). If the timeout has not occurred, the process ends. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, the prize ball paying flag is turned on, so that SA4 to S4 are also executed.
The process proceeds to B1.

The value of the timer T1 (the time from start-up to the time-out) is a payout cycle (from when the prize ball count switch (a) is turned on to when it is turned on next time) when payout is normally performed. Period) is set longer. Therefore, when the payout is normally performed, the next prize ball count switch is turned on (S) before the timer T1 times out, except for the last payout.
B2) occurs. That is, when the payout is normally performed, the timer T1 times out only after the last payout is performed.

When the timer T1 times out in SB7, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the count value of the total prize ball counter is "0" (SB8). If the timer T1 has timed out, after the determination in SB7, the timer value of the timer T1 is cleared. When the payout is completed normally, the counter value of the total prize ball counter becomes “0”. Therefore, when the counter value of the total prize ball counter becomes “0”, the prize ball paying flag is turned off to stop the output of the prize ball command (SB)
9) Go to SA5.

On the other hand, if the count value of the total prize ball counter is not "0" when the timer T1 times out, the CPU 56 determines whether the counter value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0". Check whether or not (SB1
0). When the counter value of the total prize ball counter is not smaller than "0", that is, when it is determined that the payout is insufficient, an error display process is executed (SB11), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SB9. The content of the error display processing will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when the counter value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0", that is, when it is determined that the payout is excessive, the total prize ball counter is reset (SB12), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SB9.

Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, since the prize ball paying-out flag is ON, it is determined from SA4 to SB1.
Move to Then, when the winning ball count switch is turned off after the on of the winning ball counting switch is detected in SB2, the CPU 56 resets the counter value of the total winning ball counter by -1.
(SB5). Then, the timer T1 is restarted (S
B6) and end the process.

FIG. 12 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
5 is a flowchart showing a ball lending possibility determination process executed by the first embodiment. In the ball lending possibility determination process, the CPU 5
In step S6, it is determined whether or not the full tank flag 1 is set (SC1). The full tank flag 1 is a flag that is set when the surplus ball tray 4 is full when there are balls to be paid out by the ball rental device 57b, and is a full tank flag for lending a ball.

When it is determined that the full tank flag 1 is set, the process proceeds to SC17 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full tank flag 1 has not been set, it is determined whether or not the ball-out switch 187 has detected the presence of a lending ball (detection of the existence of a lending ball that can be paid out). (SC2). If it is determined that there is no ball lending, the process proceeds to SC3 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a ball lending, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC8). Here, the ball lending prohibition flag is
This flag indicates that ball lending is prohibited. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SC9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not on,
Proceeding to SC13, it is determined based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected.

If it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T8 by “1” is performed (SC14). Here, the timer T8 is a timer for measuring the duration of the full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not the full state flag 1 is set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T8 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402. Is performed (SC15). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time considered to be impossible when noise is mixed and a ball flowing down state so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T8 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination process ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T8 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined that the surplus ball tray 4 is full and the full tank flag 1 is set (SC16). If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T8 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T8 is cleared in SC16. After SC16, SC6 described later
Then, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on (set state), the ball lending prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) in SC7, and the ball lending possible determination processing ends.

Here, the ball lending prohibition flag is a flag that is set when indicating that ball lending is prohibited. The ball lending prohibition command output flag is a flag set when a ball lending prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

If it is determined in SC8 that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state and the process proceeds to SC9, a process for adding and updating the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer by "1" is performed. (SC9). here,
The ball lending possibility determination timer is a ball lending prohibition state when the ball lending prohibition state is entered based on the detection of a ball lending by the ball expiration switch 187 and then the ball lending switch 187 enters a non-detection state. This is a timer used to determine the timing of automatic release. In other words, when the cutout switch 187 changes from the cutout detection state to the cutout non-detection state, if it is determined that the cutout state has been restored on condition that the nondetection state has continued for a certain period of time, Erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like can be prevented, and restoration of a broken-ball state can be reliably determined.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached a predetermined value (for example, 2000 mS) at which it can be determined that the ball out condition has been successfully restored (SC10). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like, and to reliably determine restoration of a broken-ball state.
If it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has not reached the predetermined value yet, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached the predetermined value, a process of turning off the ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SC11). As a result, it is not possible to indicate that the ball lending is prohibited.
The timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer is cleared when it is determined in SC10 that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached a predetermined value. Then, after the process of setting the ball lending prohibition release command output flag to the ON state (set state) (SC12) is performed, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. Here, the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is a flag that is set when a ball lending prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command. By setting the ball lending prohibition release command output flag in this way, a ball lending prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball control board 37.

If it is determined in SC2 that no lending has been detected by SC2 and the process proceeds to SC3, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T7 by "1" is performed. Here, the timer T7 is detected by the ball-break switch 187 so that the off-state of the ball-break switch 187 caused by the pachinko ball flowing through the supply passage to the ball lending device 97b is not erroneously regarded as a ball-break. It is a timer used to define the validity period.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T7 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection validity period of the burnout switch 187 (SC4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the off period of the on / off state of the ball breaking switch 187 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the ball lending device 97b. That is, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply passage to the ball lending device 97b, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball-break switch 187 repeatedly turns on and off as the pachinko balls pass. However, if the case where the cutout switch 187 is turned on at an extremely short timing is regarded as a cutout detection state,
A short off-state during the on-off state due to the passage of the pachinko ball may be erroneously detected as a broken-ball state. In order to prevent such an erroneous detection, it is determined that the ball is in the cut-off state only when the cut-out switch 187 is turned on after waiting for a period longer than the on-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball. Judge.

When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T7 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T7 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC).
5). When it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the ball lending prohibition state is already in the ball lending prohibition state, and the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not in the on state, a process of setting the ball lending prohibition flag to the on state is performed (SC6). This indicates that the ball lending is prohibited. Then, the ball lending prohibition command output flag is set to the ON state (set state) (SC7), and the ball lending possibility determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SC1 that the full tank flag 1 is set and the process proceeds to SC17, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402. Is determined.
If it is determined that the full state has been detected, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is not detected, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T15 by "1" is performed (SC18). Here, the timer T15 is a timer that measures the duration of the detection state of the non-full state,
It is used for determining whether or not to reset the full tank flag 1.

Next, the timer value of the timer T15 is set based on the detection signal from the full switch 402, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state (SC19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise. ing. When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T15 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, the timer T15
If it is determined that the timer value has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state,
A process for resetting the full tank flag 1 is performed (SC2).
0). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T15 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T15 is cleared in SC20.

After the process of resetting the full tank flag 1 is performed, a process of turning off the ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SC11), and thereafter, the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state). Processing (SC1
2) is performed. Thereafter, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. In this way, when the tank is no longer full, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off,
This indicates that the ball lending is possible, and the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is set, whereby a ball lending prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball control board 37.

As described above, the ball lending device 97b
In each of the cases where the broken ball state is detected and the surplus ball tray 4 becomes full, ball lending is prohibited. Then, when such a broken-out ball state and a full tank state are respectively restored, the ball lending prohibition is released accordingly. Since the release of the ball lending prohibition state is automatically performed without operation of the attendant, it is possible to save the labor of the attendant about the release of the ball lending prohibition state.

In addition, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a payable ball lending by the ball out switch 187, the ball lending device 97b
Can be determined to be in a state in which it is not possible to pay out balls, and if it is determined that it is in a state in which it cannot pay out balls, paying out balls is prohibited (stopped). Can be output to the prize ball control microcomputer 370 so that the payout of the ball lending by the ball lending device 97b can be stopped. It is possible to manage the status of the device 97b.

Further, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 402, it is possible to determine that the ball lending device 97b cannot pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that there is a ball lending prohibition command that can specify that the payout of the lending ball is prohibited (stopped), the prize ball controlling microcomputer 370 is used.
Output from the ball lending device 97b to stop the ball lending by the ball lending device 97b, so that the basic circuit 53 can manage the state of the ball lending device 97b from the state of the surplus ball tray 4 being full. Become.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the firing possibility determination process. This firing possibility determination process is a process executed by SA2 of the winning ball signal process shown in FIG.

First, based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected (SQ1). If it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the process proceeds to SQ7 described below. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, it is determined whether the firing prohibition flag is in the on state (set state) (SQ2). Here, the firing prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that the firing of the hit ball is prohibited, and is turned on by SQ5 described later, and is turned off (reset state) by SQ10 described later. You.

If it is determined in SQ2 that the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SQ2 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T3 by “1” is performed (SQ
3). Here, the timer T3 is a timer that measures the duration of the full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not the firing inhibition flag is to be turned on.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T3 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402. Is performed (SQ4). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous detection of the full state due to noise.
Is set to When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T3 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T3 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full, and a process of turning on the firing inhibition flag is performed (SQ5). . Then, the firing inhibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (S
Q6), the firing possibility determination processing ends. When the firing prohibition command output flag is turned on in this way, a firing prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

If it is determined in SQ1 that the full state has not been detected and the process proceeds to SQ7,
It is determined whether the firing prohibition flag is in the on state (set state) (SQ7). If it is determined in SQ7 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the firing possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SQ7 that the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state, processing is performed to add and update the timer value of the timer T2 by "1" (SQ8). Here, the timer T2 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not to turn off the firing prohibition flag.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T2 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state based on the detection signal from the full state switch 402. A determination is made (SQ9). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 seconds) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state by noise.
s). If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T2 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T2 has reached the predetermined value,
Is considered not to be in the full state, and the process of turning off the firing prohibition flag (reset state) is performed (SQ10). Then, the firing prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state) (SQ11), and the firing possibility determination process ends. When the firing prohibition release command output flag is turned on in this way, a firing prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command.

As described above, when the surplus ball tray 4 becomes full, the firing of hit balls is prohibited.
Then, when such a full state is restored, the firing prohibition is released. Since the release of the firing prohibition state is automatically performed without depending on the operation of the attendant, it is possible to save the time and effort of the attendant for releasing the release prohibition state.

FIG. 14 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
10 is a flowchart showing a prize ball possible determination process executed by the CPU 10; In the prize ball possible determination process, the CPU 56
First, it is determined whether or not the full tank flag 2 is set (SD1). The full tank flag 2 is a flag that is set when the surplus ball tray 4 is full when there is a prize ball that can be paid out by the prize ball device 57a, and is a full tank flag for prize balls.

If it is determined that the full tank flag 2 is set, the process proceeds to SD17 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the full tank flag 2 has not been set, then it is determined whether or not there is a detection of the presence of a prize ball (detection of the presence of a prize ball that can be paid out) by the out-of-ball detection switch 167. (SD2). When it is determined that there is no prize ball, the process proceeds to SD3 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a winning ball, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is on (set state) (SD8). Here, the prize ball prohibition flag is
This flag indicates that the payout of award balls is in a prohibited state. If it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SD9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is not turned on,
Proceeding to SD13, it is determined based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 has been detected.

If it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T5 by “1” is performed (SD14). Here, the timer T5 is a timer for measuring the duration of the full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not the full state flag 1 is set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T5 has reached a predetermined value based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 so that the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full. Is performed (SD15). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time considered to be impossible when noise is mixed and a ball flowing down state so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T5 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination process ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T5 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full and the full tank flag 2 is set (SD16). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T5 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T5 is cleared in SD16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to SD6 to be described later, and sets the winning ball prohibition flag to the on state (set state). Then, in SD12, sets the winning ball prohibition command output flag to the on state (set state), and this winning ball possible determination processing ends.

Here, the prize ball prohibition flag is a flag that is set when it indicates that the payout of prize balls is prohibited. The prize ball prohibition command output flag is a flag set when a prize ball prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

If it is determined in SD8 that the winning ball prohibition flag is in the ON state and the process proceeds to SD9, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer by "1" is performed. (SD9). Here, the prize ball possible determination timer means that when the prize ball is disabled based on the detection of a ball being broken by the ball break detection switch 167 and then the ball break detection switch 167 is in a non-ball detection state, This timer is used to determine the timing for automatically canceling the winning ball prohibition state. In other words, when the ball-break detection switch 167 changes from the ball-break detection state to the ball-break non-detection state, if it is determined that the ball-break state has been recovered on condition that the non-detection state has continued for a certain period of time. In addition, erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like can be prevented, and restoration of a broken-ball state can be reliably determined.

Next, the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer is
It is determined whether or not the predetermined value (for example, 2200 mS) has been reached to determine that the broken-out state has been successfully recovered (SD10). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like, and to reliably determine restoration of a broken-ball state.

When it is determined that the timer value of the prize ball possible determination timer has not reached the predetermined value, the prize ball possible determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer has reached the predetermined value, a process of turning off the winning ball prohibition flag is performed (SD11). As a result, the fact that the award ball payout is prohibited is not indicated. The timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer is cleared when it is determined in SD10 that the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer has reached a predetermined value. Then, after the processing (SD12) for turning on the award ball prohibition release command output flag (set state) is performed, the award ball possible determination processing ends. Here, the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is a flag set when the prize ball prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command. By setting the prize ball prohibition release command output flag in this way, a prize ball prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball control board 37.

If it is determined in SD2 that there is no detection of a prize ball and the process proceeds to SD3, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T4 by "1" is performed. Here, the timer T4 is a ball-break detection switch 167 in order to prevent an off-state of the ball-break detection switch 167 caused by a pachinko ball flowing through the supply passage to the prize ball device 97a from being erroneously regarded as a ball-break. This is a timer used to define the detection validity period of.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T4 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection valid period of the burnout detection switch 167 (SD4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the ON period of the on / off state of the ball-break detection switch 167 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the prize ball device 97a. That is, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply path to the prize ball device 97a, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball-out detection switch 167 repeatedly turns on and off as the pachinko balls pass. However, at an extremely short timing, the burnout detection switch 167 is used.
If it is considered that the ball is in the ON state, it is likely that the short-time OFF state during the ON / OFF state due to the passage of the pachinko ball will be erroneously detected as the broken ball state. To prevent such false detections,
Only when the ball-out detection switch 167 is turned on after waiting for a period longer than the off-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball, it is determined that the ball is out.

If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T4 has not reached the predetermined value, the winning ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T4 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SD5).
If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is on,
Since the prize ball is already in the prohibited state, this prize ball possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is not in the on state, a process of setting the prize ball prohibition flag to the on state is performed (SD6). This indicates that the winning ball is prohibited. Then, the award ball prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (SD
7), the prize ball possible determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SD1 that the full tank flag 2 is set and the process proceeds to SD17, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 has been detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402. Is determined.
When it is determined that the full state has been detected, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is not detected, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T16 by "1" is performed (SD18). Here, the timer T16 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not to reset the full state flag 2.

Next, the timer value of the timer T16 is set based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be determined to be in the non-full state without fail (SD19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise. ing. If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has not reached the predetermined value, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state, and a process of resetting the full state flag 2 is performed (SD2).
0). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T16 is cleared in SD20.

After the process of resetting the full tank flag 2 is performed, the process of turning off the prize ball prohibition flag is performed (SD11), and then the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state). Processing (SD12)
Is made. Thereafter, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. In this way, when the state is no longer full, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off, indicating that the prize ball can be paid out, and the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is set. By being set, a prize ball prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball control board 37.

As described above, when the broken ball state is detected in the prize ball device 97a and when the surplus ball tray 4
In each case where is full, award balls are prohibited. Then, when such a broken-out state and a full state are respectively restored, the prize ball prohibition is released accordingly. Since the release of the prize-ball prohibition state is automatically performed without depending on the operation of the attendant, the labor of the clerk for releasing the prize-ball prohibition state can be saved.

Further, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a payable prize ball by the ball-out detection switch 167, the prize ball device 97 is detected.
It is possible to determine from the state a that the lending ball cannot be paid out, and when the determination is made that the prize ball cannot be paid out, the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped). It is possible to output a prize ball prohibition command capable of specifying the effect to the prize ball control microcomputer 370 to stop the prize ball payout by the prize ball device 97a. The situation of the ball device 97a can be managed.

Further, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 402, it is possible to determine that the prize ball device 97a cannot pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that there is a prize ball, a prize ball prohibition command capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped) is output to the prize ball control microcomputer 370, and the prize ball is paid out by the prize ball device 97a. Can be stopped, so that the state of the prize ball device 97a can be managed in the basic circuit 53 from the state of the surplus ball tray 4 being full.

FIGS. 15 to 18 are flowcharts showing a prize ball command output process executed by the CPU 56. This prize ball command output process is a process executed in S14 of the interrupt process shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the prize ball command output processing, first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition command output flag is on (SE).
1). If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition command output flag is not in the on state, the process proceeds to the check of the prize ball prohibition command output flag in SE10 described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SE2). Here, the command interval timer is a timer used for defining the shortest period of the interval of the award ball command.

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that it is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to the check of the winning ball prohibition command output flag in SE10 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether the time of the command timer has expired (SE).
3). Here, the command timer is a timer used to define the output period of the prize ball command. This command timer expires when it reaches a timer value corresponding to a predetermined value (4 mS).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, processing for setting output data of the ball lending prohibition command is performed (SE7). This allows
A ball lending prohibition command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SE8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after processing (SE9) for adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1", SE10 is executed.
Proceed to. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the ball lending prohibition command output flag is performed (SE4). As a result, the output of the ball lending prohibition command that has already been output is not requested. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SE5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process of starting the timing of the command interval timer (SE6) is performed, the process proceeds to SE10. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SE10, it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition command output flag is on. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition command output flag by SF1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SE11). .

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the value is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check of a firing prohibition command output flag by SF1, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has exceeded mS, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned command timer has expired (SE12).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting output data of the winning ball prohibition command is performed (SE16). This allows
Game control board 3 as a prize ball prohibition command as a prize ball command
1 is output. Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SE17). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" (SE18), the process proceeds to SF1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the prize ball prohibition command output flag is performed (SE13). Thus, the output of the awarded ball prohibition command that has already been output is not required. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SE14). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process of starting the timing of the command interval timer (SE15) is performed, the process proceeds to SF1. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 16, in SF1, it is determined whether or not the firing prohibition command output flag is in the ON state. If it is determined that the firing prohibition command output flag has not been turned on, the process proceeds to S
The process proceeds to check the ball lending prohibition command output flag in F10.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the firing prohibition command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SF1).

If the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the value is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check on a ball lending prohibition command output flag by SF10 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 mS or more, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has timed out (SF3).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting the output data of the firing prohibition command is performed (SF7). As a result, the firing prohibition command is changed to the game control board 31
Output from Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SF8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process (SF9) of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" is performed, the process proceeds to SF1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the firing prohibition command output flag is performed (SF4). This allows
The output of the firing prohibition command that has already been output is not requested. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SF5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, a process of starting time measurement of the command interval timer (SF
After 6) is performed, the process proceeds to SF10. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SF10, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, SF1 described later is used.
To check the firing prohibition command output flag.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SF11). ).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that it is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check of a winning ball prohibition canceling command output flag by SG1 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 mS or more, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned command timer has timed out (SF12).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, processing for setting output data of the ball lending prohibition release command is performed (SF16). Thereby, the ball lending prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, a process for resetting the command interval timer is performed (S
F17). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" (SF
After performing 18), the process proceeds to SG1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, a process of turning off the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is performed (SF13). Thus, the output of the ball lending prohibition release command that has already been output is not required. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SF14). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after a process (SF15) for starting timing of the command interval timer is performed, the process proceeds to SG1.
As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, in SG1, it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is in the on state. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition release command output flag by SG10 described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the prize ball prohibition canceling command output flag is in the on state, it is determined whether the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG1). ).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the difference is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a ball lending prohibition command output flag check in SG10 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has expired (SG3).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting output data of a winning ball prohibition release command is performed (SG7). Thereby, the prize ball prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SG).
8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" (SG9)
Is performed, the process proceeds to SG1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the prize-ball prohibition release command output flag is performed (SG4). As a result, the output of the prize-ball prohibition release command that has already been output is not requested. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SG5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. next,
After the processing (SG6) for starting the timing of the command interval timer is performed, the process proceeds to SG10. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SG10, it is determined whether or not the firing prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the firing prohibition release command output flag is not in the on state, the process proceeds to the check of the winning ball number command output flag by SH1 described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the firing prohibition release command output flag is in the on state, it is determined whether the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG11). .

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the difference is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check of a winning ball number command output flag by SH1 described later. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has exceeded mS, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has expired (SG12).

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting the output data of the firing inhibition release command is performed (SG16). Thereby, the firing prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SG1).
7). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, the process of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by “1” (SG1
After 8) is performed, the process proceeds to SG1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the firing inhibition release command output flag is performed (SG13). As a result, the output of the firing prohibition release command that has been output is not requested. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SG14). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized.
Next, after the process of starting the timing of the command interval timer (SG15) is performed, the process proceeds to SG1. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, in SH1, it is determined whether or not the prize ball number command output flag is on. If it is determined that the award ball number command output flag is not in the ON state, the award ball command output processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the prize ball number command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SH1). .

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time is not longer than mS, the award ball command output processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned command timer has timed out (SH3).

When it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, processing for setting output data of the winning ball number command is performed (SH7). Thereby, the award ball number command is changed to the award ball command as
Output from Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SH8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process (SH9) of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" is performed, the process proceeds to SH1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, a process of turning off the award winning ball number command output flag is performed (SH4). Thus, the output of the already output prize ball number command is not required. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SH5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after a process (SH6) for starting timing of the command interval timer is performed, the award ball command output process ends. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer. According to the award ball command output processing described above, the timer controls the output period and the non-output period of the award ball command. The prize ball commands have priority (priority) in the order of the ball lending prohibition command, the prize ball prohibition command, the firing prohibition command, the ball lending prohibition release command, the prize ball prohibition release, the firing prohibition command, and the prize ball number command. Since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is determined in advance and in order from the one with the highest priority,
As described above, the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. Further, since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is executed in order from the highest priority, the processing load on the prize ball control microcomputer 370 can be reduced as described above. Furthermore, since the priority order is determined for the output processing of the award ball command, it is possible to output a command important for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 such as a payout stop as soon as possible.

Furthermore, when the prize ball payout condition is satisfied, even if the prize ball payout is stopped in accordance with the prize ball prohibition command, the number of prize ball payouts that can specify the number of prize ball payouts is determined. The command is output. As will be described later, the prize ball number specified by the prize ball number command is stored in the prize ball control microcomputer 370 side, and the stored information is used for controlling the prize ball payout by the prize ball device 97a. In addition, the prize ball number command can be immediately output according to the establishment of the prize ball payout condition without monitoring the state of the prize ball payout control. As described above, it is not necessary to monitor the prize ball payout control state, and the basic circuit 53 does not need to store the command for waiting for the output of the prize ball number command. Can be reduced.

When one command output period ends, the command output flag is reset (turned off), so that the award ball command is output only during one command output period. In other words, the command information need only be output once for a predetermined output duration period every time the output condition of the award ball command (command) occurs. As will be described later, if the prize ball control microcomputer 370 receives the prize ball command once, the content of the prize ball command is stored, so that the control is not hindered if the prize ball command is received once. As described above, the prize ball command need only be output during one command output period, so that it is not necessary for the basic circuit 53 to repeatedly execute the prize ball command having the same content. This makes it possible to reduce the number of times of processing relating to the output of the prize ball command, so that the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the error display process. This error display process is a process executed by SB11 of the winning ball signal process.

In the error display processing, the CPU 56
First, it is determined whether or not the timer T9 is operating (S
41). If not in operation, an error display flag is turned on (S42), and an error display request is set (S43).
Then, the timer T9 is started (S44). Further, the value of the winning ball error counter is incremented by one (S45). The value of the prize ball error counter is checked in S12, and if the value exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a complete error state where automatic recovery is not performed is set. When an error display request is set,
For example, the display control data setting process (S
4) and in the display control data output process (S5),
Control is performed so that an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, or control is performed such that an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 in the data output process (S6).

If the gaming state is the normal state (S46), 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. 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.

When the timer T9 is operating in S41, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the timer T9 has timed out (S47). If a timeout occurs, the error display request is reset (S4).
8) The error display flag is turned off (S49). Also, the award ball paying flag is turned off (S50). 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.

As described above, when the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 in the game control board 31 determines that the actual number of payouts exceeds the expected number of prize balls, the game control is interrupted and an error is notified. When the timer T9 times out, the game returns to the normal game state. Further, when the occurrence of such an error state exceeds a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, a complete error state is set in which the error state is not restored unless power is turned off. Further, in a normal state that is not in an advantageous state for the player, for example, during a big hit or a change in probability, a complete error state is immediately set.

Next, the processing executed by the CPU 371 of the winning ball control microcomputer 370 provided on the winning ball control board 37 will be described.

FIG. 20 shows a prize-ball control process executed by the prize-ball control microcomputer 370 and 500 μm
It is a flowchart which shows S timer interruption processing. In FIG. 7, (a) shows the prize ball control processing, and (b)
5 shows a 500 μS timer interrupt process.

Referring to FIG. 20A, in the prize ball control process, first, an initial process for initializing data such as initialization of RAM 376 is performed (SI
1). Next, a prize ball motor control process for controlling the drive of the prize ball motor 289A of the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending motor 289C of the ball lending device 97b is executed (SI).
2). Details of the prize ball motor control processing are shown in FIGS.
This will be described later with reference to FIG. The prize ball motor control process is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop,
When the μS timer interrupt processing is started, the program is temporarily stopped at a position in execution of the program constituting the winning ball motor control processing, and the 500 μS timer interrupt processing is executed (SI3). When the 500 μS timer interrupt process ends, the execution is restarted from the position of the temporarily stopped program.

Next, referring to FIG.
The μS timer interrupt processing will be described. In the 500 μS timer interrupt processing, when the INT signal and the prize ball command are sent from the game control board 31, the count value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 371 becomes 500.
Execution is started each time μS is reached.

In the 500 μS timer interrupt process, first, an initial process for initializing predetermined data is performed (SI4). Next, award ball data reading processing for reading award ball commands sent from the game control board 31 is executed (SI5). Thereafter, the 500 μS timer interrupt process ends, and the loop of the winning ball motor control process is executed again.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the award ball data reading process executed by the award ball control microcomputer 370. This award ball data reading process is a process executed by SI5 of the above-described 500 μS timer interrupt process. This award ball data reading processing is 500
It is executed every elapse of μS.

In the award ball data reading process, first, a process of reading the award ball command sent from the game control board 31 into the award ball control microcomputer 370 (SI6). Next, it is determined whether or not the INT signal is on, that is, whether or not the INT signal is in a valid state (SI7). When the INT signal is in a valid state, the INT signal rises and is the first command, or the award ball command read in the current process is the same as the award ball command read in the previous process. It is determined whether the command is a command (SI8).

The award ball command read in this processing is IN
When it is determined that the T signal rises and is the first command or the same command as the prize ball command read in the previous process, the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is set to a predetermined maximum value. It is determined whether (MAX) has been reached (SI9). Here, the prize ball communication counter is a counter for counting the number of times that the prize ball command extracted during the period in which the INT signal is in the valid state continues to match the prize ball command extracted last time. , Its maximum value is set to “3”.

If it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is not at the maximum value, the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is incremented by "1" and updated (SI10).
Proceed to 12. On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the award ball communication counter is the maximum value, the process directly proceeds to SI12 without adding or updating the counter value of the award ball communication counter.

When it is determined by SI7 that the INT signal is not in the valid state, or when the award ball command read in the current process is the same as the award ball command read in the previous process by SI8. If it is determined that the value is not the same, a process of clearing the counter value of the winning ball communication counter is performed (SI11), and then the process proceeds to SI12. As described above, the prize ball communication counter determines whether the INT signal has become invalid or the prize ball command read in the current process is not the same command as the prize ball command read in the previous process. Is cleared. Therefore, if the award ball commands do not continuously match, the counter value of the award ball communication counter becomes “0”.

At SI12, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the winning ball communication counter is "3". If it is determined that the counter value of the award ball communication counter is not "3", the award ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 376 (SI16), and the award ball data reading process ends. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is "3", a process of setting (storing) the prize ball command that matches three times consecutively in the received command storage area is performed (SI14). . The received command storage area is an area in which command data regarded as regular command data is set.
The control based on the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is performed by the prize ball control microcomputer 37.
Performed by 0.

Next, it is determined whether or not payout of the prize ball is designated by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area (SI15). If it is determined that payout of the prize ball has not been designated, the prize ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 376 (SI16), and the prize ball data reading processing ends. When it is determined that the payout of the prize ball is designated, the counter value of the prize ball counter of the number corresponding to the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is set to “1”. Is added and updated (SI17). Thereafter, the award ball data reading process ends.

Here, the prize ball counter includes five, ten,
A counter that counts and stores the number of prize ball commands that specify the number of prize balls to be paid out, such as 15 or 15, and can specify how many prize balls of one payout unit are to be paid out. The winning ball counter is counted and stored in the RAM 376. The prize ball counters are separately provided corresponding to each of a total of 15 types of prize ball units from 1 to 15. Therefore, in SI17, the prize ball counters of the number corresponding to the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball command among the prize ball counters corresponding to a total of 15 types from 1 to 15 are added and updated.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the prize ball motor control processing executed by the prize ball control microcomputer 370. This prize ball motor control process is a process executed by SI2 of the above-described prize ball control process of FIG.

In the prize ball motor control processing, first, a ball lending motor control processing for performing drive control of the ball lending motor 289C of the ball lending device 97b is executed (SJ).
1). FIG. 26 shows the contents of the ball lending motor control process.
Will be described later.

Next, it is determined whether or not the above-described counter value of the prize ball counter is other than "0" and whether or not the prize ball in-flight flag is set (SJ2).
Here, the prize ball in progress flag is a flag for indicating that a prize ball is currently in play, and is set by SJ5 described later. In SJ2, the counter value of the prize ball counter is other than “0”, that is, there is an unpaid prize ball,
By determining that the prize ball in progress flag has been set, that is, that the prize ball is being played, the prize ball motor 289 is determined.
It is determined whether the driving of A is necessary. SJ2
If at least one of the two determination conditions is satisfied, the drive condition of the prize ball motor 289A is satisfied.

When it is determined that the driving condition of the prize ball motor 289A is not satisfied (SJ2, N), the process returns to the ball lending motor control. On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving condition of the prize ball motor 289A is satisfied (SJ2, Y), a branching process for branching the process according to the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is executed. (SJ
4). The details of the branch processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the above-described process of setting the award ball flag is performed (SJ5). This indicates that the payout ball is being paid out. Next, scheduled payout number setting processing for setting the scheduled payout number of prize balls is executed (SJ).
6). Thereby, the expected payout number of prize balls is set.
The details of the scheduled payout number setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the award ball motor 289A is driven (ON state) (SJ7). As a result, a prize ball payout operation is performed. Then, a process of activating the timer T11 is performed (SJ8). Here, the timer T11 is set when the driving of the prize ball motor 289A is started or when one prize ball payout is completed, and when a timeout occurs, an error of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is determined. That is, it is an on-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on (SJ9). If it is not turned on, the process proceeds to SJ11, where it is determined whether the timer T11 has timed out. If the timer T11 has timed out, the process proceeds to error processing (SJ11, SJ1).
2). On the other hand, when the timer T11 times out, the award ball motor control processing ends. When the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on, the timer T11 is stopped (SJ10).

Next, referring to FIG. 23, a process of adding and updating the counter value of the winning ball number counter by "1" is performed (SK1). Here, the prize ball number counter is a counter for counting the number of prize balls paid out from the prize ball device 97a. When the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on, it is determined that the prize ball has been paid out. Assumed and added and updated.

Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the prize ball number counter matches the expected payout number set as described above (SK2). When it is determined that the counter value of the winning ball number counter matches the expected payout number, the process proceeds to SK3 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the counter value of the winning ball number counter does not match the expected payout number, the timer T12 is started (SK6). Here, the timer T12
Is a timer set in response to turning on of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A. When the timer T12 times out, it is determined that the award ball motor position sensor 300A has an error. That is, when the prize ball is paid out by the prize ball motor 289A, the ball fed by the ball feeding screw is paid out and the prize ball motor position sensor 3
A check is also made to determine that detection is no longer possible due to 00A. That is, the timer T12 is used as an off-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A.

After starting the timer T12, the CPU for controlling the prize ball
371 determines whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned off (SK7, SK10). Before the prize ball motor position sensor 300A turns off, the timer T1
If the timeout of 2 occurs, the processing shifts to error processing (SK1
0, SK11). On the other hand, the prize ball motor position sensor 300A
Turns off, the timer T12 is stopped (SK8), and the award ball motor control processing ends.

If it is determined by SK2 that the counter value of the prize ball number counter matches the expected payout number and the process proceeds to SK3, the number of prizes instructed by the prize ball number signal from the game control board 31 is returned. Since the ball payout control has been completed, the drive of the prize ball motor 289A is stopped (SK3). Then, the winning ball number counter is reset (SK4), and the winning ball flag is also reset (SK5).
In other words, when the payout of the number of prize balls set in the prize ball number counter is completed, the prize ball number counter and the prize ball in-flight flag are reset. Thereafter, the award ball motor processing ends.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the branching process. This branching process is performed in S
This is a process executed by J4.

In the branching process, first, it is determined whether or not bits 0 to 3 of the award ball command are “1” in a decimal number, that is, “0001” in a binary number (SL).
1). That is, here, it is determined whether or not the normal payout is performed. When it is determined that the payout is the normal payout, payout control designation processing for designating the control content of the prize ball command is executed (SL5), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SL4 described later. For details of the payout control designation processing, see FIG.
Will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the payout is not the normal payout, it is determined whether the timer T11 is operating (SL2). If it is determined that the timer T11 is operating, the process proceeds to SJ9 described above. In other words, if the timer T11 is already operating when the branching process is being executed, the execution of the above-described processes of SJ5 to SJ8 is unnecessary, and the process directly goes to SJ9, bypassing those processes. . On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer T11 is not operating, the timer T1
It is determined whether or not the operation 2 is in operation (SL3).

If it is determined that the timer T12 is operating, the flow advances to SK7 described above. If the timer T12 is already operating when the branch processing is being executed,
Since it is not necessary to execute the processing before SK7 after SJ5 described above, such processing is bypassed and SK7 is directly executed.
It goes to. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer T12 is not operating, the process proceeds to SL4 described above.

After the execution of the payout control processing or the timer T
11 and timer T12 are not running
In the case of proceeding to 4, it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition flag (set or reset in the payout control designation processing described later) is in an on state (set state). When it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, it is not necessary to perform the prize ball motor control because the payout of the prize ball is prohibited, and the prize ball motor control processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the branching process ends, and the process proceeds to SJ5 of the above-described winning ball motor control process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the expected payout number setting process. This scheduled payout number setting process is a process executed by SJ6 of the award ball motor process described above.

In the scheduled payout number setting process, first, 1
Of the five types of prize ball counters corresponding to the respective prize ball unit numbers, the prize ball counters with the highest prize ball unit numbers are sequentially
A process for checking the counter value is performed (SL6).
That is, the counter values of the winning ball counters corresponding to the order of 15, 14,..., 3, 2, 1 are checked. Then, among the prize ball counters having the counter value of 1 or more, the payout unit number of the prize ball counter having the largest corresponding payout unit number is set as the expected payout number (SL7). For example, when the prize ball counter of 15 prize ball units is 1 or more, “15” is set as the expected payout number.
Is set. The expected payout number is stored and set in a predetermined area of the RAM 376 of the winning ball control microcomputer 370. Then, in accordance with the setting of the expected payout number, a process of subtracting and updating the counter value of the winning ball counter used for setting the expected payout number by "1" is performed (SL8).
As a result, the value of the winning ball counter used for setting the expected payout number is decremented and updated by “1” at a time.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing payout control designation processing. The payout control designation process is a process executed by SL5 of the branch process described above.

In the payout control designation processing, first, it is determined whether or not the received prize ball command is a ball lending prohibition command (SN1). If it is determined that the command is a ball lending prohibition command, a process of setting a ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SN3). This indicates that ball lending prohibition has been instructed. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a ball lending prohibition command, it is determined whether or not the received prize ball command is a prize ball prohibition command (SN2).

When it is determined that the command is a prize ball prohibition command, a process of setting a prize ball prohibition flag is performed (SN).
5). This indicates that the prize ball prohibition has been commanded. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a prize ball prohibition command, it is determined whether or not the received prize ball command is a firing prohibition command (SN4).

If it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition command, the firing prohibition flag is set (SN7), and the firing control signal is set to LOW level (SN8). This allows
The fact that the prohibition of firing is instructed is indicated, and the state is controlled such that the firing of the hit ball is impossible. Thereafter, the payout control designation process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not the firing prohibition command, it is determined whether the received winning ball command is a ball lending prohibition canceling command (SN).
6).

If it is determined that the command is a ball lending prohibition canceling command, processing for resetting the ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SN10). As a result, it is not indicated that the ball lending prohibition is instructed. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not a ball lending prohibition release command, it is determined whether or not the received prize ball command is a prize ball prohibition release command (SN9).

If it is determined that the command is a winning ball prohibition canceling command, a process for resetting the winning ball prohibition flag is performed (SN12). As a result, it is not indicated that the prize ball prohibition has been commanded. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a winning ball prohibition canceling command, it is determined whether or not the received winning ball command is a firing prohibition canceling command (SN11).

If it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition release command, the firing prohibition flag is reset (SN13),
The firing control signal is set to HIGH level (SN14).
As a result, the fact that the prohibition of firing is instructed is not indicated, and the state is controlled so that the shot can be fired.
Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command is not the firing prohibition release command, the payout control designation processing ends.

As described above, according to the payout control designation processing,
The award ball command other than the normal payout is decoded, and various flags are controlled and control signals are controlled in accordance with the control content specified by the award ball command. If the prize ball motor position sensor 300A does not turn on or off within a predetermined time while driving the prize ball motor 289A, it is determined that an error has occurred. If the prize ball motor position sensor 300A does not turn on or off, the ball feeding screw of the prize ball mechanism does not rotate or the ball is jammed, and the rotation of the ball feeding screw is hindered. This is because there may be cases.

Also, despite the normal output of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A, the prize ball count switches 301A and 30A provided on the lower side of the prize ball mechanism portion.
If 1B (= prize ball count switch (b)) is not turned on, the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B
Is considered to be an error. If the award ball count switch (b) has not been turned off, the award ball count switches 301A and 301A
Since it is considered that clogging occurs near B,
It is also determined to be an error.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the ball lending motor control process. The ball lending motor control process is a process executed by SJ1 of the prize ball motor control process described above.

In the ball lending motor control process, first,
It is determined whether or not the card unit 50 is connected to the winning ball control board 37 (SP1). Specifically, when the above-described card unit connection confirmation signal is input, it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected. When it is determined that the card unit 50 is not connected, a process of setting the firing control signal to the LOW level is performed (SP20). This makes it impossible to fire a hit ball. On the other hand, when it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected, it is determined whether or not the above-described firing prohibition flag (a firing prohibition flag set or reset in the payout control designation process) is in an on state (set state). A determination is made (SP2).

If the firing is prohibited and the firing prohibition flag is on, the firing control signal is set to the LOW level (SP22), and the process proceeds to SP4 described later. This makes it impossible to fire a hit ball. On the other hand, when the firing is not performed when the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, a process of setting the firing control signal to the HIGH level is performed (SP
3) Go to SP4. As a result, a shot can be fired.

In SP4, it is determined whether or not the ball lending flag is set. Here, the ball lending flag is a flag indicating that ball lending is in progress, and is described later in SP.
12 may be set. If it is determined that the ball lending flag is set, the process proceeds to SP14 described later.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending flag is not set, it is determined whether the ball lending standby flag is set (SP5). Here, the ball lending standby flag is a flag indicating that the ball lending is in a standby state,
It can be set by SP9 described later.

If it is determined that the ball lending standby flag is set, the flow advances to SP10 to be described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending standby flag is not set, the ball lending prohibition flag (the ball lending prohibition flag set or reset in the payout control designation process) is in an on state (set state). Is determined (SP6).
If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the ball lending is prohibited, and the process of setting the PRDY signal (pachinko machine operation signal) to the card unit 50 to the LOW level is performed. Done (SP2
1). When the PRDY signal becomes LOW level, the card unit 50 is set in a state where it is impossible to accept a ball lending operation. Thereafter, the ball lending motor control process ends. In this manner, in the ball lending device 97b, it becomes impossible to pay out the ball lending due to the running out of the ball lending or the surplus ball tray 4 being full, and when the ball lending prohibition flag is set, the PRDY signal is output. The card unit 50 is notified that ball lending is not possible. By such notification, it is possible to know outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 that ball lending is not possible. Further, the card unit 50 on which the ball lending operation is performed can know from the PRDY signal that ball lending is not possible. The treatment corresponding to the state can be performed in the card unit 50.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag has not been turned on, the ball lending is not prohibited and the PRD given to the card unit 50 is determined.
A process of setting the Y signal to the HIGH level is performed (SP
7). When the PRDY signal goes high,
In the card unit 50, the ball lending is enabled.

Next, a BRDY signal (unit ball lending operation signal) for requesting ball lending according to operation of the ball lending switch
It is determined whether or not is turned on (SP
8).

If it is determined that the BRDY signal is not on, it is not necessary to perform a ball lending operation.
This ball lending motor control processing ends. On the other hand, BRDY
If it is determined that the signal is in the ON state, a process of setting a ball lending standby flag is performed to wait for a ball lending operation (SP9). Thereafter, the ball lending motor control process ends. When the ball lending standby flag is set in this manner, the ball lending operation is not performed in the execution of the ball lending motor control process in the current round, but the BRQ signal is output in the subsequent ball lending motor control process. The ball lending operation is performed on condition that the ball lending request signal is received. Thus, the ball lending operation is performed with a delay of a predetermined time from the operation of the ball lending switch.

If it is determined at SP5 that the ball lending standby flag has been set and the process proceeds to SP10,
It is determined whether or not the BRQ signal has been turned on to execute the ball lending. If it is determined that the BRQ signal has not been turned on, the ball lending motor control process ends. As a result, reception of the BRQ signal is waited. On the other hand, when it is determined that the BRQ signal is in the ON state, a process of setting the ball lending motor 289C to the driving state is performed (SP11). Thereby, the ball lending device 5
Balls are paid out from 7b.

Next, processing for turning on the EXS signal (ball lending completion signal) is performed (SP12). This notifies the card unit 50 that ball lending is being performed. Next, the ball lending flag is set, and the ball lending standby flag is reset (SP13). This indicates that the ball lending standby state has ended and that ball lending is being executed.

Next, it is determined by the ball lending count switch 301C whether or not payout of lending has been detected (SP14). When it is determined that the payout of the lending ball is not detected, the ball lending motor process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the payout of the lending ball is detected, a process of adding and updating the ball lending counter by “1” is performed (SP15). Here, the ball lending counter is a counter for counting the number of ball lending paid out from the ball lending device 57b.

Next, the counter value of the ball lending counter is set to “2”.
It is determined whether or not "5" has been reached (SP16). Here, the case where the counter value becomes “25” is the number of balls to be paid for one payout unit (100 yen). That is, PRD
Since the Y signal is output for each payout unit, payout of the lending ball is performed for each payout unit. If it is determined that the counter value is not "25", the ball lending motor control process ends, and the process waits until the counter value of the ball lending counter becomes "25". On the other hand, if it is determined that the counter value of the ball lending counter has reached “25”,
Since the payout of one payout unit has been performed, a process of resetting the ball lending flag is performed (SP18). This indicates that the ball is not being lent.

Next, a process for stopping the ball lending motor 289C is performed (SP18). Thereby, the payout of the lending ball is stopped according to the payout of one payout unit.
Then, a process of turning off the EXS signal (ball lending completion signal) is performed (SP19). This notifies the card unit 50 that the ball lending has been completed. Thereafter, the ball lending motor processing control ends.

Next, typical control operations for award balls and ball lending will be described. FIGS. 28 to 31 are timing charts showing typical control operations for award balls and ball lending.

FIG. 28 shows a basic control operation at the time of a prize ball. In FIG. 28, an input from the winning ball detection switch (a generic name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240) to the game control board 31, the game control board 31
Output of an INT signal, output of a prize ball command from the game control board 31, prize ball count switch (# 1) 301
A, the input from the prize ball count switch (# 2) 301B to the game control board 31, the output of the drive signal from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A, and the game control board 3
The state of the error operation on the first side is shown.

Referring to FIG. 28, a prize for paying out five balls, a prize for paying out 15 balls, and
When winnings for five payouts are detected successively, an INT signal and a prize ball command specifying the number of payouts are immediately output from the game control board 31 in accordance with each of the winnings.
The number of payouts by such a prize ball command is stored in the RAM 376 of the prize ball control microcomputer 370. Then, based on the stored information on the number of payouts, drive signals for five payout rotations, fifteen payout rotations, and five payout rotations are sent from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 28.
9A. With this, 5 prize balls,
Ten prize balls and five prize balls are sequentially paid out, and the number of prize balls is detected by a prize ball count switch. In this case, no error operation has occurred on the game control board 31 side.

FIG. 29 shows a control operation when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. In FIG. 29, the input to the game control board 31 from the winning ball detection switch (general name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240), and the game control board from the ball cutout switch 187. 31; input from the ball-out detection switch 167 to the game control board 31; input from the ball-out switch to the game control board 31; output of an INT signal from the game control board 31; Command output, award ball count switch (# 1) 301A, award ball count switch (# 2) 30
Input from 1B to game control board 31, prize ball control board 37
The output of the drive signal from the to the prize ball motor 289A is shown.

Referring to FIG. 29, when the power of pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, in the initialization processing (S2) in the main processing described above, the firing prohibition flag, ball lending prohibition flag, and prize ball prohibition flag are set. Are turned on. Then, first, on condition that the full tank switch 402 does not detect the full state, the firing prohibition flag is turned off, and a firing prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. Then, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off after a lapse of 2000 ms after it is confirmed that the ball luff switch 187 is in the off state (ball luff non-detection state), and a ball lending prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. You. Then, after it is confirmed that the broken-out detection switch 167 is in the OFF state (the broken-out non-detection state), 2
After elapse of 200 ms, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off,
A prize ball prohibition release command is output in conjunction with the INT signal.

In this case, after the prize ball prohibition release command is output, the winning of five payouts is detected by the prize ball detection switch. The prize ball command for paying out the five prize balls is output after the prize ball prohibition release command is output. The payout number by the prize ball command is stored in the RAM of the prize ball control microcomputer 370.
376 is stored. A drive signal corresponding to five payout rotations is output from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A in accordance with such a prize ball command specifying the number of prize balls. As a result, five winning balls are paid out, and the number of winning balls is detected by the winning ball count switch.

FIG. 30 shows a control operation at the time of a broken ball. FIG. 30 shows inputs and outputs of switches and the like as in FIG. 29. Referring to FIG. 30, while the payout of prize balls is being performed, switch 1 for breaking a ball is provided.
The switch 87 and the cutout detection switch 167 are simultaneously turned on (a cutout detection state). That is, the ball is in a broken state. In this case, the ball lending prohibition command output flag and the prize ball prohibition command output flag are simultaneously turned on in response to the detection of the running out of balls, but the ball lending prohibition command is output together with the INT signal in accordance with the priority order described above. Is output first, and then a winning ball prohibition command is output along with the INT signal. In this case, in the out-of-ball detection state, the winning of five payouts is detected by the winning ball detection switch. The prize ball command for paying out the five prize balls is output in accordance with the priority order as described above, together with the INT signal after the output of the prize ball prohibition release command. The payout number by the award ball command is stored in the RAM 376 of the award ball control microcomputer 370. Then, after the prize ball prohibition state is released, prize balls are paid out based on the stored information of the number of payouts.

The switch 187 and the switch 167 are turned off at the same time.
That is, the broken-ball state is restored. Ball switch 1
After a lapse of 2000 mS from the turning-off of 87, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off, and a ball lending prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. 2200 ms after the burnout detection switch 167 is turned off.
After the elapse, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off, and a prize ball prohibition release command is output with the INT signal.

FIG. 31 shows a control operation when the tank is full. In FIG. 31, an input from the winning ball detection switch (a generic name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240) to the game control board 31, and a full tank switch 402 to the game control board 31; output of an INT signal from the game control board 31; output of a prize ball command from the game control board 31; and game control from a prize ball count switch (# 1) 301A and a prize ball count switch (# 2) 301B. Input to the board 31, the prize ball motor 289 from the prize ball control board 37
The output of the drive signal to A is shown. Referring to FIG. 31, during the payout of the prize balls, the full tank switch 402 is on. That is, the surplus ball tray 4 is full. In this case, the ball lending prohibition command output flag, the prize ball prohibition command output flag, and the firing prohibition command output flag are turned on almost at the same time according to the detection of the full tank, but according to the priorities described above, The ball lending prohibition command is output first with the INT signal, then the winning ball prohibition command is output with the INT signal, and then the firing prohibition command is output with the INT signal. In this case, in the full tank detection state, the winning of five payouts is detected by the winning ball detection switch. The prize ball commands for paying out the five prize balls are output in accordance with the above-described priority order and are output together with the INT signal after the output of the firing prohibition command. The payout number by the award ball command is determined by the RA of the award ball control microcomputer 370.
It is stored in M376. Then, after the prize ball prohibition state is released, prize balls are paid out based on the stored information of the number of payouts.

After that, the full tank switch 402 is turned off. That is, the full state has been restored. In response to the restoration of the full state, a ball lending prohibition release command, a winning ball prohibition release command, and a firing prohibition release command are sequentially output according to the priority.

Next, modifications and features of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) In the above-described embodiment, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a command information output unit (basic circuit 53) that outputs command information (prize ball command) generates an output condition of a command relating to payout of a lending ball (a ball lending prohibition command, a ball lending prohibition release command). Every time the output condition is satisfied), the command information is output only once over a predetermined output duration (for example, 4 mS) so as to be receivable by the ball payout control means (prize ball control microcomputer 370). Have been. In such a case, the command information is output by setting the prize ball command to 1 in accordance with the INT signal.
In addition to the case of outputting only once, the following cases are also included.
That is, the command for paying out the prize ball is changed by continuously outputting the same command as the prize ball command, not only once, and turning on the INT signal only at the timing when the ball payout control means needs to receive the command. Each time it is performed, the case where the command information is receivably output by the ball payout control means is also included.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, when the content of the received prize ball command matches three times in succession, the prize ball command is regarded as a regular command. It suffices if there are three times. Also, the example in which the match determination period of the prize ball command extends over the entire valid period of the prize ball command has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be limited to a length period.

(3) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0267]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. A gaming machine for paying out (ball lending) is configured. The ball lending device 97b shown in FIG. 3 constitutes a ball payout unit capable of paying out the ball lending. The hit ball supply tray 3 and the surplus ball receiving tray 4 shown in FIG. 4 constitute a ball storage means capable of storing balls including premium balls paid out by the ball payout means. The full tank switch 402 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes a stored ball detection unit that can detect that the number of balls stored in the ball storage unit exceeds a predetermined amount. Basic circuit 53 shown in FIG.
Thereby, a game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine and capable of outputting command information (prize ball command) relating to payout of a lending ball is configured.
The prize ball controlling microcomputer 37 shown in FIG.
0 is provided separately from the game control means, and is capable of performing control of paying out a lending ball when the above described lending ball payout condition is satisfied. A ball payout control means capable of performing control according to the command information is configured. By the basic circuit 53 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, and more specifically, by the processing step of the ball lending possibility determination processing shown in FIG. 12, the ball is stored in the ball storing means based on the detection output of the stored ball detecting means. The determination means is configured to be capable of determining that the amount of the ball being performed exceeds a predetermined amount. The basic circuit 53 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is a means for outputting command information relating to the payout of the lending ball to the ball payout control means, and is a means for outputting the ball stored in the ball storage means. Command information output means capable of outputting command information capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is stopped when the determination that the amount has exceeded the predetermined amount is made by the determination means. (See FIGS. 15-18). As shown in FIG. 27, when the ball payout control means receives the stop command information from the game control means, the ball payout control means stops the payout of the lending balls from the ball payout means according to the stop command information. (SP6, SP21, etc.).

(2) As shown in FIG. 6, the priority order of the command information transmitted from the game control means to the ball payout control means is determined in advance according to the type of the command information. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, when sequentially outputting a plurality of types of the command information, the command information output unit outputs the command information in an order according to the priority.

(3) As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, between the game control means and the ball payout control means, information is transmitted by one-way communication from the game control means to the ball payout control means. Transmission takes place.

(4) It is possible to output information from the inside of the game control means to the outside by the I / O port section 57 shown in FIG. 4 and the like, but the information from the outside to the inside of the game control means is provided. Irreversible output means which does not allow the input of the data.

(5) As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the command information output means generates an output condition of a command related to payout of a lending ball (output condition of a ball lending prohibition command and a ball lending prohibition release command are satisfied). ), The command information is output only once over a predetermined output continuation period (for example, 4 mS) so as to be receivable by the ball payout control means.

(6) As shown in FIG. 21, when the ball payout control means receives the command information from the game control means, the ball payout control means outputs the command information within a predetermined output continuation period. The command information is monitored for a predetermined period, and control is performed according to the command information on condition that the content of the command information does not change for the predetermined period.

(7) As shown in FIG. 12, the command information output means determines whether or not the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount by the determination means. When it is recognized that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means does not exceed a predetermined amount based on the detection output of the stored ball detection means for a predetermined period, the lending of the ball by the ball payout means is performed. It outputs command information (ball lending prohibition release command) that can specify that the payout stop state is released (SC1, SC17 to SC20, SC11, S
C12 etc.).

(8) The prize ball controlling microcomputer 370 shown in FIG. 4 and the like, more specifically, the processing steps (SP6, SP6) of the ball lending motor control processing shown in FIG.
SP21 etc.), when the determination means determines that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount, it is determined that the state is in a state in which payout of lending balls is impossible. Notify to the outside of the gaming machine (PRDY signal L
OW) notification means is configured.

[0275]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. A place where the amount of stored balls cannot be paid out from the ball payout means based on the detection of the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means that stores the prize balls paid out by the ball payout means. It is possible to determine that the quantity has been exceeded. Then, when it is determined that the amount of the ball exceeds the predetermined amount, stop command information capable of specifying that the payout of the lending ball is stopped is output to the ball payout control means, and the lending by the ball payout means is performed. Can be stopped, so that the state of the ball payout means can be managed in the game control means.

Regarding claim 2, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. When sequentially outputting a plurality of types of command information, since the command information is output in an order according to the priority order, it is not necessary to simultaneously output a plurality of types of command information, and thus information to be simultaneously processed for output. The amount can be suppressed, and the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. Since the transmission of information between the game control means and the ball payout control means is performed based on one-way communication from the game control means to the ball payout control means, incorrect data from the ball payout control means to the game control means is transmitted. The illegal control operation of the game control means by the input of the game control device can be prevented as much as possible.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. It is possible to output information from the inside of the game control means to the outside, but it is impossible to input information from the outside of the game control means to the inside, so one-way communication from the game control means to the ball payout control means It is done reliably. Thus, it is possible to prevent an illegal act of inputting an illegal signal from outside the game control means such as the ball payout control means to the inside of the game control means and performing an illegal control.

[0279] Regarding claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. Since the command information only needs to be output once for a predetermined output duration every time the output condition of the command related to the payout of the lending occurs, the game control means repeatedly outputs the same command information. There is no need to do it. This makes it possible to reduce the number of processes relating to the output of the command information, so that the processing load on the game control means can be further reduced.

According to claim 6, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. Since the control according to the command information is performed on condition that the content of the received command information does not change for a predetermined period, the normal command information instantaneously changes to information different from the original one due to the influence of noise or the like. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that erroneous control is performed based on the information. As a result, highly accurate payout control can be performed.

According to the seventh aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect according to the first aspect. Normally, the ball cannot be paid out on condition that the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means has not exceeded a predetermined amount based on the detection output of the stored ball detection means over a certain period of time. If it is determined that the state has been restored to a normal state, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like, and to reliably determine restoration from a state where no lending can be paid out.

Regarding claim 8, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. When the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means exceeds a predetermined amount, the outside of the gaming machine is notified to the effect that it is impossible to pay out the lending ball, and the outside of the gaming machine is notified. It is possible to know that payout of lending is impossible. Further, outside the gaming machine, it is possible to perform a measure corresponding to a state where lending is impossible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit installed corresponding thereto.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing the contents of data of a prize ball command output from a basic circuit.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which a winning ball control board receives a winning ball command.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main process and an interrupt process executed by the basic circuit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a start winning opening check process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a special winning opening check process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending possibility determination process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a firing possibility determination process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a winning ball possible determination process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an error display process.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a prize ball control process and a 500 μS timer interrupt process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing award ball data reading processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a prize ball motor control process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a prize ball motor control process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a branching process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a scheduled payout number setting process.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating payout control designation processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a ball lending motor control process.

FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing a typical control operation for award balls and ball lending.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing a representative control operation for award balls and ball lending.

FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing a typical control operation for award balls and ball lending.

FIG. 31 is a timing chart showing a typical control operation for award balls and ball lending.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko game machine, 97b is a ball lending device, 187 is a ball cutout switch, 53 is a basic circuit, 370 is a microcomputer for controlling a prize ball, 57 is an I / O port unit, 31 is a game control board, and 37 is a prize ball. It is a control board.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine in which a lending ball is paid out in accordance with a predetermined lending ball payout condition being satisfied, wherein: a ball payout means capable of paying out the lending ball; Ball storage means capable of storing balls including the obtained prize balls, storage ball detection means capable of detecting that the number of balls stored in the ball storage means exceeds a predetermined amount, Means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine, wherein the game control means is capable of outputting command information relating to the payout of a lending ball, and is provided separately from the game control means, and the lending ball payout condition is satisfied. Is a means capable of performing control of paying out a lending ball in the case of receiving the command information output from the game control means, and capable of performing control in accordance with the received command information. Control means, the game control hand A stage, based on a detection output of the stored ball detection device, a determination device capable of determining that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage device has exceeded a predetermined amount; and Means for outputting command information relating to payout to the ball payout control means, wherein the determination means has determined that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount. Command information output means capable of outputting command information capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is stopped in the case, wherein the ball payout control means receives the stop command information from the game control means. In this case, the gaming machine performs a control to stop paying out the lending ball from the ball payout means in accordance with the stop command information. 2. The command information transmitted from the game control means to the ball payout control means has a priority determined in advance in accordance with the type of the command information. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when sequentially outputting the command information, the command information is output in an order according to the priority. 3. The one-way communication of information from the game control means to the ball payout control means is performed between the game control means and the ball payout control means. The gaming machine according to 1. 4. The irreversibility that the command information output means can output information from the inside of the game control means to the outside, but cannot input information from the outside to the inside of the game control means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit. 5. The command information output means is provided only once for a predetermined output continuation period so that the command information can be received by the ball payout control means every time an output condition of a command relating to payout of a lending ball occurs. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine outputs the information. 6. The ball payout control means, when receiving the command information from the game control means, monitors the command information for a predetermined period within a predetermined output continuation period of the command information. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein control is performed in accordance with the command information on condition that the content of the command information does not change for the predetermined period. 7. The command information output means detects the output of the stored ball detection means after the determination means determines that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount. If the amount of the balls stored in the ball storage means does not exceed a predetermined amount over a predetermined period based on the above, it is determined that the stopped state of the payout of the lending balls in the ball payout means is released. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein commandable information is output. 8. When the determination means determines that the amount of balls stored in the ball storage means has exceeded a predetermined amount, it is determined that the payout of the lending balls is impossible. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the outside of the gaming machine.