JP2001029555A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor information concerning a prize winning ball in a game controller, hold supplied information in a discharge controller and discharge the prize winning ball by decision on the basis of the information. SOLUTION: A game controller 107 sets prize winning ball data on the basis of a prize winning to each prize winning port and transmits the data to a discharge controller 106. The game controller 107 monitors the state change of indirect preliminary conditional information obtained by an incomplete sensor 224 and an overflow sensor 225 and transmits discharge conditional data to the discharge controller 106. The discharge controller 106 stores the prize winning ball data and the discharge conditional data in a backed up RAM 203 to discharge the prize winning ball by deciding the establishment of the discharge conditional data (indirect discharge preliminary condition) stored in the RAM 203 and a direct discharge preliminary condition (the discharge condition, or the like, of a ball discharge unit 105 itself).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game control device and a discharge control device which are separately provided, and the discharge control device is provided to a player based on prize ball number information as game value information transmitted from the game control device. Gaming machines that supply game value (for example,
Pachinko machines).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional pachinko game machine has a separate structure (a board is separately formed) based on game value information transmitted from a game control device for controlling the progress of a game on a game board. This means that the discharged control device drives and controls the discharging device (for example, a ball discharging unit) to supply a game value (for example, a game ball as award ball discharging) to the player. That is, in order to supply a game value to the player, on condition that the game ball is fired in a game area formed on the game board surface, and the fired ball has won various winning holes provided in the game area. Game value information (eg, prize ball data such as 7 prize balls or 13 prize balls: information on the number of prize balls; hereinafter, referred to as prize ball data as appropriate) is transmitted to the discharge control device, and the player controls the discharge control device. Is supplied with a predetermined number of game balls as a game value.

A signal from a sensor (for example, an odd sensor or an overflow sensor) that detects information serving as a precondition for discharging a ball is input to the discharge control device, and the discharge control device receives the signal from the input sensor signal. The precondition of the ball discharge is determined, and the game ball corresponding to the prize ball data is paid out. The game balls (winning balls: safe balls) that have won the winning opening are gathered in a safe unit that detects one winning ball, and the winning balls are temporarily stopped by a stopping mechanism provided in the safe unit. After being stopped, one winning ball in this state is detected by the safe sensor. The output signal of the safe sensor is branched by the game control device and is also input to the discharge control device.The presence or absence of a winning ball is grasped by both the game control device and the discharge control device, and the timing of transmission of the prize ball data and the like. It's being used.

The game control device checks the winning ball memory based on the winning ball signal from the safe sensor, and if there is a winning ball memory, the corresponding winning ball data (for example, 7).
Are transmitted to the discharge control device, and if there is no winning storage, the set prize ball data (for example, 13) is transmitted. Next, the discharge control device supplies the game ball to the player based on the transmitted prize ball data (for example, supplies the ball by driving the ball discharge unit), and also drives the stopping mechanism of the safe unit to drive the prize. The winning balls involved in the ball ejection are ejected out of the gaming machine, and the prize ball discharging process based on the winning balls ends. The conditions for starting the discharge of the game balls in the discharge control device include the following information. There is prize ball data. The odd sensor is in a state with a ball. Not in overflow. The discharge sensor of the discharge device has a ball. Discharge device is not discharging the ball. No error related to discharge. Sensor signals relating to these pieces of information are input to the discharge control device, and only the discharge control device determines conditions for starting discharge of the game balls.

In order to speed up the prize ball discharge, prize ball data is transmitted from the game control device to the discharge control device without providing the above-mentioned safe unit, that is, based on the detection of one by the safe unit. Instead of the transmission method, for example, a sensor is provided for each winning opening provided on the game board surface, and based on the fact that a game ball has won the sensor, the prize ball data is sequentially transmitted from the game control device to the discharge control device. And control to discharge the winning gaming ball outside the gaming machine without temporarily stopping it as described above,
On the other hand, the discharge control device sequentially stores the transmitted prize ball data, and based on the stored prize ball data, the discharge control device drives the ball discharge unit to discharge the prize ball by the pachinko gaming machine. Has also been proposed.

On the other hand, the applicant of the present invention has previously proposed, as another technique, a gaming machine in which a game control device determines a dischargeable condition of a game ball and transmits the ball to a discharge control device. (Not the prior art, but only the invention according to the earlier application). The gaming machine of the invention according to the earlier application has a safe unit and inputs signals from an odd sensor, an overflow sensor, and the like to the game control device, and the game control device detects the game ball based on these detection signals. It is determined whether or not the dischargeable condition information serving as the dischargeable condition information has changed. Then, when it is determined that the dischargeable condition information has changed, state change data indicating the contents of the changed dischargeable condition information is transmitted to the discharge control device. The discharge control device determines whether or not the game balls can be discharged based on the received state change data, and controls the discharge of the game balls in conjunction with the determination of the discharge possible.

[0007]

By the way, the conventional gaming machines have the following problems. (A) When a prize ball is discharged with a prize in the winning opening, a sensor signal (for example, an odd sensor,
The signal from the overflow sensor) was used to determine the conditions for starting the discharge of the game ball only with the discharge control device.
The game control device could not monitor the prize ball discharge control. Therefore, the game control device cannot determine an overflow state or the like that directly affects the game. Therefore, when a problem related to the prize ball discharge occurs in the game control, the game control may not be able to cope with the problem, and the progress of the game may not be smooth. For example, in the case of an overflow state, the power supply to the firing control device, which is conventionally supplied with power from the discharge control device, can only be stopped by stopping the firing of the ball. If you do not know why the prize ball is not ejected even though the ball has entered, or even if the upper plate and lower plate are full, move the game ball to the ball box (so-called dollar box) In some cases, the player may become enthusiastic about the game, causing suspicion that no prize ball will appear, or causing problems in the game.

(B) The prize ball data is transmitted from the game control device to the discharge control device. Even if the prize ball data is stored in the RAM, there is no backup for the electronic data storage. Therefore, even if the prize ball data is sent directly from the game control device in accordance with the occurrence of the prize, information related to the discharge of the prize ball has been lost due to a power failure or the like. Therefore, at the time of power recovery, in the case of a pachinko gaming machine provided with the above-described safe unit, the winning game ball is stopped upstream from the stopping device of the safe unit. Although a prize ball can be performed, as a result of erasing the memory of the number of prize balls, all the stopped prize balls are replaced with a specific number of prize balls (for example, all 13 prize balls), and the game is played. There is a problem that the player or the game store is damaged. If all 13 prize balls have been won, the game store will be damaged.

(C) In the game machine (provided with a safe unit) filed by the applicant of the present invention, the problem (a) described above (the game is directly affected by the game control device) (The fact that the overflow state cannot be determined) does not occur. Therefore, when a problem related to the prize ball discharge occurs in the game control, it is possible to cope with the problem by, for example, the game control. However, this can only be applied to a gaming machine of a type having a safe unit, and a technology for solving the above-mentioned problem (a) for a gaming machine of a type without a safe unit has been shown. Not. In a gaming machine without a safe unit, a sensor is provided for each winning port provided on the game board surface, and prize ball data is sequentially transmitted to the discharge control device based on a game ball winning on these sensors. Therefore, the invention previously filed by the applicant of the present invention (the invention of a gaming machine having a safe unit) cannot be applied as it is, and if the safe unit is not provided, How to do it (that is, how to determine the dischargeable condition of the game ball on the game control device side and deal with the game control) is not shown as a specific technique. Therefore, the invention filed by the applicant of the present invention alone does not provide an effective solution to the above-mentioned problem (A) for a gaming machine without a safe unit. For example, in a gaming machine of a type in which a sensor is provided for each winning opening, at the time of winning, the game control device directly transmits the prize ball data to the discharge control device even if the discharge conditions are not satisfied, and controls the discharge control. The apparatus holds the prize ball data transmitted one after another (even if the discharge conditions are not satisfied). At that time, if the discharge control condition information is acquired on the game control device side, and the discharge control condition information is transmitted to the discharge control device separately from the prize ball data, the discharge control condition is determined on the discharge control device side. It is possible to judge, but a specific technology that takes such points into consideration has not yet been disclosed. Since it has not been released yet, there may be a problem that the discharge control device side cannot determine the discharge start condition when attempting to actually discharge the prize ball, and the prize ball can be paid out smoothly. May be lost. On the other hand, if the discharge control device itself is configured to acquire the dischargeable condition information, the problem pointed out in (a) above (the overflow state that directly affects the game cannot be determined by the game control device, and the game control Can not be solved). Therefore, the discharge start condition can be determined at the time when the prize ball is actually discharged by the discharge control device for a gaming machine without the safe unit, and the game is directly affected by the game control device. A gaming machine capable of determining an overflow state and the like and capable of coping with the gaming control is desired.

(D) A sensor (eg, an irregular sensor,
In a gaming machine to which a signal from an overflow sensor is input, when there is winning ball number information that is mechanically backed up at the time of recovery from power failure (for example, a safe unit is provided and parking is performed upstream of the parking device) When there is a winning prize ball), at the time of power recovery, it is possible to effectively inform the player of the situation when the ball does not come out only with the discharge control device (for example, the overflow state of the lower plate) in the course of the game. As a result, it was difficult for a player or a store clerk to understand why the prize balls were not paid out. This means that if the game control device monitors the information that is the precondition for ball ejection, even if the game progresses in a situation where there is no odd sensor ball or the prize ball is not paid out in the overflow state,
Although it is possible to notify, such a configuration has not been considered in the past, and the invention filed by the applicant of the present invention earlier is only applied to a gaming machine having a safe unit. However, there is room for improvement in that a player or the like must easily understand why a prize ball is not paid out in a gaming machine having no safe unit.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and enables a game control device to monitor information related to a prize ball, and a discharge control device to hold sent information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can discharge a prize ball by making a determination based on a game machine.

[0012]

To achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a game control device for controlling the progress of a game on a game board, and a discharging device for discharging a game value. And a discharge control device for causing the game machine to include: a prize ball detecting means that is disposed in correspondence with each prize port of the game board and individually detects a game ball prize in each prize port; And an indirect emission precondition acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the indirect emission precondition and outputting the information to the game control device, wherein the game control device has a game value generated in the game based on the output from the winning ball detection means. A game value information transmitting means for transmitting game value information for supplying to the player, and monitoring a state change of the indirect emission precondition information acquired by the indirect emission precondition acquisition means, and Indirect emission information transmitting means for transmitting the proposed condition change information, wherein the emission control device is a storage means capable of storing information, game value information and indirect emission precondition change information transmitted from the game control device Information storage processing means for storing in a predetermined storage area previously secured in the storage means, and a backup means for backing up so that the storage content in the storage means of the emission control device is provided, Further, the discharge control device includes discharge start condition monitoring means for determining whether or not the discharge start condition of the game ball is satisfied based on information stored in the storage means, and at least the discharge start condition monitoring means It is characterized in that the discharge of the game ball corresponding to the game value information including the determination result is controlled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the game control device and the discharge control device are configured such that a power supply for use in these devices is supplied from a separately configured power supply device. The power supply device receives power supplied from the outside of the gaming machine, generates required power and supplies the power to the discharge control device, and the backup unit controls power supply from outside the gaming machine. An element for supplying backup power to the storage means so that the storage contents of the storage means are retained when the power supply from the power supply apparatus to the emission control device is cut off due to the cutoff; The means is provided in the power supply device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third aspect, the discharge control device is provided before the power failure when the game value information is held in the storage means when the power of the gaming machine is turned on. The discharge of game balls is controlled based on indirect discharge precondition information that has already been monitored by the game control device and stored in the storage means. A gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the gaming machine further comprises ejecting device information acquiring means for acquiring information relating to the operation of the ejecting device, and wherein the ejecting control device comprises the ejecting device information acquiring means. The emission control device side has a discharge precondition monitoring unit that monitors the establishment of the direct emission precondition on the emission control device side, including the information obtained by the control unit. And controlling the discharge of the game balls. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the discharge control device stores the game value information in the storage unit as determination information when starting discharge of the game ball corresponding to the game value information. Or not, whether information is stored, whether the indirect emission precondition on the game control device side is satisfied, or whether the direct emission precondition on the emission control device side is satisfied. .
The gaming machine according to claim 6, which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an indirect emission precondition information notifying unit capable of notifying the indirect emission precondition information monitored by the game control device. I do.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine will be described below. A. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a so-called cash type gaming machine. The gaming machine 1 is not provided with a card-type ball lending machine, and purchases game balls from a ball lending machine (not shown) with cash. A game is played. The gaming machine 1 includes a frame-shaped front frame 11, a glass frame 12 made of resin for supporting glass, a game board 13 in which a game area is formed, an open / close panel 14, and a front operation panel 15 below the open / close panel 14. And The frame-shaped front frame 11 is supported on a wooden machine frame 16 (see FIG. 2) by an upper hinge 17 and a lower hinge 18 so as to be openable and closable,
The glass frame 12 is supported by the frame-shaped front frame 11 so as to be openable and closable, and is locked by the key device 19 so as to be openable and closable. Further, a metal frame sensor 226 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the open / closed state of the glass frame 12 is provided on the back side of the glass frame 12. The metal frame sensor 226 can be configured by, for example, a microswitch that indicates a connected (ON) state when the glass frame 12 is closed.
It is mounted on an appropriate place where the open / close state of the glass frame 12 can be detected.

The opening and closing panel 14 has an upper plate 2 for receiving a prize ball.
1 is formed, and the ball of the upper plate 21 is
An opening / closing lever 25 is provided for opening and closing a ball-down flow path connecting the two in order to transfer to step 2. Although a speaker for outputting game sounds and the like is provided inside the upper plate 21, it is not shown. An ashtray 31 and a lower tray 32 are formed on the front operation panel 15 and the lower tray 32
Pull-out lever 3 for pulling out the ball stored in
3 are provided. A firing operation handle 34 of the firing device is provided at the right end of the front operation panel 15. The upper plate 21 is a ball discharge unit 105 as a prize ball.
(See FIG. 2) temporarily stores the discharged game balls, and the lower plate 32 is configured to store the game balls that cannot be completely filled because the upper plate 21 is full. And lower plate 3
2 is communicated with an overflow flow path branched from the spherical flow path slightly upstream of the upper plate 21. Further, an overflow sensor 225 (see FIG. 4) is provided in the overflow flow path as shown in FIG. ) Is provided. The overflow channel is one of the monitoring targets for acquiring information related to the indirect emission precondition in the present invention.
Here, the monitoring target is a place where the discharge of the game ball is hindered due to an abnormality such as a clogged ball or a shortage of the ball. The overflow sensor 225, together with an odd sensor 224 to be described later, constitutes an indirect discharge precondition acquisition unit in the present invention, and can be constituted by, for example, a microswitch that is pressed by a game ball to indicate a connection state.

When the upper plate 21 is filled with the game balls discharged from the ball discharge unit 105, the game balls discharged thereafter accumulate on the ball downflow path, and the game balls branch into the overflow flow path. When the game balls accumulate to the point, the discharged game balls flow into the overflow channel from the branch point.
The flowing game balls flow down the overflow channel and are stored in the lower plate 32. Further, when the lower plate 32 is full of game balls, the game balls accumulate in the overflow channel, and when the game balls accumulate to the position of the overflow sensor 225, the overflow sensor 225 is continuously connected to overflow. Detect state. In addition,
When an overflow condition occurs, the discharge of prize balls is prohibited, the firing of game balls is prohibited, and, as will be described later, an indirect discharge precondition constituted by a special symbol display device 43 (variable display device). The overflow state is reported through the information reporting means.

Next, as long as the game area on the game board 13 plays a game using a pachinko ball, for example, the game area belongs to the so-called "first type" or the "third type" provided with a symbol display device. Although it is possible to take an arbitrary configuration even if it belongs to a "type" or another model, for example, in the present embodiment, a type belonging to a "first type" is used. The game board 13 has an out-ball inflow port 41, a rail 42, a special symbol display device 43 as a variable display device, a starting winning prize port 44 of an ordinary electric accessory type, and a variable prize device 45.
(Large winning prize opening), general figure starting gates 46, 47, a plurality of general winning openings 48 to 50, special figure starting memory display 51, ordinary symbol display device 52, general figure starting memory display 53, side lamps 54, 55. An indirect discharge precondition alarm 56, a hitting direction changing member 57 called a windmill (a code is omitted only for a part, and a code is omitted because other parts are complicated), and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided. ing. The indirect discharge precondition notifying device 56 displays information of the indirect discharge precondition, and as shown in the enlarged view of FIG.
4 and the state where the overflow state is detected by the overflow sensor 225 can be displayed (for example, when these states are reached, the state is turned on). For example, it is composed of a display lamp that is divided into two parts and can be turned on separately, and displays a ballless state and an overflow state in a distinguishable manner.

Here, all of the plurality of winning ports provided on the game board 13, that is, the starting winning port 44 (the special figure starting sensor 172 is disposed inside), the variable winning device 45 (the big winning port:
A count sensor 173 to be described later is disposed therein, and general winning openings 48 to 50 (a win sensor 175a to be described later therein).
１７175b), a prize sensor (for example, a proximity sensor: omitted in FIG. 1) is provided for each prize port. Is transmitted from the game control device 107 (see FIG. 2 described later) to the discharge control device 106 (see FIG. 2 described later). On the other hand, a big hit indicator 61 that lights up (including a blinking state) at the time of a big hit is provided above the frame-shaped front frame 11 of the gaming machine 1.

B. Next, the back mechanism of the gaming machine will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a back mechanism of the gaming machine 1. 2, the main components of the back mechanism in the gaming machine 1 include a storage tank (upper tank) 101, a guideway 102, a terminal board (external terminal board) 103, and a connection unit 1.
04, an odd sensor 224 (see FIG. 4), a ball discharge unit 105 functioning as a discharge device, a discharge control device 106
Game control device 107, accessory relay base 108, launch unit 109, power supply unit 111, base frame (back mechanism base) 112 of back mechanism board 114, sound control device 113, launch control device 115, display control device 116, decoration control Device 11
7. There is a remaining ball number display 118 and a remaining ball notification signal output terminal 119.

Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, all of the plurality of winning ports arranged on the game board 13, that is, the starting winning port 44, the variable winning device 45 (large winning port), the general winning port, and the like. A special figure start sensor 172, a count sensor 173, and a prize sensor 175 are provided in each of the prize ports 48 to 50.
a to 175n (see FIG. 4) are provided, and the balls detected by these sensors 172, 173, 175a to 175n are temporarily discharged by a conventional stopping mechanism (so-called safe unit) to discharge the prize balls. It is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine without stopping. Each sensor 172, 173,
Reference numerals 175a to 175n constitute winning ball detecting means. The present invention is not limited to the case where a winning sensor is provided in all winning ports. For example, balls winning from the winning ports having the same number of winning balls may be collected by a gutter and collectively detected by the gutter by the winning sensor. . Game control device 107, character relay base 1
08 and the sound control device 113 are attached to the back side of the game board 13 in this case, and the display control device 116
Is disposed at the rear of the center accessory (special symbol display device 43). Figure 2 shows the mounting position of each control unit.
However, the game control device 107 may be attached to the base frame 112, for example.

The base frame 112 is formed from an integrally molded product made of a synthetic resin, and is attached to a metal frame 121 fixed to the back of the front frame 11 of the gaming machine 1. And
Various components such as the storage tank 101, the guideway 102, the terminal board 103, the connection unit 104, the ball discharge unit 105, and the discharge control device 1 are provided on the base frame 112.
06, launch unit 109, power supply unit 111,
The launch control device 115, the decoration control device 117, and the like are attached (for example, fixed by a one-touch holding member), and these various components and the base frame 112 are collectively referred to as a back mechanism board 114. I have.

The metal frame 121 has a rectangular shape, and a game board storage section 122 for removably storing and fixing the game board 13.
Are formed. A plurality of game board fixing devices (not shown) are arranged in the game board storage section 122, and the game board 13 is fixed by the plurality of game board fixing devices. The storage tank 101 stores balls before being discharged in advance, and a shortage of the number of balls in the storage tank 101 is detected by a supply sensor (not shown).
In case of shortage, balls are replenished from the island facilities. Storage tank 1
The ball in 01 is guided by the guide path 102 and discharged by the ball discharge unit 105. Ball discharge unit 105
Has a function of discharging a required number of game balls guided from the storage tank 101 based on a predetermined ball discharge command signal (signal from the discharge control device 106) to the player as a prize ball, and a ball discharging mechanism. The discharging device provided with the above. The ball discharge unit 105 has two ball discharge passages (not shown). Ejecting for a prize ball is equivalent to supplying a game value generated in a game to a player.

Whether or not there is a ball for discharging a prize ball in the taxiway 102 is detected by an odd sensor 224 (spare ball sensor: see FIG. 4). Irregular sensor 224
Are provided as a pair corresponding to each of the two passages (each spare sphere flow path). The odd sensor 224 is provided at a predetermined position of the spare ball flow path on the back side of the gaming machine 1 as one of the supply conditions of the game value (game ball), and is provided at a position where a specified number, for example, about 100 game balls can be discharged. Is provided. Therefore, the number of game balls filling the spare ball flow path from the ball discharge unit 105 to the odd sensor 224 corresponds to the number of game balls guaranteed by the spare ball sensor.

The terminal board 103 relays the input of AC power and the transmission and reception of signals to and from a hall computer (management device: not shown) of the game arcade, and includes a relay section and a connector section (hall computer). The connection is made by a cable. The discharge control device 106 includes the base frame 1
12 and controls various electric components necessary for discharging the ball (for example, an electric drive source of the ball discharging unit 105). Specifically, a prize set and transmitted by the game control device 107 is transmitted. On the basis of the ball number information, the ball discharge unit 105 (discharge device) is driven to control the supply of a game ball as a prize ball (predetermined game value) to the player,
The control board is housed in a predetermined case. The discharge control device 106 constitutes discharge start condition monitoring means and discharge control device side discharge precondition monitoring means. The discharge start condition monitoring means determines whether the discharge start condition of the game ball is satisfied based on information stored in a RAM 203 (storage means) described later, and the discharge control device 106 determines at least the discharge start condition monitoring means. The control unit controls the discharge of the game ball corresponding to the prize ball data (game value information) including the determination result. The emission precondition monitoring means on the emission control device side directly controls the emission control device 106 including the information acquired by the emission device information acquisition means (first emission sensor 222, second emission sensor 223, and emission control device 106) described later. The discharge control device 106 monitors the fulfillment of the discharge precondition, and controls the discharge of the game balls including the monitoring result of the discharge control device side discharge precondition monitoring means. The game control device 107 performs various controls necessary for the accessory game (specifically, while controlling the progress of the game on the game board surface, the winning ball detection means (the sensors 172, 173, 175a to 175n described above)). Prize ball number information for supplying the game value generated in the game to the player based on the output of the
6), the present embodiment monitors the state change of the indirect emission precondition information acquired by the indirect emission precondition acquisition means acquired by the indirect emission precondition acquisition means (details will be described later). The control for transmitting the discharge precondition change information to the discharge control device 106 is performed, and the control substrate is housed in a predetermined case.
The game control device 107 constitutes a game value information transmitting unit and an indirect discharge information transmitting unit.

The accessory relay board 108 is used to connect and relay cables between the accessory, the side lamps 54 and 55, the variable winning device 45 and the like, which are arranged on the game board 13, and the game control device 107. The firing unit 109 is a mechanism for firing a ball in response to an operation of a firing operation handle 34 provided at a lower part on the front of the gaming machine 1. On the back side of the game board 13, there is provided a winning ball collecting member 141 that forms a space in which the winning balls can flow down and collects the winning balls. The winning ball collecting member 141 is made of, for example, a transparent resin ( PC resin, etc.), the special ball start sensor 172, the count sensor 173, and the winning sensors 175a to 175n (FIG. 4)
(See Reference). And
The safe balls guided by the winning ball collecting member 141 are collected by a winning ball collecting shelf 142 below, and then,
The ball is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 1 from the ball discharge port 144 through the winning ball downflow gutter 143. Incidentally, conventionally, the safe unit is arranged in the winning ball downflow gutter 143, but in the present embodiment, since the safe unit is not provided, the safe ball simply passes through the winning ball downflow gutter 143. is there. The winning ball collection shelf 142 is the base frame 1
12 and is formed of a synthetic resin member.
Further, the winning ball collecting gutter 143 is similarly formed on the base frame 112 and is formed of a synthetic resin member. Further, a winning sensor may be provided on the winning ball collecting member 141.

On the back side of the game board 13, an out-ball down gutter (not shown) is provided. The ball is caused to flow down and is discharged from the ball discharge port 144 to the outside of the gaming machine 1 (that is, the out ball is guided to flow down to the back side of the gaming machine 1). The ball outlet 14
4 also discharges the winning ball 11 that has passed through the downflow gutter 143 of the winning ball similarly to the outside. The power supply unit 111 includes the discharge control device 106, the game control device 10
7, for supplying power to each control device such as the sound control device 113, etc., which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The sound control device 113
Loudspeaker (not shown) disposed on the front of gaming machine 1 or the like
Further, it controls to appropriately output various sound effects in accordance with a game state, and a control board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. Sound control device 1
Reference numeral 13 is connected to a control board of the game control device 107 by a cable (connected by wiring for one-way communication) so as to receive a signal indicating a game state and the like. Launch control device 11
Reference numeral 5 denotes a controller for controlling various electric components (for example, an electric drive source of the firing unit 109) necessary for firing the ball, and a control board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. ing.

The display control device 116 is a game control device 10
The center function is controlled in accordance with a command or the like output from 7 and a predetermined image is displayed on a display unit (i.e., a display unit of the special symbol display device 43) on the front of the center character. A control board to be realized is housed in a predetermined case. Display control device 116
Is connected to the control board of the game control device 107 by a cable (connected by wiring for one-way communication),
To receive commands output from the. Here, the display control device 116 is connected to the game control device 107, and the display control device 116 and the special symbol display device 43 constitute various control devices for performing control related to the game.

The decoration control device 117 controls the operation (lighting or extinguishing) of the decoration lamps disposed on the front of the gaming machine 1 or the like. It is housed in a case. The remaining prize ball number display 118 includes, for example, two sets of 7-segment displays, and when there is an unpaid prize ball (remaining prize ball) at the time of restoration of a power failure or the like, the stored number of stored prize balls (for example, , 7 prize balls and 15 prize balls). Since the remaining prize ball number display 118 is arranged on the case of the discharge control device 106 (on the back side of the gaming machine 1), for example, a game store clerk can see it,
Alternatively, the trouble can be avoided by showing it to the player. The remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119 is
For example, the terminal is configured by a connector attached to the base frame 112, and is a terminal for outputting a signal to the outside of the gaming machine 1 that there is an unpaid prize ball (remaining prize ball) at the time of restoration of power failure or the like. By connecting a wire from the management device of the game store to the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119, the management device is notified that there is a prize ball.

Here, the remaining prize ball number display 118 and the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119 are connected to the RAM 203 (storage means) in the discharge control unit 106 when the gaming machine 1 is powered on.
If the predetermined prize ball number information storage area (prize ball data memory area described later) holds the prize ball number information, the prize ball notification means for notifying that the prize ball number information is being stored is configured. Note that the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119 does not directly notify that game value is being supplied,
By informing the management device that there is a prize ball, it is informed that the game value is being supplied indirectly. The remaining prize ball number display 118 and the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119 perform notification to the game store side.

C. Power Supply System Next, a power supply system of the gaming machine will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system in the gaming machine 1. In FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1
24 V is supplied, and 24 V AC, which is an external power supply, is indirectly distributed to the power supply unit 111 via the terminal board 103. The power supply unit 111 converts AC 24 V into DC, generates various DC voltages, and supplies the generated DC voltages to the respective control devices. Specifically, DC30V for driving the solenoid, DC24 for driving the lamps, etc.
V, DC12 for sensor drive and backlight drive
V is generated as a driving power source, and DC12V is generated as a control device power source for operating each control device. Then, DC30V and DC12V are applied to the emission control device 115, DC24V and DC12V are applied to the discharge control device 106, and DC32V, DC24V and DC1 are applied.
2V to the game control device 107, 12V DC to the sound control device 113, 30V DC, 24V DC and 12V DC to the decoration control device 117, and 12V DC to the display control device 11.
6

Therefore, the game control device 107 and the discharge control device 106 are configured such that power for use in these devices is supplied from a separately provided power supply unit 111 (constituting a power supply device). , The power supply unit 111 supplies power (AC2
4V), a required power supply is generated and supplied to the emission control device 106. Launch control device 115
Controls the firing unit (firing device) 109 in accordance with the amount of rotation of the firing operation handle 34, and performs control for firing game balls with an intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation. Note that the emission control signal is input to the emission control device 115 from the emission control device 106, and the emission enable signal is transmitted to the emission unit 109 when the emission control device 106 detects any abnormality. This signal enables the firing operation when the firing operation is stopped or when the abnormality is resolved.

The discharge control device 106 is a game control device 10
Based on the prize ball control information (prize ball data: information on the number of prize balls) transmitted from 7, it is determined whether or not the discharge start condition of the game ball is satisfied, and the like. Discharge solenoids 233, 234 based on the detection signal
(See FIG. 4) to control the energization to discharge a predetermined number of game balls. The game control device 107 is a control device that implements the overall control of the game and the functions of the game value information transmitting means and the indirect discharge information transmitting means described above.
Winning sensors, special figure starting sensors 172, count sensors 17 provided for each of the winning ports 44, 45, 48 to 50
3. When a winning of a game ball is detected by the winning sensors 175a to 175n, a preset number of winning balls is transmitted to the discharge control device 106. The display control device 116 controls the image display of the special symbol display device 43 based on the display data transmitted from the game control device 107, and supplies power to the special symbol display device 43. Decoration control device 117
Controls the light emission of the light-emitting decoration members such as the side lamps 54 and 55 based on the decoration data transmitted from the game control device 107, and supplies power to the light-emitting decoration members. Based on the sound data transmitted from the game control device 107, the sound control device 113 performs control relating to the sound effects, such as generating a sound effect and outputting the sound effect from a speaker.

D. Control System Next, a control system of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control system in the gaming machine 1. In FIG. 4, a game control device 107 includes a one-chip microcomputer for controlling an accessory required for a pachinko game or the like, a game operation processing device (game microcomputer) 160, and a predetermined frequency-divided oscillation frequency of a crystal. Clock generation circuit (CLK) 161 for obtaining the clock of the above, and input interface 162 for receiving various sensor signals
And an output interface 163. The game processing unit 160 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
IC with built-in M for so-called amuse chip
It is manufactured as.

The input interface 162 includes a so-called continuous winning (V) of the balls that have entered the variable winning device 45.
Continuation sensor (switch) 17 for detecting a winning ball
1. Toku-zu start prize port (ordinary electric accessory type start prize port) 44 Toku-zu start sensor 172 for detecting a prize, count sensor 173 for detecting all balls entering the variable prize device 45, General-purpose starting gate sensor 174 for detecting that a ball has passed through starting gates 46 and 47, game board 1
Signals from the winning sensors 175a to 175n for detecting the winning ball in the third general winning ports 48 to 50 are input. When the game board 13 has n general winning ports, n winning sensors are arranged. Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the related art, the input interface 162 includes an odd sensor 224 for detecting whether or not the number of game balls stored on the upstream side of the ball discharge unit 105 is equal to or more than a specified number, and the lower plate 3.
Signals are input from an overflow sensor 225 for detecting the full state (excessive storage of balls) of the second and a metal frame sensor 226 for detecting the open / closed state of the metal frame. That is, these signals are input to the game control device 107 side.

From the output interface 163, the display control device 116, the decoration control device 117, the sound control device 11
3. The launch control device 115, the normal symbol display 52, the normal variable winning prize opening that is the variable winning prize device 45, that is, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 181 for driving the variable winning prize device (that is, the normal electrical winning portion of the starting winning opening 44). A signal is output to the special winning opening solenoid 182 that is driven to open and close. Next, the discharge control device 106 includes the CPU 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 20
3. A clock generation circuit (CLK) for obtaining a predetermined clock
204, an input interface 205, an output interface 206, a logic power supply circuit 207, a power failure detection circuit 208, and a diode 209 for backflow prevention. The elements are connected by an address bus, a data bus, a power supply line, and the like. The CPU 201 performs processing necessary for discharging the game balls (only the prize ball discharge and no lending ball discharge), and the ROM 202 stores a program and the like necessary for discharge control.

The RAM 203 is used as a work area, has a function of storage means capable of storing information, and is configured as a single element separate from the CPU 201. The RAM 203 stores an award ball data memory area (award ball number information storage area) for storing award ball number information (for example, 7 award balls, 15 award balls), and an indirect discharge precondition transmitted from the game control device 107. , An ejection condition data memory area for storing the contents of the data, various data memory areas for storing various data, and other work memory areas. The RAM 203 sequentially stores the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 107 in a prize ball data memory area (a predetermined prize ball number information storage area), and discharge condition data is stored based on the stored prize ball number information. The discharge control device 106 determines whether or not the indirect discharge precondition transmitted from the game control device 107 stored in the memory area and the direct discharge precondition monitored by the discharge control device 106 are satisfied. I do.

Here, the prize ball data memory area of the RAM 203 has a minimum prize ball number (minimum prize ball = (Because it is 1, the minimum award ball number = 1)
From the maximum prize ball number (the maximum prize ball number = 15 to the maximum prize ball number = 15) (for pachinko gaming machines, the number of prize balls is regulated within the range of 1 to 15 prize balls) ), 15 prize ball number addition memories each having a size of 1 byte are secured in advance and formed, and in the case of the present embodiment, the prize sphere data memory area has 15 bytes (1 byte).
It has a capacity of (byte × 15) (see FIG. 9 described later for the bit configuration of the award ball data). Preferably, 1
It is preferable to secure a continuous area of 5 bytes as a prize ball data memory area. Note that the award ball data memory area is not limited to 15 bytes. The CPU 210 performs processing for sequentially adding and storing the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 107 in the prize ball number addition memory in the prize ball data memory area of the RAM 203 corresponding to the prize ball number information. The discharge control device 106 performs a discharge process based on the addition storage stored in the memory. The deletion of the prize ball number information related to the discharge processing is executed, for example, when the discharge of the prize ball is completed or when the discharge of the prize ball is started. The process of sequentially storing the number-of-prize-ball information in the RAM 203 in the prize-ball data memory area is performed by the CPU 201, and the corresponding program of the CPU 201 implements the function of an information storage processing unit.

The logic power supply circuit 207 is supplied with 12 V DC from the power supply unit 111 (constituting the power supply device).
Converted to C5V, the CPU 201, ROM 202, R
A power supply necessary for the operation of each element such as the AM 203 is supplied.
The RAM 203 has a voltage of 5 V DC from the logic power supply circuit 207 via a diode 209 functioning as irreversible means.
Is supplied. Also, D from the power supply unit 111
The C5V is also supplied to a capacitor (super capacitor) 212 disposed inside the power supply unit 111 through the wirings 211a and 211b. The capacitor 212 is simply disposed on the substrate of the power supply unit 111 (or may be provided separately from the substrate), and power is supplied from the logic power supply circuit 207 on the discharge control device 106 side. Wiring 211a, 2
A connector of a male / female type (not shown) is provided in the middle of 11b.
a and 211b can be separated into the power supply unit 111 side and the discharge control device 106 side.

The connection state between the RAM 203 and the capacitor 212 will be described in detail. The power supply terminal of the RAM 203 is connected to receive the logic voltage generated in the discharge control device 106 via the diode 209, and the power supply terminal is further connected to the power supply terminal. It is connected to the positive potential of the capacitor 212 arranged in the power supply unit 111. On the other hand, the capacitor 212 is maintained in a charged state by receiving a supply of 5 V DC, which is a logic voltage generated by the logic power supply circuit 207 of the emission control device 106, and
The ground level 12 is electrically connected to the ground of the discharge control device 106 via the wiring 211b. Therefore, the logic power generated in the discharge control device 106 is supplied to the power terminal of the RAM 203 via the diode 209 to enable the operation of the RAM 203 and also to charge the capacitor 212.
Since the capacitor 212 is charged via the diode 209, only the RAM 203 is backed up during a power failure, and the capacitor 2 is connected to other circuits.
12 are not supplied. The capacitor 212
M203 (storage means) so that the storage content is held
A backup power supply means capable of supplying a backup power supply to the RAM 203 (storage means) constitutes a backup means. The capacitor 212 (backup power supply means) is provided outside the discharge control device 106 (the power supply unit 111 in the present embodiment).

In this embodiment, the capacitor 212 as a backup power supply means (backup means) is used.
RAM is used when power supply from the power supply unit 111 (power supply device) to the discharge control device 106 is cut off due to cutoff of indirect power supply from outside the gaming machine 1.
203 (storage means) so that the stored contents are retained.
M203 (storage means) serves as an element for supplying backup power, and the backup power supply means (backup means) is provided in the power supply unit 111 (power supply device). The backup power supply means (backup means) is not limited to a capacitor, but may be a battery, for example. In the present embodiment, the backup power supply means (backup means) is provided in the power supply unit 111 (power supply device). However, the backup power supply means may be provided in another place. In addition, instead of backup by a power supply, for example, RAM (storage means)
By a non-volatile element (for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc.) so that the storage contents can be backed up by itself.
M itself includes backup means.

The power failure detection circuit 208 detects that the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the logic power supply circuit 207 has been cut off (for example, when DC12V drops to a predetermined voltage, the power failure is detected). , The CPU 210 is forcibly interrupted and the CPU 210
The operation of 210 is stopped. In the input interface 205 of the ejection control device 106, a ball ejection sensor 221 for detecting a switching state of a ball ejection passage for extracting game balls in the gaming machine 1 to the outside, and two ball passages in the ball ejection unit 105 are arranged. Signals from the first discharge sensor 222 and the second discharge sensor 223 are input. Also, from the output interface 206, when there is a remaining prize ball, a remaining prize ball number display 118 for displaying the number of unpaid prize balls, and the presence of the remaining prize ball is output to the outside of the gaming machine 1 as a signal. Remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119, indirect discharge precondition alarm 56 for displaying information on indirect discharge preconditions, 7-segment display 231 for displaying the number of prize balls, ball for extracting game balls in gaming machine 1 to the outside A control signal is output to a ball-pulling solenoid 232 for switching the ball-pulling path, a first discharge solenoid 233 and a second discharge solenoid 234 arranged in two paths in the ball discharge unit 105.

The remaining prize ball number display 118 is a 7-segment type LED display that displays the total number of prize balls currently stored in the prize ball data memory of the RAM 203 (hereinafter, the total number of remaining prize balls). For example, in a configuration in which two LEDs are provided in parallel, the total number of remaining prize balls can be displayed in two digits. The 7-segment display 231 is a 7-segment type LED display that displays the current storage number of the prize-ball count information stored in the prize-ball count information storage area of the RAM 203, for example, “7”, “13”. The number of award ball number information is displayed. For example, “7” has two award balls, “13”
The number of prize balls is one, and a seven-segment LED is displayed. This is because by displaying the current prize ball number information stored in the RAM 203, it is possible to determine the number of prize balls that have not been discharged, thereby avoiding trouble between the player and the game store. I can do it.

Next, prize ball control information (including prize ball data and discharge condition data) transmitted from the game control device 107 to the discharge control device 106 will be described. First, storage data stored and held in the game control device 107 will be described. This storage data includes information relating to the preconditions for discharging game balls based on detection signals input from various sensors. For example, the special figure starting sensor 172, the count sensor 1
73. The prize ball data (the number of prize balls) set based on the signals from the winning sensors 175a to 175n, the overflow sensor state, the odd sensor state, and the metal frame sensor state are stored in the RAM in the gaming microcomputer 160. I do. Among them, the overflow sensor state and the odd sensor state constitute indirect emission precondition information. The overflow sensor 225 indicates the overflow sensor state.
Any of the information of "occurrence of ball absence", "maintainment of absence of ball", "occurrence of abnormality with ball", and "maintenance of existence with ball" is set based on the detection signal from the above. Here, "occurrence of no ball"
It is set when the state transitions from the state with the ball determined to the state without the ball. “Maintain no ball” is set when the state of no ball continues. The “abnormal existence with ball” is set when the state transitions from the state without the ball to the state with the ball confirmed. The “ball-abnormality maintenance” is set when the state of the ball-abnormality continues.

In the odd sensor state, based on the detection signal from the odd sensor 224, the microcomputer 160 of the game control device 107 determines “ball stay”, “ball present”, “ball abnormal”, Alternatively, any state of “ball-abnormality maintenance” is set. Here, “maintain with ball” is set when the state with the ball continues. The “occurrence with ball” is set when the state transitions from the state without ball confirmation to the state with ball confirmation. The “ball-abnormality maintenance” is set when the state of the ball-abnormality continues. The “ball-abnormality occurrence” is set when a transition is made from the ball-confirmed state to the ball-confirmed state.

In the state of the metal frame sensor, based on the detection signal from the metal frame sensor 226, the microcomputer 160 of the game control device 107 determines "close occurrence", "maintain close", "open abnormality", or , "Open abnormality maintenance" is set. Here, “closed occurrence” is set when the glass frame 12 transitions from the open state to the closed state. “Closed maintenance” is set when the closed state of the glass frame 12 is continued. “Opening abnormality occurrence” is set when the glass frame 12 moves from the closed state to the open state. “Maintenance of opening abnormality” is set when the open state of the glass frame 12 is continued.

Then, based on the stored data of each of the above items, the game control device 107 uses the “winning ball data” and the “ejection condition data” as the winning ball control information as the emission control device 10.
6 (see FIG. 4). The bit configuration of the prize ball data will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the prize ball data includes 15 data from 1 prize ball to 15 prize balls. (Parameters) D0 to D3 and parity bits P are provided. The start bit S indicates the start position of the award ball data, and the number of award balls is distinguished by the data bits D0 to D3. The parity bit P is attached to the rear part of the prize ball data, and is set, for example, so that the total value of each bit is an even number. I have. The award ball data having such a configuration is stored in the award ball data memory area of the RAM 203. More specifically, the number of award ball numbers having a size of 1 byte formed in the award ball data memory area is added. 15 pieces of prize ball data corresponding to 1 to 15 prize balls are respectively stored in the memory.

Next, the discharge condition data is information indicating a state change of information relating to the indirect discharge precondition in the present invention, and is data including the contents of the indirect discharge precondition information after the state change. This emission condition data is obtained when there is a change in the indirect emission prerequisite information,
When an error state such as a “ball no state” detected by the control unit 4 or an “overflow state” detected by the overflow sensor 225 is detected, the contents of the state change and the discharge control unit 10 are transmitted from the game control unit 107.
6 is sent. In the discharge control device 106, the indirect discharge prerequisite condition notifying device 56 performs control for notifying the state in which there is no odd sensor ball or the overflow state. Note that the indirect discharge precondition notifying device 56 is connected to the discharge control device 106, but is connected to the decoration control device 117 of the game control device 107 or directly connected to the game control device 107 and has no odd sensor ball. The state or the overflow state may be notified by control on the game control device 107 side. At this time, the game control device 107 changes the display control device 1 according to the detected error state.
Then, control is performed to transmit command data corresponding to the content of the error to the corresponding symbol information 16 and to notify the error information from the special symbol display device 43 and display the error information on the screen (not shown).

The bit configuration of the discharge condition data will be described. As shown in FIG. 9B, the discharge condition data includes data indicating the following two states, a start bit S and a data bit (parameter) D0. , D2. (1) Emission condition data corresponding to when the emission precondition is satisfied This is the state where the indirect emission precondition for the winning ball is satisfied. (2) Emission condition data corresponding to when the emission precondition is not satisfied The indirect emission precondition for the prize ball is not satisfied.
In FIG. 9B, the indirect is omitted and the emission precondition is simply used, but this is the indirect emission precondition.
In the example of FIG. 9B, the parity bit P is not added to the ejection condition data, but the parity bit P may be added.

Here, the prize ball control information (prize ball data, discharge condition data) is transmitted from the game control device 107 to the discharge control device 106 at transmission timing as shown in FIG. FIG. 10A shows a clock generation circuit (CLK) 161.
, And a clock having 8 ms as one cycle is shown. Then, data is set at the rising edge of the clock, and data reading is performed at the falling edge. Each winning sensor (special figure start sensor 172, count sensor 1
73, the winning signal from the winning sensors 175a to 175n) is synchronized with the transmission clock, and when a winning ball is detected,
"L" becomes active (FIG. 10B). Then, the prize ball data is set at the rising edge of the clock in response to the detection of the prize ball (change to "L" active) of the prize sensor (FIG. 10C), and its bit configuration is shown in FIG.
The serial data has the contents shown in FIG. The change in the discharge precondition state on the game control device 107 side is reflected in the contents of the discharge condition data. ), The emission precondition (here, the indirect emission precondition) is satisfied, the emission precondition is not satisfied, and the emission precondition is satisfied. This change state is as shown in FIG.
The content of the discharge condition data is changed, and the bit configuration of the discharge condition data is transmitted from the game control device 107 to the discharge control device 106 as serial data having the content as shown in FIG. 9B.

Upon receiving the above-described discharge condition data, the discharge control device 106 updates the status information stored in a predetermined area (discharge condition data memory area) of the RAM 203. This status information
Information for determining whether a game ball can be discharged based on the indirect discharge precondition (however, the discharge control device 106 determines the direct discharge precondition and finally determines the discharge of the game ball as described later). And the same items as the above-mentioned dischargeable condition information are set. In the present embodiment, the detection state of the odd sensor 224 and the overflow sphere detection state of the overflow sensor 225 are collectively set as status information. Therefore, based on the discharge condition data, the detection state of the odd sensor and the detection state of the overflow sphere in the status information are collectively updated. The prize ball data is data corresponding to the number of prize balls given to the player in accordance with the winning. The discharge control device 106 obtains the current number of prize balls by receiving the prize ball data,
The number of discharged balls, that is, the number of game balls to be discharged as prize balls, is stored in a predetermined area (prize ball data memory area) in the RAM 203 and recognized based on the obtained number of prize balls.

Here, the classification of indirect and direct emission preconditions will be described. (A) Prerequisites for indirect discharge The preconditions for discharge monitored on the game control device 107 side.
The determination is made based on the signal from 25. In other words, the indirect discharge preconditions are, among the prerequisites related to discharge, a condition that the ball discharge unit 105 that discharges the ball does not have any problem, but is a condition that is monitored to hinder the game, in other words, a condition due to overflow. This is the condition to be monitored to prevent the clogging of the ball and the unpaid guarantee ball by the odd sensor. (B) Direct discharge preconditions These are discharge preconditions monitored on the discharge control device 106 side, and the first discharge sensor 222 and the second discharge sensor 223 disposed in the two passages in the ball discharge unit 105 are ball discharge units. It is determined based on information indicating whether the ball is present, whether the ball discharging unit 105 is discharging the ball, whether the ball is being discharged, or whether there is an error related to discharging. That is, the direct discharge precondition is a condition directly related to the operation of the ball discharge unit 105. Ball discharge unit 105
The first discharge sensor 222, the second discharge sensor 223, and the discharge control device 106, which are disposed in two passages in the inside, obtain discharge device information for obtaining information related to the operation of the ball discharge unit 105 (discharge device) as a whole. Configure means. In the drawings (for example, FIGS. 6 and 8), for convenience of explanation,
The indirect emission precondition is set as the game control device side emission precondition,
Direct emission preconditions are displayed as emission control device-side emission preconditions, and in the description of the flowchart with reference to the drawings in the specification, each emission precondition is referred to as a game control device-side emission precondition and an emission control device-side emission precondition. It is described in the expression.

E. Operation of Control System Next, control of the gaming machine 1 performed by the above-described control system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. "Main routine of the game control device (game program)"
FIG. 5 is a view showing a flowchart of a main control process (main routine) performed by the game control device 107 (game microcomputer 160). This control process is performed one sequence at a time for each reference time (for example, 2 ms) created by the clock generation circuit (CLK) 161 in FIG. That is, in the reset waiting process after the end of the final step, the process is executed from step S1 every time a reset signal is input from the clock generation circuit (CLK) 161 to the gaming microcomputer 160. When the process is started, a power-on determination process is performed in step S1. Here, it is determined whether or not the power is turned on. If the power is turned on, an initialization process is performed. The normality determination process of the ROM, the initialization of the work area in the RAM, the setting of the I / O register, the internal , Register initialization, flag initialization, and the like.
Unless the power is turned on (for example, after the power is turned on), the through operation is performed.

Next, in step S2, a prize ball control process is performed. This is a process of editing prize ball data, monitoring indirect discharge preconditions, and transmitting necessary information to the discharge control device 106 in accordance with a prize at the winning opening of the game board 13. Is a subroutine described later. Next, a game control main process is performed in step S3. In the game control main process, the regular game (special figure, regular figure) on the game board 13,
A big hit game (special figure), a regular hit game, a drive of each device on the game board 1 (for example, decoration, sound output) and the like are controlled, and a pachinko game mainly including an accessory is controlled. Next, the remaining time process is performed in step S4. In the remaining time process, when the routine is repeated, the process waits for the remaining time before the next routine is executed. After step S4, one sequence of the main routine ends.

[Award Ball Control Process] Next, a subroutine of the award ball control process in the game control process will be described with reference to FIG. In this subroutine, first, in step S11, a game control device side discharge precondition monitoring process is performed. In this processing, the game control device 107 monitors information related to the indirect emission precondition, that is, the emission precondition information acquired by the odd sensor 224 and the overflow sensor 225. Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the discharge precondition (in FIG. 6, the game control device side discharge precondition: indirect discharge precondition; the same applies hereinafter) changes. Because the contents of the discharge preconditions do not change, the process jumps to step S17. On the other hand, if there is a change in the emission precondition, it is necessary to newly determine whether or not the emission precondition is satisfied in this routine. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S13 to determine whether or not the emission precondition is satisfied. Determine. The discharge prerequisite is a condition acquired by the overflow sensor 225 and the odd sensor 224 as described above.
It is said that the state "maintained with ball" is maintained by 4
When these two conditions are satisfied, the emission precondition is satisfied.

If the discharge precondition is satisfied, step S
The process proceeds to step S14, where the emission precondition data indicating the establishment of the emission precondition on the game control device 107 side is edited, and the process proceeds to step S15. As a result, the emission condition data transmitted to the emission control device 106 in response to establishment of the emission precondition is edited. On the other hand, when the discharge precondition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S16, the discharge control unit 107 edits the discharge condition data indicating that the discharge precondition is not satisfied, and then proceeds to step S15. As a result, the emission condition data transmitted to the emission control device 106 is edited according to the state where the emission precondition is not satisfied. In step S15, the edited discharge condition data is transmitted from the game control device 107 to the discharge control device 106. Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a winning in the winning opening of the game board 13, or whether or not there is a winning memory. The prize to the winning opening is a special map start sensor 172, a count sensor 173, a prize sensor 175.
a to 175n. If there is no winning in the winning opening, the routine ends. On the other hand, if there is a winning in the winning opening, the process proceeds to step S18 to determine the number of winning balls corresponding to each winning opening (for example, 5 or 15 as a specific winning number, or 10 as another hole (default)). ).
Next, the prize ball data is edited in step S19 (in the form of prize ball data that can be transmitted to the discharge control device 106 in accordance with the number of prize balls determined above), and in step S20 the prize ball data is controlled to be discharged. The data is transmitted to the device 106 and the routine ends. In this way, the game control device 107 determines the establishment of the indirect discharge precondition and edits the discharge condition data, determines the number of prize balls corresponding to each winning opening, edits the prize ball data, and controls the discharge control. Send to device 106.

[Ejection Control Process] FIG.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a program of an emission control process performed by the control unit 6. The discharge control device 106 first determines in step S31 whether or not the power has been turned on. The determination at the time of power-on here includes recovery from a power failure.
When the power is turned on, the process proceeds to step S32 and the RAM 20
It is determined whether or not there is prize ball data (prize ball number information) in the prize ball data memory area (prize ball number information storage area). If not, initialization processing is performed in step S33, and the process proceeds to step S37. Transition. In the initialization processing, initialization of flags, various initial settings, and the like are performed. On the other hand, step S3
If there is prize ball data in the prize ball data memory area in 2 (for example, if there is electronic data corresponding to an unpaid prize ball), the flow proceeds to step S34 to perform a remaining prize ball notification process. In the remaining prize ball notification processing, the remaining prize ball number information (remaining total prize ball number) is displayed on the remaining prize ball number indicator 118 provided in the discharge control device 106 (unpaid prize balls are the remaining total prize ball number). As well as the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119
For example, a signal notifying that there is an unpaid prize ball is output to the outside of the gaming machine 1 via the game device 1. In addition, the remaining prize ball number display 118
When a power failure is recovered, for example, a store clerk opens the back side of the gaming machine 1 to check the situation. While the unpaid prize balls are being discharged, the value of the remaining prize ball number indicator 118 is subtracted and displayed. By visually checking this, it is confirmed that the unpaid prize balls are surely discharged. it can. Further, by displaying the prize ball number information on the remaining prize ball number display 118, the number of undischarged prize balls is notified to the game store clerk, and the game store clerk checks with the player in case of trouble. It can be performed. Further, a signal indicating that there is an unpaid prize ball is output from the remaining prize ball notification signal output terminal 119 to the management device outside the gaming machine 1, so that the management device also confirms that there is an unpaid prize ball. can do. Further, in the remaining prize ball notification processing, based on the state of the indirect discharge precondition transmitted from the game control device 107 and stored from the discharge condition data in the discharge condition data memory area of the RAM 203,
The indirect discharge prerequisite condition notifying device 56 notifies any of a state without the odd sensor ball / a state with the ball, and an overflow state / a state without the overflow.

Next, it is determined in step S35 whether or not the discharge start condition is satisfied. The discharge start condition is R
From the contents (discharge condition data) of the discharge preconditions on the game control device 107 side stored in the discharge condition data storage area (discharge condition data memory area) of the AM 203, the game control device side discharge precondition is satisfied. In addition, it includes a condition (direct discharge precondition) as to whether or not the discharge control device 106 is ready to discharge the game ball.
That is, if there is a ball in the odd sensor 224 and the lower plate 32 is not overflow (the overflow sensor 225 is off), the game control device side discharge precondition is satisfied. In addition, the first discharge sensor 222 and the first
When the discharge sensor 223 has a ball, the ball discharge unit 10
When the ball 5 is not discharging the ball, when the ball is not being discharged, or when there is no error relating to the discharging, the discharge precondition is directly established. In addition to this, since the prize ball data is further stored, the discharge start condition is satisfied. As described above, the player or the like can easily recognize whether or not the game control device-side discharge precondition is satisfied by looking at the display state of the indirect discharge precondition alarm 56.

If the discharge start condition is not satisfied in step S35, the flow returns to step S32 to repeat the loop. If the discharge start condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S36 to perform the prize ball discharge process, and returns to step S32 to repeat the loop. In the prize ball discharge processing, the sphere discharge unit 105 according to the data written in the prize ball data memory area.
(The first discharge solenoid 233, the first discharge sensor 222,
(A unit including an actuator) is driven to discharge a prize ball. Thus, when there is undischarged prize ball data when the power is turned on (for example, at the time of restoration from power failure), prize ball discharge is performed in accordance with each prize ball data. The process branches from step S32 to step S33. Next, if the power is not turned on in step S31, the discharge processing in the normal state is performed. First, the process proceeds to step S37, in which a prize ball discharge condition monitoring process is performed. this is,
It monitors whether or not conditions necessary for prize ball discharge are satisfied, and details will be described later in a subroutine. Next, in step S38, it is determined whether or not the prize ball discharge condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S39 to perform a prize ball discharge process (similar to step S36), and then returns to step S31. Repeat the loop. On the other hand, step S3
If the prize ball discharge condition is not satisfied in step 8, the process proceeds to step S3.
Return to 1 and repeat the loop.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the prize ball discharge condition monitoring process in the discharge control process. In this subroutine, it is first determined in steps S41 and S42 whether indirect and direct emission preconditions are satisfied. That is, in step S41, the discharge condition data storage area (discharge condition data memory area) of the RAM 203
Is acquired (discharge condition data) of the discharge precondition (that is, the indirect discharge precondition) of the game control device 107 stored in the game control device 107. This is because the overflow sensor 225 and the odd sensor 2 input to the game control device 107 side.
This is emission condition data as a result of monitoring the information acquired from 24, and is shown in FIG. 9B. Next, in step S42, information on the emission precondition (that is, direct emission precondition) on the emission control device 106 side is acquired. This is the first discharge sensor 2 in the ball discharge unit 105.
The information indicates whether there is a ball in the second and second discharge sensors 223, whether the ball discharge unit 105 is discharging a ball, whether the ball discharge unit 105 is in a discharge weight, or whether a discharge error is occurring. Next, in step S43, it is determined whether the indirect and direct emission preconditions are satisfied. If both the indirect and direct discharge preconditions are not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S44 and returns as the prize ball discharge condition is not satisfied. In this case, the prize ball is not discharged.

On the other hand, if both the indirect and direct discharge preconditions are satisfied, the flow advances to step S45 to acquire the stored contents of the award ball data (obtain from the award ball data memory area of the RAM 203). Next, in step S46, it is determined whether or not there is prize ball data. If there is no prize ball data, the process proceeds to step S44 and returns as the prize ball discharge condition is not satisfied. If there is prize ball data in step S46, the process proceeds to step S47 to determine the establishment of the prize ball discharge condition and returns. Therefore, at this time, the prize ball is discharged. As described above, in the prize ball discharge monitoring processing, in steps S41 to S43, it is checked whether or not the ball itself can be discharged, and if so, the contents of the prize ball data are obtained and the prize ball is discharged. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the game board 13
Winning sensors 172, 173, 175a-1
75n (winning ball detecting means), and the game control device 107
Transmits the prize ball data set based on the detection of the winning of the game ball to each winning opening as the prize ball control information to the discharge control device 106, and the game control device 107 transmits the indirect discharge precondition acquisition means (the irregular sensor 224). And monitors the state change of the indirect emission precondition information acquired by the overflow sensor 225) to output the emission condition data to the emission control device 1.
06, the discharge control device 106 stores the prize ball data and the discharge condition data in the RAM 203, and the RAM 203 is backed up.
Since the discharge condition data (indirect discharge precondition) and the direct discharge precondition stored in the RAM 203 are determined and the prize ball discharge corresponding to the prize ball data stored in the RAM 203 is performed, the following effects are obtained. can get. Since the game control device 107 monitors information related to the prize ball (including the change in the status of the prize ball data and the indirect discharge precondition information (discharge condition data)) and transmits it to the discharge control device 106, The control device 107 can manage (monitor) the prize ball discharge control, and the discharge control device 106 can determine the prize ball discharge based on the transmitted information (however, the internal condition of the discharge control device 106 itself). Etc. are not included: the direct discharge precondition is satisfied), and the processing load on the discharge control device 106 can be reduced.

The game control device 107 can monitor information relating to the discharge of prize balls (discharge condition data including the state change of the prize ball data and the indirect discharge prerequisite information). When a problem relating to ball discharge occurs, it can be dealt with by game control. For example, when the overflow state occurs, conventionally, measures such as stopping the launching of a ball under the control of the discharge control device have been taken. In the present embodiment, the game control device 107 temporarily stops the game itself. Can be performed. Further, if a control signal is output from the game control device 107 to the launch control device 115, the launch of the ball can be stopped under the management of the game control device 107. For example, when the overflow state or the absence of the odd sensor ball is reached, the signal from the discharge control device 106 is used as a signal from the discharge control device 106 to transmit the indirect discharge precondition alarm 5
Since 6 lights up, the player can easily recognize why the prize ball is not ejected, causing suspicion of the absence of the prize ball, hindering the game, etc. Can be solved.

The prize ball data is converted to RA
The emission control data can be added to and held in M203, and the emission control device 106 side stores the winning prize ball data and the emission condition data corresponding to the change of the indirect emission precondition information also stored in the RAM 203. It is determined whether or not to discharge based on the above, so that the discharge speed of the ball is improved by continuous prize ball discharge, etc., compared to the conventional prize ball discharge involving the safe ball, and the prize ball is directly given to the player. Can be paid out. In addition, prize ball discharge is performed only with information (prize ball data and discharge condition data) held in the RAM 203 (however,
Except that the discharge condition of the ball discharge unit 105 itself is satisfied)
Therefore, the prize ball discharge control is simplified. Game control device 107
The information relating to the prize ball discharge (discharge condition data including the state change of the indirect discharge precondition information) (discharge condition data) determined only in step (1) is sent only once to the discharge control device 106. I'm done. Therefore, for example, the gaming machine 1
(E.g., completion inspection at a factory or inspection by a third party organization), the inspection data can be easily grasped, and the inspection becomes easy. Since the prize ball data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up even in the event of a power failure, even when returning from a power failure or the like, it is possible to accurately pay out prize balls in accordance with the number of prize balls for winning, and The game store will not be damaged.

When the power is restored, the discharge control device 106
When prize ball data is held in M203, the discharge control device 106 controls the discharge control device 106 based on information (discharge condition data) related to prize ball discharge already monitored by the game control device 107 before the power failure. Therefore, the discharge start condition can be determined immediately at the time of actually discharging the prize ball (for example, the remaining prize ball), and the prize ball can be paid out smoothly. Ball discharge unit 10 controlled by the discharge control device 106
Only the monitoring of No. 5 (monitoring of emission preconditions directly related to the prize ball emission) is performed by the emission control device 106 side, and other emission conditions (indirect emission preconditions) are determined by the game control device 107.
By monitoring on the side, the discharge control process is appropriately distributed, and the prize ball discharge can be managed most efficiently. Further, the discharge control device 106 only monitors the minimum condition of only the preconditions that affect the operation of the ball discharge unit 105, so that the control load on the discharge control device 106 side is further reduced. The discharge control device 106 determines the condition for starting the discharge of the prize ball by determining whether or not prize ball data is stored in the RAM 203, whether or not the indirect discharge precondition on the game control device 107 side is satisfied, and the discharge control. Since the determination can be made only by the information on whether or not the direct emission precondition on the device 106 side is satisfied, the information stored or managed (management of the monitoring of the establishment of the direct emission precondition) by the emission control device 106 is performed. It is possible to discharge the prize ball only by itself, to speed up the discharging operation of the ball, and to simplify the control of the discharging.

The indirect emission precondition notifying device 56 capable of notifying the indirect emission precondition information monitored on the game control device 107 side.
(Indirect emission prerequisite information notification means)
A player, a store clerk, or the like can immediately and easily grasp a state in which the odd sensor 224 has no ball or a state in which the overflow sensor 225 detects the overflow state at an easily viewable position on the front side of the gaming machine 1. Therefore, it is possible to surely recognize why the prize ball is not paid out for the player or the clerk. Further, the indirect discharge precondition information may be notified on the game board 13 (for example, the screen of the special symbol display device 43). In such a case, the game board 13 can be easily watched while being watched. There is no odd sensor ball and the overflow state can be grasped.
If the indirect emission prerequisite information is also transmitted to the hall management device (management computer), the management device can easily monitor the absence of the odd sensor ball and the overflow state. In the game control device 107, the winning sensors 172, 173, 175a
-175n (prize-ball detecting means), the prize-ball data is set immediately and transmitted directly to the discharge control device 106. Therefore, even if a power failure or the like occurs, the number of winnings can be determined by the discharge control device 1.
06 can be stored in the RAM 203. Therefore, the discharge control device 106 can directly discharge the prize ball. For example, if the configuration is such that the prize ball data is not transmitted directly, there is a possibility that the emission control device 106 may not be able to hold the prize ball data in the RAM 203 when a power failure occurs.

It is needless to say that the application of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machines as in the above embodiments, but may be applied to other gaming machines. For example, the present invention can be applied to other types of pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, sparrow ball game machines, and the like, and various modifications can be made. Also,
The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type in which a pachinko ball is used on a gaming board and coins are paid out as a gaming value.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a prize ball detecting means (for example, a prize sensor 17) is provided at each prize port of the game board.
2, 173, 175a to 175n), and the game control device discharges game value information (for example, information on the number of prize balls: prize ball data) set based on detection of winning of a game ball to each winning opening. And the game control device monitors the state change of the indirect emission precondition information of the game value acquired by the indirect emission precondition acquisition means (for example, the odd sensor 224 and the overflow sensor 225), and Information (for example, discharge condition data) is transmitted to the discharge control device, and the discharge control device stores game value information (hereinafter, prize ball data) and indirect discharge precondition change information in storage means (for example, RAM 203). ,
The storage means is backed up and includes at least the indirect discharge precondition change information (discharge condition data) stored in the storage means and the prize ball discharge data corresponding to the prize ball data stored in the storage means. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. The game control device monitors information related to the prize ball (for example, data including a change in the status of the prize ball data and the indirect discharge precondition information (discharge condition data)) and transmits the information to the discharge control device. The control device can manage (monitor) the prize ball discharge control,
The discharge control device only needs to determine the prize ball discharge from the sent information (however, the internal conditions of the discharge control device itself are not included: the direct discharge precondition is satisfied), and the processing load on the discharge control device is reduced. can do.

Since the game control device can monitor information relating to the prize ball discharge (for example, information including a change in the state of the prize ball data and the indirect discharge precondition information (discharge condition data)), for example, the game control can be performed. When a problem related to prize ball discharge occurs, it can be dealt with by game control. For example, when an overflow condition occurs, conventionally, measures such as stopping the launch of a ball under management by the discharge control device have been taken.
In the present invention, the game control device can temporarily stop the game itself. Also, if a control signal is output from the game control device to the launch control device, the launch of the ball can be stopped by the management of the game control device. For example, in the case of an overflow state or the absence of an odd sensor ball, based on indirect emission precondition information (emission condition data), an indirect emission precondition information notifying means (for example, an indirect emission precondition alarm) is provided by a signal from the emission control device. Since 56) is lit, the player can easily recognize why the prize ball is not ejected, causing suspicion that the prize ball does not appear or hindering the game. And the like can be solved.

It is possible for the discharge control device to hold the prize ball data in the storage means (for example, to add and hold), and the discharge control device side stores the prize ball data in the storage device in the same manner. Since it is determined whether or not to discharge based on the indirect discharge precondition information (discharge condition data), the discharge speed of the ball in continuous prize ball discharge and the like is compared with the conventional prize ball discharge involving safe balls. Is improved, and a prize ball can be directly paid out to the player. In addition, since the prize ball is discharged only with the information (for example, the prize ball data and the discharge condition data) held in the storage means (excluding, for example, the discharge condition of the ball discharge unit 105 itself is satisfied), the prize ball discharge control is performed. Is simplified. Information relating to prize ball discharge determined by the game control device (for example, information including a change in the state of prize ball data and indirect discharge precondition information (discharge condition data)) is sent to the discharge control device only once, and the prize is transmitted. Ball discharge control is completed. Therefore, for example, at the time of inspection of a gaming machine (for example, completion inspection at a factory or inspection by a third party organization), it is easy to grasp inspection data, and inspection becomes easy. Since the prize ball data stored in the storage means is backed up even in the event of a power failure, even when returning from a power failure or the like, it is possible to accurately pay out prize balls in accordance with the number of prize balls for winning a prize, and Alternatively, damage to the game store will not be caused.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an element for supplying backup power to the storage means is provided in the external power supply device so that the storage contents of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203) are retained. The stored contents can be backed up using a normal RAM, and there is no need to use special electronic components such as an EEPROM. Therefore, cost reduction is possible, and EEP
There is an effect that it is not necessary to worry about the write limit number unlike the ROM. Further, the power supply device (for example, the power supply unit 111) is provided outside the emission control device, and further, the function of backing up the storage unit of the emission control device is provided in the power supply device, so that the circuit of the emission control device is downsized. be able to. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the space of the back surface space of the gaming machine, and it is possible to make the back surface of the gaming machine clear and have good visibility, and it is also possible to prevent fraud.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at the time of recovery from power failure, the storage means (for example, RAM 203) of the discharge control device.
If the prize ball data is held in the game controller, the discharge control device performs prize ball discharge based on information (for example, discharge condition data) related to prize ball discharge already monitored by the game control device before the power failure. Therefore, the discharge start condition can be determined immediately at the time when the prize ball (for example, the remaining prize ball) is actually discharged, and the payout of the prize ball can be performed smoothly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the discharge device controlled by the discharge control device (for example, the ball discharge unit 10)
Only the monitoring of 5) (monitoring of emission preconditions directly related to prize ball emission) is performed by the emission control device, and other emission conditions (indirect emission preconditions) are monitored by the game control device. In addition, the discharge control process is appropriately distributed, and the prize ball discharge can be managed most efficiently. In the discharge control device, a discharge device (for example, a ball discharge unit 10) is used.
Since only the minimum prerequisites that affect the operation of 5) are monitored, the control burden on the emission control device side is further reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the condition for starting the discharge of the prize ball by the discharge control device is determined by determining whether or not the storage means stores the prize ball data or not, by the indirect discharge on the game control device side. Since it is possible to judge whether or not the precondition is satisfied and whether or not the direct emission precondition on the side of the emission control device is satisfied, the emission control device stores or manages (direct emission precondition). It is possible to discharge a prize ball only with information that is managed (monitoring of the establishment of the ball), thereby speeding up the discharging operation of the ball and simplifying the control of discharging.

According to the invention of claim 6, there is provided an indirect emission precondition information notifying means (for example, an indirect emission precondition notifying device 56) capable of notifying the indirect emission precondition information monitored by the game control device. Therefore, for example, it is possible for a player, a clerk, or the like to immediately and easily grasp a situation in which the odd sensor is in a ballless state or an overflow state at an easily viewable position on the front side of the gaming machine. Therefore, it is possible to surely recognize why the prize ball is not paid out for the player or the clerk.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game control device, the winning ball detecting means (for example, the winning sensors 172,
73, 175a to 175n), the prize-ball data is set directly and transmitted directly to the discharge control device, so that the prize-ball data immediately before the power failure can be transmitted. However, the winning number can be stored in the storage means on the discharge control device side. Therefore, the discharge control device can directly discharge the prize ball.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a game control process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a prize ball control process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a discharge control process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a prize ball discharge condition monitoring process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating award ball data and discharge condition data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating transmission timing of emission condition data.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 gaming machine 13 game board 56 indirect discharge precondition notifier (indirect discharge precondition notification means) 105 ball discharge unit (discharge device) 106 discharge control device (information storage processing means, discharge start condition monitoring means, discharge control device side discharge) Precondition monitoring means, discharge device information acquisition means) 107 Game control device (game value information transmission means, indirect discharge information transmission means) 172, 173, 175a to 175n Win sensor (win ball detection means) 203 RAM (storage means) 212 Capacitor (backup power supply means, backup means) 222 First discharge sensor (discharge device information acquisition means) 223 Second discharge sensor (discharge device information acquisition means) 224 Incomplete sensor (indirect discharge precondition acquisition means) 225 Overflow sensor (indirect discharge) Precondition acquisition means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine comprising: a game control device for controlling a progress of a game on a game board surface; and a discharge control device for controlling a discharge device to discharge a game value. Prize ball detecting means for individually detecting game balls that have won each prize port, and indirect discharge preconditions for acquiring information relating to indirect discharge preconditions of game values and outputting the information to the game control device. Acquisition means, and the game control device, the game value information transmission means for transmitting game value information for supplying a game value generated in the game to the player based on the output from the winning ball detection means, An indirect emission information transmitting unit that monitors a state change of the indirect emission precondition information acquired by the indirect emission precondition acquisition unit, and transmits indirect emission precondition change information. The control device includes: a storage unit capable of storing information; and an information storage for storing the game value information and the indirect emission precondition change information transmitted from the game control device in a predetermined storage area secured in advance in the storage unit. Processing means;
And a backup unit for backing up the storage contents of the storage unit of the discharge control device so as to be retained, and the discharge control device discharges the game ball based on the information stored in the storage unit. Discharge start condition monitoring means for judging whether the start condition is satisfied is provided, and discharge of the game ball corresponding to the game value information is controlled at least including the judgment result of the discharge start condition monitor means. Gaming machine. 2. The game control device and the discharge control device are configured such that power for use in these devices is supplied from a separately configured power supply device, and the power supply device is supplied from outside the gaming machine. Receiving power from the gaming machine and generating the required power and supplying the generated power to the discharge control device. An element for supplying backup power to the storage means so that the storage content of the storage means is retained when power supply is cut off, and that the backup means is provided in the power supply device. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The game control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, if the game value information is held in the storage means, the game control apparatus has already monitored the game value information before the power failure, and 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein discharging of the game ball is controlled based on indirect discharge precondition information stored in the game machine. 4. An ejection device information acquisition unit for acquiring information relating to an operation of the ejection device, wherein the ejection control device includes a device directly connected to the ejection control device including information acquired by the ejection device information acquisition device. A discharge control device-side discharge precondition monitoring unit that monitors the fulfillment of the discharge precondition, and controls discharge of the game ball including a monitoring result of the discharge control device-side discharge precondition monitoring unit. Item 1
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The discharge control device according to claim 1, further comprising: determining whether or not the storage means stores the game value information as determination information when starting to discharge the game ball corresponding to the game value information; 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information on whether the emission precondition is satisfied and whether the direct emission precondition on the emission control device side is satisfied.
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an indirect emission precondition information notifying unit capable of notifying the indirect emission precondition information monitored by the game control device. . 7. A game value information transmitting means of the game control device, wherein a game value is set immediately when a signal from the winning ball detection means is inputted, and the game value information is transmitted directly to the discharge control device. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein