JP2001029640A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of not lending balls during a game not preferable for lending ball discharge and making a player easily recognize whether or not balls can be lent. SOLUTION: A game controller monitors whether or not it is a state capable of the lending ball discharge based on a discharge precondition obtained by a fraction sensor and an overflow sensor. In a discharge controller, monitoring information sent from the game controller is obtained and lending ball discharge control is performed. Also, the generation of a ball absence state and an overflow state is reported so as to be identified by a prize ball impossible mark SN or a lending ball inhibition mark KN at a special pattern display device.

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 gaming machine will be described by taking a typical pachinko gaming machine as an example. The pachinko gaming machine is transmitted from a game control device for controlling the progress of a game on a game board. Based on the awarded ball number information, a separately configured discharge control device (meaning that the substrate is configured separately) drives and controls a ball discharge device (for example, a ball discharge unit), thereby providing a player with a game value ( For example, a game ball as a prize ball discharge was supplied. 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. The prize ball number information (prize ball data) is transmitted to the discharge control device, and the discharge control device supplies a predetermined number of game balls (prize balls) as a game value to the player.

[0003] The process of discharging game balls will be described more specifically. First, a game control device comprises a safe sensor,
Alternatively, when a winning game ball is recognized based on a detection signal from a winning sensor provided in each winning opening, the number of prize balls to be discharged is determined. Next, the game control device outputs prize ball number information (for example, data of 7 prize balls and 13 prize balls) including information of the determined prize ball number to the discharge control device, and receives the prize ball number information. The discharge control device obtains the number of discharges from the information on the number of prize balls, and obtains the status of the monitoring target unit such as the overflow channel and the ball discharge unit based on the detection signals from various sensors. It is determined whether or not the prize ball can be discharged. If it is determined that the prize ball can be discharged, the discharge control device outputs a drive signal to the ball discharge unit to discharge a required number of prize balls. Further, in a card-type pachinko gaming machine in which a rental ball is discharged by a discharge control device and a ball discharge unit, a ball rental control signal from a card-type ball rental machine attached to the game machine is controlled by a discharge control device. Receives the status of the monitoring target unit, and determines whether or not the monitoring target unit is in a state where the lending ball can be discharged. If it is determined that the lending ball can be discharged, the discharge control device
A drive signal is output to the ball discharge unit to discharge a required number of rental balls.

Here, as described above, the discharge control device includes various sensors for detecting discharge preconditions for determining whether or not discharge processing of the game balls supplied to the player is possible. (Ball sensor, discharge sensor, odd sensor,
A detection signal from an overflow sensor or the like is input. For example, an overflow state in which the upper plate and the lower plate are filled with game balls is monitored by the discharge control device based on a detection signal output from the overflow sensor, and when the overflow state is detected, The discharge control device controls the power supply unit to cut off the power supply, stop the power supply (30 V DC, 12 V DC) to the launch control device that controls the launch of the game ball, and stop the launch operation, thereby giving the player It was informed that the lower plate was full, or it was controlled not to allow further prizes. The details of the various sensors will be described later.

[0005]

In the above-described conventional pachinko gaming machine, the discharge control device determines whether or not a prize ball or a lending ball can be discharged. There were serious problems. (B) Irregular sensor Since the detection signal from the irregular sensor or the overflow sensor for detecting the ball absence state or the overflow state is inputted only to the discharge control device, the game ball (particularly, lending ball) is discharged. Only the discharge control device can grasp that the processing is not possible, and the game control device cannot grasp those conditions. Therefore, for the player, inserting a prepaid card into the card-type ball lending machine attached to the gaming machine and operating the ball lending button does not discharge the lending ball, so it is impossible for the player to lend a ball for the first time. It turned out to be inconvenient. In the absence of the ball, a state in which the processing of discharging the game ball is impossible (error state) is detected, and the light is lit from behind the game board provided on the frame side of the game machine, so that it is visually recognized that the light is shining. A possible completion lamp (disposed on a relay terminal board for supplying AC power and transmitting / receiving a signal to / from a hall computer of a game arcade) is controlled to be lit by a discharge control device, so that the lighting state of the completion lamp is changed. Although the clerk of the amusement store can see and see from the front of the gaming machine, it is difficult for the player to understand.

(B) When an overflow state occurs, the ball is not fired even though the ball is fired, and the player makes analogy judgment that the lower plate is in an overflow state. Yes, but in this case, it is not immediately apparent unless the player has continuously fired the ball. On the other hand, when the ball is lent, unless the ball is fired, the occurrence of the overflow state cannot be known. In many cases, the ball is not fired at the time of lending, and it is difficult to understand the occurrence of the overflow state. In addition, it is conceivable to notify the player of the ball absence state or the overflow state in an easy-to-understand manner based on the output of the discharge control device. However, in such a case, the processing load on the discharge control device increases, or An easy-to-understand display entangled with a special figure watched by the player cannot be performed, and it was not a preferable solution.

(C) The above is a problem that it is difficult to understand why a ball is not lent. However, as another viewpoint, even in a situation where a player does not want to rent a ball in a game. However, there is a problem that when a ball-lending operation is performed, the ball-lending operation is performed. This is because, since the signal required for discharging the ball rental is directly input to the discharge control device, the ball discharge control can be performed only by the discharge control device regardless of the game control device. Therefore, even in a gaming situation where you do not want to rent a ball to the player, for example, during a big hit,
When the ball-lending operation is performed (for example, when the player mistakenly operates the ball-lending operation), the ball-lending operation is wastefully performed. In addition, if a ball is continuously borrowed unusually normally, there is a risk of cheating, but the game control device could not prohibit ball rent. (D) In a gaming machine using a safe unit, the safe ball increases (accumulates) in the safe unit every time a winning prize is won, so the discharge control device side gives priority to ball lending discharge. Then (the safe ball-based prize ball discharge is temporarily stopped during the ball loan discharge), and there is a possibility that the safe unit may be overloaded with safe balls.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a game control device monitors information on the discharge of a lent ball, and does not perform the rent of a ball during a game which is not preferable to discharge the rent of a ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that is possible and that allows a player to easily determine whether or not a ball can be rented.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention controls the progress of a game on a game board and supplies a game value generated in the game to a player. And a game value supply processing means for supplying a game value to a player based on the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device, and a ball lending operation of the player. And a discharge control device having a ball let-off control processing means for performing a ball let-off discharge control based on a discharge precondition for obtaining information relating to a discharge precondition of a game value and outputting the information to the game control device. Acquiring means, and the game control device, based on the emission precondition acquired by the emission precondition acquisition means, monitors whether or not the ball can be ejected. It has determining means, and the ball-lending control processing means of the discharge control device obtains monitoring information of the ball-lending discharge precondition determining means, and determines that it is configured to perform ball-lending discharge control. Features.

[0010] The gaming machine according to claim 2 dependent on claim 1 is arranged corresponding to each of the winning ports of the game board,
The game control device includes a plurality of winning ball detection means for individually detecting a game ball winning each winning opening, and the game control device notifies a player of a game value generated in the game based on an output from the plurality of winning ball detection means. Set the prize ball number information to supply,
The discharge control device includes a storage unit capable of storing information, and an information storage processing unit configured to store the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device in a predetermined prize ball number information storage area of the storage unit. A back-up means for backing up the storage content of the award ball number information in the storage means, wherein a game value supply processing means of the discharge control device is provided in a award ball number information storage area of the storage means. A control for supplying a game value based on the stored prize ball number information is performed, and the ball lending control processing means of the discharge control device stores the prize ball number information in a prize ball number information storage area of the storage means. However, the present invention is characterized in that the priority is given to the discharge of the ball rental based on the ball lending operation of the player.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising: game state information acquiring means for acquiring information relating to a game state; Determining whether or not to allow ball-ball discharge based on the information related to the game state acquired by the game-state information acquiring means; If there is a permission to discharge the ball on the basis of the judgment of the means, the ball discharge is performed. The gaming machine according to claim 4, which is dependent on claim 3, wherein the ball-emission precondition determining means of the game control device prohibits the ball-emission discharge when in a specific state after a big hit occurs. And Here, the specific state includes, for example, a period from when a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of the jackpot to when the jackpot ends. A gaming machine according to claim 5, which is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a predetermined control device connected to the game control device for performing control related to a game, wherein the predetermined control device includes The present invention is characterized by having a rental ball discharge information notifying unit for notifying information on a state relating to the rental ball discharge based on the monitoring information sent from the use discharge precondition determining unit.

[0012]

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. In this specification (or in the drawings), a game ball is a pachinko ball,
Sometimes described (or displayed on the drawing) in the form of balls, game balls, or balls, all of which basically mean pachinko balls used in pachinko games, and handling of pachinko balls In this case, the ball and the sphere are not different concepts, but are simply used depending on the convenience of explanation. First, a first embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a gaming machine referred to as a so-called CR machine, and the gaming machine 1 is provided with a card-type ball lending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a ball lending machine) 2. The ball lending machine 2 has a built-in card reader (not shown), the front panel 3 of the ball lending machine 2 has a card insertion slot 4 into which a prepaid card is inserted, and has a structure that can be opened and closed. A key device 5 for locking the front panel 3 is provided.

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 opening and closing panel 14, and an opening and closing panel 14.
And a front operation panel 15 below the front panel. 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, and the glass frame 12 is supported by the frame-shaped front frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. At the same time, it is opened and closed by the key device 19. 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 frame-shaped front frame 11. The metal frame sensor 226 is, for example,
The glass frame 12 can be configured by a micro switch that indicates a connected (ON) state when the glass frame 12 is closed, and is mounted on an appropriate place where the open / closed state of the glass frame 12 can be detected, such as the back surface of the glass frame 12.

The opening and closing panel 14 has an upper plate 2 for receiving a prize ball.
1 is formed, a ball lending button 22 operated when purchasing a game ball, a card frequency display (card balance display) 23 for displaying the balance of a prepaid card, and a card operated for discharging a prepaid card A discharge button (return button) 24 and an opening / closing lever 25 for opening / closing a ball flow path connecting the upper plate 21 to a lower plate 32 to be described later for transferring the balls to the lower plate 32 are provided. Although a speaker for outputting game sounds and the like is provided inside the upper plate 21, it is not shown. The front operation panel 15 is provided with an ashtray 31 and a lower tray 32, and a ball pulling lever 33 for pulling the balls stored in the lower tray 32 outward and downward. 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 open at the top to form a ball storage portion capable of storing game balls, and the open / close panel 14
And a lower portion of the upper plate 21 is formed in a bulging shape extending to near the lower end of the opening / closing panel 14. In addition, the lower plate 32 is formed with a ball storage portion capable of storing game balls by opening the upper surface, and the upper plate 21
Is formed in a bulging shape protruding forward from the front side of the gaming machine 1 at a position relatively close to the lower plate 32.
Side wall members 35a and 35b are arranged on both sides of the. Then, in the lower part of the upper plate 21 formed in the bulging shape, the central bottom of the upper plate 21 is symmetrically arranged from the vicinity of the contact point of the upper plate 21 with which the opening / closing panel 14 contacts to the front end of the upper plate 21. An inclined wall 36 is formed so as to be inclined so as to scrape off the lower plate 3 by forming the inclined wall 36.
2 to secure a large space above the player, it is easy for the player to scrape out the game balls of the lower plate 32 while keeping an eye on the game board 13, and the lower plate 32 is provided to a viewer at the rear of the gaming machine 1. It is possible to appeal the stored pitches.

That is, the upper plate 21 temporarily stores game balls discharged by the ball discharge unit 105 (see FIG. 2) as lending balls or prize balls, and the lower plate 32 stores the upper plate 21.
It is configured to store game balls that have become full and cannot be completely filled. And the lower plate 32 is the upper plate 21
It is communicated with an overflow flow path branched from the ball flow path slightly upstream of the overflow flow path, and an overflow sensor 2 is provided in the overflow flow path as shown in FIG.
25 (see FIG. 4). The overflow channel is one of the monitoring targets for acquiring information relating to the preconditions for discharge 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 described later, constitutes one of discharge precondition acquisition means in the present invention. it can.

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 the overflow state occurs, the discharge of the prize balls and the discharge of the playing balls are prohibited, and the ball discharge information provided by the special symbol display device 43 (variable display device) as described later. The overflow state is reported through the 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 a prize mouth), general figure starting gates 46 and 47, a plurality of general winning prize ports 48 to 50, special figure starting memory display 51, ordinary symbol display device 52, general figure starting memory display 53, side lamps 54 and 55. A hitting direction changing member (not shown) called a windmill and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are provided.

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 56 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, and a ball from the island equipment is provided beside the big hit indicator 56. A replenishment lamp 57 which lights up when replenishment is performed and blinks when an error occurs, and a prize ball lamp 58 which is lit when a prize ball is discharged and a ball is lent.

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 ball discharge device, and a discharge control device 10.
6. Game control device 107, accessory relay base 108, launch unit 109, card unit connection base 110, power supply unit 111, base frame (back mechanical base) 112 of back mechanism board 114, sound control device 113, launch control device 115 ,
There are a display control device 116, a decoration control device 117, a remaining prize ball number display 118, and a remaining prize 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. The special drawing start sensor 172, the count sensor 173, and the prize sensor 175a are provided for each of the prize ports 48 to 50 (all the prize ports may be simply referred to as prize ports without adding a symbol for convenience of description below). ~ 175n
(See FIG. 4).
The balls detected by 2, 173, 175a to 175n (hereinafter, these sensors may be simply referred to as winning sensors without reference numerals for the sake of explanation) are a conventional stopping mechanism (so-called safe unit). Is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine without being temporarily stopped for discharging the prize ball. Each of the sensors 172, 173, 175a to 175n constitutes a 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 108, and sound control device 11
3 is attached to the back side of the game board 13 in this case, and the display control device 116 is arranged at the rear of the center combination (special symbol display device 43). The mounting position of each control unit is not limited to the mode shown in FIG. 2. For example, the game control device 107 may be mounted on the base frame 112.

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, card unit connection board 1
10, power supply unit 111, launch control device 115,
A 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.

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
The game ball guided from the storage tank 101 based on a predetermined ball discharge command signal (a signal from the discharge control device 106) is used as a prize ball or a rental ball, and a required number of balls are discharged to the player side (the discharge here). Includes prize ball discharge and ball rental discharge)
And a ball discharging device having a ball discharging mechanism. The ball discharge unit 105 has two ball discharge passages (not shown). One ball discharge passage discharges a prize ball, and the other ball discharge passage discharges a ball loan. It is supposed to do. That is, the configuration is such that the two ball discharge passages are properly used depending on the application. Ejecting for a prize ball is equivalent to supplying a game value generated in a game to a player. The two ball discharge passages may be collectively used for prize ball discharge and ball rental discharge.

Whether or not there are balls for discharging the prize ball and discharging the ball on the guide path 102 is detected by the odd-end sensor 224 (spare ball sensor: see FIG. 4). The odd sensor 224 is provided in a pair corresponding to each of the two passages (ie, the prize ball discharge passage (reserve ball flow passage) and the ball lending discharge passage (reserve ball flow passage)). Irregular sensor 2
24 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 balls), and is provided at a position where a specified number, for example, about 100 game balls, can be discharged. ing. 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 for controlling various electric components (for example, an electric drive source of the ball discharging unit 105) necessary for discharging the ball, and specifically, a prize set and transmitted by the game control device 107. Based on the ball number information, the function of a game value supply processing unit that controls the ball discharge unit 105 (ball discharge device) to supply a game ball as a prize ball (predetermined game value) to a player is realized. Along with the ball lending operation of the player (for example, based on a ball lending operation signal (BRQ signal which is a ball lending request signal) generated by operating the ball lending button 22 by the player), the ball lending discharge control And a control board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. The game control device 107 performs various controls necessary for the role play (specifically, while controlling the progress of the game on the game board surface, the number of prize balls for supplying the game value generated in the game to the player) Information is set and transmitted to the emission control device 106), and in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is possible to discharge the ball based on the emission precondition acquired by the emission precondition acquisition means (details will be described later). This implements the functions of the monitoring and presumption condition determining means for monitoring the lending ball and the game state information acquiring means for acquiring information relating to the game state. A control board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. Have been.

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. The card unit connection board 110 is for connecting the cable 123 extending from the ball rental machine 2 to the gaming machine 1 and includes a mounting member (for example, a female connector) for receiving a connector at the end of the cable 123. ing. 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 ball can flow down and collects the winning ball.
The winning ball collecting member 141 is made of, for example, a transparent resin (P
(C resin or the like), and guides a ball that has passed through the special figure start sensor 172, the count sensor 173, and the winning sensors 175a to 175n (see FIG. 4) with a safe ball (winning ball) entering each winning opening of the game board 13. Has a function. The safe balls guided by the prize ball collecting member 141 are collected by the lower prize ball collecting shelf 142, and then discharged through the prize ball flow gutter 143 to the outside of the gaming machine 1 from the ball discharge port 144. It has become. 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 formed on the base frame 112 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, each 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 control unit controls the center accessory according to a command or the like output from the control unit 7 to display a predetermined image on a display unit on the front of the center accessory (that is, the display unit of the special symbol display device 43). Based on the monitoring information of the discharge preconditions sent, the control unit notifies the special symbol display device 43 of the information on the state related to the discharge of the game balls (prize balls, ball rentals) (reports by screen display), A control board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. The display control device 116 is connected to the control board of the game control device 107 by a cable (connected by one-way communication wiring) and receives a command (command) output from the game control device 107. 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. Further, the special symbol display device 43 constitutes a ball lending discharge information informing means. In the present embodiment, the display control device 116 is used as various control devices having the function of the rental ball discharge information notifying means.
The present invention is applied to one of the above, but if the function of the ball release information informing means can be realized, other sound control devices 113,
The present invention may be applied to the decoration control device 117, the discharge control device 106, and the like as various control devices.

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
7 based on the prize ball control information (prize ball data: information on the number of prize balls) transmitted from the controller 7 (see FIG. 4).
Solenoids 233, 23 based on the detection signal from
4 (see FIG. 4) is controlled to discharge a predetermined number of game balls. In addition, discharge control of the rental ball is performed based on a signal from the ball rental machine 2. Here, a ball lending control procedure performed between the ball lending machine 2 and the discharge control device 106 will be described. For convenience, transmission and reception of signals will be described in positive logic. If the PRDY signal output from the discharge control device 106 (that is, the pachinko gaming machine 1) is in the Hi state, the ball rental machine 2 determines that the discharge control device 106 can perform the ball discharge control. The ball lending machine 2 accepts the operation of the ball lending button 22 when the discharge control device 106 is in a state capable of controlling the ball discharge.
A BRDY signal notifying that a ball lending request (BRQ signal) is to be made is made Hi at 06. Emission control device 10
6, when the BRDY signal becomes Hi, prepares to perform discharge control of the ball for lending the ball, and the BR lending request signal BR
Monitor the Q signal.

The ball lending machine 2 sets the BRQ signal to Hi after a predetermined time has elapsed since the BDY signal was set to Hi. E that informs the ball rental machine 2 that it has done
While setting the XS signal to Hi, a predetermined unit (for example, B
When one ball of RQ signal is ejected, 25 balls are ejected. When the ejection is completed, the EXS signal being output is set to Lo, and it is notified that the ejection of the ball based on the BRQ signal is completed.
If the BRDY signal is still high, the BRQ signal is monitored again, and if the BRDY signal becomes Lo, the ball lending discharge control process ends. On the other hand, the ball lending machine 2 sets the BRQ signal to Hi, and then checks the Hi of the output EXS signal, sets the BRQ signal to Lo, and sets the EX to EX.
The S signal is monitored. When Lo of the EXS signal is confirmed, the BRQ signal is set to Hi when the ball lending request is made continuously, and the BRD signal is set when the ball lending request is not made.
The Y signal is set to Lo.

The game control device 107 is a control device for performing overall control of the game and monitoring the discharge precondition acquired by the above-described discharge precondition acquisition means (details will be described later). In the part related to the game, the winning sensor special map start sensor 172 and the count sensor 1 provided for each of the winning ports 44, 45, 48 to 50 of the game board 13 are provided.
73: 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. In addition, as described above, the display control device 116 displays the information on the state related to the discharge of the game balls (prize balls, rental balls) based on the discharge precondition monitoring information sent from the game control device 107 as a special symbol display. Notification is made through the device 43 (notification by screen display). The decoration control device 117 determines the side lamps 54 and 55 based on the decoration data transmitted from the game control device 107.
In addition to controlling the light emission of the light emitting decorative member, power is supplied to the light emitting decorative member. 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)
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 from an overflow sensor 225 for detecting the full state (excessive storage of spheres) and a metal frame sensor 226 for detecting the open / closed state of the glass frame 12 are input.

From the output interface 163, the display control device 116, the decoration control device 117, the sound control device 11
3. The launch control unit 115, the ordinary symbol display 52, the ordinary variable winning prize opening that is the ordinary winning prize opening that is the ordinary winning prize opening which is the ordinary winning prize opening device 44 (that is, the ordinary winning prize opening 44). The winning opening solenoid 182 that is driven to open and close and the prize ball number information (including the transmission clock, the prize ball data, and the discharge condition data) are stored in the discharge control device 106.
The signal is output to. Next, the discharge control device 106
PU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, clock generation circuit (CLK) 204 for obtaining a predetermined clock, input interface 205, output interface 20
6, a logic power supply circuit 207, a power failure detection circuit 208, and a diode 209 for preventing backflow. 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 ball (including the prize ball discharge and the lending ball discharge),
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 discharge preconditions transmitted from the game control device 107. It has an ejection condition data memory area for storing contents, 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 based on the stored prize ball number information, at least discharge conditions The discharge control device 106 performs a discharge process by determining whether or not the discharge precondition transmitted from the game control device 107 stored in the data memory area is satisfied.

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) (for the bit configuration of the award ball data, see FIG. 10 described later). Preferably,
It is preferable to secure a continuous area of 15 bytes as a prize ball data memory area. The prize ball data memory area is not limited to 15 bytes. CPU 21
0 is the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 107,
A process of sequentially adding and storing the numbers in the award ball number addition memory in the award ball number data memory area of the RAM 203 corresponding to the award ball number information is performed. Perform processing. 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 award ball number information in the award ball data memory area in the RAM 203 is performed by the CPU 20.
1 and the program of the CPU 201 implements the function of the information storage processing means.

The logic power supply circuit 207 is supplied with 12 V DC from the power supply unit 111 (constituting a 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 unit capable of supplying backup power to the RAM 203 is configured, and the capacitor 212 is provided outside the discharge control device 106 (the power supply unit 111 in the present embodiment).

In the present embodiment, the capacitor 212 serving as a backup means supplies power from the power supply unit 111 to the discharge control device 106 when indirect power supply from outside the gaming machine 1 is cut off. An element for supplying backup power to the RAM 203 so that the stored content of the RAM 203 is retained when the power is cut off, and the backup means is provided in the power supply unit 111. ing.
The backup means is not limited to a capacitor, but may be, for example, a battery. Further, instead of the backup by the power supply, for example, the RAM (storage means) may be configured by a non-volatile element (for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like) so that the information on the number of award balls can be backed up by itself. In that case, the RAM 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 the DC 12 V 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. The input interface 205 of the ejection control device 106 includes 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 a first ejection sensor 22 for award ball ejection.
2 and a signal from the second discharge sensor 223 for lending a ball. The output interface 20
From 6, when there is a remaining prize ball, a remaining prize ball number indicator 118 for displaying the number of unpaid prize balls, a remaining prize ball notification signal for outputting a signal to the outside of the gaming machine 1 that there is a remaining prize ball. Output terminal 119, 7-segment display 23 for displaying the number of award balls
1. Control signals are output to a ball-pulling solenoid 232 for switching a ball-pulling path for drawing game balls out of the gaming machine 1 to the outside, a first discharge solenoid 233 for discharging prize balls, and a second discharge solenoid 234 for lending balls. Is done. The seven-segment display 231 displays the current storage number of the prize ball number information stored in the prize ball number information storage area of the RAM 203.
It is a segment type LED display, and displays how many pieces of prize ball number information, for example, "7" and "13". 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 irregular sensor state constitute emission precondition information. In the overflow sensor state, any one of information of “occurrence of no sphere”, “maintain of no sphere”, “occurrence of abnormal sphere”, and “maintain of abnormal sphere” is set based on the detection signal from the overflow sensor 225. You. Here, “occurrence of a sphere” is set when the state transitions from the state where the sphere is confirmed to the state where the sphere is confirmed. “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 “maintained ball”, “occurs with ball”, “occurs without ball”, 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, the microcomputer 160 of the game control device 107 determines “closed occurrence”, “closed maintenance”, “opening abnormality generated”, 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 open state” is set when the open state 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.
Send to 6. The bit configuration of the award ball data will be described. As shown in FIG. 10A, the award ball data includes fifteen data from one award ball to fifteen award balls. (Parameter) D0
To D3 and a parity bit P. 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 the state change of the information (discharge precondition information) relating to the discharge precondition in the present invention, and is data including the contents of the discharge precondition information after the state change. . In the discharge condition data, when there is a change in the discharge precondition information, that is, an error state such as a “ballless state” detected by the odd sensor 224 or an “overflow state” detected by the overflow sensor 225 is detected. In the case where the state has changed from the error state to the normal state, the game control device 107 sends the discharge control device 1
06. At this time, the game control device 107 changes the display control device 1 according to the detected error state.
16, a control (error state notification control, which will be described later) for transmitting command data corresponding to the content of the error and reporting error information from the special symbol display device 43 is executed.

The bit configuration of the discharge condition data will be described. As shown in FIG. 10B, the discharge condition data includes data indicating the following three states, a start bit S and a data bit (parameter) D0. , D2
have. (1) Emission Condition Data Corresponding to When Emission Preconditions Are Satisfied The emission preconditions are satisfied for both the prize ball and the lending ball. (2) Emission condition data corresponding to when the emission precondition is satisfied The emission precondition is satisfied only for the winning ball. (3) Emission condition data corresponding to when the emission precondition is not satisfied The emission precondition is not satisfied for both the prize ball and the lending ball. In the example of FIG. 10B, the parity bit P is not added to the ejection condition data, but the parity bit P may be added.

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 or not the game ball can be discharged,
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 ball detection state of the overflow sensor 225 are set as status information in a collective form. 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 acquires the current number of award balls by receiving the award ball data, stores the current number of award balls in a predetermined area (award ball data memory area) in the RAM 203, and discharges the number of award balls based on the acquired number of award balls. The number, that is, the number of game balls to be discharged as prize balls is recognized.

E. Operation of Control System Next, control of the gaming machine performed by the above-described control system will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. "Main Routine of 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 the prize ball data and transmitting the prize ball data to the discharge control device 106 in accordance with the winning of the winning opening of the game board 13, and will be described later in detail in a subroutine. 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 process, the game control device 107 monitors information relating to the discharge precondition and determines whether the discharge precondition is satisfied. The details will be described later in a subroutine. Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the emission precondition changes. If not, the content of the emission precondition does not change. Jump to S17. On the other hand, if there is a change in emission preconditions, it is necessary to determine whether the emission preconditions are satisfied in this routine.
Proceeding to step S13, it is determined whether the emission precondition is satisfied. The discharge precondition is a condition acquired by the overflow sensor 225 and the irregular sensor 224 as described above.
If the two conditions of not being in the overflow state by 5 and that the "maintained with ball" state is maintained by the odd end sensor 224 are satisfied, the discharge 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. The winning in the winning opening is detected by the special figure start sensor 172, the count sensor 173, and the winning sensors 175a 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. Apparatus 10
6 and the routine ends. As described above, the game control device 107 determines whether the emission precondition is satisfied, edits the emission condition data, determines the number of prize balls corresponding to each winning opening, edits the prize ball data, and edits the prize ball data. 1
06.

[Gaming control device side emission precondition monitoring process]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the game control device side discharge precondition monitoring process in the prize ball control process. In this subroutine, first, in step S21, game state information and input information relating to a discharge precondition are collected. The game state information related to the emission preconditions includes, for example, information on a big hit (for example, a big hit start, a big hit,
At the end of the big hit, the elapsed time from the big hit, etc.), game information other than the big hit may be collected and added to the discharge precondition if it is included in the fulfillment element of the discharge precondition. The input information related to the discharge precondition is input information acquired by the overflow sensor 225 and the odd sensor 224. In this case, the odd sensor 224 is connected to the taxiway 10
2 is provided in a pair corresponding to each of the two passages (i.e., the prize ball discharge passage (spare ball flow passage) and the ball leasing discharge passage (spare ball flow passage)). This is one of the determination factors for the emission preconditions for the use of the ball and the ball rental (different from the determination factor of the ball lending described later). After step S21, next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the odd sensor 224 is in the "ball presence state". If it is not the "ball present state", the process proceeds to step S23, where the discharge precondition is not satisfied, and the routine ends.
On the other hand, if it is in the "ball presence state", the process proceeds to step S24, and it is determined whether or not it is in the "overflow state". If it is "overflow state", the process similarly proceeds to step S23 to set the discharge precondition not to be satisfied, and ends the routine.

If the odd sensor 224 is in the "ball presence state" and not in the "overflow state", step S
Proceeding to 25, the establishment of the prerequisite for prize ball discharge (however, the establishment of the discharge prerequisite for ball rental requires another element to be described later) is set. As a result, for the prize ball, the discharge precondition is satisfied. Next, step S26
It is determined whether or not the game state is the specific state of the big hit. The specific state refers to, for example, a period from when a predetermined period elapses after a big hit occurs to when the big hit ends. Here, the predetermined period refers to the first 30 seconds (for example, a period before the start of one round and a certain period after the start) from the start of the big hit. Therefore, when it is not the specific state of the jackpot,
This is a state in which the predetermined time has not elapsed from the start of the occurrence of the big hit. This means that for the first 30 seconds from the start of the jackpot (for example, before the start of a round or for a certain period after the start), when the player needs to rent a ball (for example, there is no ball in the storage dish). Therefore, considering the convenience, the ball lending operation is enabled during that time. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the jackpot occurrence (hereinafter, a specific state), it is not usually necessary to rent a ball anymore, so that period (that is, during the specific state)
Bans the ball-lending operation (details will be described later).

If the gaming state is not the big hit specific state in step S26, the process proceeds to step S27, where it is determined that the ball lending is permitted (valid), the ball lending discharge precondition is satisfied, and the routine ends. I do. Therefore, in order to satisfy the discharge precondition for the ball-lending, it is necessary to establish another element of the ball-lending permission (valid) state in addition to the discharge precondition for the prize ball. That is, here, the emission precondition is satisfied, but it is determined whether or not the ball lending can be permitted more finely. On the other hand, if the gaming state is the big hit specific state in step S26, the process proceeds to step S28, in which it is determined that the ball-lending is not permitted (prohibited), the ball-lending discharge precondition is not satisfied, and the routine ends. I do. Therefore, in this case, even if the player operates the ball-lending operation, the ball-lending operation is not performed (that is, the ball-lending operation is prohibited). In this way, even if the prize ball discharge precondition is satisfied, the game state is determined, and the lent ball discharge is allowed to be finely distinguished from the prize ball discharge and the ball rental discharge.

[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 of power-on here includes recovery from a power failure. When the power is turned on, the process proceeds to step S32, at which data other than the award ball data stored in the RAM 203 is initialized. At this time, the past discharge condition data stored in the RAM 203 is also cleared. Therefore, all data other than the award ball data is cleared. Next, step S3
In step 3, it is checked whether or not there is prize ball information (prize ball data) in the prize ball data memory area (prize ball information storage area). Transition. In the initialization processing, initialization of flags, various initial settings, and the like are performed.

On the other hand, if there is prize ball number information (prize ball data) in the prize ball data memory area in step S32 (for example, if there is an unpaid prize ball), the process proceeds to step S35 to execute a remaining prize ball notification process. I do. In the remaining prize ball notification processing, the remaining prize ball number information is displayed on the remaining prize ball number indicator 118 provided in the discharge control device 106 (it indicates that there is an unpaid prize ball), and further, the remaining prize ball is displayed. Ball notification signal output terminal 1
For example, a signal notifying that there is an unpaid prize ball is output to the outside of the gaming machine 1 through 19. In addition, the remaining prize ball number display 1
At the time of power recovery from a power failure, for example, a store clerk opens the back side of the gaming machine 1 to check the situation. While unpaid prize balls are being ejected,
Since the value of the remaining prize ball number indicator 118 is subtracted and displayed,
By visually recognizing this, it can be confirmed that unpaid prize balls have been reliably discharged. Also, the remaining prize ball number indicator 118
The number of prize balls is displayed on the display, so that the number of undischarged prize balls is notified to the game clerk, and the game clerk can confirm the player in the event of a trouble.
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.

Next, at step S36, the game control device 1
It is determined whether or not the discharge condition data has been received from step S07. If received, the process proceeds to step S37, and the contents of the discharge condition data received in this routine are stored in the discharge condition data storage area (discharge condition data) of the RAM 203. And the process proceeds to step S38. On the other hand, if the ejection condition data has not been received, the process jumps from step S37 and proceeds to step S38. In step S38, it is determined whether a discharge start condition is satisfied. The discharge start condition includes, in addition to the discharge precondition, a condition as to whether or not the discharge control device 106 is ready to discharge the game ball. The satisfaction of the discharge precondition is determined by the game control device 10
The determination is made based on the contents of the discharge condition data received from Step 7. That is, there is a ball in the odd sensor 224 and the lower plate 32
Is not an overflow (overflow sensor 225
Is off), the emission precondition is satisfied. In addition, when there is a ball in the first discharge sensor 222 for discharging the prize ball, it is assumed that the discharge start condition is satisfied (naturally, it is assumed that there is prize ball data). Therefore, when there is a ball in the odd sensor 224 and the lower plate 32 is not overflowing (the overflow sensor 225 is off) and there is a ball in the first discharge sensor 222 for discharging the prize ball, the prize ball is ready to be discharged. The presence of more data will satisfy the discharge start condition. If the discharge start condition is not satisfied in step S38, the process returns to step S33 and repeats the loop. If the discharge start condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S39 to perform the prize ball discharge process, and returns to step S33 to repeat the loop. In the prize ball discharging process, the discharge unit 105 (a unit including the first discharge solenoid 233, the first discharge sensor 222, the actuator, and the like) is drive-controlled in accordance with the data written in the prize ball data memory area to discharge the prize ball. Thus, when there is undischarged prize ball data when the power is turned on (for example, when power is restored), prize ball discharge is performed in accordance with each prize ball data. From S33 to S34
Will be branched to.

Next, if the power is not turned on in step S31, the discharging process in the normal state is performed. First, the process proceeds to step S40 to perform a ball discharge condition monitoring process. This is to monitor whether or not the conditions for discharging balls for prize balls and discharging balls for lending by the discharge control device 106 are satisfied. The details will be described later in a subroutine. Next, in step S41, it is determined whether or not the ball rental ball discharge condition (detailed in FIG. 9) is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S42 to perform a ball rental ball discharge process. Go back and repeat the loop. In the ball lending discharge process, the discharge control device 106 discharges the ball for lending based on a ball lending command from the ball lending machine 2. That is, on the premise that the ball lending discharge condition is satisfied, the lending ball discharge control based on the ball lending control information exchanged with the ball lending machine 2 is performed in order to make the ball lending based on the prepaid card available to the player. Note that the loaned ball discharge processing is performed in preference to the prize ball discharge processing described later. On the other hand, if the ball lending discharge condition is not satisfied in step S41, the process branches to step S43 to determine whether or not the prize ball discharge condition (detailed in FIG. 9) is satisfied. If the prize ball discharge condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S44 to perform a prize ball discharge process, and then returns to step S31 to repeat the loop.

[Sphere Discharge Condition Monitoring Process] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the ball discharge condition monitoring process in the discharge control process. In this subroutine, first, in steps S51 and S52, it is checked whether or not the ball itself is in a state in which the ball can be discharged with a prize ball and a lending ball. That is, in step S51, the RAM 2
The content (discharge condition data) of the discharge precondition on the game control device 107 side stored in the discharge condition data storage area (discharge condition data memory area) 03 is acquired. This includes information obtained from the overflow sensor 225 and the odd sensor 224 input to the game control device 107 side. Next, in step S52, information on the discharge precondition on the discharge control device 106 side is obtained. For example, whether the first discharge sensor 222 for discharging the prize ball has a ball, the second discharge sensor 223 for discharging a ball has a ball, or the ball discharge unit 1
There are pieces of acquired information indicating whether the ball 05 is not discharging a ball, the ball discharging unit 105 is not discharging weight, or is not discharging error. Next, in step S53, it is determined whether or not the emission preconditions are satisfied. If both of the discharge preconditions are not satisfied, the routine ends and returns.

On the other hand, if both the discharge preconditions are satisfied, the flow advances to step S54 to acquire information on the ball rental discharge precondition. Here, the information on the preconditions for discharging the lent ball is the information of permitting the rented ball (valid) or not permitting the rented ball (prohibited). Next, in step S55, it is determined whether or not the precondition for discharging a ball is satisfied. If the rental ball discharge precondition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S56 and the rental ball S
It is determined whether there is a W operation (request for lending). In addition, when the precondition for discharge of the ball rental is satisfied, the discharge control device 106
The PRDY signal output from the to the ball rental machine 2 becomes Hi,
If the PRDY signal is in the Hi state, the ball lending machine 2 determines that the discharge control device 106 can control the discharge of the ball.
Whether or not there is a ball lending SW operation is determined based on whether or not the ball lending button 22 operated when purchasing a game ball is operated. Note that the ball lending machine 2 accepts the operation of the ball lending button 22 when the discharge control device 106 is in a state capable of controlling the ball discharge, and receives an input from the ball lending button 22 (the ball lending SW operation is performed). Case), a ball lending request (B
RQ signal), the BRDY signal notifying that the
When the BRDY signal becomes Hi, the discharge control device 106 prepares to perform discharge control of the ball for lending the ball,
The BRQ signal, which is a ball lending request signal, is monitored. And
When the operation of the ball lending button 22 is performed, the ball lending machine 2
After a predetermined time has passed since the signal was set to Hi, the BRQ signal is set to Hi. As a result, the discharge control device 106 determines that the ball lending SW operation has been performed.

If there is a ball lending SW operation (ball lending request) in step S56, the flow advances to step S57 to determine the establishment of the ball lending discharge condition, and returns to the discharge control processing. If there is no ball lending SW operation (ball lending request) in step S56, the process proceeds to step S58, and it is determined that the ball lending discharge condition is not satisfied. If, on the other hand, the condition for discharging a ball-launch is not satisfied in step S55, the process jumps from step S56 to step S58, where it is determined that the condition for discharging a ball-lending is not satisfied. As is clear from the above processing, the processing regarding whether or not the rental ball discharge condition is satisfied is performed with priority. Then, in the following processing, a judgment is made on the prize ball data. That is, after step S58, the process proceeds to step S59 to acquire the storage contents of the prize ball data (obtain from the prize ball data memory area of the RAM 203). Next, step S60
It is determined whether or not there is prize ball data. If there is no prize ball data, the process proceeds to step S61 and returns as the prize ball discharge condition is not satisfied. If there is prize ball data in step S60, the process proceeds to step S62 to determine the establishment of the prize ball discharge condition and returns. As described above, in the ball discharge monitoring process, the priority is given to the monitoring of the ball lending discharge condition, the satisfaction of the ball lending discharge condition is determined, and then the determination of the prize ball discharge condition is determined.

Next, the display control device 116 uses the game balls (prize balls, ball lending) based on the monitoring information (for example, command data) of the discharge precondition sent from the game control device 107.
A specific example of informing (screen display) of the information on the state related to the discharge of the waste through the special symbol display device 43 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case is shown in which the ball discharge information is displayed in addition to the special symbol display device 43's original accessory display. 11A to 11C show the special symbol display device 4.
3 screen, and a three-digit special map (for example, 3
The part (digit number) is a display area of the special game display device 43 original game information (accessory), and a region above the background of the special design display device 43 is ball discharge information based on the monitoring information (command data). (Including error information). FIG. 11A shows that the special figure is “3,
"2, 1" (for example, when a special map is stopped) is displayed to indicate a normal state (usual game). At this time, the discharge precondition is satisfied, a mark SA (a mark representing the discharge of the ball) that allows the prize ball to be discharged is displayed in an area above the background of the special symbol display device 43, and the ball lending is performed. A dischargeable mark KA (a mark representing a state in which the player can operate the ball lending button) is displayed. This allows the player to play a game from the SA and KA indicating that both the prize ball and the rental ball can be discharged (in particular,
It can be easily grasped (while watching the special map).

FIG. 11B shows that the special figure is “7,
7, 7 "is displayed to indicate that a big hit is in progress (however, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the occurrence of the big hit).
At this time, the prize ball discharge precondition is satisfied, but the ball rental is not permitted, and the ball rental discharge precondition is not satisfied. Therefore, the mark SA capable of discharging prize balls is displayed in the area above the background of the special symbol display device 43, but the ball-for-lending prohibition mark KN in which the mark KA capable of discharging ball-for-sale is marked with an X is displayed. You. Thereby, the player can grasp from the mark SA that the prize ball can be discharged, and can easily grasp from the ball lending prohibition mark KN that the lending is prohibited. FIG. 11C shows that the special figure is “3,
"2, 1" is displayed to indicate a normal state (usually a game), but a state in which the lower plate 32 overflows or there is no ball to be ejected. At this time, the discharge precondition is not satisfied, and the prize ball discharge and the lending ball discharge cannot be performed. Therefore, the prize-ball impossible mark SN indicating the prize-ball impossible state is displayed in the upper area of the background of the special symbol display device 43, and the ball-ball-forbidden mark KN indicating the ball-ball-impossible state.
(The ball lending impossible mark is the same as the ball lending prohibition mark KN) is displayed. With this, the player can make each mark SN,
Recognizing from the KN, the overflow state is resolved by, for example, looking into the lower plate 32, or a clerk is notified that the ball is not discharged (there is no ball in the odd sensor 224), and the validity after that is notified. Swift action can be taken promptly. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to an example in which the ball discharge information is displayed on the special symbol display device 43. For example, the same ball discharge information may be notified from a speaker using the sound control device 113, or a combination of both may be used. Good.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the game control device 107 determines whether or not it is possible to discharge the ball based on the discharge precondition acquired by the discharge precondition acquisition means (the irregular sensor 224 and the overflow sensor 225). And the discharge control device 106 obtains the monitoring information sent from the game control device 107 to perform the ball lending discharge control. Therefore, the game control device 107 determines whether or not a ball can be lent. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to perform control for easily notifying a player whether or not a ball can be lent by processing on the game control device 107 side. For example, during the game, it is possible to display information on whether or not the ball can be discharged using the special symbol display device 43. In addition, the game control device 1
07, the emission control device 106 according to the information already monitored.
Is performed, the processing on the discharge control device 106 side is simplified, and the processing load can be reduced.

A winning sensor 175 is provided at each winning opening of the game board 13.
a to 175n are provided, prize ball data set based on the detection of a game ball winning to each winning port is transmitted to the discharge control device 106 as prize ball control information, and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, In addition, the RAM 203 is backed up, and at the time of a ball-lending operation, even if the emission control device 106 holds the prize-ball data, priority is given to the emission of the ball-lending. If the ball-lending operation is performed while the prize-ball discharge condition is being monitored during the discharge operation while the prize-ball discharge is being performed continuously, if the ball-lending operation is performed, Priority. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. When the player wants a united ball, for example, a ball for 500 yen directly, the request can be promptly met. Also,
When the ball on the upper plate 21 becomes low and the ball is to be rushed anyway than when a special prize ball is reached due to the reach of the special map and the ball is discharged with the starting prize, the ball is released. Is given priority, so that such a player's request can be satisfied. Even if the lending ball discharge is performed with a higher priority than the prize ball discharge, the prize ball data can be stored in the RAM 203 of the discharge control device 106. Even if the prize ball data is generated and added one after another, the prize ball data based on the winning sphere is only stored electronically in the RAM 203, and the safe sphere is physically stored like a conventional safe unit. I do not keep it.
Therefore, the prize ball data (electronic data) in the RAM 203
Only accumulates, and it is possible to avoid problems such as prize balls accumulating in the safe channel. In addition, since the winning balls do not accumulate in the safe channel, there is no need to stop the power supply to the firing control device 115 and stop the firing operation, for example, because the winning balls have accumulated too much. The game can be continued even if prizes are continuously generated.

The game control device 107 obtains information related to the game state, determines whether or not to permit the discharge of the rented ball based on the information related to the game state. Based on the determination result, the discharge control device 106 determines Since the ball lending discharge control is performed, it is possible to prevent the ball lending from being performed in a game state that is not preferable to discharge the ball lending. That is, if the player accepts the ball lending irrespective of the content of the game, the player may mistakenly operate the ball lending when he does not need the ball lending, and may wastefully discharge the ball. In the embodiment, the ball cannot be lent in a specific state set on the game control device 107 side (for example, after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the big hit to the end of the big hit). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from erroneously discharging the ball, and it is possible to eliminate unnecessary discharge of the ball.

In particular, in playing a game, a large winning prize port (variable winning device 45) is won in large amounts during a big hit, so that there is no need to perform a ball-lending operation. If pushed, the ball will be ejected without need. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the player accidentally presses the ball lending button 22 during the big hit, there is no reaction, so that there is no wasteful lending. In addition, since a large amount of winning balls are generated during the big hit, the storage of the winning balls (the number of holding of the winning ball data in the RAM 203) is increased in the discharge control device 106 in association with the occurrence. In addition, if the ball-lending operation is performed, for example, if the ball-lending operation is enabled, priority is given to the ball-lending, so that the prize-ball data stored in the RAM 203 is digested (according to the prize-ball data). Ball payout) is delayed, and the waiting time for prize ball discharge after the end of the big hit is lengthened. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the ball-lending operation is not accepted in such a case, so that the prize-ball data stored and held in the RAM 203 can be consumed more quickly. On the other hand, if the ball-lending operation is not accepted at all from the beginning of the jackpot, if a player who does not have a ball on the upper plate 21 at the time of the jackpot performs the ball-lending operation, the ball-lending does not appear and the jackpot is punctured. However, in this embodiment, the ball-lending operation is prohibited in a specific state during the big hit (for example, after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the big hit to the end of the big hit). The risk of puncture at the initial stage can be eliminated.

In the present embodiment, the discharge control device 10
6 alone can not control the discharge of the ball, the game control device 1
07 is transmitted to the emission control device 106,
The discharge control device 106 is configured to discharge balls on the basis of the information monitored by the game control device 107. In addition to the structure, for example, a ball rental (continuously, for example, 2,000 yen or more) which is impossible in usual cases In such a case, information can be acquired by the game control device 107 in a case where the ball is continually unusually lent. In the game control device 106, there is a command to prohibit lending, and the discharge control device 10
6, it is possible to effectively prevent this kind of fraud.

Based on the monitoring information sent from the game control device 107, the display control device 116 makes it possible for the special symbol display device 43 to identify information relating to the discharge precondition (for example, occurrence of a ballless state or overflow state). Since the notification is made, whether or not the ball can be rented can be easily grasped on the screen of the special symbol display device 43 provided on the game board 13. That is, before the player performs the ball lending operation,
Since it is possible to determine whether or not a ball can be lent, it is possible to avoid unnecessary operations, and it is easy for a player to understand why a ball is not lent, and confusion is not caused. In particular, since a novice player may not know at all why he or she cannot lend a ball, even in such a case, it is possible to concentrate on the game by easily identifying it.

In addition, since a prepaid card is inserted into a card-type ball lending machine attached to a gaming machine and a ball lending button is not operated to discharge a ball lending as in the prior art, the ball lending cannot be performed for the first time. The inconvenient state of knowing that there is is eliminated. In this embodiment, the special design of the game board 13 having the best visibility is compared with the conventional configuration in which the clerk of the game store transmits and sees the ball-free state (discharge-disabled state) when the completion lamp is lit. Since information relating to emission preconditions is displayed in a part of the display area of the display device 43,
Extremely easy to understand. Even if an overflow condition occurs, the ball is not fired despite the fact that the ball was fired in the past, so the player analogously judges the overflow condition, and the player continues firing the ball. Although it was not immediately known that the operation was not performed, in this embodiment, it can be seen that the overflow state quickly occurs only by looking at the special symbol display device 43. In particular, the occurrence of an overflow state is inconvenient if the ball is not fired unless the ball is fired, but the overflow state can be easily grasped without trying to fire the ball when the ball is lent.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko gaming machines of the above-described embodiments, but may be other gaming machines. For example, the present invention can be applied to other types of pachinko machines, arrange ball machines, sparrow ball game machines, slot machines, and the like, and various modifications can be made. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a pachinko game machine but also to, for example, a video game machine.

[0076]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game control device is provided with a discharge precondition acquisition unit (for example, an odd sensor 22).
4 and the overflow sensor 225), based on the discharge precondition acquired, to determine whether or not the ball can be discharged. The discharge control device obtains monitoring information sent from the game control device and discharges the ball. Since the control is performed, it is possible to determine whether or not a ball can be rented by the game control device, and to perform a control for easily notifying the player whether or not the ball can be lent by the processing of the game control device side Becomes possible. For example, a variable display device (for example, the special symbol display device 43) serving as an accessory during a game can be used to display information on whether or not the ball can be discharged. Also,
Since the let-off control device discharges balls using the information already monitored by the game control device, the processing on the discharge control device side is simplified, and the processing load can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a prize ball detecting means (for example, a prize sensor 175a) is provided at each prize port of the game board.
To 175n), to transmit prize ball control information (for example, prize ball data) set based on the winning of the game ball to each winning port to the discharge control device, and to a storage means (for example, RAM 20).
3) It is stored in a predetermined area and the storage means is backed up, and in the case of a ball-lending operation, even if the prize-ball control information is held in the discharge control device, the ball-lending discharge is performed with priority. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. When the player wants a united ball, for example, a ball for 500 yen directly, the request can be promptly met. Also,
When the remaining balls on the upper plate are low, the design of the variable display device (for example, special map) is reached, and you want to rent a ball more quickly than the small prize balls that are discharged with starting winning. In any case, the priority is given to the discharge of the rented ball, so that such a demand of the player can be satisfied. Even if the lending ball discharge is performed prior to the prize ball discharge, the storage means (for example, the RAM 203) of the discharge control device can hold prize ball number information (for example, prize ball data). Therefore, even if prize balls (safe balls) are continuously generated and the prize ball number information is added one after another, the prize ball number information based on the prize balls is only electronically stored in the storage means. It does not physically hold the safe sphere unlike the conventional safe unit. Therefore, only the prize ball number information (that is, electronic data) in the storage means is accumulated, and it is possible to avoid such a problem that prize balls are accumulated in the safe channel.
In addition, since the winning balls do not accumulate in the safe channel, there is no need to stop power supply to the firing control device and stop the firing operation, for example, because the winning balls have accumulated too much, The game can be continued even if winnings occur continuously.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the game control device acquires information relating to the game state, and determines whether or not to permit the discharge of the lent ball based on the information relating to the game state,
Since the discharge control device performs the ball release control based on the determination result, it is possible not to perform the ball rental in a game state in which it is not preferable to discharge the ball. That is, if the player accepts the ball lending irrespective of the content of the game, the player may mistakenly operate the ball lending when he does not need the ball lending, and may wastefully discharge the ball. In the present invention, a specific state set on the game control device side (for example, after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the big hit to the end of the big hit)
So we can not rent a ball. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from erroneously discharging the ball, and it is possible to eliminate unnecessary discharge of the ball. In addition, in the present invention, ball discharge control is not possible only with the discharge control device, the information monitored by the game control device is transmitted to the discharge control device, the discharge control device based on the information monitored by the game control device In addition to the configuration, for example, in addition to the configuration, the ball lending is continuously performed so as not to be possible.
If the game control device is configured to be able to acquire information in the case where the ball is more than 0 yen (discharged ball is more than 0 yen), if the ball is continuously borrowed unusually, illegal act If the game control device transmits a ball lending prohibition command to the discharge control device on the assumption that there is a risk of this, it is possible to effectively prevent this kind of fraud.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the specific state for prohibiting the emission of lent balls is a period from the start of the big hit to the end of the big hit to the end of the big hit. In playing the game, during the big hit, a big winning opening (for example, the variable winning device 4)
There is no need to perform a ball-lending operation because a large amount of prizes are won in 5), but if the ball lending button is accidentally pressed during a big hit, the ball-lending will be discharged without necessity. On the other hand, according to the present invention, even if the player accidentally presses the ball lending button during the big hit, there is no reaction, so that there is no wasteful ball lending. In addition, since a large amount of winning balls are generated during the big hit, the storage of the winning balls (for example, the number of holding of the winning ball data by the storage means) is increased in the discharge control device. In addition, when the ball-lending operation is performed, for example, if the ball-lending operation is enabled, priority is given to the ball-lending operation. Therefore, the prize-ball count information stored in the storage means is digested (for example, the prize-ball operation). The payout of the ball according to the data) is delayed, and the waiting time for discharging the prize ball after the end of the big hit becomes long. On the other hand, in the present invention, the ball-lending operation is not accepted in such a case, so that the prize-ball number information stored and held in the storage means can be consumed more quickly. On the other hand, if a ball-lending operation is not accepted at all from the beginning of the jackpot, if a player who does not have a ball on the upper plate at the time of the jackpot performs a ball-lending operation, the ball-lending does not appear and the jackpot is punctured. Although there is a risk that the big hit occurs, the present invention prohibits the ball-lending operation for a predetermined period after the occurrence of the big hit, so that the risk of puncturing at the initial stage of the big hit occurrence can be eliminated.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the monitoring information sent from the game control device, the predetermined control device (for example, the display control device 116) uses the information relating to the discharge precondition (for example, the ballless state). And the occurrence of an overflow state) are notified so as to be identifiable by the ball-released-ball-emission-information notifying means (for example, the special symbol display device 43). For example, it can be easily grasped by the special symbol display device 43 provided on the game board 13). That is, before the player performs the ball lending operation, it becomes possible to identify whether or not the ball can be lent, so that the player does not needlessly operate, and the player can easily understand why the ball is not lent, No more confusion. In particular, since a novice player may not know at all why he or she cannot lend a ball, even in such a case, it is possible to concentrate on the game by easily identifying it.

Further, as in the prior art, a prepaid card is inserted into a card-type ball lending machine attached to a game machine, and a ball lending button is operated to prevent the ball lending from being discharged. The inconvenient state of knowing that there is can be eliminated. Compared with the conventional configuration in which the clerk of the game store transmits and visually recognizes the absence of a ball (discharge impossible state) in the lighting state of the completion lamp, the present invention provides, for example, If the screen of the special symbol display device 43 provided is used, information relating to the discharge precondition is displayed in a part of the display area of the special symbol display device 43 having the highest visibility on the game board, so that it is very easy to understand. Even if an overflow condition occurs, the player does not fire the ball in spite of performing the ball firing operation in the past, so the player has analogously determined the overflow condition,
Although it was not immediately understood that the player did not continuously launch the ball, in the present invention, the ball lending discharge information informing means (for example, the special symbol display device 4 provided on the game board 13)
Just by looking at 3), it can be quickly understood that the overflow state has occurred. In particular, the occurrence of an overflow state is inconvenient if the ball is not fired unless the ball is fired, but the overflow state can be easily grasped without trying to fire the ball when the ball is lent.

[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 showing a game control device side discharge precondition monitoring process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a program of the discharge control device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a ball discharge condition monitoring process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating award ball data and discharge condition data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which information related to discharge is notified using a special symbol display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming machine 13 Game board 43 Special symbol display device (ball lending discharge information notification means) 106 Discharge control device (information storage processing means, game value supply processing means, ball lending control processing means) 107 Game control device (discharge for ball lending) Precondition determination means,
Gaming state information acquisition means) 116 Display control circuit (predetermined control device) 175 Winning sensor (winning ball detection means) 203 RAM (storage means) 212 Capacitor (backup means) 224 Incomplete sensor (emission precondition acquisition means) 225 Overflow sensor (Emission precondition acquisition means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game control device for controlling progress of a game on a game board surface and transmitting prize ball number information for supplying a game value generated in the game to a player, and a prize transmitted from the game control device. An emission control device having game value supply processing means for supplying a game value to the player based on the ball count information, and having a ball lending control processing means for performing a ball lending discharge control based on the ball lending operation of the player, In the gaming machine provided with, a discharge precondition acquisition unit that obtains information related to a discharge precondition of a game value and outputs the information to a game control device, wherein the game control device is obtained by the discharge precondition acquisition unit A ball-emission precondition determining means for monitoring whether or not ball-emission is possible based on the discharge precondition, wherein the ball-emission control processing means of the discharge control device comprises: A gaming machine characterized in that monitoring information of a precondition determination means is obtained and ball-emission control is performed. 2. A game control device comprising: a plurality of prize ball detecting means arranged to correspond to each of the prize ports of the game board and individually detecting game balls that have won the prize ports; Based on the output from the winning ball detection means, sets the prize ball number information for supplying the game value generated in the game to the player, the discharge control device, a storage means capable of storing information, the game control Information storage processing means for storing the prize ball number information transmitted from the device in a predetermined prize ball number information storage area of the storage means, wherein the storage content of the prize ball number information in the storage means is held The game value supply processing means of the discharge control device controls the supply of the game value based on the prize ball number information stored in the prize ball number information storage area of the storage means. The ball-lending control processing means of the discharge control device, even if prize-ball number information is held in the prize-ball number information storage area of the storage means, preferentially gives a ball-lending discharge based on a ball-lending operation of the player. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is performed. 3. A game status information acquiring unit for acquiring information relating to a game state, wherein the ball-emission precondition determining unit of the game control device includes information relating to a game state acquired by the game state information acquiring unit. It is determined whether or not to allow ball-bending discharge based on The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the rental game is discharged. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein said ball-emission precondition determining means of said game control device prohibits ball-emission discharge in a specific state after a big hit occurs. 5. A predetermined control device connected to the game control device for performing control related to a game, wherein the predetermined control device is based on monitoring information sent from a lending ball discharge precondition determination unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rental ball discharge information notifying unit for notifying information on a state related to the rental ball discharge.
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.