JP2001120831A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the number of game media dispensed as prize game media and to smoothly dispense a prize game medium when a prize is won. SOLUTION: When a ball distributing member 311 distributes balls dispensed from a ball dispenser 97, the balls pass through either of a prize ball passage or a ball lending passage. If a prize is won during the ball lending operation, the ball lending operation is interrupted and switched to the prize ball dispensing operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, a slot machine, and the like, and more particularly, to a game machine provided with a game medium payout means for paying out game media. About the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine of this type, a prize game medium such as a prize ball is added to a prize game medium in accordance with a prize in a prize area of a hit ball. There was one that was configured to be paid out to players. On the other hand, when the player starts a game with the gaming machine, the game medium is lent to the player by the game medium payout means using the value specified by the recording medium or the like. I was

[0003] The prize game medium and the rental game medium paid out from the game medium paying means are configured to be paid out from the same passage.

[0004]

Therefore, the number of game media paid out as prize game media cannot be managed.

Further, in the conventional gaming machine described above, during the lending game medium payout operation for paying out the lending game medium, even if a prize is generated, the currently performed lending game medium payout operation is completed. The payout of the prize game media accompanying the prize is started after the payout of the rental game media is no longer required. As a result, there is a drawback that the prize game medium is not easily paid out even if a prize is generated, and the player may feel frustrated due to a delay in paying out the prize game medium.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to manage the number of game media paid out as prize game media and to make it easy to obtain prize game media despite winning a prize. To provide a gaming machine that can prevent inconvenience that is not paid out.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine provided with a game medium payout means for paying out a game medium, wherein a rental game medium lent to a player passes. A prize game medium passage, a prize game medium passage through which a prize game medium paid out by a prize passes, a prize game medium detecting means for detecting the prize game medium flowing down the prize game medium passage, and A path switching means driven by a drive source to switch between the two paths so that the game medium can pass through either the lent game medium path or the premium game medium path, and a means for controlling the game medium payout means And selectively controlling a lending game medium payout state for paying out the game medium to the player as a lending game medium and a prize game medium payout state for paying out the game medium as the prize game medium. A payout control means, wherein the payout control means switches from the lent game medium payout state to the prize game medium payout state when a prize game medium payout request is generated by winning during the lent game medium payout state. The game medium priority payout control is configured to be executable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the payout control means repeats a one-unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit of a lending game medium. This completes the control of paying out a predetermined amount of rented game media, and when the prize causes a prize game medium payout request during the lent game medium payout state, the 1 unit lending operation is completed and the next 1 unit is completed. The present invention is characterized in that the premium game medium priority payout control can be executed before the lending operation is started.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the payout control means repeats a one-unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit of lending game media. This completes the control for paying out a predetermined amount of the lending game media, and interrupts the 1-unit lending operation when the request for paying out the prize gaming media due to the prize is generated during the 1-unit lending operation. It is characterized in that priority payout control can be executed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, the passage switching means includes a game medium when the electric drive source is driven. Are in a state in which they can pass through the lending game medium passage, and in a state in which the electric drive source is not driven and game media can pass through the premium game medium passage.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the game medium further includes a switching control means for controlling the passage switching means. The payout means is characterized in that, when it is necessary to switch the passage switching means at the time of paying out the game medium, the payout operation is started after a lapse of a predetermined period after the switching control by the switching control means is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, a value specified by the information received from the recording medium and recorded on the recording medium is received. Further comprising communication means for communicating a signal to a recording medium processing device which outputs a lending command signal for paying out the lending game medium, wherein the communication means receives the lending command signal after receiving the lending command signal. A loan completion signal is returned to the recording medium processing device in response to the completion of the payout operation of the lending game medium according to the lending command signal, and the payout of the lending game medium accompanying the execution of the premium game medium priority payout control is delayed. As long as the recording medium reception processing device does not return a lending completion signal within the lending completion signal reception allowable period for which reception is permitted due to the Characterized in that it sends back the loan completion signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the payout control means includes a step of, when the communication means returns the temporary lending completion signal, It is characterized in that a lending game medium compensation and dispensing control for dispensing a shortage of lending game media is performed after the lending game medium dispensing state can be controlled.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a rental game medium passage through which a rental game medium lent to a player passes;
A prize game medium passage through which a prize game medium paid out by a prize passes; and a prize game medium detecting means for detecting the prize game medium flowing down the prize game medium passage. By the function of the passage switching means that switches between the two passages by driving the game media, the game media can pass through either the lent game media passage or the premium game media passage. By the operation of the payout control means for controlling the game medium payout means, a rental game medium payout state in which the game medium is paid out as a rental game medium to be lent to the player, and a prize game medium payout state in which the game medium is paid out as the prize game medium. And selectively controlled.

Then, by the operation of the payout control means,
When a prize game medium payout request is generated by winning during the lent game medium payout state, prize game medium priority payout control for switching from the lent game medium payout state to the prize game medium payout state can be executed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, one unit lending for paying out a predetermined unit of lending game medium by the operation of the payout control means. By repeating the operation, the control for paying out a predetermined amount of the lending game medium is completed, and when the request for paying out the prize game medium is generated by the prize during the lending game medium payout state, after the 1 unit lending operation is finished, Prior to the start of the one-unit lending operation, the premium game medium preferential payout control can be executed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, one unit lending for paying out a predetermined unit of lending game media by the operation of the payout control means. By repeating the operation, the control of paying out a predetermined amount of the lending game medium is completed, and when a request for paying out the prize game medium is generated by the prize during the lending operation, the 1st lending operation is performed.
By interrupting the unit lending operation, the premium game medium priority payout control can be executed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to third aspects,
A state in which the game medium can pass through the lending game medium path when the electric drive source of the passage switching means is driven, and a state in which the game medium can pass through the premium game medium path when the electric drive source is not driven. Becomes

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to fourth aspects,
The switching control means controls the passage switching means. In the case where it is necessary to switch the passage switching means at the time of paying out the game medium by the function of the game medium paying means, the payout operation is started after a lapse of a predetermined period from the switching control by the switching control means.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect of the present invention,
By the function of the communication means, a signal is sent to a recording medium processing device that receives a recording medium and outputs a lending command signal for paying out the lending game medium using a value specified by the recording information of the recording medium. Communication takes place. By the operation of the communication means, after receiving the lending command signal, the lending completion signal is returned to the recording medium processing device in accordance with the completion of the lending game medium payout operation according to the lending command signal. Then, due to a delay in paying out the lending game medium due to the execution of the premium game medium priority payout control, the lending completion signal cannot be returned within the lending completion signal reception period in which the recording medium reception processing device permits reception. Only in this case, a temporary lending completion signal is returned before the lending completion signal acceptance allowable period elapses.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention as set forth in claim 6, when the communication means returns the temporary lending completion signal by the operation of the payout control means. In this case, after the control can be performed to the lending game medium dispensing state, the lending game medium supplementary dispensing control for dispensing the insufficient lending game medium is performed.

[0022]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine, which is predetermined during a game. The present invention can be applied to any gaming machine that can pay out the game medium from the game medium payout means when a winning has occurred.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a card unit (also referred to as a card processing machine) 50 installed correspondingly.

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

When the player inserts a so-called prepaid card having the card balance recorded therein into the card insertion slot 155,
The card balance recorded on the prepaid card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance of the lending amount set in advance is reduced, and the ball for the lending amount is hit by the ball supply tray 3 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Lending to

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

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

A game effect LED 28 is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.
a, game effect lamps 28b and 28c, a prize ball lamp 51 which is turned on during the payout of a prize ball, and a ball supplied to a ball payout device 97 (see FIG. 3) for paying out a prize ball and a lending ball. And a speaker 27 for generating a sound effect such as a stereo sound is provided on the left and right of the upper part of the game area 7. ing.

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

The variable display device 8 comprises a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. On the variable display unit 9 at the center of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on condition that a winning start has occurred. Thereafter, as a result of the variable display being terminated after a lapse of a predetermined time, the big hit becomes a big hit if the slotted pattern of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, when a big hit occurs in a predetermined positively changing symbol among the big hit symbols, a probability variation state occurs and the big hit probability changes to a high probability. When a big hit occurs, the open / close plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 is tilted to open a big winning opening. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous for the player who can make the ball hit the large winning opening, and the gaming state becomes a gaming state (specific gaming state) advantageous to the player. The large winning opening of the variable winning ball device 19 is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22. On the other hand, a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning area is detected by the count switch 23. V count switch 22 and count switch 23
Are provided on the game board 6, and the winning balls that have won the respective winning areas are quickly detected by the switches 22 and 23, and 15 winning balls are paid out each time the winning balls are detected.

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

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

The hit ball that has entered the passing gate 11 a is detected by the gate switch 12. Hitting the gate switch 1
2, the variable display 10 is variably started. If a further hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable display 10 is variably displaying, the passing ball is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the storage number, and the storage number is passed. It is displayed on the storage display 10a.

The variable display 10 is composed of a 7-segment display, and variably displays identification information usually called a symbol. If the display result of the variable display 10 becomes a predetermined special display mode (for example, 7), "winning" is obtained.
When the display result of "hit" is derived on the variable display 10,
A pair of left and right movable pieces 15 provided in the starting port 14 is opened. As a result, the starting port 14 is in an open state, and the hit ball can be more easily started and won. If one of the hit balls wins while the starting port 14 is in the open state, the movable piece 15 closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state where it is difficult to win. In addition, if a predetermined period elapses after the opening of the starting opening 14, the movable piece 15 is closed to the original position and the open state ends even if the starting prize does not occur. The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 14 is promptly detected by the starting opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the starting winning ball is detected by the starting port switch 17, five winning balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detected output. The start winning detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the number of storages, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18. In addition, the general winning opening 24 (24a,
24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e), the winning balls are provided on the gaming board 6 by the respective winning opening switches 240 (2).
40a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e), which are promptly detected, and ten prize balls are paid out based on this.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the mechanical plate 36 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball that has passed through the guide gutter 39 has a ball-break detection switch 187 (18).
7a, 187b) and the ball supply gutter 186 (186)
a, 186b) to reach the ball dispensing device 97. Note that the guide gutter 39 is provided with a cutout detection switch 167 that detects a cutout on the upstream side of the cutout switch 187.

The balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hitting operation supply plate 3 provided on the front face of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the communication port 45. On the side of the communication port 45, an excess ball passage 46 communicating with the excess ball tray 4 provided on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed. When a large number of balls based on the prize are paid out and the hitting ball supply tray 3 becomes full, and finally the ball is further paid out after reaching the communication port 45, the ball is transferred to the surplus ball tray 4 via the surplus ball passage 46. Be guided. When the ball is further paid out, the sensing lever 47 presses the full tank switch 48 and the full tank switch 48 is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the payout motor (stepping motor) 289 in the ball payout device 97 stops, the operation of the ball payout device 97 stops, and the driving of the hit ball firing device 34 also stops as necessary.

For controlling the payout of the prize balls, the starting port switch 17 and each of the winning port switches 240 (240a, 240b,
240c, 240d, 240e), signals from the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23 are sent to the game control board 31. When the ON signals of these switches are sent to the game control board 31, a prize ball number command is sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending board 37. For example, when the winning ball detection switch is turned on in response to the turning on of the starting port switch 17, a winning ball number command indicating the number of winning balls "5" is output from the game control board 31, and the count switch 23 or the V count switch 22 A prize ball number command indicating the prize ball number “15” is output in response to turning on. Then, when the winning opening switch 240 other than those switches is turned on, a winning ball number command indicating the winning ball number “10” is output.

The power supply unit box 31 is provided on the mechanism plate 36.
9 and a power supply relay board (not shown) are assembled in a superimposed manner. The power supply unit box 319 accommodates a power supply unit board (not shown) that generates a plurality of power supplies having different voltages. AC2 on the power supply unit board
A power connector and a power switch to which a power cord is connected to a power supply of 4 V, and a relay board connector (not shown) for connecting to a power relay board are mounted. In the power supply unit board, a plurality of power supplies are generated by turning on a power switch and supplied to the game control board 31, the prize ball lending board 37, and other control boards via a power relay board (not shown). It has become.

The power supply unit box 319 and the power supply relay board are parts that can be used regardless of the type of the game board 6. For example, when the game board 6 of the game machine is replaced with another game board. Can also be reused.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, pachinko gaming machine 1
The configuration of the intermediate base unit installed on the mechanism plate 36 on the back side of the above will be described. The ball supply gutters 186a and 186b and the ball payout device 97 are installed in the intermediate base unit. As shown in FIG. 4, connecting concave protrusions 182 are formed on the upper and lower sides of the intermediate base unit. The connection concave projection 182 connects and fixes the intermediate base unit and an upper base unit and a lower base unit of a mechanism plate (not shown).

A passage member 18 is provided above the intermediate base unit.
4 is fixed. The ball dispensing device 97 is fixed to a lower portion of the passage body 184. The passage body 184 has ball passages 186a and 186 through which two rows of balls whose flowing direction has been changed to the left and right directions by the curve gutter 174 (see FIG. 3) flow down.
6b. On the upstream side of the ball passages 186a and 186b, ball breaking switches 187a and 187b are provided. The ball break switches 187a and 187b are connected to the ball passage 18
6a, 186b to detect the presence or absence of a ball,
When the ball cutout switches 187a and 187b stop detecting the ball, the rotation of the payout motor (not shown in FIG. 4) in the ball payout device 97 is stopped, and the ball payout is deactivated.

Note that the burnout switches 187a and 187b
Is locked by a locking piece 188 at a position where the presence of 27 to 28 balls in the ball passages 186a and 186b can be detected.

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

A ball payout device 97 is provided below the passage body 184.
To supply the ball to the ball, and in the event of failure, the ball payout device 97
A ball stop device 190 for stopping the supply of the ball to the ball is provided. The ball payout device 97 installed below the ball stopping device 190 is housed inside a rectangular parallelepiped case 198. Protrusions are provided at four places on the left and right of the case 198. The lower end of the case 198 is fitted into an elastic engagement piece provided at a lower part of the intermediate base unit in a state in which each projection rests on a positioning projection provided on the intermediate base unit.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ball payout device 97. The configuration and operation of the ball payout device 97 will be described with reference to FIG. In the ball payout device 97 in this embodiment, the stepping motor (payout motor) 289 is
The pachinko balls are dispensed one by one by rotating 88. The ball payout device 97 pays out not only prize balls based on winnings but also lending balls to be lent.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ball payout device 97
There are two cases 198a and 198b. The ball dispensing device 9 is provided at two places on the left and right of each case 198a, 198b.
7 is provided with an engagement projection 280 that is in contact with a positioning projection provided at the upper part of the installation position. In addition, in each case 198a, 198b, the ball supply path 281a, 2
81b are formed. Ball supply path 281a, 281b
Has curved surfaces 282a and 282b, and has curved surfaces 282a and 282b.
Below the end of 282b, a ball feed horizontal path 284a,
84b are formed. Further, the ball feed horizontal path 284
Ball discharge passages 283a and 283b are formed at the ends of a and 284b.

Ball supply paths 281a and 281b, ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b, and ball discharge paths 283a and 283b.
Are formed in front of partition walls 295a and 295b that partition the cases 198a and 198b forward and backward, respectively.
Further, in front of the partition walls 295a and 295b, a ball pressure buffering member 285 is sandwiched between the cases 198a and 198b. The ball pressure buffering member 285 distributes the balls supplied to the ball dispensing device 97 to the left and right sides and the ball supply paths 281a and 281.
1b.

A payout motor position sensor including a light emitting element LED 286 and a light receiving element (not shown) is provided below the ball pressure buffering member 285. Light emitting element 286
And the light receiving element are provided at a predetermined interval.
The distal end of the screw 288 is inserted into the space. In addition, the ball pressure buffering member 285
Is completely housed and fixed inside the cases 198a and 198b when they are bonded to each other.

The ball feed horizontal paths 284a and 284b have a screw 28 rotated by a payout motor 289.
8 are arranged. The payout motor 289 is fixed to the motor fixing plate 290, and the motor fixing plate 290 is
Fixing grooves 291a, 2 fixed behind 5a, 295b
91b. In this state, the motor shaft of the dispensing motor 289 projects forward of the partition walls 295a, 295b, so that the screw 288 is fixed forward of the projection. On the outer periphery of the screw 288, there is provided a spiral projection 288a for moving the balls placed on the ball feed horizontal paths 284a, 284b forward by the rotation of the payout motor 289.

A recess is formed at the tip of the screw 288 so as to house the light emitting element 286, and two notches 292 are formed at 180 ° around the periphery of the recess.
Is formed apart. Therefore, the screw 288
During one rotation, the light from the light emitting element 286 is detected twice by the light receiving element via the notch 292.

That is, the dispensing motor position sensor including the light emitting element 286 and the light receiving element is for stopping the screw 288 at a fixed position and for detecting that the dispensing operation has been performed. Note that the light-emitting element 286,
The wires from the light receiving element and the payout motor 289 are put together and pulled out to the outside from a drawer hole formed below the rear part of the case 198a, 198b, and connected to the connector.

When the payout motor 289 is rotated while the balls are placed on the ball feeding horizontal paths 284a and 284b, the balls are directed forward on the ball feeding horizontal paths 284a and 284b by the spiral projection 288a of the screw 288. Move. And finally, the ball feed horizontal path 284a,
From the end of 284b, it falls to ball discharge paths 283a and 283b. At this time, the left and right ball feed horizontal paths 284a, 284
The drops from b are performed alternately. That is, every time the screw 288 makes a half turn, one ball falls from one side. Therefore, every time one ball falls, the light emitting element 2
The light from 86 is detected once by the light receiving element.

As shown in FIG. 4, a ball distribution member 311 is provided below the ball dispensing device 97. Further, below the ball distribution member 311, a prize ball counting switch 301A using a proximity switch and a ball distribution switch 301A are provided. Ball rental count switch 3
01B is provided.

The ball distributing member 311 includes the distributing solenoid 3
Driven by 10. In a steady state in which the solenoid 310 is not excited, the ball distribution member 311 is tilted to the left as shown by the solid line in the drawing, and the falling ball is a prize ball passage 312A.
And is detected by the prize ball count switch 301A. On the other hand, when the solenoid 310 is excited, the ball distribution member 311 falls to the right as shown by the broken line in the figure, and the falling ball passes through the ball lending passage 312B and is detected by the ball lending count switch 301B.

The solenoid 310 is excited when lending a ball,
Otherwise, it is not excited. Therefore, at the time of a prize ball based on winning, the ball sorting member 311 is tilted to the right, and the balls from the ball discharge paths 283a and 283b both pass through the prize ball count switch 301A. On the other hand, when the ball is lent, the solenoid 310 is excited so that the ball discharge paths 283a, 283
The ball from 83b is a ball rental count switch 301
Pass B.

As described above, by providing the ball distribution member 311, the balls flowing down the two ball flow paths can be used for the prize ball count switch 301 A and the ball lending count switch 30.
1B. Therefore, the number of prize balls or the number of ball lending can be immediately grasped from the detection output of the prize ball counting switch 301A and the ball lending count switch 301B without determining whether the ball is a prize ball or a ball lending.

As described above, since the ball payout device 97 can be operated not only for lending balls but also for paying out prize balls, the cost can be reduced. In addition, by controlling the switching of the ball distribution member 311, the prize ball and the ball lending can be easily counted individually.

When the payout of the lending ball is not required, the state of the ball distribution member 311 is maintained so that the ball is guided to the prize ball count switch 301A side. Since the frequency of paying out prize balls is higher than the frequency of payout, the number of times of switching control of the ball sorting member 311 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the failure of the ball distribution member 311 and the control components related thereto caused by the repeated switching, and to prolong the life of those components.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are block diagrams showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 and components related thereto. 6 and 7, as game control boards, a game control board (also referred to as a main board) 31, a prize ball lending board 37, a lamp control board 35, a voice control board 7
0, a launch control board 91 and a display control board 80 are shown.

Game control board 31, prize ball lending board 37, lamp control board 35, voice control board 70, launch control board 9
A microcomputer and the like are mounted on the display control board 1 and the display control board 80. In each of these control boards, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the R provided on the control board is
Initial processing such as initializing data in the AM is performed for each control board, and the award ball lending board 37, the lamp control board 35, the voice control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80 are initialized. At the time when the processing is completed, the command from the game control board 31 can be effectively received.

The prize ball lending board 37 includes a firing control board 9
1. The ball payout device 97, the balance display board 74, and the card unit 50 are connected. The game effect LED 28a, the prize ball lamp 51, the ball cutout lamp 52, and the game effect lamps 28b and 28c are connected to the lamp control board 35. The launch control board 91 is connected to an operation knob (ball hitting handle) 5 and a drive motor 94 for driving a ball hitting hammer (not shown). The driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. The display control board 80 includes a variable display device 8 for special symbols (not shown).
Is connected. The speaker 27 is connected to the audio control board 70.

The game control board 31 has a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in accordance with a game control program.
, A switch circuit 58, a solenoid circuit 59, a lamp / LED circuit 60, an information output circuit 64, an initial reset circuit 65, and an address decode circuit 67.

The basic circuit 53 is a microcomputer for game control, a ROM 54 for storing a game control program for game control, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 and a CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with the control program. / O port 57 is included.

When the power is turned on, the initial reset circuit 65
This is a circuit for resetting the PU 56. The CPU 56 initializes the pachinko gaming machine 1 in response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 65. Also, C
As described later, the PU 56 periodically (for example, 2 ms)
The game control program is re-executed from a predetermined position by the timer interrupt generated at each time.

The address decode circuit 67 includes a CPU 56
Is a circuit that decodes an address signal given from the I / O port and outputs a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports 57.

The switch circuit 58 is a circuit that supplies signals from various switches to the CPU 56. Switch circuit 5
8 includes a gate switch 12, a starting port switch 17, a winning port switch 240 (240a to 240e), a V count switch 22, a count switch 23, a prize ball count switch 301A, a full tank switch 48, a ball exhaustion detection switch 167, and a ball. Switch 187 (187a, 18
7b) is connected. The full tank switch 48 is a switch that detects whether the excess tray 4 is full. The detection signal from the full tank switch 48 is input to the game control board 31 via the relay board 71. The prize ball count switch 301A is connected to the ball payout device 97 as shown in FIG.
And a switch for detecting the payout of award balls. The detection signal of the prize ball count switch 301A is transmitted to the I
It is also input to the / O port 372b.

The information output circuit 64 generates big hit information indicating the occurrence of a big hit, start information indicating the number of start winning prize balls used for variable display of the variable display section 9, and probability fluctuation in accordance with data supplied from the CPU 56. This is a circuit that outputs probability change information and the like indicating the fact to a host computer such as a hall management computer. Solenoid circuit 59
Is the solenoid 1 that operates the movable piece 15 of the starting port 14.
6 is a circuit for driving a solenoid 21 for opening and closing the open / close plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 in accordance with a command from the CPU 56. The lamp / LED circuit 60 is a circuit for lighting and extinguishing the start storage indicator 18 and for driving the variable indicator 10 and the decorative lamp 25 using 7-segment LEDs.

From the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending board 37,
A command, which is an example of command information, is transmitted to the lamp control board 35, the voice control board 70, and the display control board 80. Each control board performs control based on this command. When a command is output from the game control board 31, an INT signal indicating a valid period of the command is output accordingly. The INT signal has a low level (off state) in an invalid state, and has a high level (on state) in a valid state. The command is
All are composed of 7-bit data.

For example, a prize ball command transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending board 37 includes a command as command information relating to payout control of award balls and a command as command information relating to payout control of a lending ball. (For example, a ball lending prohibition command, a ball lending prohibition canceling command, etc.). Of the 7-bit data constituting the prize ball command,
The lower 4 bits are used to specify the number of winning balls, and the upper 3 bits are used to specify the control content.

The payout ball lending board 37 is provided with a payout control microcomputer. The payout control microcomputer includes a ROM for storing a prize ball control program (including control relating to ball lending) and the like, a RAM used as a work memory, and CPUs 2915 and I2 for performing control operations in accordance with a prize ball control program. / O port 372 (372a-372g). In FIG.
Of these, CPU 2915 and I / O port 372
(372a to 372g) and other parts are not shown.

The award ball number commands (D7 to D0) are input to the I / O port 372a from the I / O port 57 (port G577) of the game control board 31. The I / O port 372b includes a detection signal of the prize ball count switch 301A, a detection signal of the ball lending count switch 301B,
The detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 286 and the detection signal of the reset switch (reset SW) 379 are input. A drive signal to the payout motor 289 is output from the I / O port 372c. An excitation signal to the distribution solenoid 310 is output from the I / O port 372d. Error indication LED from I / O port 372e
An error display signal to 374 is output. The I / O port 372f is connected to the card unit 50, and various control signals are exchanged with the card unit 50 through the I / O port 372f. I / O port 3
From 72g, a ball lending number signal to the terminal board 160 and a buzzer drive signal to the buzzer 75 are output.

The CPU 2915 for controlling the prize ball lending controls the ball payout device 97 in accordance with the prize ball command and a control signal from the card unit. CPU of game control board 31
56 outputs a predetermined lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 based on the occurrence of a big hit or a winning.
The lamp control board 35 controls the lighting of the electric decorative component based on a lamp control command from the game control board 31.

The CPU 56 outputs a display control command to the display control board 80. The display control board 80 controls the display of the variable display device 8 based on the display control command. The display control command includes, for example, a command for designating that a predetermined initial screen is displayed on the variable display device 8 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, and a change in a special symbol is started with a start winning. There is a command to specify that the operation is to be performed.

The CPU 56 sends a predetermined voice control command to the voice control board 7 based on the occurrence of a big hit or a prize.
Output to 0. The voice control board 70 is a game control board 31
The control for outputting a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 is performed based on a voice control command input from the speaker 27.
Note that the voice control command is a command for instructing a voice output of the speaker 27 provided outside the game area 7 in accordance with the progress of the game.

The CPU 56 is provided with an out-of-ball detection switch 167.
Alternatively, if the detection signal from the ball-out switch 187 indicates a ball-out state, or if the detection signal from the full-state switch 48 indicates a full-state, a prize-ball prohibition command and a ball lending may be made according to the situation. The prohibition command is sent to the payout control microcomputer 370 of the prize ball lending board 37, and the payout of the prize ball and the payout of the lending ball by the ball payout device 97 are stopped. The CPU 56 counts the number of winning balls based on the detection signal of the winning ball count switch 301A.

In the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53, counters (counters A, B, counters) for storing winning detection signals from the switches 17, 22, 23, 240a to 240e.
C) is provided. In the counter A, detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15 are collectively stored. The counter B stores a detection signal of the starting port switch 17, that is, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. The counter C has a winning opening switch 240a.
To 240e, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 10.

The CPU 56 disables the INT signal for controlling the prize ball when the starting port switch 17, the winning port switch 240 (240a to 240e), the V count switch 22, and the count switch 23 detect a hit ball. Then, the award ball number command is output to the award ball ball lending board 37 as an award ball command for designating the award ball number and specifying the award ball number. The INT signal is sent from the port H 578 via the buffer circuit 68 to the CPU 2915 of the prize ball lending board 37.
Is input to

Even if the payout of the winning balls based on the previously output winning ball number command is not completed, the CPU 56 sets the winning detection switch (1) provided on the game board.
7, 22, 23, 240a to 240e), when a winning is detected, the prize ball number command is immediately output. The CPU 2915 on the winning ball ball lending board 37 side controls a drive signal given to the ball payout device 97 based on the winning ball number command, and performs payout control such as payout control of the number of winning balls specified by the winning ball number command. Do. On the prize ball ball rental board 37 side, the prize ball number command is sent one after another irrespective of whether or not the payout of the prize ball based on the previous prize ball number command is completed. The winning ball number data of the missing winning ball number command is cumulatively added and stored in the RAM 2916, and the payout of balls is sequentially performed based on the added stored data. Thereby, on the game control board 31 side,
Even when the payout of the winning ball based on the previously output winning ball number command is not completed, there is no need to perform the process of storing the next winning ball number command, and the winning ball ball lending substrate 37 side It is not necessary to perform the process of outputting the prize ball number command while checking the operation status of the CPU 56.
And the processing load can be reduced, and the process can proceed quickly.

As shown in FIG. 7, the portion for outputting the prize ball command on the game control board 31 side can output information from the inside of the game control board 31 to the outside, but from the outside of the game control board 31. It is constituted by a buffer circuit 68 as an irreversible output means which cannot input information into the inside. Similarly, the buffer circuit 373 to which the prize ball command is input on the prize ball lending board 37 side allows the signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending board 37, but the prize ball lending is performed. This is an irreversible input interface that does not transmit signals from the rental board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the prize ball lending board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. Even if an unauthorized alteration is added to the transmission path of the prize ball command, a signal output by the illegal alteration is transmitted to the game control board 3.
It is not transmitted to one side. Therefore, the game control board 31
One-way communication between the signal and the prize ball lending board 37 is ensured, and the game control board 31 is transmitted via the prize ball command transmission path.
An illegal signal (data) can be input to the device to perform an illegal control operation, thereby reliably preventing an illegal operation.

The same circuit as the buffer circuit 373 is applied not only to the prize ball lending board 37 but also to the respective control boards of the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80. It is provided in. For this reason,
One-way communication of signals between the game control board 31 and each of the control boards 35, 70, 80 is ensured, and each of the control boards 35, 7
It is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act of inputting an illegal signal from 0, 80 to the game control board 31 to perform an illegal control.

The CPU 56 of the game control board 31 counts the number of prize balls paid out based on the detection signals from the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B, and determines whether or not a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out. to decide. If the detection signal is not input from the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B even after the predetermined period has elapsed even though the number of prize balls paid out is insufficient, it is determined that an error has occurred. Then, a command for error notification is output to the voice control board 70 and the display control board 80. As a result, a predetermined notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 controlled by the voice control board 70, and a predetermined error display is made on the variable display device 8 controlled by the display control board 80. As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 enters an error state.

On the other hand, the CPU 291 on the prize ball lending board 37 side
5 counts the number of paid out prize balls by counting the detection signal of the prize ball count switch 301A, and counts the number of paid out ball lending by counting the detection signal of the ball lending count switch 301B.

Further, the CPU 2915 includes a prize ball count switch 301A and a ball lending count switch 301.
In parallel with the operation of counting the balls based on the detection signal of B,
Using the detection signal from the payout motor position sensor 286, the number of paid prize balls and the number of balls to be paid are counted. That is, in the ball payout device 97, the screw 28 for paying out balls is used.
8 rotates by 180 degrees and the dispensing motor position sensor 286
Is configured to discharge one ball each time is turned ON / OFF once.
The paid-out balls are indirectly detected based on the change of the output signal of 86, and the number of balls is counted.

It should be noted that instead of the dispensing motor position sensor 286, by detecting the number of step pulses of the dispensing motor 289 which is a stepping motor, the dispensing operation amount (rotation amount) of the screw 288 is detected, thereby indirectly. The payout of the ball may be detected. However, the payout motor position sensor 2 which directly detects the rotation of the screw 288
Using 86 has the advantage that a highly accurate detection result can be obtained. When detecting the payout operation amount (rotation amount) of the screw 288 based on the number of step pulses of the stepping motor, an error occurs in the detected operation amount if the control amount per step changes for some reason. It is.

When the number of balls is counted based on the output signal of the payout motor position sensor 286, the screw 28
Although the counting operation can be performed more quickly than counting the balls based on the output signals of the count switches 301A and 301B in which a detection signal is output after waiting for the ball to drop from the ball 8, the balls are aligned in the screw 288. There is a disadvantage that one ball is regarded as having been dispensed even if an unnecessary gap is left between the balls and the ball is not dispensed when the screw 288 has rotated half a turn. Alternatively, even if the ball was not actually paid out due to a ball bite or other causes, it is considered that one ball was paid out.

For this reason, after the number of balls counted based on the output signal of the payout motor position sensor 286 reaches the expected payout number, the CPU 2915 temporarily sets the screw 288
Is stopped, and by referring to the counting result based on the detection signals of the count switches 301A and 301B, it is confirmed whether or not the payout of the ball is satisfactorily performed as expected. The screw 288 is rotated to control the shortage of the balls.

By performing such two-stage control, the screw 288 is used until the number of balls (prize balls or lending balls) counted based on the detection output of the payout motor position sensor 286 reaches the expected payout number. By rotating the ball at high speed and continuously paying out the balls, the payout of the balls can be expedited, and even if the payout becomes insufficient due to the shortage, the payout is performed by paying out the shortage later. Can be accurate.

The launch control board 91 is supplied with a launch control signal for controlling the launch state of the hit ball from the prize ball lending board 37 to the launch control board 91. In the firing control board 91, when the firing control signal is at the LOW level, the firing of the hit ball is prohibited,
It is controlled so that the shot cannot be fired. On the other hand, when the firing control signal is at the HIGH level, the firing of the hit ball is permitted, and the firing of the hit ball is controlled to be possible.

The CPU 2915 is connected to the I / O port 3
A ball lending number signal indicating the lending ball number is output to the terminal board 160 via 72. Further, the CPU 2915
Outputs an buzzer drive signal to the buzzer 75 in a warning process (see FIG. 34) described later when a failure occurs in lending a ball or paying out a prize ball, and generates a warning sound. This warning sound is stopped by the operation of pressing the reset switch (reset SW) 379 by a store clerk or the like at the game arcade. A card unit control microcomputer (not shown) is mounted on the card unit 50. The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the hit ball supply tray 3. The ball lending switch signal and the return switch signal are sent from the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50 according to the operation of the ball lending switch (not shown) or the return switch (not shown) by the player. 37.

The balance display board 74 from the card unit 50
, A card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lending possible display signal are given via the prize ball lending substrate 37. Between the card unit 50 and the prize ball lending board 37, a unit ball lending operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), and a ball lending completion signal (EXS)
Signal) and a pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) are exchanged. In addition, although not shown, it is confirmed from the card unit 50 to the prize ball lending substrate 37 that the card unit 50 is connected to the prize ball lending substrate 37. A signal for confirming the connection of the card unit used for the connection is provided.

When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on,
The prize ball control CPU 2915 of the prize ball lending board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. When the card is accepted in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated, and the ball lending switch signal is input, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit controls the lending ball lending, provided that the card lending switch signal is input from the PRDY signal. The BRDY signal is output to the board 37, and after a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the card unit controlling microcomputer sends the B
The RQ signal is output. Specifically, the BRQ signal is set to a high level (ON). And C of the prize ball lending board 37
The PU 2915 switches the EXS signal to a high level (ON) and returns a ball lending preparation signal to the card unit controlling microcomputer. The card unit controlling microcomputer changes the BRQ signal to low level (OF) on condition that the ball lending preparation signal is input.
By switching to F), a ball lending command signal is transmitted to the CPU 2915 of the prize ball lending board 37. The CPU 2915 of the prize ball lending board 37 receives the ball lending command signal, drives the payout motor 289, and sets a predetermined number (for example,
(25) payout balls to the player. Then, when the ball lending is completed, the CPU 2915 switches the EXS signal to a low level (OFF), thereby transmitting a ball lending completion signal to the card unit 50. That is, the EXS signal is used to transmit two types of information, a ball lending preparation signal and a ball lending completion signal.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the prize ball lending substrate 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, the card unit 5
No signal is input to the game control board 31 from 0, and there is no room for a signal to be illegally input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31. Next, the award ball command output from the game control board 31 to the award ball lending board 37 will be described in detail. FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing the contents of award ball command data output from a basic circuit 53. The CPU 56 sends the command data having the format shown in the figure to the lamp control board 35, the prize ball lending board 37, and the voice control board 70.
Output to Here, a prize ball command will be described as a representative example.

The command data is composed of, for example, 7 bits of 8-bit transmittable data as shown in the figure. Of these, bit 7 is used for the INT signal. As described above, since the format of the command data is common to the lamp control board 35, the award ball lending board 37, and the voice control board 70, the command data for specifying the control operation of various control boards is generated. Work becomes easy.

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

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

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which the winning ball ball lending board 37 receives a winning ball command. As described above, when the signal state of the INT signal is at a high level, the signal is valid, and when the signal is at a low level, the signal is invalid. When transmitting new command data, the game control board 31 switches the INT signal from the low level to the high level for 4 ms, and continues the command data of the required prize ball command to the prize ball lending board 37 for 4 ms. And output. When it is necessary to continuously output award ball commands, a command non-output period of at least 4 ms is provided between commands as an interval period. Therefore, when it is necessary to continuously output the prize ball command, after the INT signal goes high for 4 ms and the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms, the INT signal is output for at least 4 ms. Outputting of the prize ball command is stopped at the same time as the low level, and thereafter, the command transmission mode is such that the INT signal goes high for 4 ms and the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms.

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

As shown by "1" in the figure, the prize ball lending board 37 extracts the prize ball command data when the INT signal changes from the invalid state to the valid state, and stores it in a predetermined storage area. Store. Then, when 500 μs elapses,
As shown by "2" in the figure, the award ball command data is extracted again. Then, it is confirmed that the newly extracted award ball command data matches the award ball command data extracted at the timing of “1”. After that, another 500 μs
At the point in time when elapses, as shown by "3" in the figure, the command data is extracted again, and on the condition that the command data has not changed, the control corresponding to the award ball command data is executed. In other words, the award ball command data is extracted three times in succession while the INT signal is in the valid state, and when all the extraction results match, the award ball command data is regarded as regular data.

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

The command data need only have a valid period of one time in a series (4 mS in the embodiment), and only the INT signal may fall and the command data may be continuously output. In other words, the output in a mode that can be received by the prize ball lending substrate side may be one time.

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

The award ball command includes the game control board 3
When outputting from 1, the output priority is determined in advance. The highest priority is the ball lending prohibition command. Hereinafter, the prize ball prohibition command, the firing prohibition command, the ball lending prohibition release command, the prize ball prohibition release command, the firing prohibition release command, and the prize ball number command (in FIG. 9) The priority is lower in the order of “payout”). Furthermore, in the case of the prize ball number command, even with the same payout, the payout with the larger number of prize balls has higher priority.

If it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, the award ball commands are output in order from the one with the highest priority in accordance with the priority determined in this way. As described above, the prize ball commands are sequentially output according to the priority order, so that the processing load on the CPU 56 can be reduced. The reason is as follows. In other words, when it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, if a plurality of award ball commands are to be output at the same time, it is necessary to greatly increase the number of bits of the transmission command. In order to simultaneously prepare a number of data, it is necessary to process a large amount of data at the same time, so that the processing load on the CPU 56 that handles such data increases. On the other hand, when the prize ball commands are sequentially output in accordance with the priority order, it is not necessary to output a plurality of types of command information at the same time, so that the amount of data to be simultaneously processed for output can be suppressed. Become
The processing load on the CPU 56 can be reduced. Also,
Similarly, the CPU 2915 for controlling the prize ball lending does not need to output a plurality of types of command information at the same time, so that the amount of data to be simultaneously processed for output can be suppressed. The processing load on the CPU 2915 can be reduced.

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

Next, a process for operating the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, the processing executed by the CPU 56 of the game control board 31 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the main processing and interrupt processing executed by CPU 56. 10A shows the main processing, and FIG. 10B shows the interrupt processing.

Referring to FIG. 10A, in the main process, first, a stack set process for setting a designated address of a stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, an initialization process is performed (S2). In the initialization process,
The CPU 56 determines whether an error is included in the RAM 55, and if an error is included, performs processing such as initializing the RAM 55 and initial setting of various flags. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) for defining the timing at which an interrupt process to be described later is executed is set in the CPU 56. As a result, clocking for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after resetting due to power-on or the like is started.

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

Next, referring to FIG. 10B, in the interrupt processing, the time value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 becomes the set value (the timer interrupt time set in S2 or S14). Execution is started each time.

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

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

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

Next, the CPU 56 performs a special symbol process (S9). In the special symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state.
Further, a normal symbol process is performed (S10). In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

Further, the CPU 56 controls the gate switch 1
2. The state of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the like is input, and a switch process is performed to determine whether or not there is a prize for each prize port or the variable prize ball device (S11). Next, the CPU 56 executes S3
Then, the same display random number updating process as that described above is performed (S12). Next, winning ball signal processing is performed with the payout control microcomputer 370 (S13). Details of the winning ball signal processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, a prize ball command output process is performed (S14). Details of the award ball command output processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, a timer interrupt time setting process is performed (S15). In S15, a process of setting the timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above in the same manner as in S2 is executed. After S15, this interrupt processing ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt processing, the timer interrupt time is set in S15, and the time measurement for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt processing is started. Therefore, the time for the timer interrupt is measured each time the interrupt processing ends, and thereafter, the interrupt processing is executed every time the timer interrupt time elapses. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution of the above-described main processing program is resumed from the temporarily stopped position.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the start winning opening check process. The start winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG. CP
U56 first checks whether the type 1 starter switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value (SS
1). The first-type start port switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal of the start port switch 17 continues. When the first-type starting port switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, that is,
If the duration of the input signal has not yet reached the specified value, the process ends because the input signal may be noise or the like. On the other hand, when the type 1 starter switch counter matches the switch-on determination value, the starter switch 1
7 determines that the start winning has been detected, and updates (+1) the counter B (SS2).

As described above, the counter B is a counter that stores the detection signal of the starting port switch 17, that is, the detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol winning storage counter for counting the number of starting memories is equal to or more than the maximum value (= 4) of the special symbol winning memory counter (SS3). If the maximum value has been reached, the process ends without storing the start. If the maximum value has not been reached, the special symbol winning storage counter is updated (+1) (SS4). Next, a special symbol determination bank address corresponding to the count value of the newly stored special symbol winning storage counter is calculated (SS5). Next, the fluctuation shortening set time for shortening the variable display time of the special symbol is temporarily set in the fluctuation shortening timer bank (SS
6). Note that the change reduction setting time set here can be changed to a normal variable display time according to the number of startup storages evaluated in SS11 described later. That is, when the number of stored memories is large, the setting is maintained as it is, and when the number of stored memories is small, the display time is changed to a normal variable display time.

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

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

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the special winning opening check process. This special winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG.

In the special winning opening check process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the count switch counter does not coincide with the switch-on determination value (ST1). The count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal from the count switch 23 continues. If the count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the count switch counter matches, the count switch 23 determines that the winning has been detected and sets a count passage flag indicating that (see FIG. 5). S
T2). Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value indicating the gaming state is other than a value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST3). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST4).

Here, the counter A is added and updated based on the previously set count passage flag. As described above, the counter A is a counter that stores the detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15. Next, it is checked whether the V count switch counter (specific area count switch counter) does not match the switch-on determination value (ST5). The V count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the detection signal output from the V count switch 22 continues.
If the V count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to ST10 described later. If they match, it is determined that the V count switch 22 has detected a winning.

Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST6). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST8 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST7). Here, the counter A is added and updated based on the detection signal of the V count switch 22. Next, the continuation number counter that counts the number of times the variable continuation ball device 19 performs the repetition continuation control is the final value of the continuation number counter (= 1.
6) It is determined whether or not it is above (ST8). If the final value is reached, the process proceeds to ST10 described later. If the final value is not reached, a specific area passage flag indicating that the hit ball has passed the specific area is set (ST10).
9).

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

FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowcharts for explaining the winning ball signal processing. As described above, the winning ball signal processing is executed once every 2 ms. First, each timer used will be described.

(1) Timer TA1: Ball distribution member 311
Is used to predict the sum of the time required for switching from the ball lending side to the prize ball side and the time required for the paid-out ball to fall and be detected by the prize ball count switch 301A.

(2) Timer TA5: Set when an error is detected, and an error is displayed until a timeout occurs.

(3) Timer TA6: The timer TA6 is repeatedly restarted each time a timeout occurs. If the accumulated error count exceeds a predetermined number at the time of the timeout, an irrecoverable error occurs.

In the winning ball signal processing, the CPU 56
First, a ball lending possibility determination process is executed (SA1). The ball lending possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not ball lending is possible, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, a firing possibility determination process is executed (SA2). This firing possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not a shot can be fired, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the control advances to SA2a to determine whether or not the award ball count switch 301A (see FIGS. 4 and 7) is ON. S if not ON
The process proceeds to A3, but if it is ON, the process proceeds to SA2b, and it is determined whether or not the prize ball paying flag is ON.

The prize ball paying flag is set when the CPU 2915 of the prize ball lending board 37 is inferred by the CPU 56 of the game control board 31 to be in a prize ball payout state. Specifically, the CPU 56 sets an award ball number command output flag for outputting the award ball number command to the award ball ball lending board 37 side, and thereby is turned on by SA18 described later, and a predetermined number of a number to be paid out is set. When a prize ball is paid out and detected by the prize ball count switch, the prize ball is turned off by SB9 described later. Then, the prize ball count switch 301A is turned ON only when the prize ball paying flag is ON as long as the ball is normally operating. If the prize ball count switch 301A is normal, the process proceeds to SA3. The prize ball paying flag is O
Prize ball count switch 301A despite not being N
Is turned ON, the control advances to SA2c, and error processing is performed. In this error state, the CPU 56 is in a halt state (HALT state) and does not perform any operation.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the timer TA6 has timed out (SA3). If the timeout has occurred, the timer value of the timer TA6 is cleared and the value of the winning ball error counter is checked (SA6). If the value of the winning ball error counter exceeds a predetermined value, an error state is entered (SA9). In the error state, the CPU 56
Is in a halt state (HALT state).

When the timer TA6 times out,
If the value of the prize ball error counter does not exceed a predetermined number,
The winning ball error counter is initialized (SA7), and the timer TA6 is started again (SA8).

As will be described later, the value of the winning ball error counter is counted up when an excessive number of winning balls is detected. Therefore, if a prize ball excess error exceeding a predetermined number occurs within a predetermined time (within the count-up time of the timer TA6), the state is not canceled. In this way, if the system is configured not to be in the halt state immediately when an excessive prize ball error occurs but to be in the halt state when a prize ball excessive error occurs frequently, an error that occurs temporarily and naturally recovers can occur. Then, the gaming machine does not become inoperable. In addition, when the prize ball excess error frequently occurs, an inspection or the like is often required. In such a case, the gaming machine can be made inoperable.

Here, the timer TA6 is started irrespective of the occurrence of an error, and every time the timer TA6 times out, the number of errors generated at the time TA6 is checked. However, when an error occurs, the timer is started. Other monitoring methods may be used. In short, any monitoring method may be used as long as it can detect that an error has occurred more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

If NO is determined in SA3, it is confirmed whether or not the award ball paying-out flag is ON (SA4). If it is on, the process proceeds to SB1. If the prize ball paying flag is not turned on, it is confirmed whether or not a winning is detected (SA5). Specifically, the aforementioned RAM
With reference to 55 counters (counters A, B, C), it is determined whether or not a winning has been detected. If no winning has been detected, the process ends. In this embodiment, the ON state of the flag means a state where the flag is set, and the OFF state of the flag means a state where the flag is not set, that is, a state where the flag is cleared (reset). I do. On the other hand, when a winning is detected, a winning ball possible determination process is executed (SA10). This prize ball possible determination process is a process for determining whether or not a prize ball can be paid out, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG.

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

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

When the winning is not detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23, the general winning opening 24, that is, each winning opening switch 240 (240)
a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e), it is determined whether or not a winning is detected (SA12). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter C has a stored value. In this embodiment, ten prize balls are paid out for a winning through the general winning opening 24. Therefore, the winning is detected by each winning opening switch 240 (counter C> 0).
Occasionally, ten are set as the expected prize ball count (SA15), and then the total prize ball counter is updated by adding "10" (SA1).
6). Next, the counter C is updated by subtracting "1" (SA1).
6a).

If no winning is detected by any of the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and each winning opening switch 240, it can be determined that a winning is detected by the starting opening switch 17. Specifically, it can be determined that the counter B for storing the detection signal of the starting port switch 17 has a stored value. In this embodiment, in order to pay out five prize balls for a winning through the starting port 14,
If it is determined that the answer is NO in SA12, five prize balls are set to the expected prize ball count (SA19), and then the total prize ball counter is set to “5”.
The addition is updated (SA20). Next, the counter B is set to “1”.
Subtraction is updated (SA20a).

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

Since the total prize ball counter stores the total number of expected payouts corresponding to a plurality of prizes, the total prize ball counter is compared with the case where the expected payout number is stored for each prize. In addition, the storage area required for the RAM 55 of the game control board 31 can be reduced.

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

As described above, a prize ball command corresponding to each detection signal is output in a predetermined priority order so that control when detection signals are simultaneously input from a plurality of winning detection switches is facilitated. . The prize ball lending board 37
CP of payout control microcomputer 370 in Japan
U2915 performs the prize ball payout control of the number specified by the prize ball command.

Next, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the award ball paying flag is ON (SA17a). If not, the CPU 56 turns on the award ball paying flag (SA1).
8) Then, the timer TA1 is started (SA18).
a), the process ends. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, since the prize ball paying flag is ON in SA4, the process proceeds from SA4 to SB1.

On the other hand, if SA17a determines that the ball is ON, then SA17b determines whether or not the moment the prize ball prohibition flag has changed from ON to OFF. The process ends. However,
If the prize ball prohibition flag is set during the prize ball payout and then released, SA17b determines YES and SA18a sets the timer TA1. The prize ball prohibition flag is a flag for prohibiting the prize ball operation (see SD6 and SD11).

At SB1, the CPU 56 checks whether the error display flag is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to SB11. If the error display flag is not on, it is determined whether or not the award ball count switch 301A is on (SB2). When the ON of the winning ball count switch is detected, the CPU waits for the OFF of the winning ball count switch (SB3).

Then, the timer TA1 is started (SB
6). The timer TA1 is started or restarted each time the output of the winning ball count switch is turned off after the output is turned on.

If the award ball count switch is not turned on in SB2, it is checked whether or not the timer TA1 is operating (SB4). If the timer TA1 is not operating, the process ends. On the other hand, if the timer TA1 is operating,
The CPU 56 checks whether or not the timer TA1 has timed out (SB7). SA if not timed out
Go to 5. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, since the prize ball paying flag is ON, the SA
4 to SB1.

The value of the timer TA1 (the time from the start to the time-out) is a payout cycle (a period from when the prize ball count switch 301A is turned on to when it is turned on next time) when payout is normally performed. ) Is set longer. Therefore, when the payout is normally performed, the next award ball count switch is turned on (SB2) before the timer TA1 times out, except for the last payout. That is, when the payout is normally performed, the timer TA1 times out only after the last payout is performed.

In SB7, when the timer TA1 times out, it is determined whether or not the count value of the total prize ball counter is "0" (SB8). When the timer TA1 times out, after the determination in SB7, the timer TA1
Clear the timer value of When the payout is completed normally, the counter value of the total prize ball counter becomes “0”. Therefore, when the counter value of the total prize ball counter becomes "0", the prize ball paying flag is turned off to stop the output of the prize ball command (SB9), and the process proceeds to SA5.

On the other hand, if the counter value of the total prize ball counter has not become "0" when the timer TA1 times out, the CPU 56 determines whether the counter value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0". Check whether or not (SB
10). When the counter value of the total prize ball counter is not smaller than "0", that is, when it is determined that the payout is insufficient, an error display process is executed (SB11), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SB9. The details of the error display processing will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when the counter value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0", that is, when it is determined that the payout is excessive, the total prize ball counter is reset (SB12), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SB9.

As described above, since the number of unpaid prize balls is managed not only on the prize ball lending board 37 side but also on the game control board 31 side, the unpaid number of prize balls is more reliably managed. be able to.

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

FIG. 16 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
3 is a flowchart for explaining a ball lending possibility determination process executed by the first embodiment. In the ball lending possibility determination process, the CPU 56 first determines whether or not the full tank flag 1 is set (SC1). Full tank flag 1
Is a flag that is set when the surplus ball tray 4 is full when there are balls to be paid out by the ball payout device 97, and is a full flag for ball lending.

If it is determined that the full tank flag 1 is set, the flow advances to SC17 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full tank flag 1 is not set, it is determined whether or not the ball-out switch 187 detects that there is a ball-lending (detection that there is a ball-lending to be paid out) ( SC2). If it is determined that there is no lending, the process proceeds to SC3 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a ball lending, it is determined whether the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC8). Here, the ball lending prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that ball lending is prohibited. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SC9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not turned on, the SC13
Then, based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected.

When it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the ball lending possibility determination processing is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer TA8 by “1” is performed (SC14). Here, the timer TA8
Is a timer for measuring the duration of the full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not the full state flag 1 is set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA8 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48. Is performed (SC15). The predetermined value used in the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time and a ball falling state which are considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T8 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA8 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full, and a process of setting the full tank flag 1 is performed (SC16). After SC16, the process proceeds to SC6, in which the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on (set state), the ball lending prohibition command output flag is turned on in SC7 (set state), and the ball lending possibility determination process ends.

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

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

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the ball lending possible determination timer has reached a predetermined value (for example, 2000 mS) at which it can be determined that the ball-out condition has been successfully restored (SC10). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like, and to reliably determine restoration of a broken-ball state.

If it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached the predetermined value, a process of turning off the ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SC1).
1). As a result, it is not possible to indicate that the ball lending is prohibited. The timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer is S
When it is determined in C10 that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached a predetermined value, the value is cleared. Then, after the process of setting the ball lending prohibition release command output flag to the ON state (set state) (SC12) is performed, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. Here, the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is a flag set when a ball lending prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command. By setting the ball lending prohibition release command output flag in this way, a ball lending prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball lending board 37.

If it is determined in SC2 that there is no detection of a lending ball, and the flow advances to SC3, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer TA7 by "1" is performed. Here, the timer TA7 is a detection of the ball-break switch 187 in order to prevent the off-state of the ball-break switch 187 caused by flowing of the lending ball through the supply passage to the ball payout device 97 from being erroneously regarded as a ball-break. This is a timer used to define the validity period.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA7 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection valid period of the burnout switch 187 (SC4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the off period of the on / off state of the ball breaking switch 187 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the ball payout device 97.
In other words, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply passage to the ball dispensing device 97, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball out switch 1
87 repeats on / off. However, if the case where the ball-break switch 187 is turned on at an extremely short timing is regarded as a ball-break detection state, a short-time off-state during the on-off state accompanying the passage of a pachinko ball is erroneously regarded as a ball-break state. May be detected. In order to prevent such an erroneous detection, it is determined that the ball is in the cut-off state only when the cut-out switch 187 is turned on after waiting for a period longer than the on-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball. Judge.

If it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA7 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA7 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC).
5). When it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the ball lending prohibition state is already in the ball lending prohibition state, and the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not in the on state, a process of setting the ball lending prohibition flag to the on state is performed (SC6). This indicates that the ball lending is prohibited. Then, the ball lending prohibition command output flag is set to the ON state (set state) (SC7), and the ball lending possibility determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SC1 that the full tank flag 1 is set and the process proceeds to SC17, the surplus ball tray 4 is detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48.
It is determined whether or not the full state is detected. If it is determined that the full state has been detected, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the timer TA
A process of adding and updating the 15 timer values by "1" is performed (SC18). Here, the timer TA15 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not to reset the full state flag 1.

Next, the timer value of the timer TA15 is set based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state (SC19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 seconds) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise.
s). When the timer value of the timer TA15 is
If it is determined that the predetermined value has not been reached, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA15 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state, and the full tank flag 1 is reset (SC2).
0). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA15 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer TA15 is cleared in SC20.

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

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

Further, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a lending ball that can be paid out by the ball out switch 187, it is possible to determine that the lending ball cannot be paid out from the ball payout apparatus 97, and the lending ball can be determined. When it is determined that the payout is not possible, the payout control microcomputer 370 outputs to the payout control microcomputer 370 a ball lending prohibition command capable of specifying that the payout of the lending is prohibited (stopped). Can stop the payout of the lending ball by the CPU.
At 56, the situation of the ball dispensing device 97 can be managed from the side of the broken ball.

In addition, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 48, it is possible to determine that the ball payout device 97 is unable to pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that there is a ball lending, a ball lending prohibition command that can specify that the lending of the lending is prohibited (stopped) is output to the payout control microcomputer 370, and the lending of the lending by the ball payout apparatus 97 is performed. Since it is possible to stop, the state of the ball dispensing device 97 can be managed in the CPU 56 from the state where the surplus ball tray 4 is full.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the firing possibility determination process. This firing possibility determination process
This is a process executed by SA2 of the winning ball signal process shown in FIG.

First, based on a detection signal from the full tank switch 48, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected (SP1). If it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the process proceeds to SP7 described later.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the full state has been detected,
It is determined whether or not the firing prohibition flag is in the on state (set state) (SP2). Here, the firing prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that the firing of the hit ball is prohibited, and is turned on by SP5 described later and turned off (reset state) by SP10 described later.
To be.

If it is determined by SP2 that the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state, the firing feasibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SP2 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer TA3 by "1" is performed (SP
3). Here, the timer TA3 is a timer for measuring the duration of the full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not the firing inhibition flag is to be turned on.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA3 has reached a predetermined value based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 so that it can be determined that the surplus ball tray 4 is fully filled. Is performed (SP4). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous detection of the full state due to noise. I have. When it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA3 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA3 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full, and a process of turning on the firing inhibition flag is performed (SP5). . Then, the firing inhibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (S
P6), the firing possibility determination process ends. When the firing prohibition command output flag is turned on in this way, a firing prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

When it is determined that the full state has not been detected by the above-described SP1, and the process proceeds to SP7,
It is determined whether the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state (set state) (SP7). If it is determined by SP7 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SP7 that the firing prohibition flag is on, the timer T
A process of adding and updating the timer value of “1” by “1” is performed (SP8). Here, the timer T2 is a timer that measures the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not to turn off the firing prohibition flag.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA2 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48. It is determined (SP9). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise.
Is set to When it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA2 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA2 has reached the predetermined value,
Is regarded as not being in the full state, and a process of turning off the firing prohibition flag (reset state) is performed (SP10). Then, the firing prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state) (SP11), and the firing feasibility determination process ends. When the firing prohibition release command output flag is turned on, a firing prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command.

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

FIG. 18 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
10 is a flowchart for explaining a prize ball possibility determination process executed by the CPU 10; In the winning ball possible determination process, first, it is determined whether or not the full tank flag 2 is set (SD1). The full tank flag 2 indicates that the surplus ball tray 4 is in a state where there is a prize ball that can be paid out by the ball payout device 97.
Is set when the tank is full, and is a full tank flag for award balls.

If it is determined that the full tank flag 2 is set, the process proceeds to SD17 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full tank flag 2 is not set, it is determined whether or not the prize ball is detected (detection of the existence of the prize ball to be paid out) by the out-of-ball switch 187 ( SD2). If it is determined that there is no prize ball, the process proceeds to SD3 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a winning ball, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is on (set state) (SD8). Here, the prize ball prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that the payout of the prize ball is in a prohibition state. If it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SD9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is not turned on, the process proceeds to SD13, and based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48,
It is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected.

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

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA5 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48. Is performed (SD15). The predetermined value used in the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time and a ball falling state which are considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. If it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA5 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA5 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full and the full tank flag 2 is set (SD16). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA5 has reached the predetermined value, the timer TA5 is determined in SD16.
Is cleared. Thereafter, the process proceeds to SD6 to be described later, and sets the winning ball prohibition flag to the on state (set state). Then, in SD12, sets the winning ball prohibition command output flag to the on state (set state), and this winning ball possible determination processing ends.

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

If it is determined in SD8 that the prize ball prohibition flag is in the ON state and the process proceeds to SD9, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the prize ball possible determination timer by "1" is performed. (SD9). Here, the prize ball possible judgment timer is a prize ball when the ball cut-out switch 187 enters the non-detection state of ball cut-out after the ball-ball cut-off switch 187 enters the prize ball prohibited state based on the ball cut-out detection. This is a timer used to determine the timing for automatically canceling the prohibited state. That is, switch 1
When it is determined that the broken-out state has been restored on condition that the non-detected state has continued for a certain period of time when the state of the broken-out state has been changed from the broken-out detection state to the recovery state due to noise or the like. Misjudgment can be prevented, and recovery of the broken-ball state can be reliably determined.

Next, the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer is
It is determined whether or not a predetermined value (for example, 2200 mS) is reached (SD10) at which it can be determined that the broken-ball state has been successfully restored. The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is
The value is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. This prevents erroneous determination of recovery due to noise etc.,
It is possible to reliably determine the recovery of the broken ball state.

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

If it is determined in SD2 that there is no detection of a prize ball and the process proceeds to SD3, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer TA4 by "1" is performed. Here, the timer TA4 is detected by the ball-break switch 187 so that the off-state of the ball-break switch 187 caused by the pachinko ball flowing through the supply path to the ball payout device 97 is not erroneously regarded as a ball-break. This is a timer used to define the validity period.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer TA4 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection validity period of the burnout switch 187 (SD4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the ON period of the ON / OFF state of the ball breaking switch 187 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the ball payout device 97.
In other words, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply passage to the ball dispensing device 97, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball out switch 1
87 repeats on / off. However, if the case where the ball-break switch 187 is turned on at an extremely short timing is regarded as a ball-break detection state, a short-time off-state during the on-off state accompanying the passage of a pachinko ball is erroneously regarded as a ball-break state. May be detected. In order to prevent such an erroneous detection, it is determined that the ball is in the cut-off state only when the cut-out switch 187 is turned on after waiting for a period longer than the off-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball. Judge.

If it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA4 has not reached the predetermined value, the winning ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA4 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SD5).
If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is on,
Since the prize ball is already in the prohibited state, this prize ball possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is not in the on state, a process of turning the prize ball prohibition flag on is performed (SD6). This indicates that the winning ball is prohibited. Then, the award ball prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (SD
7), the prize ball possible determination processing ends.

When it is determined in SD1 that the full tank flag 2 is set and the process proceeds to SD17, the surplus ball tray 4 is detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48.
It is determined whether or not the full state is detected. When it is determined that the full state has been detected, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the timer TA1
A process for adding and updating the timer value of No. 6 by "1" is performed (SD18). Here, the timer TA16 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not to reset the full state flag 2.

Next, the timer value of the timer TA16 is set based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 48, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state (SD19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 seconds) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise.
s). When the timer value of the timer TA16 is
If it is determined that the predetermined value has not yet been reached, the winning ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA16 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state, and the full state flag 2 is reset (SD2).
0). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer TA16 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer TA16 is cleared in SD20.

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

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

Further, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a prize ball that can be paid out by the ball out switch 187, it is possible to determine that the ball payout device 97 cannot pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that the payout cannot be paid out, the payout control microcomputer 370 outputs to the payout control microcomputer 370 a prize ball prohibition command capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped). Of the prize ball by the CPU 5 can be stopped.
In 6, it becomes possible to manage the state of the ball payout device 97 from the side of the broken ball.

Further, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 48, it is possible to determine that the ball payout device 97 cannot pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that there is a prize ball, a prize ball prohibition command capable of specifying that the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped) is output to the payout control microcomputer 370, and the payout of the prize ball by the ball payout device 97 is performed. Since it is possible to stop, the state of the ball dispensing device 97 can be managed in the CPU 56 from the state where the surplus ball tray 4 is full.

FIGS. 19 to 22 are flowcharts for explaining the award ball command output processing. This prize ball command output processing is performed in S15 of the interrupt processing shown in FIG.
Is a process executed by

Referring to FIG. 19, in the award ball command output processing, first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition command output flag is on (SE1). If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition command output flag is not in the on state, the process proceeds to the check of the prize ball prohibition command output flag in SE10 described later.

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

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that it is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to the check of the winning ball prohibition command output flag in SE10 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the time of the command timer has expired (SE3).
Here, the command timer is a timer used to define the output period of the prize ball command. This command timer expires when it reaches a timer value corresponding to a predetermined value (4 mS).

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

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

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

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

If the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the value is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check of a firing prohibition command output flag by SF1, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has exceeded mS, it is determined whether the above-described command timer has expired (SE).
12).

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

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

Next, referring to FIG. 20, in SF1, it is determined whether or not the firing prohibition command output flag is on. If it is determined that the firing prohibition command output flag is not in the ON state, it is determined that SF1 (described later)
Proceed to check the ball lending prohibition command output flag by 0.

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

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

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

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

Next, in SF10, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition command output flag by SF1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is on, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SF11). .

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

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

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

Next, referring to FIG. 21, in SG1, it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition release command output flag by SG10 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition canceling command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG2). .

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

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting output data of a winning ball prohibition release command is performed (SG7). Thereby, the prize ball prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SG).
8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" (SG9)
Is performed, the process proceeds to SG10. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

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

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

On the other hand, if it is determined that the firing prohibition release command output flag is on, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG11).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the difference is not equal to or longer than mS, the process proceeds to a check of a winning ball number command output flag by SH1 described later. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has exceeded mS, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has expired (SG).
12).

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

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

Next, referring to FIG. 22, in SH1, it is determined whether or not the award ball number command output flag is on. If it is determined that the award ball number command output flag is not in the ON state, the award ball command output processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball number command output flag is on, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SH2).

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

If it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, a process of setting output data of the winning ball number command is performed (SH7). Thereby, the award ball number command is changed to the award ball command as the game control board 31.
Output from Next, a process of resetting the command interval timer is performed (SH8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process (SH9) of adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by "1" is performed, the process proceeds to SH1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, processing for turning off the award ball number command output flag is performed (SH4). This allows
The output of the number-of-prize-balls command already output is not required. Then, a process of resetting the command timer is performed (SH5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, a process of starting the timing of the command interval timer (SH)
After 6) is performed, the award ball command output processing ends. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

According to the prize ball command output processing described above, the output period and the non-output period of the prize ball command are time-managed by the timer. The prize ball commands include a ball lending prohibition command, a prize ball prohibition command, a firing prohibition command, a ball lending prohibition release command, a prize ball prohibition release, a firing prohibition command, and a prize ball number command in the order of priority. Since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is performed in a predetermined order in descending order of priority, the processing load on the CPU 56 can be reduced as described above. Furthermore, since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is executed in order from the one with the highest priority, the processing load on the payout control microcomputer 370 can be reduced as described above. Furthermore, since the priority order is determined for the output processing of the award ball command, it is possible to output a command important for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 such as a payout stop as soon as possible.

Further, when the prize ball payout condition is satisfied, even if the prize ball payout is stopped in accordance with the prize ball prohibition command, the number of prize ball payouts that can specify the number of prize ball payouts is determined. The command is output. As will be described later, the prize ball number specified by the prize ball number command is cumulatively stored in the payout control microcomputer 370, and the stored information is used by the ball payout device 97 to control the prize ball payout. Therefore, the prize ball number command can be output immediately one after another according to the establishment of the prize ball payout condition without monitoring the state of the prize ball payout control. As described above, it is not necessary to monitor the prize ball payout control state, and the basic circuit 53 does not need to store the output of the prize ball number command in the basic circuit 53 side.
3 can reduce the processing load.

When one command output period ends, the command output flag is reset (turned off), so that the prize ball command is output only during one command output period. In other words, the command information need only be output once for a predetermined output duration period every time the output condition of the award ball command (command) occurs. As will be described later, if the payout control microcomputer 370 receives the prize ball command once, it stores the content of the prize ball command. Therefore, if the prize ball command is received once, there is no problem in the control. As described above, the prize ball command only needs to be output during one command output period.
This eliminates the need for the PU 56 to repeatedly output the same prize ball command. This makes it possible to reduce the number of processes relating to the output of the prize ball command, so that the processing load on the CPU 56 can be reduced.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the error display processing. This error display process is a process executed by SB11 of the winning ball signal process.

In the error display processing, the CPU 56
First, it is checked whether the timer TA9 is operating (S41). If not in operation, the error display flag is turned on (S42) and an error display request is set (S4).
3). Then, the timer TA9 is started (S44). Further, the value of the winning ball error counter is incremented by one (S45). The value of the prize ball error counter is checked in S12, and if the value exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a complete error state where automatic recovery is not performed is set. When the error display request is set, for example, in the display control data setting process (S4) and the display control data output process (S5) shown in FIG. 10, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8. The control is performed such that an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 in the data output process (S6).

If the gaming state is the normal state (S46), the game enters the halt state. The normal state is a state other than the big hit gaming state and the state where the variable display is performed on the variable display unit 9. The halt state is a game control stopped state that is not released even by the periodic reset signal, and is released by turning off the power of the gaming machine and turning on the power again.

If the timer TA9 is operating in S41, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the timer T9 has timed out (S47). If a timeout occurs, the error display request is reset (S
48), the error display flag is turned off (S49). Also, the award ball paying flag is turned off (S50). Therefore,
The gaming machine returns to a state where the winning ball detection and the winning ball payout control can be performed again. When the error display flag is on, the game progress is interrupted.

As described above, when the CPU 56 of the game control board 31 determines that the actual number of payouts exceeds the expected number of prize balls, the game control is interrupted and an error is notified. When the timer TA9 times out, the game returns to the normal game state. Further, when the occurrence of such an error state exceeds a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, a complete error state is set in which the error state is not restored unless power is turned off. further,
For example, in a normal state that is not in an advantageous state for the player, such as during a jackpot or during a probability change, a complete error state is immediately set.

FIGS. 24 to 27 show the card unit 5.
11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microcomputer 0.

At SX1, the setting reading of the lending amount is performed. This "reading of the lending amount setting" means that the card unit 5
This is a process of reading the amount of lending set by a lending amount setting switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the card 0 into a microcomputer for controlling the card processor.

Then, the flow advances to SX2, where a processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp) 151 (see FIG. 1) is turned on to indicate that the card can be used. Next, the process proceeds to SX3, where it is determined whether or not there is a card acceptance signal from the card reader / writer control unit. If not, the process proceeds to SX4, and it is determined whether or not there is a card abnormal signal from the card reader / writer control unit. If no, return to SX3 again. If the card reader / writer accepts an appropriate card in the course of this loop, it is determined from the card reader / writer controller that a card acceptance signal has been received.
Go to X7.

On the other hand, if a card error signal is output from the card reader / writer control unit, a determination of YES is made by SX4 and the process proceeds to SX5, where the cause of the card error is indicated by a card balance indicator (shown in FIG. ) Is displayed. Specifically, a code indicating the type of the cause of the abnormality, such as an inability to read the inserted card or a security error, is displayed on the card balance display. Then, the process proceeds to SX6, where the processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp 151) (see FIG. 1) is flickered. The control at the time of this abnormality will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart of a self-diagnosis process described later. If there is an abnormality in the recording data of the card, a command signal for recovering the abnormal card is output to a card reader / writer control unit (not shown). On the other hand, in SX7, the card insertion indicator (not shown) and the ball lending indicator (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are turned on, and the card balance indicator displays the current card balance. The processing to be performed is performed.

Then, the flow advances to SX8, where it is determined whether or not a ball lending operation has been performed. If not, the flow advances to SX9, and it is determined whether or not a return operation has been performed.
Return to 8. When the player presses a return button (not shown) provided on the pachinko gaming machine 1, SX10
Then, the ball lending indicator is turned off and the process proceeds to SX26, where the control for returning the inserted card is performed. On the other hand, if the player presses the ball lending button, the process proceeds to SX11,
It is determined whether or not the current balance of the inserted card, that is, the balance displayed on the card balance display is equal to or greater than the amount set by the lending amount setting switch. If the current balance is equal to or greater than the set amount, a process of setting the set amount to the lending amount by SX12 is performed.
Proceed to. On the other hand, if the current balance is less than the set amount, the SX13 sets the current balance to the ball lending amount and then sets the current balance to SX13.
Proceed to 14. In other words, if the current balance of the inserted card is less than the set amount, it is not possible to set the set amount to the lending amount and pay out the pachinko ball for the set amount, so it is possible to pay out with the inserted card A process of setting the maximum amount of money, that is, the current balance of the inserted card, to the ball lending amount is performed.

Next, at SX14, a process of turning off the ball lending indicator is performed. Since the ball lending operation is performed once and the ball lending operation based on the ball lending operation is completed, the next ball lending operation is not accepted. Therefore, the ball lending operation is performed until the ball lending indicator is turned on by SX33 described later. The display is turned off to indicate that the ball lending operation cannot be performed. Next, the process proceeds to SX15, where the control for starting output of the ball lending request signal to the payout control microcomputer is performed. Next, proceeding to SX16, the timer T1 is set, and proceeding to SX17, it is determined whether or not a ball lending preparation signal has been input from the payout control microcomputer.

In the payout control microcomputer, S
If a ball lending request signal is received by X15 and ball lending is possible, preparation control for ball lending is performed and then SZ16.
Thus, a process of outputting a ball lending preparation signal to the microcomputer for controlling the card unit is performed. If the microcomputer for controlling the card unit receives this ball lending preparation signal before the timer T1 set by SX16 expires, a determination of YES is made by SX17,
After the SX20 outputs the ball lending command signal to the payout control microcomputer, a process of waiting for the payout control microcomputer to transmit a signal indicating that ball lending is completed is performed. On the other hand, if the ball lending preparation signal has not been input from the payout control microcomputer until T1 ends, the process proceeds to SX19, where the processing of stopping the output of the ball lending request signal and clearing the ball lending amount is performed. Proceed to.

This T1 is, for example, 10 msec.
This is about 10 seconds or less.

On the other hand, after the ball lending command signal is output by the SX20, the SX21 performs a process of subtracting the unit amount from the current balance and subtracting the unit amount from the ball lending amount. SX
When the ball lending command signal is given to the microcomputer for payout control, the pachinko gaming machine side controls the ball lending (for example, 25 pieces) corresponding to a unit amount (for example, 100 yen) as described later. SX1 is subtracted from the current balance of the inserted card by subtracting a unit amount corresponding to the pachinko ball to be lent out from the current balance of the inserted card.
2. The unit value is subtracted from the lending amount set in SX13. Next, the process proceeds to SX22, and a process of outputting a unit sales signal to the terminal box for the card processing machine via the unit box is performed.

The unit sales signal transmitted to the card processor terminal box is output to the ball lending card centralized management computer, and the ball lending card use data is totaled by the ball lending card centralized management computer. In addition,
The sales signal output from the terminal box for a card processing machine to the ball lending card central management computer may be performed in real time, or may be performed at predetermined time intervals or collectively every day. Further, the SX 23 performs a process of outputting a unit sales signal to the hall management computer. As a result, the hall management computer can obtain the sales information from either the card processing machine or the pachinko gaming machine, and also obtains the information from both sides, compares the sales information, and determines the abnormality if they do not match. Thus, a failure or the like can be found quickly.

Then, the flow advances to SX27, where a timer T3 is set. The timer T3 is set to, for example, about 10 seconds in consideration of the time required for paying out the lending ball on the pachinko gaming machine side. If a ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before the timer T3 expires, the process proceeds to SX31. However, if the ball lending completion signal is not input even if the timer T3 expires. Proceeds to SX30, the processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp) 151 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and
Go to X24. Then, return control of the inserted card after SX24 is performed. That is, although the ball lending preparation signal is input from the payout control microcomputer and the ball lending control should be performed by the payout control microcomputer, the ball lending completion signal is paid out even after the end of T3. Not being transmitted from the control microcomputer means that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the ball payout device or the like of the pachinko gaming machine. In this case, (it is determined that the pachinko gaming machine has an abnormality. ) Return the inserted card to the player. Note that an error code may be displayed on the card balance display 50.

On the other hand, if a ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before the end of T3, S
Proceeding to X31, it is determined whether or not the lending amount = 0. When there is a remaining unpaid portion of the pachinko balls corresponding to the ball lending set by SX12 and SX13, the ball lending is not “0”, so the determination of NO by SX31 is made. SX15, and a ball lending request signal is output to the payout control microcomputer again. That is, the lending amount is, for example, 5
If the unit price is 00 yen and the unit amount is 100 yen, the ball lending request signal is 5
Output twice. On the other hand, when all the pachinko balls have been paid out for the lending amount, the lending amount has become zero, so the process proceeds to SX32, and it is determined whether or not the current balance is zero. If the current balance of the inserted card is still left, the flow advances to SX33 to light the ball lending indicator, the flow advances to SX8, and the ball lending operation and the return operation are again performed. On the other hand, if the current balance is determined to be 0 by SX32, the process proceeds to SX34, in which a process of outputting a balance 0, card write / discharge command signal to the card reader / writer control unit is performed. As a result, the card reader / writer control unit updates the card balance of the inserted card to “0” and returns the inserted card to the player.

Next, the card insertion display is turned on and off by SX35, and the timer T4 is set by SX36. This timer T4 is set in consideration of a time sufficient for the card reader / writer to return the inserted card after updating the balance of the inserted card to "0", and the timer T4 ends. If no card processing completion signal has been received from the card reader / writer control unit before,
Proceeding to X39, a process of displaying the card unit abnormality by a code on the card balance display unit 50 is performed, and the processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp) 151 is displayed.
Is controlled to blink. Specifically, for example, a code is displayed to indicate that the balance “0” cannot be written to the inserted card, an error when the written data is read and confirmed, and the like.

On the other hand, if a card processing completion signal is input from the card reader / writer control section before the timer T4 expires, the flow advances to SX40 to display a card insertion display for displaying that a card is inserted. The device (provided in the card unit 50 and not shown) is turned off, and it is determined by SX41 whether or not there is a ball lending abnormality. If there is no ball lending, the process proceeds to SX3 and the card reader / writer for a new card is read. When there is a ball lending abnormality, the process proceeds to SX42, and the control of the payout control signal from the payout control microcomputer is performed. As described above, every time a pachinko ball (for example, 25) corresponding to a unit amount (for example, 100 yen) is rented out on the pachinko gaming machine side, the ball is lent from the payout control microcomputer to the card unit control microcomputer. A completion signal is output, and each time the card unit control microcomputer inputs the output signal, it determines whether or not all the pachinko balls for the lending amount (see SX12 and SX13) have been lent. If there is an unlent portion that has not been lent yet, the lending of the unit amount (for example, 100 yen) of pachinko balls is repeated until all the unlent portion is lent.

FIG. 26 and FIG.
26 is a flowchart showing an interrupt program executed once every c. FIG. 26 shows a flowchart for self-diagnosis processing, and FIG. 27 shows a flowchart for fraction display processing.

At SX43, a self-diagnosis is performed to determine whether or not the result is appropriate. If determined to be appropriate, the SX44 determines whether or not a payout enable signal has been input from the payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the card unit control microcomputer. Is SX4
Return to 3. If there is any abnormality as a result of the self-diagnosis, a determination of NO is made by this SX43. The types of abnormalities are roughly classified into two types: errors that can be recovered by errors on the card unit side and errors that cannot be recovered by errors on the card unit side. An error that cannot be recovered by an error on the card unit side is called a special error, and an error that can be recovered by an error on the card unit side is called a normal error.

As a specific example of the normal error, for example, when the inserted card is clogged in the card reader / writer, when an illegal card such as a forged card is inserted, predetermined data such as new balance data is inserted into the inserted card. If the written data is read and confirmed and the read data is not proper data, it is an error or the like due to poor communication with the card processor terminal box. The unit sales signal is transmitted from the card unit 50 to the card processing machine terminal box 320. If a communication failure occurs with the card processing machine terminal box 320, the unit sales amount to be transmitted is transmitted. The data is stored in the card unit 50, and a normal error occurs only when the stored data reaches the storage capacity limit.

Specific examples of the special error that cannot be recovered due to an error on the card unit side, such as an error that cannot be recovered without restarting the power supply, or a failure of the card processing machine and the failure of the card unit It is an error that 50 must be replaced. As a specific example of the error on the pachinko gaming machine side among the special errors, the ball lending preparation signal and the ball lending completion signal, whose signals change only when the above-described predetermined condition is satisfied, have changed from the beginning when the power is turned on. In this case, when the above-mentioned payable signal is not transmitted when the power is turned on, when the ball lending completion signal is not transmitted within T3 (see SX30), when the aforementioned payable signal is turned off during operation, Pachinko machine side has power off or disconnection of signal line.

As a result of the self-diagnosis, if it is determined that there is any abnormality, or if it is determined that there is no input of a payout enable signal, the card processing control is interrupted by the SX45 and whether a special error is detected by the SX46. A decision is made. If the error that occurred is a special error, SX
At 48, the processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp) 151 (see FIG. 1) is turned off. On the other hand, if the error is not a special error, that is, if it is a normal error, the SX 47 controls to display a code indicating an abnormal location on the card balance display. In the case of a normal error, in addition to the display of SX47, control for blinking the processor usable indicator (card usable indicator lamp) 151 is performed.

Next, the fraction display process will be described with reference to FIG. SX49, fraction display switch 152
It is determined whether or not (see FIG. 1) is operated, and if it is operated, the SX50 determines whether or not the ball lending process is being performed. If the ball lending process is not being performed, the process directly proceeds to SX51. If the ball lending process is being performed, the display operation is invalidated. When the ball lending process is being performed, the process may proceed to SX51 after the ball lending process is completed. In SX51, it is determined whether or not an error is occurring. This error includes a normal error and a special error as described above.

If it is determined by SX51 that no error is occurring, the flow advances to SX52, and based on SX52 to SX56, a fraction display is displayed on the card balance display, and a display of the set value of the ball set by the switch for setting the value of the ball is set. , Display of balance when card is inserted, card unit 50
And a unit number for specifying a set of units consisting of unit boxes, and a present balance of the inserted card balance which fluctuates with the game. These various displays are sequentially switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals (for example, one second) in the order described above. Finally, the current balance is displayed by the SX 56, and this current balance display is continuously displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch 152 is performed.

Next, if the error determined to be in error by SX51 is a special error, SX58
, The error balance display, the fraction display, the set value display, the balance display at the time of insertion, the unit number display, the current balance display are displayed by the card balance display unit according to SX58 to SX63 by the card balance display unit. The display is switched at predetermined time intervals (for example, one second) in this order. Finally, the current balance is displayed, and the current balance is displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch. As described above, the error code is displayed only after the fraction display operation is performed.

Next, if the error determined to be in error by SX51 is a normal error, SX6
In accordance with SX64 to SX69, the card balance display uses the card balance display for a predetermined time (for example, one second) in the order of current balance display, fraction display, set value display, inserted balance display, unit number display, and error code display. Display switching is performed at intervals. Finally, the error code is displayed, and the error code is continuously displayed until the next display is switched based on the operation of the fraction display switch.

Next, the processing executed by the CPU 2915 of the payout control microcomputer provided on the winning ball lending board 37 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a prize ball lending control process and 50
It is a flowchart for demonstrating a 0 microsecond timer interruption process. 28A shows the prize ball lending control processing, and FIG. 28B shows the 500 μS timer interruption processing.

Referring to FIG. 28 (a), in the award ball lending control processing, first, initial processing for initializing data such as initialization of RAM 2916 is performed (S).
I1). Next, a payout motor control process for performing drive control of the payout motor 289 of the ball payout device 97 is executed (SI2). Details of the payout motor control processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. Next, a card unit communication process for exchanging signals between the award ball lending substrate 37 and the card unit 50 is performed (SI2a). The payout motor control and the card unit communication process are repeatedly executed in an infinite loop. Is temporarily stopped at the position where is being executed, and a 500 μS timer interrupt process is executed (SI3). When the 500 μS timer interrupt process ends, the program is restarted from the position of the temporarily stopped program.

Next, referring to FIG.
The S timer interrupt processing will be described. In the 500 μS timer interrupt processing, when the INT signal and the prize ball command are sent from the game control board 31, the count value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 2915 becomes 500.
Execution is started each time μS is reached.

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

FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining the award ball data reading processing. This award ball data reading process is a process executed by SI5 of the above-described 500 μS timer interrupt process. The award ball data reading process is executed every 500 μS.

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

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

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

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

At SI12, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the winning ball communication counter is "3". If it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is not "3", the prize ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 2916 (SI16), and this prize ball data reading processing ends. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is "3", a process of setting (storing) the prize ball command that matches three times in succession in the received command storage area is performed (SI14). . The received command storage area is an area in which command data regarded as regular command data is set.
The control based on the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is performed by the payout control microcomputer 37.
Performed by 0.

Next, it is determined whether or not payout of prize balls is designated by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area (whether or not a prize ball number command is received) (SI15). If it is determined that payout of the prize ball has not been designated, the prize ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 2916 (S
I16), the award ball data reading process ends. When it is determined that the payout of the prize ball is designated, the number of prize balls designated by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is counted by the total prize ball number counter 1 and the total prize ball number counter 2 Are added to the data (S
I17). Thereafter, the award ball data reading process ends.

The total prize ball number counters 1 and 2 are both counters for storing the number of prize balls to be paid out.
It is configured with 16 storage areas. When a prize ball number command is input as a prize ball command, the payout number of prize balls specified by the prize ball number command (5, 10
, Or 15) are cumulatively added to the counter values of the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2 at that time. Therefore, when the winning ball number command is input, the same value is added to each of the total winning ball number counters.

As described above, the total number of expected payouts corresponding to the plurality of awarded ball number commands is stored in the total awarded ball number counters 1 and 2, and the expected payout number is stored for each awarded ball number command. In this case, the storage area of the RAM 2916 can be reduced as compared with the case of performing the operation. This is because it is not necessary to divide the storage area for each award ball number command in advance.

On the other hand, every time a prize ball is paid out, the number of prize balls paid out is subtracted from the counter value of the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2. , And the total prize ball number counter 2 is decremented based on the detection signal of the prize ball count switch 301A. Therefore, in a state where the ball is correctly paid out every time the ball payout screw 288 in the ball payout device 97 makes a half turn (every time one detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 286 is input), the total prize is obtained. The remaining number of the ball number counter 1 and the remaining number of the total winning ball number counter 2 match. However, in the case where balls are not paid out due to missing balls or ball biting by the screw 288, the remaining number of the total prize ball number counter 2 is larger than the remaining number of the total prize ball number counter 1. Thus, the shortage of payout can be detected.

The RAM 2916 is backed up by the backup power supply (capacitor 517) as described above. For this reason, even if the power supplied to the gaming machine is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the stored values of the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2 are retained, and a disadvantage occurs to the player even if a power failure or the like occurs Absent.

FIGS. 30 to 32 are flow charts for explaining the payout motor control processing. This payout motor control process is the same as the SI of the prize ball lending control process of FIG.
2 is a process executed by

In the payout motor control processing, first, ball lending control processing for ball lending is executed (SJ1).
The details of the ball lending control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the above-mentioned total prize ball number counters 1 and 2
Is determined whether or not the counter value is other than "0" and whether or not the winning ball flag is set (SJ2). Here, the prize ball in progress flag is a flag for indicating that a prize ball is currently in play, and is set by SJ5 described later. In SJ2, the total prize ball number counter 1,
2 is determined to be other than "0", that is, that there is an unpaid prize ball and that the prize ball in progress flag is set, that is, that the prize ball is being paid. That is, it is determined whether driving of the motor 289 is necessary. If at least one of the two determination conditions of SJ2 is satisfied, the driving condition of the payout motor 289 is satisfied.

When it is determined that the driving condition of the payout motor 289 is not satisfied (NO in SJ2), the process returns to the ball lending control process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the driving condition of the payout motor 289 is satisfied (YES in SJ2), the control proceeds to SJ1a, and it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition flag is ON. If it is determined that it is ON, the payout motor control process ends. As a result, when the prize ball prohibition flag is set, the prize ball (prize ball) is not paid out. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is not ON, the control proceeds to SJ3, and it is determined whether or not the single ball lending flag is set. The one-ball lending flag is set to ON from the start of the payout operation for one lending ball until it is determined that the operation is reliably completed. And is reset by SQ23a and SQ28b, which will be described later.

In the present embodiment, “reset”
Means "clear". If the ball is paid out, that is, if the ball lending operation is not performed, the judgment of SJ2 is YES, and the ball lending operation is not performed, the judgment of SJ3 is NO, and the subsequent prize ball payout control is performed. Will be executed. However, if the judgment of SJ2 is YES during the ball lending operation, it is confirmed by SJ3 that the payout of one lending ball has been surely completed, and then the operation proceeds to the award ball payout operation of SA3a and thereafter. That is, in the first embodiment, if it becomes necessary to pay out a prize ball during the ball lending operation, the ball lending 1
Control is immediately shifted to the prize ball payout operation when it is confirmed that the payout of the individual pieces has been completed, and complete prize ball payout control is performed.

If the single ball lending flag is not set, the flow advances to SJ3a to determine whether or not the sorting solenoid is OFF. Distributing solenoid 310
If the prize ball payout operation is performed as it is when OFF (see FIGS. 4 and 7) is not performed, an erroneous operation is performed in which the prize ball flows down the ball lending passage side and is detected by the ball lending count switch 301b. . Therefore, if the distribution solenoid is not OFF, the process proceeds to SJ3b, the distribution solenoid is turned OFF, the timer T22 is started by SJ3c, and until the timer T22 times out, the control proceeds to the prize ball payout operation after SJ4. It is configured not to shift (SJ3d). The timer T22 measures the time required until the ball distribution member 311 is actually switched to the winning ball side after the control for turning off the distribution solenoid 310 is started. When the timer T22 is determined to have expired by the SJ3d, the ball distribution member 311 has been completely switched to the winning ball side.

The distribution solenoid is turned off by SJ3a.
If it has been determined that SJ3b, SJ3b, S
Since there is no need to perform J3c processing, the control
Go to J3d. As a result, since the timer T22 has not been started, YES is determined in SJ3d, and the control proceeds to SJ4. This SJ4 is a branching process for branching the process according to the winning ball command stored in the received command storage area, and will be specifically described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the processing for setting the above-mentioned prize ball in-flight flag is performed (SJ5). This indicates that the payout ball is being paid out.

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

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the payout motor position sensor 300A has been turned on (SJ9). If the timer is not turned on, the process proceeds to SJ11, where it is determined whether or not the timer T11 has timed out. If the timer T11 has timed out, the process shifts to error processing because there is a possibility that a ball is caught or the like (SJ11, SJ12). The error processing will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if the timer T11 has not timed out, the process proceeds to S described later.
The process proceeds to K12.

In SJ9, the dispensing motor position sensor 30
When 0A is turned on, the timer T11 is stopped (SJ10). In this case, the payout motor position sensor 300
It is considered that one ball was paid out because A was turned on, and a process of subtracting and updating the counter value of the total winning ball number counter 1 by "1" is performed (SK1).

Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the total prize ball number counter 1 is 0, that is, whether or not all the balls to be paid out have been paid out (SK2). If it is determined that the counter value of the total prize ball number counter 1 is 0,
The process proceeds to SK3 described below. On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the total prize ball number counter 1 is not 0, it is determined whether or not the prize ball count switch 301A is turned on (S).
K12) If the award ball count switch is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the ball lending count switch 301B is turned on (SK27). As long as the ball distribution member 311 is normally switched, the ball cannot be detected by the ball lending count switch 301B during the prize ball payout operation, and the determination of SK27 is NO. In that case, the process ends. On the other hand, if YES is determined in SK27, a warning process is performed because it is abnormal (SK28). This warning process will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning ball count switch is on, the timer T13 starts counting (SK13). Here, the timer T
Reference numeral 13 is used as an off-check timer of the award ball count switch 301A.

Next, it is determined whether or not the prize ball count switch 301A has been turned off (SK14). If it is determined that the prize ball count switch 301A has not been turned off yet, it is determined whether or not the timer T13 has timed out. Is determined (SK17). If it is determined that the timer T13 has not timed out, the flow shifts to SK19 described later. On the other hand, if the timer T13 times out without turning off the prize ball count switch 301A, it is considered that a ball jam or the like has occurred near the prize ball count switch 301A, and in this case, a warning process is executed. (SK18). Details of the warning process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Before timer T13 times out, SK
If it is determined at 14 that the prize ball count switch 301A has been turned off, the timer T13 stops counting (SK15), and then the total prize ball number counter 2 is decremented and updated (-1) (SK16). That is, since the payout of the ball is detected by the prize ball count switch 301A, the number of the detected balls is subtracted from the remaining number of the total prize ball number counter 2.

Next, it is determined whether or not the total prize ball number counter 2 is 0 (SK19). Total prize ball number counter 2
Is not 0, it is determined whether the timer T14 has timed out (SK23).

The timer T14 is set at SK4 when the value of the total prize ball number counter 1 (subtracted and updated by the output of the payout motor position sensor 286) becomes 0, and the timer starts counting. is there. After the value of the total prize ball number counter 1 becomes 0, the timer T14
This is a timer for temporarily stopping the payout motor 289 and thereafter counting the predetermined period when checking whether or not the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 also becomes 0 within the predetermined period.

That is, from the time when the detection output of the payout motor position sensor 286 is confirmed, until the payout ball corresponding to the detected output falls from the ball feeding screw 288 and is detected by the prize ball count switch 301A soon. Is
Since it takes some time, the timer T14 is used to fill the time lag.

If the processing proceeds to SK23 with the total prize ball number counter 1 not yet set to 0, the timer T14 is not set, so that a determination of NO is made in SK23 and the payout motor control processing ends.

Thereafter, the counting of the winning balls based on the detection output of the winning ball count switch 301A and the payout motor position sensor 286 proceeds, and the total winning ball number counters 1 and 2 are decremented and updated. When the value of 1 becomes 0, YES is determined in SK2. In this case, as long as the payout motor position sensor 300A detects the number of outputs, all the balls to be paid out have been paid out, so the driving of the payout motor 289 is temporarily stopped (S).
K3). Here, the expression “temporarily stopped” is used for the screw 28 for feeding the ball as described above.
This is because there is a possibility that the expected number of balls have not been actually paid out due to missing balls or biting of balls at 8, and in this case, the payout of the insufficient balls is necessary again.

Next, the timer T14 starts counting time (S
K4) As described above, until the timer T14 times out, the detection by the winning ball count switch 301A is waited. Subsequently, the confirming flag is set (SK5). Thereafter, the payout motor control process is temporarily terminated. Note that by setting the checking flag,
Next time, when the payout motor control processing is executed, the processing shifts to SK12 or later by the branch processing (SJ4).

The processing when the under-confirmation flag is set will be described below. After shifting to SK12, the total winning ball number counter 2 is decremented and updated by one each time the winning ball count switch 301A is turned on / off (SK1).
6). That is, the balls detected by the payout motor position sensor 300A on the upstream side of the ball flow path are sequentially detected by the prize ball count switch 301A with a time lag, and the total prize ball number counter 2 is decremented and updated accordingly. .

Thereafter, at SK19, the total prize ball number counter 2
Is determined to be 0 or not. If the value is not 0 but the timer T14 has not yet timed out, the state in which the payout motor 289 is stopped is maintained (N in SK23).
O). If the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 becomes 0 before the timer T14 times out, all the balls of the expected payout number have actually been confirmed to be paid out by the prize ball count switch 301A. In order to ensure that all the balls to be paid out have been paid out, the counting of the timer T14 is stopped (SK20), and subsequently, the prize-ball in-progress flag and the confirmation-in-progress flag are reset (SK21, SK22).

On the other hand, if the value of the total winning ball number counter 2 does not become 0 even after the timer T14 times out, the value of the total winning ball number counter 2 is added to the total winning ball number counter 1. (SK26). As a result, the value of the total prize ball number counter 1 indicating the completion of the payout of the number of balls to be paid out (= 0) is corrected to the number of unpaid balls indicated by the value of the total prize ball number counter 2. Is done. Thereafter, the payout motor control processing ends. In this case, the number of unpaid balls is commonly stored in both the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2, and the payout motor control processing is executed again, so that the payout motor 28 in SJ7 is executed.
9 is turned on, and the unpaid balls are paid out.

As described above, according to the payout motor control processing, the payout operation amount of the screw 288 (the number of 180-degree rotations) detected by the payout motor position sensor 300A pays the prize balls of the expected payout number. The prize balls are continuously paid out until the operation amount necessary for the payout is reached. Thereafter, as shown in SK3, the drive of the payout motor 289 is stopped, and the payout is stopped. When it is determined whether or not the prize ball is detected (SK19), if the payout of the prize ball is insufficient, control for paying out the shortage is performed (SK23 to SK26). Can do it.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the error processing. In the error processing, first, the payout motor 289 is turned off (SL6), and then the payout motor 289 is rotated in the reverse forward direction by one step (SL).
7). As a result, the screw 288 driven by the payout motor 289 reversely rotates in a direction different from the normal payout direction, and then rotates forward to recover from an abnormal state such as ball biting. Next, it is determined whether or not the payout motor position sensor 300A is turned on (SL8).
If it is determined that 0A is not turned on, SJ7
(See FIG. 33). On the other hand, when it is determined that the payout motor position sensor is turned on, after the payout motor is turned on (SL9), the timer T12 starts counting time (SL10), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SK7 (see FIG. 31). .

As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the ball payout operation, the error processing for recovering the abnormality is automatically performed. , And the management of the gaming machine by the clerk of the game arcade becomes easy.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining the branching process. This branching process is a process executed by SJ4 of the payout motor process described above.

In the branching process, first, it is determined whether or not bits 0 to 3 of the award ball command are “1” in a decimal number, that is, “0001” in a binary number (SL1). That is, here, it is determined whether or not the normal payout is performed. When it is determined that the payout is the normal payout, payout control designation processing for designating the control content of the prize ball command is executed (SL5), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SL4 described later. The details of the payout control designation processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the normal payout is not performed, it is determined whether or not the above-described timer T11 is operating (SL2). If it is determined that the timer T11 is operating, the process proceeds to SJ9 described above. That is,
If the timer T11 is already operating when the branching process is being executed, it is not necessary to execute the above-described processes of SJ5 to SJ8, and the process directly goes to SJ9, bypassing those processes. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer T11 is not in operation, it is determined whether or not the checking flag is set (SL3b). If it is determined that the confirming flag is set, the process proceeds to SK12 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the checking flag is not set, the process proceeds to SL4 described above.

After execution of the payout control designating process (SL5), or when a negative determination is made in SL3b, the winning ball prohibition flag (set or reset in the payout control designating process described later) is turned on. (Set state) is determined. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is in the on state, the payout motor control processing ends because the payout motor control does not need to be performed because the payout of the prize ball is prohibited. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the branching process ends, and the flow proceeds to SJ5 of the payout motor control process described above.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart for explaining the warning process. In the warning process, first, timing of various timers is temporarily stopped (SL11), and then the payout motor 289 is turned off (SL12). Next, a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 75 (SL13), and it is determined whether or not the reset switch 379 is turned on (SL1).
4). Then, a warning sound is continuously generated until the ON of the reset switch 379 is detected. For example, a clerk of a game arcade that notices the warning sound rushes to the game machine to eliminate an abnormality such as a ball jam, and then resets the switch 379.
Is operated, the operation of the reset switch 379 is detected, the output of the alarm sound is stopped, the timer is restarted (SL15), and the process is terminated. FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining the payout control designation processing.
The payout control designation process is a process executed by SL5 of the branch process described above.

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

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

[0312] If it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition command, a firing prohibition flag is set (SN7).
The payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a firing prohibition command, it is determined whether or not the received prize ball command is a ball lending prohibition release command (SN).
6).

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

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

If it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition release command, the firing prohibition flag is reset (SN13), and
Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command is not the firing prohibition release command, the payout control designation processing ends.

As described above, according to the payout control designation processing,
The award ball command other than the normal payout is decoded, and various flags are controlled and control signals are controlled in accordance with the control content specified by the award ball command.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the card unit communication processing shown in SI2a of FIG. In the card unit communication processing, first, the card unit 50 is set to the prize ball lending board 37.
Is determined (SZ1). Specifically, when the above-described card unit connection confirmation signal is input, it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected. When it is determined that the card unit 50 is not connected, a process of setting the firing control signal to the LOW level is performed (SZ2). This makes it impossible to fire a hit ball. On the other hand, when it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected, the above-described firing prohibition flag (a firing prohibition flag set or reset in the payout control designation process) is turned on (set state).
Is determined (SZ3).

When it is determined that the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state, a process of setting the firing control signal to the LOW level is performed (SZ4), and the process proceeds to SZ6 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the firing prohibition flag is not on,
A process for setting the firing control signal to the HIGH level is performed (SZ5). As a result, a shot can be fired.

Next, the control proceeds to SZ6, where it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition flag is on. If not, the above-mentioned PRDY signal is set to HI by SZ7.
The process for making GH is performed, and the process proceeds to SZ13. This SZ7
By the above processing, the card unit 50 can determine that the pachinko gaming machine is in the ball lending possible state.

On the other hand, if the ball lending prohibition flag is on, the process advances to SZ8 to determine whether the ball lending flag is on. The ball lending flag is a flag indicating that the ball is being lent, and is set by SU13 described later and reset by SQ24. If the ball lending flag is set and the ball lending flag is on, the process proceeds to SZ13. If not, the process proceeds to SZ9 to determine whether the ball lending standby flag is on.
The ball lending standby flag is a flag indicating that the ball lending is in a standby state, and is set by SU4 described later and reset by SU13. If the ball lending standby flag is on, the process proceeds to SZ13. If the ball lending standby flag is not on, the process proceeds to SZ10, where a process of switching the PRDY signal to a low level is performed.
Thereby, it is determined whether or not the distribution solenoid 310 is ON (excitation state). For example, if the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on during the prize ball operation, this SZ1
If NO is determined, the control proceeds to SZ13. On the other hand, when it is determined that the distribution solenoid 310 is ON, a process of turning off the distribution solenoid 310 is performed by SZ11. That is, when the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on, when the ball lending is not in progress and the ball lending is not in the standby state, the PRDY signal is set to LOW.
Thus, the card unit 50 is informed that the ball can not be lent, and the distributing solenoid 310 is turned off to deactivate the ball.

As a result, the card unit 50 does not output the BRDY signal and the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) as described above, and the ball lending is not performed thereafter.

Next, control proceeds to SZ12, where timer T22
Is started. This timer T22 is for measuring the time until the ball sorting member 311 is completely switched to the prize ball side by turning off the sorting solenoid 310. Control is performed so that the award ball payout operation is not started until the timer T22 expires (see SJ3d). The step of SZ12 is performed when the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on immediately after the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off and the prize ball priority control (described later) is performed. This step is necessary because it is necessary to secure the time required to completely switch to the prize ball side.

Next, in SZ13, it is determined whether or not the ball lending request flag is on. The ball lending request flag is set when a ball lending request signal is sent from the card unit 50. If the ball lending request flag is on, the process proceeds to SZ18,
If not, the process proceeds to SZ14, and it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending request signal. Card unit 50
If there is no ball lending request signal from, go to SZ21,
If there is a ball lending request signal, the process proceeds to SZ15, and processing for setting a ball lending request flag is performed. Next, SZ1
By 6, a process of outputting a ball lending preparation signal to the card unit 50 is performed. Next, the timer T2 is set by SZ17.
A process for starting 0 is performed.

[0324] The timer T20 counts the allowable upper limit time from when the pachinko gaming machine 1 outputs the ball lending preparation signal to the card unit 50 until the ball lending command signal is returned from the card unit 50. The ball lending command signal is returned from the card unit 50 until the timer T20 times out as long as the operation is normal. If any abnormality occurs and the timer T20 times out and ends without the ball lending command signal being sent from the card unit 50, the control proceeds to S
The process proceeds to Z20, where processing for resetting the ball lending request flag is performed, and the process proceeds to SZ21. On the other hand, if a ball lending command signal is sent from the card unit 50 before the timer T20 expires, the control proceeds to SZ18a, and processing for setting a ball lending command flag is performed. The ball lending command flag is a flag indicating that a ball lending command signal has been sent from the card unit 50.

Then, the control advances to SZ28 for performing processing for setting a ball lending standby flag. Next, in SZ29, it is determined whether or not the winning ball flag is in the ON state. When the prize ball operation is not being performed, the control proceeds to SZ20 because the prize ball in progress flag is in the off state. However, when the ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 50, the prize ball operation is already being performed. Proceeds to SZ20 after a determination of YES is made by SZ29 and a process of starting timer T21 is performed by SZ30. In other words, this first
In the embodiment, when the ball lending operation is performed during the prize ball operation and the ball lending command signal is sent from the card unit 50 to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the prize ball operation priority control is performed as described above. Due to the operation performed, the ball lending operation based on the ball lending command signal is not immediately started, and the ball lending operation is performed after the prize ball operation that is currently performed is completed. However, on the card unit 50 side, the ball lending completion signal is transmitted until a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the ball lending instruction signal is transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the time T3 in S29 is up. If no reply is received, the card unit determines that there is an abnormality, and the above-described SX30, SX24, SX
Step 26 is performed.

Therefore, if the prize-ball in-flight flag is already on at the time when the ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 50, the prize is not generated until T3 on the card unit 50 times out. It is possible that the ball operation is completed and the ball lending operation based on the ball lending command signal is completed and a ball lending completion signal cannot be returned to the card unit 50. Therefore, in the first embodiment, if the ball lending completion signal is returned after performing the normal operation, and if it is not possible to return in the period until T3 times out, the provisional ball is returned. The lending completion signal is returned to the card unit 50. The time immediately before T3 on the card unit 50 times out is measured by the timer T21.

Then, in SZ20, the ball lending request flag is reset, and it is determined by SZ21 whether or not the timer T21 has expired. If it has already ended or if the timer T21 has not been started, SZ2
1 makes a determination of YES and the control proceeds to SZ25. On the other hand, when the timer T21 is started and the timer is in operation, NO is determined by SZ21 and SZ22 is determined.
Thus, if the timer T21 is decremented by "1", the time is up and it is determined whether or not to end. If not, the process proceeds to SZ25, where it is determined whether or not the one-unit-ball-lending end flag is ON. If not, the subroutine program ends as it is.

If the prize ball operation is completed and the one-unit ball lending operation based on the ball lending command signal can be completed before the timer T21 times out and ends, as will be described later. , A 1-unit ball lending end flag is set, and the SZ25 makes a YES determination. In this case, since the processing for stopping the timer T21 is performed by the SZ25a, the processing of SZ23 to SZ24 is not performed when the subroutine program is executed thereafter. Next, the control proceeds to SZ25b, where it is determined whether or not the ball lending command flag is on. When the ball lending command signal has been transmitted, the ball lending command flag is in the ON state.
The processing proceeds to return to the card unit 50 with a ball lending completion signal. The processing for resetting the ball lending command flag is performed by the SZ 26a. The processing for resetting the 1-unit ball lending end flag is performed by the SZ 27. The program ends.

On the other hand, it is possible to end the prize ball operation and complete the one-unit ball lending operation based on the ball lending command signal until the timer T21 times out, and return a normal ball lending completion signal. If not possible, a determination of YES is made by SZ22, the process proceeds to SZ23, a process of returning a provisional ball lending completion signal to the card unit 50 is performed, and a process of resetting the ball lending command flag is performed by SZ23a. A process is performed to add and update the unfinished lending operation counter by “1”. This unoccupied ball lending operation counter indicates a case where the 1 unit ball lending operation cannot be completed before the timer T21 times out despite the ball lending command signal being sent from the card unit 50. This is for counting the number of times of lending operation of unloaded one unit ball. Then, as will be described later, when the ball lending operation is ready to be executed, the ball lending operation is executed by executing the unit lending operation for the number of times equal to the count value of the non-ball lending operation counter.

Next, a control operation in the case where the prize ball operation is completed before the timer T21 expires but the timer T21 expires during the execution of the one-unit ball lending operation will be described. In this case, a provisional ball lending completion signal is returned (SZ23), the ball lending command flag is reset (SZ23a), and the non-ball lending operation counter is updated by adding "1" (SZ24), as described above. . And S
The determination of NO is made by Z25. However, at this stage, since the lending operation of one unit ball is already being performed,
When the one-unit-ball lending operation is completed, the one-unit-ball lending end flag is set. As a result, SZ25
Is determined as YES, and the control proceeds from SZ25a to SZ25a.
The process proceeds to Z25b → SZ25c → SZ27. As a result, even if the provisional ball lending completion signal has already been returned, the ball lending completion signal by the SZ 26 can be prevented from being returned in duplicate, and the one-unit ball lending operation is not necessarily left behind. Nevertheless, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the value of the unoccupied lending operation counter increases by "1".

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for ball lending control indicated by SJ1 in FIG. The SU 15 determines whether or not the winning ball flag is in the ON state. When the award-winning flag is on, the award-ball operation is in progress, and this subroutine program ends without performing the ball lending operation after SU1. As a result, the prize ball operation is controlled with priority. If the winning ball flag is not on, the process proceeds to SU1, and it is determined whether the ball lending flag is on. When the ball lending flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SU14. After the ball lending branching process is performed, the process proceeds to SQ1. on the other hand,
If the ball lending flag is not on, the process proceeds to SU2, and it is determined whether the ball lending standby flag is on. SU if the ball lending standby flag is on
Then, the process proceeds to step 7, where the distributing solenoid 310 is turned on to perform an exciting state. Next, the process proceeds to SU8, where the timer T
It is determined whether or not the timer 23 is counting. If the timer 23 is not counting, the process proceeds to SU9 and a process for starting the timer T23 is performed. As a result, in the next execution of the ball lending control subroutine program, the determination of YES is made by SU8, and the control directly proceeds to SU10.

In SU10, it is determined whether or not a timeout occurs by subtracting "1" from the timer T23. If the timeout does not occur, this subroutine program ends. When the subroutine program is executed several times, and the timer T23 is decremented by “1” and a timeout occurs, the process proceeds to SU11.
The payout motor 289 is turned on to control to pay out the lending ball. That is, the timer T23 is a timer for measuring a sufficient time required from when the control for turning on the distribution solenoid 310 is turned on by the SU7 to when the distribution member 311 is actually switched to the ball lending side. When the timer T23 times out, the distribution member 311 is switched to the ball lending side. Next, in SU12, the ball lending flag is set, and the ball lending standby flag is reset. Next, the process proceeds to SU12a, where it is determined whether or not the payout motor is ON. If so, the process proceeds to SU13. If not, the process proceeds to SU12b, and after the payout motor is turned ON, the process proceeds to SU1.
Proceed to 3. Next, a process of starting the timer T15 is performed by the SU13. This timer T15 is a timer having the same function as T11 set when paying out a prize ball. That is, it is an on-check timer of the payout motor position sensor 300A. Next, proceed to SU13a.
The individual ball lending flag is set, and the process proceeds to SQ1. This one
The individual ball lending flag stores information indicating that a payout of one lending ball is in progress, and is reset when the payout of one lending ball is completed (SQ23a, SQ28b), and the next lending flag is set. It is set again when the payout of one ball lending is started (SU13a).

If SU2 determines that the ball lending standby flag is not ON, the process proceeds to SU3, and it is determined whether or not the non-ball lending operation counter has a value larger than "0". If the unloaded ball lending operation counter has counted the number of unloaded lending ball lending operations in accordance with SZ24, then a determination of YES is made by SU3, the process proceeds to SU4, and a process of setting a lending standby flag is performed. As a result, upon execution of this subroutine program thereafter, the determination of YES is made by SU2, and the ball lending operation of SU7 and thereafter is started. Next, the process proceeds to SU5, and a process of subtracting “1” from the non-ball lending operation counter is performed. Then, the process proceeds to SU6, and a process of setting a supplementary ball lending flag is performed.

The control for performing the ball lending operation according to the storage of the number of unloaded ball lending operations of the unoccupied ball lending operation counter is different from the normal ball lending operation control.
Thus, the supplementary ball lending flag is set so as to store the fact.

Next, the delivery motor position sensor 300A is
It is determined whether or not FF has been switched to ON (SQ
1). If not turned on, the process proceeds to SQ8, and the timer T
15 is timed out, the timer T1
If 5 times out, there is a possibility that a ball bite or the like has occurred, so the process shifts to ball lending error processing (SQ9). Since the details of the ball lending error processing are the same as the error processing already described with reference to FIG. 32, the description will not be repeated here. After the ball lending error processing has been executed, the flow shifts to SQ11. As described above, even when an abnormality occurs in the lending ball payout operation, the error processing for recovering the abnormality is automatically performed. The management of the gaming machine by the clerk of the game arcade becomes easy without bothering the clerk of the hall.

If the timer T15 has not timed out, the flow shifts to SQ10, which will be described later. At the moment SQ1 when the payout motor position sensor 300A switches from OFF to ON, YES is determined, and the timer T1
5 is stopped (SQ2). In this case, it is considered that one ball was paid out because the payout motor position sensor 300A was turned on, and the counter value of the ball lending counter 1 is set to “1”.
The process of adding and updating only is performed (SQ3).

Here, the ball lending counter 1 is a counter for storing the number of paid lending balls, like the ball lending counter 2 described later. Therefore, every time a ball is paid out, the counter values of the ball lending counters 1 and 2 are added.
The ball lending counter 2 is incremented by using SQ19 based on the detection signal of the ball lending count switch 301B as described later. Therefore, in the state where the ball is correctly dispensed every time the ball payout screw 288 in the ball dispensing device 97 makes a half turn (every time one detection signal of the dispensing motor position sensor 286 is input), the ball lending is performed. The value of the counter 1 and the value of the ball lending counter 2 match. However, when the ball is not paid out due to the ball missing or ball biting by the screw 288, the value of the ball lending counter 2 becomes larger than the value of the ball lending counter 1, whereby the ball lending is performed. Shortage of money can be detected.

The ball lending counters 1 and 2 are both RA
M2916, and is backed up by a backup power supply (capacitor 517) as described above. For this reason, even if the power supplied to the gaming machine is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the stored values of both counters are retained, and even if a power failure occurs, the ball lending counter 1 before the power failure is restored after the power failure is restored. , 2 is resumed, so that there is no disadvantage in the game hall.

In this case, the ball lending counters 1 and 2 are used as counters for storing the number of paid lending balls, and the counter value is added and updated each time a lending ball is paid out. Instead, when the ball is lent, the counter values of the ball lending counters 1 and 2 are set to the expected number of payouts (here, 25 are set as the expected number of payouts per unit), and the ball is paid out. The counter value may be decremented and updated each time it is performed. That is, the number of remaining payouts may be stored in the ball lending counters 1 and 2. With this configuration, even if a power failure or the like occurs, the ball lending counters 1 and 2 before the power failure are restored after the power failure is restored.
Since the ball lending based on the stored value is resumed, there is no disadvantage for the player.

After SQ3, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the ball lending counter 1 is 25, that is, the number of balls to be paid out (2
It is determined whether all (5 pieces) have been paid out (SQ
4). When it is determined that the counter value of the ball lending counter 1 is 25, the process proceeds to SQ5 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the counter value of the ball lending counter 1 has not reached 25 yet, the process proceeds to SQ4a, and it is determined whether or not the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2 are other than 0. If the value is 0, the control proceeds to SQ13.
4b, and after switching the dispensing motor to OFF, SQ13
Proceed to.

Next, it is determined whether or not the ball lending count switch 301B is turned on (SQ13). If the ball lending count switch 301B is not turned on, SQ1 is determined.
The process proceeds to 3a, where it is determined whether or not the award ball count switch is on. If not, the subroutine program ends. On the other hand, in the case of the ON state, the process proceeds to SQ13b, and a warning process is performed. This warning process has already been described with reference to FIG. 34, and description thereof will not be repeated here. The determination of YES by SQ13a means that a ball is detected not by the ball lending count switch 301B but by the prize ball count switch 301A, even though the ball lending operation is being controlled. It is expected that the member 311 is not normally switched to the ball lending side and is in an abnormal state switched to the prize ball side. SQ13 in case of such abnormalities
Warning processing is performed by b.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending count switch 301B is turned on, the timer T17 starts counting (SQ14). Here, the timer T1
Reference numeral 7 is used as an off-check timer of the ball lending count switch 301B.

Next, it is determined whether or not the ball lending count switch 301B has been turned off (SQ17). If it is determined that the ball lending count switch 301B has not yet been turned off, the timer T17 has timed out. Is determined (SQ20). If it is determined that the timer T17 has not timed out, the flow shifts to SQ22 described later. On the other hand, if the timer T17 times out without turning off the ball lending count switch 301B, it is considered that a ball jam or the like has occurred near the ball lending count switch 301B, and in this case, a warning process (FIG. 3)
5 (see SQ21). As a result, a buzzer drive signal is output to the buzzer 75, and a warning sound is generated. This warning sound is stopped by the operation of pressing the reset switch (reset SW) 379 by a store clerk or the like at the game arcade.

Before timer T17 times out, SQ
When it is determined at 17 that the ball lending count switch 301B has been turned off, the timer T17 stops counting (SQ18), and the ball lending counter 2 subsequently updates the addition (+
1) is performed (SQ19). That is, since the payout of the ball is detected by the ball rental count switch 301B,
The detected ball count is added to the ball lending counter 2.

Next, control proceeds to SQ22. In SQ22, it is determined whether or not the value of the ball lending counter 2 is "25". Ball lending counter 2 value is still 25
If not, it is determined whether or not the timer T18 has timed out (SQ28). Here, the timer T18 is a timer that is set in SQ6 when the value of the ball lending counter 1 (additional update based on the detection output of the payout motor position sensor 286) reaches the expected payout number of 25, and starts counting time. . This timer T18 is used to temporarily stop the payout motor 289 after the value of the ball lending counter 1 reaches 25, and thereafter check whether the value of the ball lending counter 2 also becomes 25 within a predetermined period. Is a timer for measuring the predetermined period.

That is, from the time when the detection output of the payout motor position sensor 286 is confirmed to the time when the payout ball corresponding to the detected output falls from the ball feeding screw 288 and is soon detected by the ball lending count switch 301B. Takes a certain amount of time, a timer T18 is used to fill the time lag. If the process proceeds to SQ28 in a state where the value of the ball lending counter 1 is not yet 25, since the timer T18 is not set,
At SQ28, a determination of NO is made, and the process proceeds to SQ28a.

At SQ28a, it is determined whether or not the value of the ball lending counter 1 has reached 25. If so, the subroutine program ends. on the other hand,
If the value of the ball lending counter 1 has not yet reached 25, the process proceeds to SQ28b, and processing for resetting the lending single ball flag is performed. In other words, the ball lending is normally detected by the ball lending count switch by SQ13, and it is determined by SQ17 that the detected ball has fallen normally and the ball lending count switch is turned off. This means that the processing of resetting the single ball lending flag is performed by this SQ28b. Then, as described based on the above SJ3, when the prize ball must be paid out during the ball lending operation, the case where the lending ball is not set flag is not set, that is, one ball lending is performed. When the payout is completed, the process shifts to the prize ball payout operation control.

In the payout branching process to be described later, if the ball lending flag is set, the process advances to SU13, and the process returns to S13.
The ball lending operation after U13 is started. As a result, the ball lending counter based on the detection output of the ball lending count switch 301B and the payout motor position sensor 286 advances, the ball lending counters 1 and 2 are added and updated, and the value of the ball lending counter 1 eventually becomes 25. If it has, the result of SQ4 is YES. In this case, as long as the number of detected outputs of the payout motor position sensor 300A has been paid out, all of the balls to be paid out have been paid out.
The drive of 89 is temporarily stopped (SQ5). Here, the expression “temporary stop” is used because, as described above, a ball dropout or ball biting occurs in the ball feeding screw 288, and the payout of a predetermined number of balls is actually completed. This is because there is a possibility that there will be no payout, and in this case, the payout of the missing ball will be necessary again.

Next, timer T18 starts counting (S
Q6) As described above, the detection by the ball lending count switch 301B is waited until the timer T18 times out. Next, a ball lending confirmation flag is set (SQ7). Thereafter, the ball lending control process is temporarily ended. When the ball lending control flag is set, the next time the ball lending control process is executed,
The processing shifts to SQ13 or later by the ball lending branch processing (SP14).

The following describes the processing when the ball lending confirmation flag is set. After shifting to SQ13 or later, the ball lending counter 2 is incremented by one each time the ball lending count switch 301B is turned on or off (SQ1).
9). That is, balls detected by the payout motor position sensor 300A on the upstream side of the ball flow path are sequentially detected by the ball lending count switch 301B with a time lag, and the ball lending counter 2 is incremented and updated based on the detection.

Thereafter, it is determined in SQ22 whether or not the value of the ball lending counter 2 has reached 25. If the value has not reached 25 but the timer T18 has not timed out again, the payout motor 289 is stopped. The state is maintained (S
(NO in Q28). If the value of the ball lending counter 2 becomes 25 before the timer T18 times out,
Since all the balls to be paid out are actually confirmed to be paid out by the ball lending count switch 301B, and all the balls to be paid out are surely paid out, the timer T18 is used. Is stopped (SQ2
3) Subsequently, the ball lending flag and the ball lending confirmation flag are reset, respectively (SQ24, SQ25). Next, the distribution solenoid 310 is turned off (QS26).

Then, the flow advances to SQ26a, where processing for starting the timer T22 is performed. The timer T22 measures a sufficient time required from the start of the process of controlling the distribution solenoid to OFF as described above to the actual switching of the ball distribution member 311 to the prize ball side. belongs to. Until the timer T22 times out, the prize ball payout operation is not started as described above (SJ3).
d).

Next, the flow proceeds to SQ26b, and it is determined whether or not the supplementary ball lending flag is on. If the normal one unit ball lending operation is being performed, the supplementary ball lending flag is not set, so the process proceeds to SQ26d, and processing for setting the one unit ball lending end flag is performed. As a result, a determination of YES is made by the above-described SZ25 and the SZ25a
The subsequent processing will be executed. On the other hand, when the one-unit ball lending operation has been performed based on the count storage of the non-ball lending operation counter, since the compensation ball lending flag is set (see SU6), the control proceeds to SQ26c, and the compensation is performed. The process of resetting the ball lending flag is performed, and 1
This subroutine program ends without setting the unit ball lending end flag.

Next, if the value of the ball lending counter 2 does not reach 25 even after the timer T18 times out, the current value of the ball lending counter 1 is updated with the value of the ball lending counter 2 (SQ31). ). As a result, the value of the ball lending counter 1 indicating the completion of the payout of the number of balls to be paid out (= 25) is corrected to the number of balls (a value less than 25) indicated by the value of the ball lending counter 2. . Thereafter, the subroutine program of the ball lending control process ends. In this case, the number of balls actually paid out is commonly stored in both the ball lending counters 1 and 2, and the SQ4
As a result, the state in which a determination of NO is made is made, so that the ball lending control processing for the number of shortages is executed again. FIG. 42A is a flowchart for explaining the ball lending branch processing. This ball lending branching process is performed in S of FIG.
This is the process executed in U14. In the ball lending branching process, first, it is determined whether the timer T15 is operating (SR1). If it is determined that the timer T15 is not operating, it is determined whether the timer T16 is operating ( SR2),
When it is determined that the ball lending is not being operated, it is determined whether the ball lending confirmation flag is on (SR2a). When it is determined that the ball lending confirmation flag is not on,
It is determined whether the ball lending flag is on or not (SR
3) If the ball lending flag has not been turned off, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SR1 that timer T15 is operating, the process proceeds to SQ1 in FIG.
If it is determined in SR2 that timer T16 is operating, the process proceeds to SQ11 in FIG. SR
If it is determined in 2a that the ball lending confirmation flag is OFF, the process proceeds to SQ13 in FIG. S
If it is determined in R3 that the ball lending flag is turned off, the process proceeds to SQ13 in FIG.

FIG. 42 (b) is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the ball lending error process indicated by SQ9. The payout motor is turned off by SM1.
F, start timer T29 by SM2,
A warning sound is generated by SM3, and it is determined by SM4 whether or not the reset switch is turned on.
If not ON, the process proceeds to SM5, and the timer T2
It is determined whether or not 9 has timed out. If not, the process returns to SM4. This SM4, S
If the timer T29 times out during the circulation of the loop of M5, the distribution solenoid 310 is turned off by SM6.
After returning to F, return to SM4.

Then, if the staff at the game arcade repairs the ball lending error and returns to the normal state and then operates the reset switch, the control proceeds to SM7, and it is determined whether or not the distribution solenoid 310 is OFF. Is determined. If the switch is not turned off, the process proceeds to SM11. If the switch is turned off, the process proceeds to SM8.
Is turned on, the process proceeds to SM9, starts the timer T23, and waits until the timer T23 times out by SM10. After waiting, the process proceeds to SM11, the payout motor is turned on, the timer T15 is started by SM12, and the subroutine programgram ends. Next, a typical control operation for award balls and ball lending will be described. FIGS. 43 and 44 are timing charts showing typical control operations for prize balls and ball lending.

FIG. 43 shows a basic control operation at the time of a prize ball. In FIG. 43, the input to the game control board 31 from the winning ball detection switch (general name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240), the game control board 31
, An output of an award ball command from the game control board 31, an input from the award ball count switch 301A to the game control board 31, an output of a drive signal from the award ball ball lending board 37 to the payout motor 289, Also, the state of the error operation on the game control board 31 side is shown.

Referring to FIG. 43, the winning ball detection switch is used to pay out 5 coins, pay out 15 coins, and
When winnings for five payouts are successively detected, an INT signal and a prize ball command specifying the number of payouts are immediately output from the game control board 31 in accordance with each of the winnings.
The number of payouts by such a prize ball command is stored in the RAM 2916 of the payout control microcomputer 370. Then, based on the stored information on the number of payouts, drive signals for the five payout rotations, the fifteenth payout rotation, and the five payout rotations are sent from the payout ball rental board 37 to the payout motor 2.
89. As a result, five prize balls,
Ten prize balls and five prize balls are sequentially paid out, and the number of prize balls is detected by a prize ball count switch. In this case, no error operation has occurred on the game control board 31 side.

FIG. 44 shows a control operation when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. In FIG. 44, an input from the winning ball detection switch (a generic name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240) to the game control board 31, and a ball out switch 187 to the game control board 31; input from the ball-out detection switch 167 to the game control board 31; output of an INT signal from the game control board 31; output of a prize ball command from the game control board 31; The input to the substrate 31 and the output of the drive signal from the winning ball lending substrate 37 to the payout motor 289 are shown.

Referring to FIG. 44, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on, in the initialization processing (S2) in the main processing described above, the firing prohibition flag, ball lending prohibition flag, and prize ball prohibition flag are set. Are turned on. Then, first, on condition that the full tank switch 48 does not detect the full state, the firing prohibition flag is turned off, and a firing prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. Then, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off after a lapse of 2000 mS from the confirmation that the ball luff switch 187 is in the off state (ball luff non-detection state), and a ball lending prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. You. Then, after it is confirmed that the broken-out detection switch 167 is in the off state (the broken-out non-detection state), it is determined that the state has been changed to 22
After a lapse of 00 mS, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off, and I
A prize ball prohibition release command is output with the NT signal.

In this case, after the prize ball prohibition release command is output, the winning of five payouts is detected by the prize ball detection switch. The prize ball command for paying out the five prize balls is output after the prize ball prohibition release command is output. The number of payouts by the award ball command is stored in the RAM of the payout control microcomputer 370.
It is stored in 2916 total prize ball number counters 1 and 2. A drive signal corresponding to five payout rotations is output from the prize ball lending substrate 37 to the payout motor 289 in accordance with the prize ball command specifying the number of prize balls. As a result, five winning balls are paid out, and the number of winning balls is detected by the winning ball count switch. When a plurality of award ball commands are successively input to the award ball lending substrate 37, balls for the total number of award balls based on the plurality of award ball commands are collectively and continuously paid out. In addition, the drive signal corresponding to the total payout is the payout motor 2
89.

Next, another embodiment of the payout motor control processing will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 45 is a modified example of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 32 in the payout motor control processing illustrated in FIGS. 30 to 32.

In the processing shown in FIG. 32, when it is determined that the number of balls to be paid out is insufficient (SK19, SK23), the total prize ball number counter 1 is set so that the balls with insufficient payout can be paid out. The value is corrected (SK26). This figure 4
In the modification shown in FIG. 5, these processes are performed in the same manner, but before the value of the total winning ball number counter 1 is corrected, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified by a warning sound by a buzzer 75.

Referring to FIG. 45, in SKK19, it is determined whether or not the value of total winning ball number counter 2 is 0, as in SK19 shown in FIG. When it is determined that the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 is 0, the same processing as that of SK20 to SK22 shown in FIG. 32 is executed (SKK20 to SKK22).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 is not 0, it is determined whether or not the timer T14 has timed out (SKK23). Ends the processing. If it is determined that the time-out has occurred, the payout motor 289 constituted by the stepping motor is turned off (SKK24), and then the payout motor is driven in reverse and forward rotation by one step (SKK25). As a result, the screw 288 is once rotated in the reverse direction and then rotated forward to eliminate the ball biting. Next, a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 75 (SKK26). Next, it is determined whether the reset switch (reset SW) 379 has been turned on (SKK).
27), a warning sound is continuously output until the reset switch 379 is turned on. And reset switch 3
When 79 is turned on, the output of the warning sound is stopped, and the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 is added to the total prize ball number counter 1 (SKK28). As a result, the total prize ball number counter 1 is provided with the prize ball number of the unpaid portion, and the value of the total prize ball number counter 1 is corrected. Then, the process ends.

According to this modification, for example, even if a failure occurs in which the screw 288 is not automatically recovered even when the screw 288 is rotated in the reverse forward direction, the clerk at the game arcade can quickly respond. That is, according to the processing shown in FIG. 31, even if a failure that does not automatically recover occurs, it is regarded that the screw 288 has become normal by rotating the screw 288 in the reverse forward direction, and the total prize ball number counter 1 Is corrected,
To exit the routine of the payout motor control process (see FIG. 33), the shortage of payout of the ball is detected again in SK19 and SK23, and the same process is repeated. So, for example,
Until the player points out the abnormality, the abnormality is left unchecked. On the other hand, according to the modification shown in FIG. 45, before exiting the routine of the payout motor control processing (here, before the value of the total winning ball count counter 1 is corrected), the buzzer 75 sounds an alarm indicating that an abnormality has occurred. And the processing is in a standby state until the reset switch 379 is turned on, so that the clerk can quickly respond to the abnormality.
In addition, as compared with a case in which an abnormality occurs, the clerk can confirm whether or not an abnormal state occurs frequently, as compared with a case in which the abnormality is automatically returned without being notified. . Further, before the value of the total prize ball number counter 1 is corrected, since the process is in a standby state, the clerk can check the number of shortage of the payout, and the clerk himself can perform the shortage. A ball to be played can be given to the player to compensate for the shortage.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first embodiment described above, after the predetermined number of balls are paid out and the payout motor is turned off, the last of the predetermined number of paid out balls is detected by the prize ball counting switch 301A or the ball lending count switch 301B. After confirming that the predetermined number of payouts have been completed, the distribution solenoid is controlled to switch the ball distribution member 311. However, in the second embodiment, a predetermined number of balls are dispensed. After the payout is performed and the payout motor is turned off, a timer for measuring a time required for the last one of the predetermined number of payout balls to pass through the ball sorting member 311 is started, and the timer is timed up. Then, the distribution solenoid is controlled to switch the ball distribution member 311.

FIG. 46 shows only the part of the flowchart shown in the first embodiment which is changed. After the dispensing motor is turned off by SK3 in FIG. 31 of the first embodiment, the process proceeds to SK29, starts the timer T25, proceeds to SK4, starts the timer T14, and proceeds to SK5 in FIG.

In the first embodiment, S in FIG.
After the dispensing motor is controlled to be OFF by Q5, the process proceeds to SQ32, and after starting the timer T25, the process of starting the timer T18 of SQ6 is performed.
Proceed to 7. The timer T25 of the SK29 and SK32 is
After the payout motor is turned off, a sufficient time required for the last payout ball to pass through the ball sorting member 311 is counted.

Next, SJ3a of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the distribution solenoid is OFF, and if the distribution solenoid is OFF, the process proceeds to SJ13, and it is determined whether or not the above-described timer T25 has expired. If the timer T22 has not ended yet, the process proceeds to SJ3d in FIG. 30, and it is determined whether the timer T22 has expired. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer T25 has expired, the control proceeds to SJ3b, where the distributing solenoid 310 is turned off and the ball distributing member 311 is controlled.
To switch to the prize ball side is started. That is, wait until the timer T25 expires and wait for the ball
Control for switching 1 to the prize ball side is started. Therefore, the ball distribution member 311 is switched to the prize ball side after waiting until the last one of the payout balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 passes through the ball distribution member 311.

Further, it is determined whether or not the ball lending standby flag is in the ON state by SU2 in FIG. 39 in the first embodiment. If the ball lending standby flag is in the ON state, SU1 is determined.
The process proceeds to step 6, where it is determined whether or not the timer T25 has expired. After the timer T25 has expired, the process of turning on the distribution solenoid by the SU7 is performed, and the process proceeds to SU8 in FIG. As a result, the control for switching the ball distribution member 311 to the ball lending side is started after the timer T25 has timed out. As a result, the control for switching the ball sorting member 311 to the ball lending side is started after waiting for the last one of the payout balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 to pass through the ball sorting member 311.

After the processing of SQ4 in the first embodiment, the flow advances to SQ4a, where it is determined whether or not the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2 are other than 0.
The process proceeds to 0, but if it is not 0, the process proceeds to SQ4b, the payout motor is turned off, the timer T25 is started by SQ4c, and then the process proceeds to SQ10.

Third Embodiment FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the continuous payout control for continuously paying out prize balls has been described. However, in the third embodiment, when the value of the total prize ball number counter exceeds 25, 25 The system is configured to temporarily stop the prize ball payout with the number being the upper limit, and to control to pay out the remaining prize balls after a predetermined interval period has elapsed.

SJ10 of FIG. 30 in the first embodiment
After SK1, the process of subtracting "1" from the total winning ball counter 1 is performed by SK1, and the process of adding "1" to the winning ball payout counter is performed by SK29. The prize ball payout counter is a counter that counts the number of prize balls paid out continuously from the start of the prize ball payout to the present time. Next, the process proceeds to SK2, where it is determined whether or not the total prize ball number counter 1 is 0.
If the value is 0, the process proceeds to SK3 in FIG.

In SK32, the prize ball payout counter is set to “2”.
5 "has been reached, and if so, S
Proceeding to K33, a process for starting the timer T26 is performed. The timer T26 is for measuring an interval time for temporarily stopping the prize ball payout for a predetermined period after the continuous prize ball payout number reaches the prize ball payout upper limit value "25", for example, 2 The time is on the order of seconds.
Next, the process proceeds to SK34, in which the prize ball payout counter is cleared to "0", the process of turning off the payout motor by SK35 to temporarily stop the prize ball payout is performed, and then the process proceeds to SK12 in FIG.

Also, the timer T2 is determined by SJ3d in FIG.
It is determined whether or not timer T2 has ended. If it is determined that the timer T26 has ended, the process proceeds to SJ13. It is determined whether or not the timer T26 has expired. If it is determined that the timer T26 has ended, SJ4 in FIG. Proceed to. As described above, in the third embodiment, when the value of the prize ball payout counter reaches “25”, the timer T26 is set even though the total prize ball number counter 2 is not “0”. The award ball payout operation is temporarily stopped for the award ball interval period (for example, 2 seconds) until the time is up, and after the award ball interval period elapses, the operation of paying out the remaining award balls again is executed.

In paying out the above-mentioned lending ball, as described in the second embodiment, a one-unit lending operation of paying out a lending ball corresponding to a predetermined unit amount (100 yen) is repeated. Control to pay out a predetermined amount of ball lending,
A lending interval period is provided after the one-unit lending operation is completed and before the next one-unit lending operation is performed. During the lending interval, the prize ball lending board 37 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 outputs a ball lending completion signal to the card unit 50 (ST26), and based on the signal, the card unit 50 returns a next ball lending command signal. This is a period until the next lending ball lending operation is started based on the ball lending command signal. The award ball interval period described above is configured to be shorter than the ball lending interval period.

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 48 to 52 are views showing a fourth embodiment. FIG. 48 corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference from FIG. 4 is that switching detectors 300A and 300B for detecting whether the ball sorting member 311 has been switched to the winning ball side or the ball lending side are provided. Specifically, 300A is a prize ball switching detector, which detects a state in which the ball sorting member 311 is switched to the prize ball side (the side shown by the solid line in FIG. 48). 300B is a ball rental side switching detector,
This is to detect a state in which the ball distribution member 311 is switched to the ball lending side (the side shown by the broken line in FIG. 48). The prize ball side switching detector 300A and the ball lending side switching detector 3
00B is the I / O port 37 of the prize ball lending board 307.
2b, and each detection signal is input from the I / O port 372b.

(A) and (b) of FIG.
38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program corresponding to FIG. 30 and a part of FIG. 37 in the embodiment.
Steps that perform the same processing are denoted by the same step numbers, and differences are mainly described here. In SJ3, it is determined whether or not the one-ball lending flag is set. If not, the process proceeds to SJ13 to determine whether or not the prize-ball-side switching detector 300A is in the ON state. Done. Prize ball side switching detector 300A
If is already in the ON state, the process directly proceeds to SJ4 because it is not necessary to switch the ball sorting member 311 to the prize ball side. On the other hand, when the prize-ball-side switching detector 300A is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to SJ14, and the ball distribution member prize-ball-side switching processing is executed. This will be described later. Then, the program proceeds to SJ15, in which it is determined whether or not the award ball switching flag is in the ON state. When the flag is in the ON state, this subroutine program is ended. The prize ball side switching flag is a flag that is ON while the ball distribution member 311 is performing an operation of switching to the prize ball side, and is an SV2 described later.
And reset by SV6.

Next, referring to FIG. 33 (b), after the processing of SZ9 in FIG. 37, the PRDY signal becomes LOW by SZ10.
Then, the process proceeds to SZ31, where a ball distribution member prize ball side switching process is performed. Thereafter, the control proceeds to SZ1 in FIG.
Proceed to 3.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing the state of FIG. 39 in the first embodiment.
This is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 7, and here, differences will be mainly described. SU2 sets the ball lending standby flag to O
If it is determined that the value is N, the process proceeds to SU16, and a ball sorting member ball lending side switching process is executed. This will be described later. Next, the process proceeds to SU17, where it is determined whether or not the ball lending side switching flag is ON.
If it is ON, this subroutine program ends, but if it is not ON, the process proceeds to SU11. The ball lending side switching flag is the ball sorting member 3
11 during the operation of switching to the ball lender
This flag is set to the N state, and is set by SW2 described later and reset by SW6.

FIG. 51 is a view showing the state of FIG. 41 in the first embodiment.
6 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. The difference from FIG. 41 is that the process proceeds to SQ31 after the process of SQ25 is executed, and proceeds to SQ26b after the ball sorting member prize ball side switching process is executed.

FIG. 52 shows SA14, SU16, and SQ31.
Is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a ball sorting member award ball switching process and a ball sorting member ball lending side switching process indicated by.

In the ball distribution member award ball side switching process, first, S
Based on V1, it is determined whether or not the award ball switching flag is ON. S if not ON
Proceeding to V2, the award ball switching flag is set. In the next execution of the subroutine of the ball distribution member prize ball side switching process as a result, a determination of YES is made by SV1.

Then, the flow advances to SV3, where the sorting solenoid 3 is selected.
A process for controlling the switch 10 to OFF is performed. Next, the process proceeds to SV4, in which a process of turning off the distribution solenoid 310 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to SV4, in which a process for starting the award ball switching timer is performed. The prize ball side switching timer is a timer for measuring a sufficient time required for the ball allocating member 311 to actually switch to the prize ball side after the process of turning off the distribution solenoid 310 is started. .

Next, the flow proceeds to SV5, and it is determined whether or not the prize-ball-side switching detector 300A has been turned ON. If not, the process proceeds to SV7, and the prize-ball-side switching timer times out. It is determined whether or not the current time has not elapsed, and this subroutine program ends. When the switching operation of the ball sorting member 311 is performed normally, the prize ball switching detector 3 is set before the prize ball switching timer times out.
00A turns ON. As a result, control proceeds to SV6,
The award ball switching flag is reset. On the other hand, if any abnormality such as an abnormality such as a ball biting or a failure of the distribution solenoid 310 occurs at the position of the ball distribution member 311, the prize ball side switching is performed even if the prize ball side switching timer times out. However, the detector 300A does not turn on. In that case,
The control advances to SV8, and a warning process is performed. This warning process is the same as in FIG.

In the ball distribution member ball lending side switching process, first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending side switching flag is ON by SW1. If it is not ON, the process proceeds to SW2, and processing for setting a ball lending-side switching flag is performed. As a result, in the next execution of this subroutine program, a determination of YES is made by SW1. Next, the process proceeds to SW3, where the sorting solenoid 310 is used.
Is turned on. Next, the process proceeds to SW4, and a process of starting a ball rental side switching timer is performed. The ball rental side switching timer is a distribution solenoid 31.
This is for measuring a sufficient time until the ball sorting member 311 is actually switched to the ball lending side after the control for turning on 0 is started.

Next, the flow advances to SW5, where it is determined whether or not the ball lending-side switching detector 300B has been turned on. If the ball lending-side switching detector 300B has not yet been turned on, the flow advances to SW7, and the ball lending-side switching timer has timed out. It is determined whether or not it has been up,
If the time has not elapsed yet, this subroutine program ends.

As long as the ball distributing member 311 is performing the normal switching operation, the ball lending side switching detector 300B is turned ON at a stage before the time for the ball lending side switching timer expires. In this case, the control proceeds to SW6, and a process of resetting the ball lending-side switching flag is performed. On the other hand, if any abnormality such as ball biting occurs at the ball distribution member 311 and the ball distribution member 311 cannot perform the normal switching operation, the ball lending side switching detector 3
The timer for switching the ball lending side times out without 00B being turned on. In that case, the control proceeds to SW8,
Warning processing is performed. This warning process is the same as that shown in FIG.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment described above, the ball lending unit amount (1
If a prize is generated even during a lending ball lending operation of paying out lending balls (25 pieces) corresponding to (00 yen), the lending ball lending operation is interrupted halfway and the operation shifts to a prize ball payout operation. However, in the fifth embodiment, if a prize is generated after the above-described one-unit ball lending operation is completed, a transition is made to a prize ball payout operation. It is.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing the state of FIG. 30 in the first embodiment.
Is a flowchart corresponding to S.
If YES is determined by J2, SJ13
Thus, it is determined whether or not the 1-unit-ball lending flag is ON. If it is determined that the switch is ON, the subroutine program ends.
If it is determined that the switch has not been turned ON, the control proceeds to SJ3.
Proceed to a. When the ball lending flag is ON, it means that the above-described 1-unit ball lending operation is being executed. When the 1-unit ball lending operation is being executed, the award ball after SJ3a is being executed. The payout operation is not executed. Then, the lending operation is completed and the lending flag is set to OF.
When the state becomes F, the processing shifts to the award ball payout operation after SJ3a.

FIG. 54 is a view showing the state of FIG. 41 in the first embodiment.
5 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. The difference is that SQ23a, SQ28a, and SQ28b in FIG. 41 are deleted. This is because the fifth embodiment shifts to the prize ball payout operation with the end of the one-unit-ball lending operation as a delimiter, so that it is not necessary to provide a single-ball lending flag.

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first and fifth embodiments, when performing a prize ball priority operation of interrupting a ball lending operation and shifting to a prize ball payout operation when a prize is generated during the ball lending operation, a card unit is used. Before the time limit at which the ball lending completion signal must be returned to the side, when the prize ball payout is completed and the ball lending operation is also completed, the legitimate ball lending completion signal is returned, while the time limit is returned. Only when the prize ball payout operation has been completed and the ball lending operation cannot be completed by this time, a temporary ball lending completion signal is returned to the card unit. However, in the sixth embodiment, if a prize is generated during the ball lending operation, the ball lending operation is interrupted to shift to the prize ball payout operation. Is to return a provisional ball lending completion signal to the card unit without waiting for the time limit. Then, based on the returned ball lending completion signal, when the card unit continuously transmits a ball lending command signal for causing the remaining ball lending operation to be performed, the prize ball priority control is performed, A temporary ball lending completion signal is returned again without waiting for the time limit. The provisional ball lending completion signal based on the reception of the ball lending command signal is repeatedly executed without waiting for the time limit, and until the ball lending command signal is not sent from the card unit side, the provisional ball lending completion is completed. The reply of the signal is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the state of FIG. 38 in the first embodiment.
5 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. Here, differences will be mainly described. In the sixth embodiment, the payout motor control shown in FIGS. 35 and 34 is used. If it is determined in SZ29 that the in-prize ball flag is ON, the process proceeds to SZ31, in which the ball lending request flag is reset, and processing for outputting a temporary ball lending completion signal to the card unit 50 is performed in SZ32. That is,
When the ball lending command signal is sent from the card unit 50 (when the determination of YES is made in SZ18), the prize ball priority control is performed (SZ29).
When the determination is YES), the temporary ball lending completion signal is output without waiting for the time-up of T3, which is the time limit of the card unit 50, that is, the time-up of the timer T21 in FIG. 38 (S).
Z32).

Next, the flow advances to SZ33, where the ball lending command flag is reset. At SZ34, the non-ball lending operation counter is updated by adding "1", and the process ends.

On the other hand, after the step of SZ20 is executed, the control proceeds to SZ25, where it is determined whether or not the one-unit-ball lending end flag is ON. In FIG. 38, whether or not the timer T21 ends is determined by the SZ21. However, in the sixth embodiment, the timer T21 itself does not exist because there is no need to measure the time limit described above. If the one-unit ball lending end flag is not ON, the subroutine program ends. If it is ON, the process proceeds to SZ25b, and it is determined whether the ball lending command flag is ON. The ball lending command flag being ON means that the ball lending command signal is transmitted from the card unit 50, the 1-unit ball lending operation is executed based on the signal, and the 1-unit ball lending operation is completed. SZ26
Thus, a process of outputting a normal ball lending completion signal to the card unit 60 is performed.

Next, the flow advances to SZ26a, where processing for resetting the ball lending command flag is performed, and the flow advances to SZ27. on the other hand,
If it is determined by the SZ 25b that the ball lending command flag is not ON, the unit lending operation is not performed based on the ball lending command signal from the card unit 50 side, but based on the count stored value of the non-ball lending operation counter. In order to execute the lending one unit ball lending operation and finish it,
The control advances to SZ25c, and the non-ball lending operation counter is updated by subtracting "1", and then to SZ27.

Next, modified examples, feature points, and the like in the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) In the above embodiment, the payout operation amount detecting means configured to detect the payout operation amount of the game medium by the payout device by the payout motor position sensor including the light emitting element LED 286 and the light receiving element (not shown). In the case where a sensor is not used, or when no sensor is used, the payout operation amount detecting means may be constituted by means for detecting the number of step pulses of the payout motor 289 which is a stepping motor.

(2) When the number of payouts of the prize balls is insufficient, the total prize ball number counter 2 stores the count result based on the detection output of the prize ball count switch 301A. The system is configured to correct the value of 1 and then pay out the missing prize balls. However, instead of this, an underpaid prize ball number counter for storing the number of prize balls that are underpaid may be provided separately from the total prize ball number counters 1 and 2. For example, if the number of prize balls to be paid out is insufficient, the value of the under-paid prize ball number counter is updated based on the value of the total prize ball number counter 2 and the value of the under-paid prize ball number counter is updated. It is conceivable to pay out prize balls.

[0401] The same applies to the case where the number of balls to be paid out is insufficient. That is, a payout-deficient lending ball number counter for storing the number of lending balls with a shortage of payouts may be provided separately from the ball lending counters 1 and 2. For example, if the number of balls to be paid out is insufficient, the value of the under-payment lending ball number counter is updated based on the value of the ball lending counter 2, and the insufficient lending ball number is counted based on the value of the under-paid lending ball number counter. It is conceivable to pay out balls.

(3) As an example of a payout device that pays out balls (game media), a ball payout device 97 in which a screw 288 provided in the device is configured to feed out balls to the outside will be described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. In other words, a stop member (stopper) for stopping the free fall of the ball from the payout device is provided, and the stop member (stopper) is controlled by the prize ball lending substrate 37, thereby paying out the expected number of balls to be paid out. It may be a dispensing device that can be used.

For example, a sprocket that is rotatable while locking a ball in each of a plurality of locking portions formed on the outer periphery, and a restraining member that is capable of restraining the rotation of the sprocket (driven by excitation / non-excitation of a solenoid) When the sprocket is stopped by the stopping member, one or more balls are released from the locking portion each time the sprocket rotates a predetermined angle due to the weight of the ball, and the ball is free. An example of a payout device in which a ball is paid out by dropping can be given as an example.

[0404] In this case, the payout of the ball is indirectly detected by detecting the engaging portion moving with the rotation of the sprocket by the sensor. More specifically, a hole for detecting the photo sensor is formed in each locking portion, and the hole is detected by the photo sensor. At this time, the splotter may be continuously rotated without stopping the rotation of the splotter until the detection signal is output from the sensor by an amount corresponding to the number of balls to be paid out, or a predetermined number of units (one or two or more).
Every time a detection signal is output from the sensor by a considerable amount, the sprocket is temporarily stopped by the stopping member. For example, after the ball is detected by the prize ball count switch 301A, the sprocket is opened and the payout of the ball is restarted. You may.

(4) Referring to FIG. 41, the timer T18
If the value of the ball lending counter 2 still does not reach the expected number of payouts 25 after the time-out (YES in SQ28),
Since the number of balls to be paid out is insufficient, correction control (SQ29 to SQ31) for paying out the balls is performed. Before that, the buzzer 75 is driven and the buzzer 75 is driven, as shown in FIG. You may be comprised so that it may notify. In this case, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 45, the notification may be continuously performed until the reset switch 379 is turned on, or after the notification is performed for a predetermined period, the control is returned to perform the correction control (SQ29 to SQ).
31) may be configured.

[0406] Such notification control may be performed not only at the time of ball lending but also at the time of paying out award balls shown in FIG. More specifically, if the value of the total winning ball counter 2 does not become 0 even after the timer T14 times out (YES in SK23), the correction control (S23)
Before K24 to SK26), the buzzer 75 is driven to notify that fact.

[0407] Furthermore, the mode of notification may be not only sound notification but also visual notification such as blinking of a lamp. Alternatively, an external device (for example, a hall computer)
May be configured to output information.

(5) The pachinko gaming machine 1 constitutes a gaming machine in which, when a predetermined prize occurs during a game, a game medium usable for the game is paid out from the payout device. The ball payout device 97 constitutes a payout device that pays out game media usable for a game. The game medium is constituted by pachinko balls. The game medium may be constituted by coins (medals).

By the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31,
Game control means for outputting payout number designation information for designating the number of game media to be paid out from the payout device when the prize is generated. The payout number designation information is constituted by the winning ball number command. The payout ball lending board 37 constitutes payout control means for controlling the payout of the number of game media based on the payout number designation information from the payout device.

The RA of the basic circuit 53 on the game control board 31 side
The total prize ball counter configured in M55 (SA14 in FIG. 13)
, Etc.), the first payout number storage means included in the game control means and configured to store the expected payout number of game media based on the winning when the winning occurs.

When the total payout ball counters 1 and 2 included in the RAM 2916 of the winning ball ball lending board 37 are included in the payout control means and the payout number designation information is output from the game control means, Second scheduled payout number storage means for storing the planned payout number of game media based on the payout number designation information is configured.

As shown at SA14, SA16, and SA20 in FIG. 14, the first payout number storage means stores the expected payout number corresponding to each of the plurality of wins when a plurality of wins occur. It is stored as the total number of scheduled payouts. As shown in SI17 in FIG. 29, when a plurality of payout number designation information is output, the second scheduled payout number storage means stores the planned payout number in each of the plurality of payout number designation information. It is stored as the total number of the corresponding scheduled payout numbers.

(6) Game medium detecting means for detecting the game medium paid out from the payout device by the prize ball count switch 301A. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection output of the game medium detecting means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means.

SB2 to SB5, SB8 to SB1 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the game control means subtracts and updates the payout number of the game medium specified by the detection output of the game medium detection means from the first scheduled payout number storage means, thereby updating the number of unpaid game media. Manage.

As shown at SK13 to SK17 in FIG. 31, the payout control means updates the payout number of the game medium specified by the detection output of the game medium detection means from the second scheduled payout number storage means. This manages the number of unpaid game media.

(7) SJ8 to SJ11 or SK6 to SK8, SK10 in FIG. 30 constitute an abnormality determining means for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the payout operation of the game medium by the payout device. . SL6 in FIG.
When the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred in the payout operation by SL7, recovery control means for performing control for recovering the abnormality is configured.

(8) The game control board 31 constitutes a game control board provided with the game control means (basic circuit 53).

(9) The payout motor position sensor 286 constitutes a payout operation amount detecting means for detecting the payout operation amount of the game medium by the payout device. More specifically, the payout motor position sensor 286 detects that the screw 288 of the ball payout device 97 has made a half turn, and thereby indirectly detects that one ball has been paid out.

When the payout operation amount detected by the payout operation amount detection means reaches the operation amount necessary for paying out the expected number of game media by SK3 in FIG. 31, the payout of the game medium is stopped. A payout stop control means is configured.

According to SK19 and SK23 of FIG. 32, after the payout of the game medium is stopped by the payout stop control means,
A judging means for judging whether or not the number of game media detected by the game medium detecting means has reached the expected payout number is constituted.

(10) In the error processing by SA2c and SA9 described above, the cause of the error may be displayed in code on the variable display device 9 or the like. Furthermore, SL
In the warning process of 11 to SL15, the error cause may be displayed as a code on the display 374.

(11) The ball payout device 97 constitutes a game medium payout means for paying out prize game media when a predetermined prize occurs during the game. The ball lending passage 312B constitutes a lending game medium passage through which lending game media lent to the player pass. The prize ball passage 312A constitutes a prize game medium passage through which the prize game medium passes. By the ball distribution member 311, an electric drive source (the distribution solenoid 31) is provided.
0), the passage switching means is configured to switch between the two passages so that the game medium can pass through either the lent game medium passage or the premium game medium passage.

The prize ball lending substrate 37 constitutes a switching control means for controlling the passage switching means. Then, the switching control means performs a delay process (S) from the end of the payout operation by the game medium paying means to the end of the payout game medium passing through the passage switching means.
K12 to SK22, SZ9, SU15, SQ13 to SQ
21, SQ22 to SQ24 in FIG. 54 or SK29,
After performing SQ32, SJ13, SU16), control (SJ3b, SZ11, SU) for switching the passage switching means.
7, SQ26, or SV3, SW3), and when a payout prohibition condition for prohibiting the payout of game media is satisfied while the electric drive source is in a driving state (SC2 to SC).
7, SE1-SE9, SI6-SI17, SN1, SN
In 3, SZ6), the electric drive source is controlled to the non-drive state (SZ11).

[0424] When the electric drive source is in a driving state, the switching control means determines that the game medium to be paid out runs short (SC
If it is determined to be NO in step 2), the electric drive source is controlled to the non-drive state. Further, the switching control means switches the electric drive source when an abnormality occurs in the flow-down state of the game medium to be paid out while the electric drive source is being driven (NO in SC2). Control to non-drive state.

When the shortage of the game media to be paid out is released (SC2, SC8 to SC1)
In 2), the electric drive source is returned to the drive state (SZ
14 to SZ20, SZ18a, SZ28, SU2, and S
U7 or SW2).

[0426] The switching control means determines that the abnormality in the flow-down state of the game medium to be paid out is released (SC2, SC2
8 to SC12), the electric drive source is returned to the driving state (SZ14 to SZ20, SZ18a, SZ28, SZ).
U2 and SU7 or SW2).

The award ball count switch 309A and the ball lending count switch 301B constitute a game medium detecting means for detecting the passage of the game medium on the lower side of the passage switching means. Then, the switching control means determines that after a predetermined number of payout operations by the game medium detection means have been completed and the last one of the predetermined number of payout game media has been detected by the game medium detection means (SK12)
~ SK22, SZ9, SU15, SQ13 ~ SQ21,
SQ22 to SQ24 in FIG. 54) Control for switching the path switching means (SJ3b, SZ11, SU7, SQ)
26, or SV3, SW3).

[0428] The passage switching means enables the game medium to pass through the lent game medium passage when the electric drive source is driven, and the game medium is used for the premium game medium when the electric drive source is not driven. The passage can be passed (see FIG. 4). The game medium payout means, when it is necessary to switch the passage switching means at the time of the payout of the game medium,
The payout operation is started after a lapse of a predetermined period from the switching control by the switching control means (SJ3c, SJ3).
d, SJ7, SZ11a, SZ12, SU8 to SU1
1, SQ26a) means for controlling the game medium payout means by means of the prize ball lending board 37, wherein the rental game medium payout state for paying out the game medium as the rental game medium and the game medium as the premium game medium A payout control means for selectively controlling the prize game medium payout state to be paid out is also configured. The payout control means is configured to be able to execute a prize game medium preferential payout control for interrupting the lent game medium payout state and switching to the prize game medium payout state when the prize occurs during the lent game medium payout state. (SJ3, SJ
U15, SU13a, SQ23a, SQ28b, or SJ13, SU15, SU12, SQ24).

[0429] The payout control means is a lending game medium (25 lending balls) equivalent to a predetermined unit price (100 yen).
Lending operation (SU11 to SU14, SQ1
To SQ5) are repeated to control the payout of a predetermined amount of rented game media.
After the unit lending operation is completed (SQ24, SJ13), the premium game medium priority payout control is executed.

[0430] The payout control means controls to pay out a predetermined amount of rented game media by repeating a one-unit rent-out operation of paying out rented game media corresponding to a predetermined unit amount. , The one-unit lending operation is interrupted and the prize game medium priority payout control is executed (SU13a, SQ23a, SQ28).
a, SJ3).

The above SA2a, SA2b, SK27, SQ
13a constitutes a switching abnormality judging means for judging an abnormality in the switching state of the passage switching means. The ball lending count switch 31B constitutes a lending game medium detecting means for detecting a lending game medium passing through the lending game medium passage. The prize ball count switch 3
01A constitutes a prize game medium detecting means for detecting a prize game medium passing through the prize game medium passage. Then, the switching abnormality determining means determines whether there is a detection output of the lending game medium detecting means when the premium game medium is to be paid out (if YES is determined in SK27), or the lending game medium. If there is a detection output of the prize game medium detecting means in a state where payout is to be paid out (if YES is determined in SA2a and NO is determined in SA2b, and if YES is determined in SQ13a), abnormality determination is performed. I do.

The prize ball side switching state detector 300A,
A means for detecting the switching state of the passage switching means by a ball lending side switching state detector 300B, wherein the lending game medium side switching state in which the game medium passes through the lending game medium path and the game medium are Switching state detecting means is configured to detect a prize game medium side switching state passing through the prize game medium passage. Then, the switching abnormality determination means is configured to determine whether the switching state detecting means does not detect the prize game medium side switching state when the prize game medium is to be paid out (SJ13, SV5, SV).
7) Or, when the switching state detecting means does not detect the switching state on the rental game medium side when the rental game medium is to be paid out (SU16, SU18, SU1).
9, SW5, SW7), an abnormality is determined.

The payout control means performs control for continuously paying out prize game media corresponding to the plurality of prizes without dividing the prize game media for each prize when the prize is generated plural times continuously (SI17, SJ2, SJ9). , SJ10, SK1 to SK
3).

[0434] By the SI2a, a lending command signal for receiving the recording medium (prepaid card) and paying out the lending game medium using the value specified by the recording information of the recording medium is output (SX20). Communication means for exchanging signals with the recording medium processing device (card unit 50) is configured. And this communication means,
After receiving the lending command signal (after a determination of YES is made in SZ18), a lending completion signal is returned to the recording medium processing device along with the end of the lending game medium payout operation in accordance with the lending command signal. (SZ26), the lending completion signal reception permitted period (T3 of SX29) in which the recording medium reception processing device permits reception due to a delay in the payout of the rental game medium accompanying the execution of the premium game medium preferential payout control. Only when the lending completion signal cannot be returned within () (only when YES is determined in SZ22), a temporary lending completion signal is returned before the lending completion signal acceptance allowable period elapses (SZ23).

[0435] When the communication means returns the temporary lending temporary signal, the payout control means can control the lending game medium payout state and then supply the insufficient lending game medium. The medium compensation payout control (SZ24) is performed.

In the sixth embodiment, the complete prize-ball priority control shown in the first embodiment may be employed. That is, when a prize is generated during the one-unit lending operation, the currently-executing one-unit lending operation may be interrupted to shift to prize ball payout control.

[0437] In the state where there is no ball inside, the ball payout device 9
7 also turns off the sorting solenoid 310 during idle cut.
It may be F.

The ball payout device 97 constitutes game medium payout means for paying out game media. The ball lending passage 312B constitutes a lending game medium passage through which lending game media lent to the player pass. The prize ball path 312A constitutes a prize game medium path through which the prize game medium paid out by winning is passed. The two paths are switched by being driven by an electric drive source (distribution solenoid 310) by the ball distribution member 311.
Passage switching means is provided for setting a state in which game media can pass through either the lent game media passage or the premium game media passage.

The prize ball count switch 301A constitutes a prize game medium detecting means for detecting the prize game medium flowing down the prize game medium passage. The prize ball lending substrate 37 constitutes switching control means for controlling the passage switching means. Then, the switching control means terminates a predetermined number of payout operations by the game medium payout means (SK2 when SK2 determines YES).
(3) the payout motor is turned off), and delay processing (S) for delaying the switching control so that the last game medium paid out by the payout operation can be detected by the premium game medium detection means.
K2 to SK5, SK19 to SK22, SU15 (that is, even if the payout motor is turned off at SK3, Y
Until the ES determination is made and the winning ball flag is reset in SK21, the path is not switched by the determination of SU15), or SK29 and SJ13 (that is,
If timer T25 has not timed out, YES in SJ13
Is not determined, the path is not switched)), and the path switching means is controlled to be switched (SU7, SW
3). In addition, the switching control means determines that a payout prohibition condition for prohibiting the payout of game media is satisfied while the electric drive source is in a driving state (SC2 to SC7 or SC13 to SC1).
6, SE1 to SE9, SI6 to SI17, SN1, SN
3, SZ6 or SQ8, SM2, SM5) also has a function of controlling the electric drive source to a non-drive state (SZ11, SM6).

[0440] When the game medium to be paid out during the driving state of the electric drive source runs short (when a determination of NO is made in SC2), the switching control means switches the electric drive source. Control to non-drive state. In addition, the switching control unit is configured to, when the payout abnormality of the game medium payout unit to be paid out while the electric drive source is in the drive state occurs (S
The electric drive source is controlled to the non-drive state (when the determination of YES is made in Q8).

The upper plate 3 and the lower plate 4 constitute a game medium storing section capable of storing the game medium discharged from the game medium discharging means. The switching control unit disconnects the electric drive source when the game medium storage unit is full during the drive state of the electric drive source (when a determination of YES is made by SC13). Control to drive state (SC16, SC6, SC7, SN1, SN3, SZ
6, SZ7, SQ26).

The switching control means returns the electric drive source to the drive state when the game medium storage section is released from the full state (when the determination of NO is made by SC17). (SC11, SC12, SN
6, SN10, SZ6, SZ6, SZ18, SZ28,
SU2, SU7).

When the shortage of the game media to be paid out is released (SC2, SC8 to SC
12) Return the electric drive source to the drive state (SZ
14 to SZ20, SZ18a, SZ28, SU2, and S
U7 or SW2).

The award ball count switch 301A and the ball lending count switch 301B constitute a game medium detecting means for detecting the passage of a game medium on the lower side of the passage switching means. Then, the switching control means detects that a predetermined number of payout operations as a prize game medium by the game medium payout means have ended and the last game medium paid out by the payout operation has been detected by the prize game medium detection means. After (SK2 to SK5, SK19 to SK22,
SU15) Control for switching the passage switching means is performed (SU7).

[0445] The passage switching means enables the game medium to pass through the lending game medium passage when the electric drive source is driven, and the game medium is used for the premium game medium when the electric drive source is not driven. The passage can be passed (see FIG. 4).

[0446] When it is necessary to switch the passage switching means when paying out the game medium, the game medium payout means starts the payout operation after a lapse of a predetermined period after the switching control by the switching control means is performed ( SJ3c, SJ
3d, SJ7, SU8 to SU11, SJ13 to SJ15
And SV1 to SV3, SU16, SU17, SW1 to SW
4).

[0447]

Specific Example of Means for Solving the Problems The ball payout device 97 constitutes a game medium payout means for paying out prize game media when a predetermined prize occurs during a game. The ball lending passage 312B constitutes a lending game medium passage through which lending game media lent to the player pass. The prize ball passage 312A constitutes a prize game medium passage through which the prize game medium passes. The prize ball counting switch 301A constitutes a prize game medium detecting means for detecting a prize game medium passing through the prize game medium passage. The ball distribution member 311 is driven by the electric drive source (distribution solenoid 310) to switch between the two paths, so that the game medium can pass through either the lent game medium path or the premium game medium path. Passage switching means for setting the state to the appropriate state is provided. The prize ball lending substrate 37 constitutes switching control means for controlling the passage switching means. A means for controlling the game medium payout means by means of the prize ball lending board 37, wherein the rental game medium payout state for paying out the game medium as a rental game medium to be lent to the player and the game medium payout as the premium game medium. A payout control means for selectively controlling the prize game medium payout state to be provided is also used.

[0448] The payout control means switches the prize game medium payout state from the prize game medium payout state to the prize game medium payout state when a prize game medium payout request is made due to a prize during the lending game medium payout. (SJ2, SQ4a, SQ4b or SJ2, SQ4, SQ5).

[0449] If the game medium to be dispensed during the driving state of the electric drive source runs short (if NO is determined in SC2), the switching control means switches the electric drive source. Control to non-drive state.

[0450] The switching control means, if an abnormality occurs in the flowing state of the game medium to be dispensed while the electric drive source is in the drive state (when NO is determined in SC22), The electric drive source is controlled to a non-drive state.

When the shortage of the game media to be paid out is released, the switching control means (SC2, SC8 to SC
12) Return the electric drive source to the drive state (SZ
14 to SZ20, SZ18a, SZ28, SU2, and S
U7 or SW2).

When the abnormality of the flowing state of the game medium to be paid out is released, the switching control means (SC2, S2
C8 to SC12) Return the electric driving source to the driving state (SZ14 to SZ20, SZ18a, SZ28, SZ
U2 and SU7 or SW2).

The payout control means performs a one-unit lending operation (SX31, SX15, SQ4-S) for paying out a predetermined unit (equivalent to 100 yen) of lending game media (25 lending balls).
Q5, SQ22 to SQ26d) are repeated to complete the control for paying out a predetermined amount of rented game media, and the 1 unit lending operation is performed when a prize game medium payout request occurs due to the prize during the loaned game medium payout. After the completion, before the start of the next one-unit lending operation, the prize game medium preferential payout control can be executed.

The payout control means controls to pay out a predetermined amount of game media by repeating a unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit (equivalent to 100 yen) of loaned game media (25 lending balls). Is completed, and when a payout of premium game media is generated due to the prize during the one-unit lending operation, the one-unit lending operation is interrupted to execute the premium game medium preferential payout control ( SU13a, SQ2
3a, SQ28a, SJ3).

[0455] The passage switching means is in a state where the electric drive source is in a driving state and the game medium can pass through the lent game medium passage, and the electric drive source is in a non-drive state and the game medium is the premium game medium. (See FIG. 4).

[0456] When it is necessary to switch the passage switching means at the time of paying out the game medium, the game medium payout means starts the payout operation after a lapse of a predetermined period after the switching control by the switching control means is performed ( SJ3c, SJ
3d, SJ7, SZ11a, SZ12, SU8 to SU1
1, SQ26a).

[0457] The recording medium (prepaid card) is received by the SI2a, and a lending command signal for causing the lending game medium to be paid out using the value specified by the recording information of the recording medium is output (SX20). Communication means for exchanging signals with the medium processing device (card unit 50) is provided. This communication means, after receiving the lending command signal (after a determination of YES is made in SZ18), records the lending completion signal in accordance with the termination of the lending game medium payout operation in accordance with the lending command signal. A return to the medium processing device (SZ26), and the recording medium reception processing device accepts the loan completion signal reception permission due to the delay of the payout of the rental game medium accompanying the execution of the premium game medium priority payment control. Only when the lending completion signal cannot be returned within the period (T3 of SX29) (only when YES is determined in SZ22), a temporary lending completion signal is returned before the lending completion signal acceptance allowable period elapses. (SZ23).

[0458] When the communication means returns the provisional lending completion signal, the payout control means controls the lending game medium to be in the lending game medium dispensing state and then supplies the insufficient lending game medium. Perform medium replenishment payout control (SU
6).

[0459]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the number of game media paid out as prize game media can be managed, and when a request for paying out prize game media due to a prize during the lending game medium payout state occurs, the prize game Since the prize game medium priority payout control for switching to the medium payout state can be performed, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the prize game medium is not readily paid out even if a prize is won.

[0460] According to claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when the prize game medium payout control is executed, the one-unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit of lending game medium is completed. Before the next one-unit lending operation, the prize game medium priority payout control for switching to the prize gaming medium payout state is executed, so that the control has progressed to one end of the control of terminating the one-unit lending operation. Since the state is switched to the prize game medium payout state at a stage, the control can be easily performed.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when performing the premium game medium preferential payout control, when a payout of the premium game medium occurs due to a prize during the one-unit lending operation, the first is Since the premium game medium preferential payout control for interrupting the unit lending operation and switching to the premium game medium payout state is executed, the premium game medium preferential payout control is immediately executed without waiting for the end of the one unit lending operation. Thus, the period from winning to the payout of premium game media can be further reduced.

With respect to claim 4, claims 1 to 3
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, the electric drive source of the passage switching means is in a driving state, the game medium can be rented and the game medium can pass through, the electric drive source is not driven, and the game medium is a prize game medium passage. , The electric drive source is in a non-driven state when paying out the prize game media that is performed more frequently than paying out the rental game media, and the frequent use of the prize game media is performed. It is not necessary to bring the electric drive source into the driving state each time the player pays out, and the life of the electric drive source can be extended as much as possible.

With respect to claim 5, claims 1 to 4
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, in the case where it is necessary to switch the passage switching means at the time of paying out the game medium, the payout operation is started after a lapse of a predetermined period after the switching control by the switching control means is performed, Although the switching state of the passage switching means is still incomplete, the game medium is dispensed from the game medium dispensing means, and the game medium passes through a game medium path different from the game medium path that should originally pass. Can be prevented as much as possible.

Regarding claim 6, claims 1 to 5
In addition to the effects related to any of the above, the lending completion signal cannot be returned within the lending completion signal reception allowable period of the recording medium reception processing device due to a delay in the payout of the lending game medium due to the execution of the premium game medium priority payment control. Only in the case, since the provisional lending completion signal is returned before the lending completion signal reception permission period elapses, the recording medium processing device side due to the lending completion signal not being returned within the lending completion signal reception permission period Abnormal processing can be avoided. In addition, it is possible to prevent waste of returning a temporary lending completion signal even though a normal lending completion signal can be returned within the lending completion signal reception allowable period.

According to claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 6, when the communication means returns a temporary lending completion signal, the shortage of the lending game becomes possible after the control of the lending game medium dispensing state becomes possible. To prevent inconvenience that the communication means returns a provisional lending completion signal, but the lending game medium corresponding to the lending completion signal is not paid out, since the lending game medium compensation payout control for paying out the medium is performed. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit as an example of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is an overall rear view showing a mechanism plate of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a ball payout mechanism used in a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ball payout device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of data of award ball commands output from the basic circuit.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which a winning ball ball rental board receives a winning ball command.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a main process and an interrupt process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a start winning opening check process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a special winning opening check process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a winning ball signal process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending possibility determination process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a firing possibility determination process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a winning ball possible determination process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an error display process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating card processing control.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining card processing control.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a self-diagnosis process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a fraction display process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining prize ball lending control and 500bS timer interruption.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for describing award ball data reading processing.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating payout motor control.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating payout motor control.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating payout motor control.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an error process.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a branching process.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a warning process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a payout control designation process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a card unit communication process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a card unit communication process.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending control process.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending control process.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending control process.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending branching process.

FIG. 43 is a timing chart showing a typical control operation for prize ball lending.

FIG. 44 is a timing chart showing a typical control operation for award balls and ball lending.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a part of the payout motor control process is modified.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating a ball payout mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating a sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine, 31 is a game control board, 37 is a prize ball lending board, 53 is a basic circuit, 97 is a ball payout device as an example of a game medium payout means, 286 is a payout motor position sensor, 289 is a payout motor, 301a is a prize ball count switch as an example of a prize game medium detecting means, 301
b is a ball lending count switch as an example of a lending game medium detection means, 310 is a distribution solenoid as an example of an electric drive source, 311 is a ball distribution member as an example of a path switching means, 39
11A is a prize ball passage as an example of a prize game medium passage, 3911
B is a ball lending path as an example of a lending game medium path, 50 is a card unit (card processing machine) as an example of a recording medium processing device, 300A is a prize ball side switching detector as an example of switching state detecting means, 300B. Is a ball lending-side switching detector as an example of a switching state detecting means.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game machine provided with game medium payout means for paying out game media, wherein a rental game medium passage through which a rental game medium lent to a player passes, and a prize game paid out by a prize A prize game medium passage through which a medium passes; a prize game medium detection means for detecting the prize game medium flowing down the prize game medium passage; and a game medium driven by an electric drive source to switch between the two paths. Means for switching either the rented game medium passage or the prize game medium passage, and means for controlling the game medium payout means, wherein the game medium is lent to the player. A payout control means for selectively controlling a rental game medium payout state to be paid out as a medium and a prize game medium payout state to pay out the game medium as the prize game medium, the payout control means Is configured to be able to execute a prize game medium preferential payout control for switching from the lent game medium payout state to the prize game medium payout state when a prize game medium payout request is generated by winning during the lent game medium payout state. A gaming machine, characterized in that: 2. The payout control means completes a control of paying out a predetermined amount of a lending game medium by repeating a one-unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit of a lending game medium,
When the payout of the prize game medium occurs due to the prize during the lending game medium payout state, the prize game medium preferential payout control can be executed after the 1 unit lending operation is completed and before the next 1 unit lending operation is started. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured as follows. 3. The payout control means completes a control of paying out a predetermined amount of a lending game medium by repeating a 1-unit lending operation of paying out a predetermined unit of a lending game medium,
When a request for paying out prize game media due to a prize is generated during the 1 unit lending operation, the 1 unit lending operation is interrupted and the prize game medium preferential payout control can be executed. The gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The passage switching means, wherein when the electric drive source is driven, a game medium can pass through the lent game medium passage, and when the electric drive source is not driven, the game medium is the premium. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine can pass through a game medium passage. 5. A switching control means for controlling the passage switching means, wherein the game medium dispensing means switches by the switching control means when it is necessary to switch the passage switching means when dispensing game media. The payout operation is started after a predetermined period has elapsed since the control was performed.
The gaming machine according to claim 4. 6. Signal communication to a recording medium processing device which receives a recording medium and outputs a lending command signal for paying out the lending game medium using a value specified by recording information of the recording medium. The communication means further includes a communication completion unit that, after receiving the lending command signal, terminates a lending game medium payout operation in accordance with the lending command signal and sends a lending completion signal to the recording medium processing device. A loan completion signal that the recording medium reception processing device accepts due to a delay in payout of the rental game medium accompanying the execution of the premium game medium priority payout control, a loan completion signal within a reception allowance period. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a temporary lending completion signal is returned before the lending completion signal acceptance allowable period elapses only when the lending cannot be returned. Machine. 7. When the communication means returns the temporary lending completion signal, the payout control means pays out the insufficient lending game media after the lending game medium can be controlled to the lending game medium payout state. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein a lending game medium supplementary payout control is performed.