JP2001293149A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute a sensor monitoring process by a game controller (microcomputer) without omission. SOLUTION: This game machine is equipped with a game controller 17 with backup function which executes a power stop process (forced interruption process) and a function stop and stores information, etc., for restarting a game before power down upon power failure and restarts a game, etc., from a condition of power failure generation at restoration from power failure. A microcomputer 110 periodically executes a sensor monitoring process (step S12) by timer interruption in normal time and unscheduledly executes the sensor monitoring process (steps S24A-S24C) during power failure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controlled device (e.g., a prize winning device, The present invention relates to a game machine (for example, a pachinko machine) having a control device (for example, a game control device, a discharge control device) for controlling the operation of a display device, a discharge unit, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball gaming machine, and a sparrow ball gaming machine, a microcomputer which operates upon receiving power supply and performs a control operation for a game in accordance with execution of a program. A plurality of control devices (for example, a game control device and a discharge control device) including processing means such as a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) are provided, and are configured to control the progress of the game state and the like according to a predetermined progress order. There are things. In such a gaming machine, the control device periodically monitors a detection signal of a sensor (for example, a prize ball detection unit or a prize ball detection unit) provided in the machine, and controls the controlled device provided in the machine. (E.g., a prize device, a display device, a discharge unit, etc.) by controlling the operation of the game or a game value medium related to the game (e.g.,
The game is advanced by managing and controlling operations such as payout of prize balls). For example, in a general pachinko machine, a game control device periodically monitors a detection signal of a prize sensor for detecting a prize ball, and when the detection signal of the prize sensor is confirmed, data of a so-called prize memory is accordingly. The control information is transmitted to a discharge control device (which controls the drive of the discharge unit), which is a lower-order control device, based on the data of the prize memory, and a predetermined amount of prize balls according to the type of the prize. The discharge is executed. Further, for example, in a pachinko machine, a sensor (prize ball detection means or ball rental detection means) for detecting a game ball discharged as a prize ball or a rental ball is provided, and a detection signal of this sensor is sent to a game control device or a discharge control. The device periodically monitors and monitors the normality of prize ball discharge, and transmits data such as the amount of prize ball discharge to an external management device.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned gaming machine, conventionally, the detection signal of the sensor provided in the machine is simply monitored periodically. For this reason, it cannot be said that there is no risk of leakage occurring in monitoring the state of the sensor (monitoring the detection state). In particular, as will be described later, in a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) provided with a control device with a backup function proposed in recent years, periodic sensor monitoring processing is not performed when a power failure is detected. There is a risk that the monitoring process of the sensor may be leaked without reading the prize just before the time point or the prize just before the detection of the power failure (for example, discharge of the game ball as the prize ball). That is, a gaming machine provided with a control device having a backup function is provided with a backup power supply to supply information for resuming a gaming state or information on undischarged game values (game control information) when power is cut off (at power failure). If the power cut-off time is within the warranty period of the backup power supply, when the power is turned on again (including when the power is restored), the game is started from the state at the time of the power cut-off based on the stored information. It is possible to perform operations such as restarting or discharging undischarged game values, but for that purpose, before power-down at power-off (precisely before stopping hardware-based microcomputers etc. by reset signal) In addition, the above information is securely stored in a backed-up memory, all outputs are turned off, access to the memory is prohibited, and the microcomputer of the control device is softened. It is necessary to execute power outage process, including a process to stall. Therefore, in such a game machine control device, the start of power interruption (including power failure) is detected from a relatively small drop in power supply voltage by, for example, a separate detection means, and this detection output (power failure detection information) is forcibly applied. Input to the processing means such as a microcomputer as an important interrupt signal, forcibly executing the above-mentioned power failure process by canceling all other interrupts and processes being executed, and thereafter, waiting for a reset (software function suspended state). ) Is maintained until the processing means stops functioning (hardware function stop) due to the input of the reset signal.

For this reason, in a pachinko machine equipped with, for example, a prize ball detecting means and a control device with a backup function (for example, a game control device and a discharge control device) for monitoring the detection output of the prize ball detecting device, If a power failure occurs during discharge, the discharge control device stops driving the discharge unit by the power failure process (output off) at the time of the power failure detection, but at the same time, both the discharge control device and the game control device execute the power failure process. Therefore, the regular monitoring process of the detection signal of the prize ball detecting means is stopped. Therefore, in this case, the game balls (prize balls) that are discharged just before the drive of the discharge unit is stopped by the power failure processing and have not reached the detection position of the prize ball detection means at the time of the start of the power failure processing are replaced by the prize ball detection means. The detection signal is omitted from the regular monitoring process.
If such a prize ball is missed, information about the number of undischarged prize balls will erroneously remain, and the prize ball will be excessively discharged after the restoration from the power failure. There is actual harm that causes damage to the store. In addition, if there is only one gaming machine, there are few, if any, prize balls that are not detected as described above, but usually a large number of gaming machines are installed in a game arcade, and in the case of a power outage, these are simultaneously played. Since the power is cut off, a considerable loss can be caused in the entire game store.

Further, for example, a pachinko machine (without a safe unit) provided with a prize detecting means for each winning opening, and provided with a control device (game control device) having a backup function for monitoring the detection output of the prize detecting means. )), If a power failure occurs during a game (while the game ball is being fired), for example, the reset signal after the detection of the power failure causes the firing control device to stop functioning and stop driving the firing unit. The game control device stops the regular monitoring processing of the detection signal of the winning detection means for executing the power failure processing.
Therefore, in this case, a game ball that is fired immediately before the drive unit of the firing unit is stopped due to a power failure and that is falling in the game area of the game board (not reaching the winning opening) at the time of detecting the power failure (winning ball subsequently winning the winning opening) is: The detection signal leaks from the regular monitoring processing of the detection signal of the winning detection means. If such a winning ball is missed, the winning ball is not discharged even after the power failure is restored even though the winning has actually occurred. There is real harm that causes mistrust and trouble between the player and the game store. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which monitoring failure of a detection signal of a sensor in the machine is hard to occur.
In a gaming machine that performs the above-described power failure processing, when a power failure occurs, the sensor detection is performed until the power supply voltage is as low as possible (i.e., as soon as possible, for example, just before the function stops due to a reset signal). It is intended that signal monitoring be performed.

Conventionally, when a power failure or the like occurs during a game and power supply to the gaming machine is cut off, conventionally, information on the gaming state of the gaming machine and information about the gaming state of the gaming machine, Information on a value (for example, a game ball as a prize ball) (for example, prize ball number information such as so-called prize ball data) and the like disappear. For this reason, even if the power supply is restarted (that is, the power is turned on again), the game cannot be restarted from the game state that was being executed when the power was turned off (including when a power failure occurred), and the power failure occurred. Inconvenience arises, such as inability to compensate the player due to the above. In other words, before power off,
Even if the player was in an advantageous state, such as a so-called jackpot, it might be interrupted by a power failure or the like, and the game could resume from a non-jackpot state after the power was turned on again. Will suffer irreparable disadvantage. In addition, since the undischarged game value information (for example, information on the number of award balls) disappears, the discharge of the corresponding game value is not executed after the power is turned on again.
In this regard, the player may be disadvantaged. further,
Conventional pachinko machines have a safe unit that collects all winning balls in one place and detects them one by one, and keeps the winning balls until the payout of ball is completed. However, by checking the winning balls held in the safe unit, the number of undischarged winning balls could be determined to some extent (however, it is impossible to accurately determine the type of winning). However, in recent years, in order to speed up the discharge of prize balls,
Without such a safe unit, a prize is detected for each winning opening, and the game value information (information on the number of undischarged prize balls) for the prize is sequentially added and stored. A gaming machine has been proposed that immediately discharges to the outside of the machine without holding it.In such a gaming machine, the disappearance of the game value information means that the number of unreleased prize balls is objectively confirmed later. This means that there is no way to do this, causing trouble between the player and the game store. Therefore, the applicant has set a storage means (for example, a memory which is provided with a backup power supply even in the event of a power failure) for storing and holding the game control information at the time when the power supply is cut off, for example, in the game control mode. Since a game machine provided to a device or the like and storing and holding the game control information in the storage and holding means for a predetermined warranty period (that is, a game machine having a control device with a backup function) is proposed. is there.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control device that controls an operation of a controlled device in the machine while monitoring a detection signal of a sensor provided in the machine, wherein the control device outputs the detection signal of the sensor. It is characterized by comprising processing means for executing sensor monitoring processing for reading and monitoring regularly and irregularly. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor monitoring process may be performed irregularly by a forced interrupt, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, for example,
As described, comprises a power failure detection means to detect the start of the power failure and activate the power failure detection information, the processing means,
When the power failure detection information becomes active, a power failure process including the sensor monitoring process may be executed as a forced interrupt process, whereby the sensor monitoring process may be executed irregularly by a forced interrupt. Here, "power failure detection information"
May be, for example, a binary signal (a signal externally output to the control device) in which one value is defined as active and the other value is defined as inactive,
Binary data (data in the control device) such as a flag in which one value is defined as active and the other value is defined as inactive may be used. Further, the “power failure detection means” may be configured by a circuit provided outside the control device, may be configured by an individual circuit in the control device,
It can also be realized as a function of processing means (microcomputer or the like) constituting the control device. Further, the "power failure detection means" is not necessarily limited to a means for detecting only a power failure, but may be a means for detecting a power failure due to a power failure and a power failure due to a normal power-off operation without distinguishing.

In a preferred embodiment, for example,
As described, the processing unit determines the output value of the sensor at predetermined intervals in order to deterministically read the detection signal of the sensor. The output level may be read as a definite value of the detection signal of the sensor. As a preferred embodiment, for example, the sensor monitoring process which is performed at least irregularly is executed only for a specific sensor related to a game value paid out to a player among the plurality of sensors. Configuration may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the control device is a control device with a backup function capable of storing and holding game control information including at least information related to a detection signal of the sensor even when power is turned off. There may be. Here, the “information related to the detection signal of the sensor” includes, for example, the following information. That is,
Undischarged game value information when the sensor is related to the game value paid out to the player (for example, a winning ball detection means or a prize ball detection means in a pachinko machine) (for example, an undischarged game value in a pachinko machine) Prize ball number information).

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The pachinko machine according to the present embodiment is particularly characterized by a control configuration related to a detection signal monitoring process of sensors, and the front configuration including the game board of the pachinko machine is not particularly limited. Therefore, illustration and description of the front configuration are omitted.

A. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire back side configuration of a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a game machine (pachinko machine) is indicated by a reference numeral 1. The game machine 1 has a card-type ball lending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a ball lending machine or a card unit) 2 as a game ball lending device. Is attached. The pachinko machine in which the ball rental machine 2 is provided in addition to the gaming machine 1 is called a so-called CR machine (card reading machine). The gaming machine 1 has a frame-shaped front frame (not shown) provided on the front side, and a game board (not shown) which is detachably attached to the front frame and has a game area formed on the front side. And a glass frame (not shown) made of resin for supporting glass disposed on the front side of the game board. Here, the front frame is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the wooden machine frame 5 on which the pachinko machine 1 is installed, and the glass frame is supported to be able to be opened and closed by the front frame.
The game board is an area for judging out or safe while dropping a fired game ball from above, and when a ball enters the winning opening and becomes safe, a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged. Becomes

[0012] In this case, the game balls (ie, the winning balls) entering the respective winning ports are placed inside the respective winning ports provided on the game board (or in the game ball channel dedicated to each winning port). A detection unit for each of the sensors (described later with reference to FIG. 2) is provided. Also, if the game area on the game board is a game that uses pachinko balls to play a game, for example, the game area belongs to the so-called “first type”, or the “second type” or “third type”.
It may belong to the "species" or other models, and may have any configuration. However, in the present embodiment, an example of the configuration of a control system to be described later and the like are described as belonging to the “first type”. The main configuration (not shown) of the game board surface of the “first type” pachinko machine is, for example, as follows. That is, on a game board of this kind of pachinko machine, a display device (a so-called special map display device) for variably displaying identification information (so-called special map) for each of a plurality of variable display areas, and an opening / closing door. A special variable winning device having a special winning opening, a normal variable winning device having a pair of left and right opening / closing members and functioning as a special figure starting port (a winning condition which is a starting condition of the variable display of the special figure), and a normal design (So-called common figure)
, A through-chucker-type tsurigaku opening (a winning prize opening that becomes the starting condition for the variegated display of tsuzu),
A plurality of general winning openings are provided.

The main components of the back mechanism in the gaming machine 1 include a storage tank (upper tank) 11, a guide path 12, an external output terminal board 13 for a frame, an odd sensor unit 14, a discharge unit 15, and a discharge control device 16 ( Control device with backup function), game control device 17 (control device with backup function), launch control device 18 (control device without backup function), launch unit 19, display control device 20 (control device without backup function), decoration control device 21 (control device without backup function), sound control device 22 (control device without backup function), card unit connection board 23, power supply device 24, and external output terminal board 25 for a game board. There is no component corresponding to the conventional safe unit.

The storage tank 11 stores balls before being discharged beforehand. The shortage of the number of balls in the storage tank 11 is detected by a replenishment sensor (not shown). The ball is replenished. The ball in the storage tank 11 is guided by the guide path 12 and discharged by the discharge unit 15. It is determined whether or not there is a ball for prize ball discharge or ball lending discharge in the taxiway 12 by an odd sensor unit 14.
Is detected by a semicircular ball detection switch 14a (shown in FIG. 2). The frame external output terminal board 13 and the game board external output terminal board 25 are for relaying a signal with a management device (not shown) of the game store for transmitting and receiving signals, and are provided with connectors and the like for the relay. ing. Here, signals exchanged with the management device via the frame external output terminal board 13 include signals necessary for a so-called frame-side control device (for example, an emission control device 16 or a firing control device 18) or the like. It is a signal generated by the control device on the frame side, for example,
A firing stop signal (input signal) to the firing control device 18,
An out-of-ball signal (output signal) indicating a shortage of stored balls in the storage tank 11, a ball lending signal (output signal) indicating the number of rented game balls, and a prize ball number signal (output) indicating the number of paid prize balls Signal). On the other hand, a game board external output terminal board 25
The signals exchanged with the management device via the game control device 17 are basically signals generated by the game control device 17 and output from the gaming machine 1. The output signal includes, for example, a symbol determination frequency signal indicating the number of times the special figure has changed, a jackpot signal indicating a state of a big hit, and the like.

The discharge control device 16 controls the discharge of the ball (here, both the discharge of the prize ball and the discharge of the lending ball). A circuit board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. It is configured. This discharge control device 16
Is a predetermined number of game balls (ie, prize balls) based on game value discharge control information (payout command including at least prize ball number information) transmitted from the game control device 17 as shown in FIG.
Is discharged (details will be described later). The game control device 17 electrically controls various switches, solenoids, lamps, and other electric components (electrical accessories) provided on the game board, and sends control information to other control devices.
It is a system that manages and controls the progress of the game in general, and has a configuration in which a circuit board on which a circuit including a microcomputer for performing these controls is formed is housed in a predetermined case. The game control device 17 is a control device that performs overall control of the game, and plays an important role in, for example, prize ball discharge control (details will be described later).

The launch control device 18 performs control necessary for launching a ball, and is constituted by housing a circuit board for realizing this control function in a predetermined case. The firing unit 19 is a mechanism for firing a ball in accordance with the operation of a firing operation knob (not shown) provided on the lower front surface of the gaming machine 1 while being controlled by the firing control device 18. The display control device 20 controls the above-described display device based on a display command (display control information) transmitted from the game control device 17, and a circuit board for realizing this control function is housed in a predetermined case. It is configured. The display control device 20 supplies power to the above-described display device. The decoration control device 21 is based on the lamp command (decoration control information) transmitted from the game control device 17,
A drive control of a decorative lamp or the like provided on the front side of the gaming machine 1 is performed. In this case, a circuit board for realizing this control function is housed in a case arranged on the left side of the back side of the display control device 20. It is configured. The sound control device 22 includes:
Based on a voice command (sound control information) transmitted from the game control device 17, control for appropriately outputting various sound effects according to a game state from a speaker (not shown) disposed on the front face of the gaming machine 1 or the like. In this case, a circuit board that realizes this control function is housed in a case disposed on the right side of the back surface of the display control device 20. Also,
The card unit connection board 23 includes the gaming machine 1 side and the ball rental machine 2
This is a board for wiring connection with the side.

B. Power supply system AC24V is externally supplied to the gaming machine 1, and the external power supply AC24V is supplied to the power supply device 2.
4 (shown in FIG. 2). Power supply 24
Converts AC 24V to DC, generates various DC voltages, and supplies them to each control device. Specifically, DC 32 V for solenoid driving, DC 12 V for lamp driving, sensor driving, and backlight driving are generated as driving power sources, and DC 5 V is used as a control device power source for operating each control device. Generate. And DC32V
And DC5V to the launch control device 18, DC32V, DC
12V and 5V DC (including backup power supply) are supplied to the discharge control device 16 for 32V DC, 12V DC and 5V DC.
(Including backup power supply) to the game control device 17
12 V and DC 5 V are supplied to the sound control device 22, DC 32 V,
DC12V and DC5V are applied to the decoration control device 21 and DC1
2 V and 5 V DC are supplied to the display control device 20.

The power supply 24 is a DC3 (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the 2V generation circuit and the DC12V generation circuit, a DC5V generation circuit 32, a DC5VBB generation circuit 33, and a power failure detection circuit
a). The above-described AC 24 V is supplied to the DC 32 V generation circuit, and the DC 32 V generation circuit converts the AC 24 V into DC 32 V. DC12
The V generating circuit is supplied with the DC 32 V,
The C12V generation circuit converts this DC32V to DC12V. The DC5V generation circuit 32 is supplied with the DC32V, and the DC5V generation circuit 32 converts the DC32V into DC5V. Note that a DC12V generation circuit or DC
The power converted by the 5V generation circuit 32 is supplied as a power supply necessary for the operation of each element such as the microcomputers 110 and 210 described later.

Next, the DC5VBB generation circuit 33 is a circuit for supplying a backup power at the time of a power failure to a later-described RAM 113 of the game control device 17 and a later-described RAM 213 of the discharge control device 16, and in this case, as shown in FIG. , A back-flow preventing diode 33a and a capacitor (supercapacitor) 33b. That is, RAM
113 and 213 are connected via a diode 33a functioning as irreversible means, and are connected to wires 36a, 36b and 37.
a, 37b through the DC5V generation circuit 32
V is supplied. Then, the DC 5 V from the DC 5 V generation circuit 32 is supplied to the capacitor 33 b and the diode 33 a.
Is supplied via the Internet. The capacitor 33b is connected to the wirings 36a and 36b or the wirings 37a and 37b.
b, it is connected to the RAMs 113 and 213. A male / female type connector (not shown) is provided in the middle of the wirings 36a and 36b and the wirings 37a and 37b.
4 and the game control device 17 or the discharge control device 16 can be separated.

Here, the capacitor 33b constitutes a backup power supply, and is charged through the diode 33a in a normal state (at the time of power supply), and is used to back up the RAM 113 or 213 when the power supply is cut off (including a power failure). Is output (discharged) for a predetermined warranty period. Also,
The diode 33a receives the output of the DC 5V generation circuit 32, supplies a normal power to each storage means (RAM 113 or 213), and supplies a capacitor 33
For b, the charging power is supplied at the normal time as described above. In other words, the capacitor 33b and the diode 33a keep the entire storage contents of the RAMs 113 and 213 of the control devices 17 and 16 (including the memory area for reproducing the game state and the information of the number of undischarged prize balls) even in the event of a power failure. In order to maintain the power, a normal power supply and a backup power supply during a power failure are supplied to the RAMs 113 and 213. For this reason, in this case, the game control device 17 and the discharge control device 16 are control devices with a backup function, and the other control devices 18 and
20, 21 and 22 are control devices without a backup function. Although not shown, the capacitor 33
For example, the line 36a and the line 37a for supplying backup power to the RAMs 113 and 213 from b.
A configuration may be adopted in which a filter is provided to prevent problems due to noise, voltage fluctuation, and the like.

The power failure detection circuit 34 detects in advance that the power supply to the DC 5 V generation circuit 32 is cut off (that is, the power is cut off). This is a circuit that activates a power failure detection signal (power failure detection information) for the later-described microcomputers 110 and 210 of the game control device 17 and the discharge control device 16 (detected as start). This power failure detection circuit 34 constitutes a power failure detection means of the present invention. In this case, the power failure detection circuit 34 detects the power failure due to the power failure and the power failure due to the normal power-off operation without distinguishing. That is, even during a normal power-off operation,
When the DC 32 V drops to the power failure detection voltage of 22 V, it is detected as a power failure start and a power failure detection signal is output.
Further, the reset signal output unit 34a in the power failure detection circuit 34 is connected to the microcomputers 110 and 210 (CP
U111, 211) etc. should be reset (for example,
After a predetermined time elapses from the power failure detection signal), a reset signal (reset information) for the microcomputers 110 and 210 of each control device is activated. In addition,
The power failure detection signal is transmitted to the game control device 17 and the discharge control device 16
Microcomputers 110 and 210 (CPUs 111 and 211)
And a forced interrupt (NMI interrupt) to function as a forced interrupt signal for forcibly executing a power failure process (forced interrupt process: FIG. 6) described later. A reset signal is generally a signal for returning a CPU or the like to an initial state. When the reset signal is input to the CPU or the like,
While the reset signal is being input, the function is substantially stopped. Then, when the reset signal is released, each CPU and the like are restarted. Although not shown, the reset signal is transmitted from the display control device 20 and the decoration control device 2 in this case.
1. Processing means of the sound control device 22 (for example, a microcomputer)
Also, it is similarly input to processing means (for example, a logic circuit) constituting the emission control device 18.

C. Configuration of Ball Discharge Mechanism Next, a schematic configuration of the discharge unit 15 (ball discharge mechanism) of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a control system (a firing control device and the like are omitted). The discharge unit 15 (shown in FIG. 1) includes a game ball flow path (not shown) basically formed vertically so that the game ball flows down by gravity, and a payout provided at an upper portion of the game ball flow path. The unit is divided into a unit 15a (shown in FIG. 2; the same applies hereinafter) and a channel switching unit 15b provided below the game ball channel. Channel switching unit 15b
In the lower part of the figure, ejected ball detecting means (ball-lending detection sensor 41, prize-ball detecting sensor 42) for detecting ejected game balls are provided, and these detecting means are provided by the sensor of the present invention (specification relating to game value). Sensor). The game ball flow path is a path in which game balls guided from the storage tank 11 by the guide path 12 and passing through the odd sensor unit 14 flow down from the upper end side, and a branch portion (not shown in the drawing) formed in the flow path switching unit 15b ), A prize ball flow path (not shown) for allowing a game ball discharged as a prize ball to pass therethrough.
And the other is a ball rental flow path (not shown) for passing game balls discharged as ball rentals. The branch portion is provided with a flow path switching valve (not shown) that can swing at a position to close either the prize ball flow path or the lending ball flow path with respect to the upstream side of the game ball flow path. The path switching valve is driven by the path switching solenoid 43 and swings, so that the game ball discharged to the downstream side of the game ball path is connected to one of the prize ball path and the lending ball path. It is configured to pass. Further, the discharge unit 15 in this case is a two-row type in which the above-mentioned game ball flow path is provided in two rows, and components (flow path switching valve, discharge ball detection means, and the like) associated with the game ball flow path also include: Two sets are provided corresponding to this.

The payout unit 15a has two sprockets (not shown) corresponding to two rows of game ball paths, one ball discharge motor 44 (for example, a pulse motor) for driving these sprockets at one time, and gravity. A stop member (not shown) for preventing inadvertent rotation of the sprocket (i.e., inadvertent ejection of the game ball) due to the above, and a stopper solenoid 45 for driving the stop member. The sprocket is arranged such that an outer peripheral portion is partially located in the game ball flow path from an opening (not shown) provided in an upper portion of the game ball flow path, and is located between teeth on the outer circumference (that is, valleys). One of the game balls fits into one part, and the configuration is such that the game ball cannot pass through the opening unless the sprocket rotates. The ball discharge motor 44 is for controlling the operation of rotating the sprocket by a predetermined amount and discharging the game balls downstream by a predetermined number. The ball discharge motor 44 is controlled by the discharge control device 16.
The stop member is a member that is urged in a direction to engage the sprocket or a member that rotates integrally with the sprocket, and the stopper solenoid 45 is a force that attracts the stop member when excited (from the above-described engagement state). The stop member is released (engaged) in a non-excited state. This stopper solenoid 45
Is also controlled by the discharge control device 16.

In such a dispensing unit 15a, when the stopper solenoid 45 is operated (excited) under the control of the discharge control device 16, the state in which the stop member is engaged with the sprocket is released, and the sprocket is released. Becomes rotatable. In this rotatable state, the ball discharge motor 44 operates under the control of the discharge control device 16 to rotate the sprocket by a predetermined amount in the discharge direction, so that a corresponding number of game balls are sent to the downstream side. , And flows down the game ball channel due to gravity. Immediately after the predetermined amount of game balls are discharged, the rotation of the ball discharge motor 44 is stopped by the control of the discharge control device 16 and the stopper solenoid 45 is immediately brought into the non-operation state (non-excitation state). Returned,
The stop member is in the engaged state, the rotation of the sprocket is prevented, and a malfunction in which an amount of game balls exceeding a predetermined amount flows down by the action of gravity is reliably prevented. During the discharge of the game ball (that is, during the discharge of the prize ball or the discharge of the lending ball), the power is shut off (including the power failure), and the operation of the ball discharge motor 44 and the stopper solenoid 45 is performed by the discharge control device 16 to perform the power failure process ( In the case where the game ball is stopped due to (described later), the flow of the game ball is immediately stopped by the action of the above-described stop member.
Next, the ball lending detection sensor 41 is a sensor that detects a game ball (that is, a ball lending) that passes through the aforementioned ball lending flow path, and the prize ball detection sensor 42 passes through the aforementioned prize ball flow path. It is a sensor that detects a game ball (that is, a prize ball). The detection outputs of these sensors 41 and 42 are input to the discharge control device 16, and the detection output of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is also input to the game control device 17 via the relay board 250. Have been. In addition, these sensors 4
1 and 42 are provided for each one of the game ball flow paths corresponding to the presence of the two game ball flow paths. In FIG. The ball detection sensor and the other prize ball detection sensor 42 are referred to as a second prize ball detection sensor.

D. Configuration of Control System Next, the main configuration of the control system of the pachinko machine will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the control system is roughly divided into
It is constituted by a game control device 17 and other peripheral devices such as a discharge control device 16. Game control device 1
7 is a gaming microcomputer 110 composed of a one-chip microcomputer, a clock generation circuit (CLK) 101 for dividing a crystal oscillation frequency to obtain a predetermined clock,
Input / output interface 102 for inputting / outputting various signals
And a reset signal first delay circuit 103. The gaming microcomputer 110 has a CPU 1
11, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113 are built in and manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip. Here, the RAM 113 stores information for reproducing the game state in the control device with the backup function (game control device 17), undischarged game value information (in this case, information on the number of prize balls), and the like at the time of power interruption (at the time of power failure). ) Also corresponds to the backed-up storage means for storing and holding.

The information on the number of prize balls includes the presence or absence and the number of prizes,
And the type of winning opening, or the data of the number of prize balls itself (prize ball data), or the information by which the number of prize balls can be determined. In this case, specifically, R of the gaming microcomputer 110
A predetermined memory area (hereinafter referred to as a payout request remaining counter) is secured in the AM 113, and prize ball data that has been transmitted to the discharge control device 16 and has not been discharged (payment request value) is the prize ball number information. Is stored in this memory area. For example, when five prize balls are won and the prize ball data is transmitted from the game control device 17 to the discharge control device 16 as a payout command, the payout request remaining counter stores the prize ball data for five prize balls. Is added. On the other hand, when the prize ball detection sensor 42 detects the discharge of the prize ball, the processing of the game control device 17 subtracts the prize ball data corresponding to the discharge number from the payout request remaining counter.

As shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the special figure start switch 51, the general figure start switch 52, the attacker V switch 53, the attacker count switch 54, the winning opening switches 1 to N (A1 to AN).
Is input. Here, the special figure start switch 51 is a sensor for detecting a prize of a game ball to the above-described special figure start port (ordinary variable winning device), and the general figure start switch 52 is a through-chucker type general figure start port. The attacker V switch 53 detects the winning (V winning) of the game ball to the special winning opening in the large winning opening (special variable winning device) described above. The attacker count switch 54
Is a sensor for detecting a prize (a prize other than the V prize or a prize including the V prize) of the game ball to the above-mentioned large prize port (special variable prize apparatus). Is a sensor that detects a winning of a game ball to the game. These switches 51 to 54 and winning opening switches 1 to N correspond to so-called winning ball detecting means. However, even if a game ball wins (passes) at the general figure starting port, the normal prize ball discharge is not executed (the general figure starting port normally only starts the general figure change).
Therefore, in such a case, the ordinary figure start switch 52 does not correspond to the winning ball detecting means. Further, the input / output interface 102 detects whether or not there is a game ball for prize ball discharge and lending ball discharge (whether there is a sufficient game ball on the upstream side of the above-described discharge unit). A detection switch 14a, an overflow switch 122 for detecting a full state (excessive accumulation of balls) of a saucer (not shown) provided at the lower part of the front of the gaming machine, and detecting that the glass frame supporting the glass on the front of the gaming machine has been opened. The detection signal from the glass frame release switch 123 is also input. Further, the detection signals from the first and second prize ball detection sensors 42 for detecting the number of prize ball discharges are also input via the relay board 250.

The winning opening switches 1 to N (A1 to A
N) is arranged when the game board has n general winning ports. The semicircular ball detection switch 14a and the overflow switch 122 are discharge preparation state detection means for determining whether or not the discharge precondition is satisfied. The discharge precondition in this case is that the game ball is detected by the odd ball detection switch 14a, the overflow switch 12
2 is that the full state of the saucer is not detected, and if all these prerequisites are not satisfied, even if undischarged prize balls remain, prize balls are not discharged. ing. That is, in the present embodiment, information indicating whether or not the discharge precondition is satisfied is also transmitted as the game value discharge control information (payout command).
The discharge control device 16 does not discharge the prize ball. It should be noted that establishment of the discharge precondition is determined by the game control device 17.
If it is not confirmed in the above, transmission of the above-mentioned prize ball number information (transmission from the game control device 17 to the discharge control device 16)
May not be executed, and as a result, the prize ball may not be discharged (in this case, the information on the discharge precondition is not required to be transmitted).

On the other hand, from the input / output interface 102, the display control device 20, the decoration control device 21, the sound control device 22, and the general-purpose LED constituting the general-purpose display device described above.
7, a general-purpose solenoid 134 for driving the above-mentioned ordinary variable winning device, an attacker solenoid 135 for driving the opening / closing door of the above-mentioned special variable winning device, and an external output for a game board constituting the external output terminal board 25 for the game board. A signal is output to the terminal 136 and the test output unit 138. Also, from the input / output interface 102, a signal of the above-mentioned game value discharge control information (payout command) is output to the discharge control device 16. Here, the game board external output terminal 136 is an external information terminal provided on the game board side, from which various signals (for example,
Jackpot signal). The management device manages gaming machines, island facilities, etc. of the entire hall, calculates and processes necessary business data based on various input signals, and displays the processed data on the display as necessary. For example, a computer system. The test output unit 138 is a communication terminal from which information stored in the game control device 17 can be read, and is used when the state of the game control device 17 is inspected.

Next, the discharge control device 16 drives the above-described discharge unit 15 (ball discharge mechanism) based on the game value discharge control information (payout command) input from the game control device 17 to generate a prize ball. The control for discharging (described later in detail) is performed. In this case, the discharge control device 17
The microcomputer 210 includes a microcomputer 210 including a U 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213, a clock generation circuit (CLK) 204 for obtaining a predetermined clock, an input / output interface 205, and a reset signal second delay circuit 206. The elements are connected by an address bus, a data bus, a power supply line, and the like. The CPU 211 performs processing necessary for discharging game balls (including prize ball discharge and ball lending discharge), and the ROM 212 stores programs and the like necessary for discharge control. Here, the RAM 213 is backed up so that the control device with the backup function (discharge control device 16) stores and retains game value information that has not been discharged (in this case, information on the number of prize balls) even when the power is cut off (including during a power failure). Storage means.

Signals from the prize ball detection sensor 42 and the ball lending detection sensor 41 are input to the input / output interface 205 of the discharge control device 16. In addition, a control signal is output from the input / output interface 205 to the ball discharge motor 44, the stopper solenoid 45, and the flow path switching solenoid 43. The discharge control device 16 and the ball lending machine (card unit) 2 can perform bidirectional communication via the input / output interface 205 and the card unit connection board 23 (omitted in FIG. 2).
Transmission and reception of signals as described above are performed.

Next, the game control device 17 and the discharge control device 1
6, the reset signal first delay circuit 10 provided for each
3 and the reset signal second delay circuit 206 (shown in FIG. 2) will be described. The reset signal first delay circuit 103 and the reset signal second delay circuit 206 perform only the rising of the reset signal output from the reset signal output unit 34 a in the power failure detection circuit 34 to the inactive side (reset release signal). Is transmitted to each of the microcomputers 110 and 210 with a delay by a separate delay time.
Can be set arbitrarily. In addition, it is preferable that the setting of the activation time of the microcomputer 110 of the game control device 17 be basically started later than other control devices in order to avoid the loss of the transmitted signal as much as possible. In this case, the display control device 20,
The decoration control device 21, the sound control device 22, and the launch control device 18 are activated almost simultaneously with the output (reset signal) of the reset signal output unit 34a becoming inactive,
Thereafter, the discharge control device 16 is activated, and thereafter, the game control device 17 is activated.

E. Next, an outline of a game performed by the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described. When a game ball struck into a game area of a game board (not shown) wins a normal variable winning device that also serves as a starting port (chucker) of a special map (that is, when there is a starting winning), a display device is displayed. In a plurality of variable display areas of the display screen, a display (so-called variable display) in which a number of special figures (comprising numbers, characters, symbols, patterns, and the like) fluctuate (for example, scroll) is performed, and a variable display game is performed. Is If the result of the variable display game (combination of stopped special figures) is a specific display mode (for example, a slotted line such as “7, 7, 7”), a game value called a big hit is given. For control purposes, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers are extracted and stored, for example, on condition that there is a start winning, and the extracted and stored random numbers are compared with a predetermined judgment value at the time of judgment. Then, based on the comparison determination result, a stop symbol (whether or not to make a big hit), whether or not to perform a reach action, and the like are determined in advance, and the variable display is started according to this determination. Further, when so-called time-saving (time reduction) control is performed, the time from the start to the end of the change of the special figure and / or the ordinary figure is shorter than usual, and the fluctuation display per time is correspondingly reduced. Advantageously, the frequency of the game is substantially increased. Also, if the probability of a jackpot is set to a high probability by controlling so-called probability fluctuation, the probability of a jackpot being greater than usual increases.

At the time of this big hit, the opening and closing door of the special winning opening of the special variable winning device is temporarily opened for a period of up to, for example, 10 winnings within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). An opening operation is performed. This opening operation is performed on condition that detection of a continuous winning ball (detection of a winning ball by the attacker V switch 53) is performed.
For example, it is performed a plurality of times up to 16 rounds. Also, when a game ball further wins in the starting winning opening during the change display game or the big hit of the special figure, a special figure start storage indicator (not shown) is lit and stored up to four in this case. After the display game or the big hit is finished, the variable display game of the special figure is repeated based on the memory (ie, the start memory). On the other hand, when the game ball wins (passes) in the ordinary figure starting port during the game, the ordinary figure variation display game based on the ordinary figure (in this case, a single digit number) is displayed. Is If the result of the variable display game (stopped ordinary figure) is a predetermined mode (for example, “7”), a game value called per ordinary figure is given. At this time, a game is played in which the pair of opening / closing members of the starting winning opening is held in an inverted C-shape, for example, for about 0.5 seconds. This makes it easier for the game ball to win the starting winning opening, and accordingly, the number of times the variable display game of the special figure is executed increases and the possibility of a big hit increases. Also, when a game ball is further awarded at the general figure starting port during the general figure change display game, the general figure start storage indicator (not shown) is lit and stored up to four in this case. After the variable display game is completed, the above-described general-purpose variable display game is repeated based on the memory.

F. Next, an example of a control process of the pachinko machine will be described. (A) Main Process of Game Control Device First, the main process of the game control device 17 (microcomputer 110) will be described with reference to FIGS. When the reset information becomes inactive (the reset signal is released) and the microcomputer 110 is started, the normal interrupt is prohibited and the CPU 11
After the initialization of the "1", an off signal (a signal corresponding to a binary signal "0") is output to all output ports (steps S1 to S1).
S3). Since each driver IC of the microcomputer 110 is turned off (reset) by the reset signal, it is not always necessary to output an off signal to each port by software, but here, step S3 is provided just in case. ing. Next, it is determined whether the power failure flag is normally set (stored) in the RAM 113 (Step S).
4) If it is normal, it is determined that power is restored, and step S is performed.
The process proceeds to 6A, and if abnormal (if not normally stored), it is determined that the power is normally turned on, and the process proceeds to step S5A. The power failure flag is set in step S25 in the later-described forced interrupt processing (power failure processing; FIG. 6), and in this case, is composed of one byte of data. In this case, the value of the area where the power failure flag is set in the RAM 113 is the value at the time of initialization (11111111b: FFh) at the time of normal power-on (initialized state). Value (01010101b:
55h) is set. For this reason, when the value of the area of the power failure flag is 55h, it can be determined that the power failure has been recovered, and when the value is other than 55h, it can be determined that the power has been turned on. In this case, although the power failure flag is set once, the power cutoff state (including the power failure state) is long, and the above-described DC5V
When the backup guarantee period of the BB generation circuit 33 is exceeded and the data of the power failure flag becomes other than 55h (when the data is not stored normally),
It is determined that the power of the power is turned on (proceed to step S5A). When it is determined that the power is turned on normally (when the process proceeds to step S5A), the interrupt is prohibited, the RAM 113 is cleared as a normal initialization process, the stack pointer is set, and the initial value is set. Later (Step S5
A, S5B), an interrupt timer (0.5 msec in this case) is set to activate the normal interrupt process, the interrupt is permitted (steps S5C, S5D), and the process proceeds to step S5E (shown in FIG. 4).

In step S5E, the RAM inspection area is checked, and if the result is normal, step S5
The process proceeds to steps G to S5O. On the other hand, if the inspection result is abnormal, the process returns to step S5A to initialize and returns to step S5A.
The processing of 5A to S5D is executed (step S5F). Here, the check of the RAM inspection area is performed in step S5E.
Then, for example, 55h is written in the inspection area of the RAM 113, and after performing a series of processes of steps S5E to S50, it is checked whether or not the data of the inspection area remains at 55h (whether or not it is broken). It is. Next, in step S5G (switch input monitoring processing), the switch input flag set in step S12 of the later-described normal interrupt processing (FIG. 5) is monitored, and
When the switch input flag of 1 is set, a process such as extracting and storing a jackpot random number (random number generated in step 15 described later) is executed. The switch input flag is a flag that is set when the active state (for example, H level) of the detection signal of each sensor is read twice consecutively in a 0.5 msec cycle in this case.

In step S5G, a process of updating (adding or subtracting) the storage value of the information on the number of undischarged prize balls in accordance with the result of reading the detection signals from the sensors related to the prize ball. That is, as a result of the process of reading the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 (step S12 described later), if a prize ball is detected, the number of the detected prize balls (usually one address is detected) in the RAM 113 is detected. The data (payout request value) of a predetermined memory area (payment request remaining counter) is subtracted. In addition, as a result of reading processing (step S12 described later) of a detection signal of the winning ball detection means (the above-described winning port switches 1 to N),
If any prize is detected, determine the number of prize balls corresponding to the detected prize, the payout request remaining counter,
A value (prize ball number information) corresponding to the determined number of prize balls (for example, any of 5, 10, or 15) is added as a payout request value. The information on the number of prize balls determined in this way (prize ball number information) is stored in step S5 described later.
N, a payout command is transmitted to the discharge control device 16 by the processing of S14B. Note that the payout command of the prize ball number information is a part of the game value discharge control information described above. The above-mentioned game value discharge control information may also include the above-described discharge precondition information, but in this case, the payout command of the prize ball number information is transmitted separately from the discharge precondition information. You. However, the payout command is
It may be transmitted as information including emission preconditions.

Next, in step S5H, a process of monitoring for illegal no-count of the special winning opening is performed. Next, in step S5I, processing for a special figure change display game (including processing for determining whether or not the jackpot random number extracted and stored in step S5G is a jackpot), processing for effect display on a display device, and the like are performed. . That is, the content (command data) of the control information (command) to be transmitted to the display control device 20, the decoration control device 21, the sound control device 22, and the like is set in accordance with the gaming state at that time.

Next, in step S5J, processing for a variation display game of a general figure is performed. That is, the contents (command data) of the control information (commands) to be transmitted to the sound control device 22, the decoration control device 21, and the like are set in accordance with the state of the game in which the general figure is displayed. Set the variable display flag of the ordinary figure. If the change display flag of the ordinary figure is set, the next step S5K
, The normal variation display is executed. Next, step S5
In K, based on the information set in step S5J, the data of the control information for the variation display game of the ordinary figure is set in the transmission area.

Next, in step S5L, ON data or OFF data for each of the solenoids 134 and 135 is set in the transmission area based on the state of the special figure variable display game or the ordinary figure variable display game. Next, in step S5M, based on the gaming state of the special figure variable display game, these signals are set in the transmission area in order to notify the management device of the jackpot signal, the above-described symbol determination frequency signal, and the like. Next, in step S5N, the special figure game process (step S5
Each command set in 5I) is edited in the order of transmission and set in the transmission area. Next, in step S50, each time the process proceeds to step S50, each random number value for effect is increased by "1" and each random number value is updated. In addition, as the random number for effect, there is a reach random number (for example, a value whose value cyclically changes in a range of 0 to 49) that determines a so-called reach mode in the fluctuation display of the special figure.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the power is restored, the process proceeds to step S6A (FIG. 3),
After reading the stack pointer data stored and held in the RAM 113 in the forced interrupt processing (FIG. 6) and setting it as the stack pointer data (that is, after restoring the stack pointer data), the data was stored and held. A power failure recovery initialization process for initializing only a specific RAM area to be initialized based on the information or setting information at the time of interruption to restart the process is performed (step S6B). Next, the output information of the information set in step S6B is output to the output port of the microcomputer 110 (step S6C). This is because the discharge control device 16 restarts the process when the data of the output port of the microcomputer 110 is switched from off data to data other than the off data at the time of recovery from the power failure (the discharge control device 16 To confirm the start of operation of the game control device). Next, in step S6D, the control devices other than the discharge control device 16 (the display control device 20, the decoration control device 21,
A process for notifying the sound controller 22) of the recovery from the power failure is executed.

Thereafter, in step S6E, an interrupt timer is set to activate the normal interrupt processing, and the next step S6E is executed.
In 6F, it is determined whether or not the interruption is prohibited before the power failure. In addition,
Here, the reason for judging the interrupt availability state before the power failure is as follows. That is, among the processes of steps S5E to S50 of the main process executed during the normal game, there is a process having a problem when a normal interrupt occurs during the process. For example, in the switch input monitoring process in step S5G, a random number (eg, a jackpot random number) generated in step S15 of the normal interrupt process is acquired (that is, extracted) based on the winning of the special figure starting port as described above. ), When this random number is composed of 2 bytes, for example, when the next interrupt occurs at the stage where only the upper 1 byte of the random number is obtained, the data of the lower 1 byte of the random number is used for new normal interrupt processing. In step S15, it becomes another data of the newly generated random number (the upper one byte becomes the value before the interrupt, and the lower one byte becomes the value after the interrupt), and the accuracy of the random number, in other words, the game Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, in order to prevent this, in a process in which such a problem is likely to occur (for example, the switch input monitoring process in step S5G), an interrupt prohibition command is set at the beginning of the process and an interrupt permission instruction is set at the end of the process. An instruction is set so that interrupt processing is temporarily suspended even if the next interrupt occurs during the processing. However, after a power interruption causes a forced interruption and a power outage process (a forced interruption process to be described later: FIG. 6) is executed, the power outage is resumed and the main process is started. In the case of restarting from the state at the time, the setting of the interrupt enable / disable state before the power failure does not remain (in this case, step S
In the processing of No. 1, the interrupt is always set to the prohibition state).

For this reason, after step S6F, the state of the interruption at the time of the power failure is determined from the stored information, and the subsequent processing is made different according to the result of the determination (the power is cut off when the power is turned on again). The processing is restarted in the state of the interruption possibility at the time). That is, step S6
In F, when the interruption possibility state at the time of power supply interruption is the interruption prohibition, the process proceeds to step S6G, and only the process of returning the register value of the CPU 111 stored and held in the RAM 113 to the register is executed. Then, the process returns to the address (interruption address) at the time of interruption due to the forced interruption (that is, at the time of power-off). Accordingly, the process is restarted from the state at the time of the power failure while the setting of the normal interrupt prohibition in step S1 is maintained. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6F that the interruption permission / prohibition state at the time of power-off is the interruption permission, the process proceeds to step S6H, where the register value of the CPU 111 stored and held in the RAM 113 is restored to the register. Step S
At 6I, the normal interrupt is permitted, and the process returns to the address (interruption address) at the time of interruption due to the forced interruption (that is, at the time of power-off). As a result, the setting of the normal interrupt prohibition in step S1 is switched (that is, in the interrupt enabled state), and the process is restarted from the state at the time of power-off.

(B) Normal Interrupt Process of Game Control Device Next, the normal interrupt process of the game control device 17 (microcomputer 110) will be described with reference to FIG. This normal interrupt processing is started by the processing in step S5C or S6E described above, and is executed every 0.5 msec. First, step S
At 10, the data of the register is saved to a predetermined area of the RAM 113, and then at step S11, the microcomputer 110
Set watchdog timer to monitor runaway of watch (set watchdog IC not shown every predetermined time)
Then, the process proceeds to the switch reading process (step S12). In the switch reading process (step S12), each of the above-described switches (the special figure start switch 5) corresponding to the sensor of the present invention is used.
1, normal figure start switch 52, attacker V switch 5
3, attacker count switch 54, winning opening switches 1 to N (A1 to AN), overflow switch 12
2. The detection signals of the odd-sphere detection switch 14a, the glass frame release switch 123, and the prize-ball detection sensor 42) are read. Specifically, in this case, the output value of each sensor is determined in each interrupt cycle (in this case, 0.5 msec), and when the output value of the same level continues for more than a specified number of times (in this case, two times), The level of the output value is read as a definite value of the detection signal of each sensor. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the reading process in the case of the prize ball detection sensor 42. In this case, when the form of the signal is positive logic (ON at H level) and the output level changes from L level to H level and the state of H level is determined twice or more consecutively, award ball detection is performed. It is read that the detection signal of the sensor 42 is ON (in a state of having a prize ball), and conversely, the output value is H
After the transition from the level to the L level, the state of the L level becomes 2
When the determination is continuously performed at least twice, the prize ball detection sensor 42
Is detected as being off (the absence of a prize ball) (the same applies to other than the prize ball detection sensor 42). This switch reading process (step S12) corresponds to the regular sensor monitoring process of the present invention.

Next, in step S13, an output process of setting and outputting the output data set in steps S5L and S5M of the main process described above to an output port is executed.
Next, in steps S14A to S14D, each control device (display control device 2) edited in step S5N described above.
0, a process of transmitting control information (command) to the emission control device 16, the sound control device 22, and the decoration control device 21). Steps S14B to S14D are time-division processing, and are executed once every 1.5 msec in this case.
The payout command (prize ball number information and the like) transmitted in step S14B is, for example, in the above-described step S5G (switch input monitoring processing) and step S5N (command editing processing), as described above, for the related switches. Edited according to the result of reading the detection signal.

Next, in step S15, each time the process proceeds to step S15, each random value for gaming is increased by "1" and each random value is updated. In addition, as the random numbers for the game, there are a jackpot random number (for example, a value whose value changes cyclically in the range of 0 to 199) and a jackpot random number for determining a jackpot of a special figure or a jackpot of a general figure. Next, in step S16, a timer update process is performed. The timer update process is for generating a time for use in each process of the main process. Next, in steps S17 and S18, in order to restart the main processing, the register is restored, the interrupt is permitted, and thereafter, the processing that was interrupted at the time of the interrupt is returned (returned).

(C) Forced Interruption Process (Power Failure Process) of Game Control Device Next, a power failure process (forced interruption process) performed by the game control device 17 (microcomputer 110) will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, in this case, the power failure detection circuit 3
The power failure detection signal input from step No. 4 is used as an NMI interrupt signal to interrupt the current process and start the process forcibly. When the process is started (that is, when the power failure detection signal is input), in steps S20 to S22, first, data of all registers and stack pointers or N
The data in the timer interrupt enable / disable state (interrupt enable / disable state) before the MI interrupt occurs is stored in the RAM 1
13 are all stored in a predetermined area. Then, step S
At 23, all outputs are turned off (off data is output to all output ports), and at steps S24A to S24C, a detection signal of a prize ball detecting means (the above-described prize ball detection sensor 42) is read, and then a power failure occurs. Set the flag (step S2
5) Finally, after prohibiting access to the RAM 113 (step S26), the process waits (becomes a reset signal input wait state). Here, the process of turning off the output, prohibiting access to the RAM, and waiting is performed by substantially stopping the function (stopping the operation by software) until the operation is stopped by the hardware by the reset signal. This is for reliably preventing output or indefinite data from being erroneously written to the RAM. The processing of saving all data such as all registers and stack pointers is the same state as when power is turned off after power is turned on again (including a game state, a game control state, a discharge control state, and the like in addition to the storage state of the number of prize balls information). )
This is a process for allowing the operation to be resumed from the state at the time of power-off as it is.

The processing of steps S24A to S24C corresponds to the irregular sensor monitoring processing of the present invention. In steps S24A to S24C, the detection signal of the prize sphere detecting means is read during the power failure processing because the power is cut off. This is to prevent the prize ball discharged at the time (including immediately before the power failure) from being missed. In this case, in detail, the read value of the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is determined as follows. That is, first, in step S24A, the output value of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is read and it is determined whether or not the output value is on (for example,
In the case of positive logic, it is determined whether or not it is at the H level) (first reading), and after waiting for a predetermined delay period (in this case, 1 msec) in step S24B, award ball detection is performed again in step S24C. The output value of the sensor 42 is read, and it is determined whether or not it is on (for example, in the case of positive logic, whether or not it is at the H level) (second reading). Then, if the output value is on in the first reading in step S24A and the output value is on in the second reading in step S24C, step S24C
, The data of the definite reading state (sensor determined state) of the award ball detection sensor 42 (the above-mentioned flag data) is turned on (for example, from off to on corresponding to the read data of one award ball). Create rising edge data). However, when the determinate reading state of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is already in the ON state (prize ball presence state),
That state is naturally maintained (rising edge data is not created). Note that FIG.
It is a figure explaining an operation of a reading process of a detection signal of a prize ball detection sensor 42 by processing of S24C. FIG. 7 shows a case where the form of the signal is positive logic (ON at H level) and the discharged prize ball flows down to the detection position of the prize ball detection sensor 42 when the power is cut off (immediately before the power failure detection). ing. In this case, since the output value of the prize ball detection sensor 42 changes from the L level to the H level immediately before the detection of the power failure, in the regular sensor monitoring process of step S12 in the normal interrupt process by the timer interrupt, the prize is detected. The presence of the sphere does not appear as a confirmed reading result. However, since the H level state is determined twice consecutively by two readings (irregular sensor monitoring processing) in steps S24A and S24C in the power failure processing, the detection of the prize ball detection sensor 42 in the power failure processing is performed. The signal is steadily read as being on (in the state of the prize ball), and as shown in FIG. 7, data of the rising edge of the sensor determined state is created. In this case, the rising edge data in the sensor determined state is data indicating that one prize ball ejection has been detected. For example, in the process of step S24C, R
The data is stored in a predetermined area of the AM 113 and is used in the above-described step S5G (switch input monitoring processing) upon recovery from a power failure (after the processing is restarted). Request remaining counter data)
Used for subtraction).

The gaming machine described above has a processing means (microcomputer 110) having processing means (microcomputer 110) for periodically and irregularly executing sensor monitoring processing for reading and monitoring the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 (sensor). An apparatus 17 is provided. That is, the microcomputer 110 of the game control device 17 periodically reads the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 (sensor) in step S12 of the above-described normal interrupt processing, and executes step S24A of the forced interrupt processing (power failure processing). ~ S24C
Thus, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 (sensor) is read irregularly. Therefore, the following effects are obtained. (1) In addition to the regular sensor monitoring processing, the irregular monitoring is performed, so that the sensor state monitoring (in this case, the state monitoring of the prize ball detection sensor 42) is not leaked. (2) Particularly in the gaming machine, as described above, the irregular execution of the sensor monitoring process is performed by the forced interruption. For this reason, when other processes including the periodic sensor monitoring process are interrupted by the forced interrupt, the sensor state monitoring is realized by the irregular sensor monitoring process performed by the forced interrupt, and the forced interrupt is performed. At normal times, there is no sensor condition monitoring by periodic sensor monitoring processing (in this case, by a timer interrupt), enabling sensor status monitoring without leakage as a whole and periodic sensor monitoring. The process and the irregular sensor monitoring process are executed efficiently without overlapping in time.

(3) The gaming machine comprises processing means (microcomputer 110) for executing a power failure process as a forced interruption process in accordance with power failure detection information (power failure detection signal) of the power failure detection means (power failure detection circuit 34). It has a control device (in this case, the game control device 17), and executes the sensor monitoring process (irregular) in the power failure process executed by the control device 17. For this reason, at the time of power interruption including power failure, monitoring of the detection signal of the sensor is executed until the power supply voltage at which the operation of the device is guaranteed is as low as possible (that is, as far as possible to stop operation in software). Therefore, the change of the detection target (in this case, the discharge of the prize ball) generated immediately before the power supply is shut down can be completely read and reflected in the control (in this case, all the prize balls discharged just before the power supply is cut off are counted. Then, after the power is turned on again (when the power failure flag is normal), it can be surely subtracted from the information on the number of undischarged prize balls.)
Therefore, in this case, the disadvantage of the game store as described above due to the omission of monitoring of the prize ball discharged immediately before the power is cut off can be eliminated as much as possible.

(4) Processing means (microcomputer 110) of the control device of the present gaming machine (in this case, game control device 17)
Is a sensor (for example, the prize ball detection sensor 4) as described above.
In order to deterministically read the detection signal of 2), the output value of the sensor is determined at predetermined intervals (in this case, every 0.5 msec or 1 msec), and the output value of the same level is equal to or more than a specified number of times. In the case where it is continued twice or more), the level of this output value is read as a definite value of the detection signal of the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to accurately read the detection state of the sensor without being affected by chattering or the like. (5) Also, in the gaming machine, at least the sensor monitoring process that is performed at irregular intervals is performed by using a specific sensor (in this case, a prize in this case) related to a game value paid out to a player among a plurality of sensors provided in the machine. Only the ball detection sensor 42) is executed. For this reason, in the event that sensor monitoring is missed, monitoring of the status of important sensors that are highly harmful can be performed without omission, and such actual harm can be avoided. Long time can be avoided.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may have various modifications and applications. For example, in the present embodiment, as described above, the irregular sensor monitoring process (the process of reading the detection signal in the power failure process) is executed only for the prize ball detection sensor 42, Other switches (sensors) such as the winning port switches 1 to N) and the ball lending detection means (ball lending detection sensor 41), instead of the prize ball detection sensor or together with the prize ball detection sensor, Irregular sensor monitoring processing may be performed. If the same processing is executed for the winning detection means (the above-described winning opening switches 1 to N, etc.), it is possible to eliminate the lost prize balls which have been won just before the power failure, and the player is not lost due to such missing. Eliminate profits. Further, the sensor monitoring processing (irregular and periodic monitoring processing) of the present invention may be performed by a control device other than the game control device, or may be performed by each of the game control device and the other control devices. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the microcomputer 210 of the discharge control device 16 also periodically monitors the prize ball detection sensor 42 and monitors the irregular prize ball detection sensor 42 (reading a detection signal in the power failure process). The processing may be performed in the same manner as in the game control device 17. Specifically, the emission control device 1
When the microcomputer 210 receives the prize ball number information as a payout command from the game control device 17, the microcomputer 210 adds and stores the data corresponding to the prize ball number information in a specific memory area (payout execution remaining counter) of the RAM 213, For example, the status of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is read in a periodic sensor monitoring process executed as a timer interrupt process, and when the discharge of the prize ball is read, a process of subtracting the corresponding data from the payout execution remaining counter is executed. Configuration. In a power failure process (forced interruption process) for surely storing and holding predetermined information in the RAM 213 when the power is turned off, the microcomputer 210 reads the state of the prize ball detection sensor 42 and reads the discharge of the prize ball. Then, a process of storing the award ball number information data corresponding to the award ball discharge in the RAM 213 is also executed, and when the power is turned on again (when the power failure flag is normal), the control process is restarted from the state when the power was turned off. It is sufficient to execute a process of subtracting the data of the awarded ball discharge from the payout execution remaining counter. Further, when sensor monitoring processing (irregular and regular monitoring processing) is executed by a plurality of control devices in the machine, it goes without saying that sensors to be monitored may be different for each control device ( For example, since the detection signal of the ball lending detection sensor 41 in the above embodiment is input only to the discharge control device, it can be monitored by the discharge control device, but cannot be monitored by the game control device.)

The periodic execution of the sensor monitoring process is as follows:
The sensor monitoring process is executed in a series of processes periodically performed by a reset interrupt, for example, without being limited to the mode performed by the timer interrupt as in the above embodiment,
As a result, the sensor monitoring process may be periodically executed. Further, the power failure detection means distinguishes between a power failure caused by a normal power-off operation and an inadvertent power failure such as a power failure, detects only the latter power failure (that is, only a power failure, etc.), and outputs a power failure detection signal. There may be a configuration for outputting.
In this case, the power failure processing (forced interruption processing) is executed only in the case of a power failure or the like, and the power failure flag is set only in the case of a power failure or the like. Even if the power is turned on again, the normal startup processing (for example, in the above-described embodiment, step S5A and subsequent steps in FIG. 3) is executed. The present invention includes such an embodiment. Further, in the above embodiment, the RAM 11 backed up by the backup power supply composed of the capacitor 33b is used as the storage holding means for storing and holding the game control information of the control device with the backup function while the power is turned off.
3, 213, but is not limited thereto. For example, EE
The storage means may be constituted by a PROM. If data is stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, the guaranteed storage period becomes theoretically infinite, and regardless of the power-off time, the game is not discharged due to restart of the game or power-off. Additional prize balls can be discharged after the power is turned on again.

In the above embodiment, the prize ball detecting sensor 4
The signal of No. 2 is also input to the game control device, and the stored value of the prize ball number information of the game control device (the data of the above-described payout request remaining counter) is subtracted in accordance with the prize ball detection. The subtraction of the prize ball number information by the device is performed, for example, in a mode in which the prize ball number information is subtracted by the transmission amount when (or after) the prize ball number information is transmitted to the discharge control device (the number of undischarged prize balls only on the discharge control device side). There is also a possibility of managing information accurately (in this case,
It is not necessary to input the signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 to the game control device). Conversely, the signal of the prize ball detection sensor 42 is input only to the game control device, and the discharge control device subtracts the prize ball number information every time the prize ball discharge operation is performed (only the game control device side). There is also a mode in which the information on the number of prize balls that have not been discharged is accurately managed. Further, only the game control device may be a control device with a backup function, or a control device (for example, a display control device) other than the game control device or the discharge control device may have a backup function (for example, a display state when the power is turned off). And a control device with a backup function that stores and holds the display control state). Further, it goes without saying that the method of discharging the prize balls is not limited to the above embodiment. It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0055]

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a control device having processing means for periodically and irregularly executing a sensor monitoring process for reading and monitoring a detection signal of a sensor. Therefore, the following effects are obtained. (1) By performing irregular monitoring in addition to the regular sensor monitoring processing, leakage of sensor state monitoring is eliminated, and problems caused by leakage of sensor state monitoring can be solved. In particular, when the control device is a control device with a backup function as described in claim 6, it is easy for leakage to occur in the sensor state monitoring as described above. As described above, there is actual harm that causes disadvantages to the game store or the player, but by applying the present invention, the effect of avoiding occurrence of such actual harm is obtained. (2) In the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the irregular execution of the sensor monitoring process is performed by a forced interrupt. For this reason, when other processes including the periodic sensor monitoring process are interrupted by the forced interrupt, the sensor state monitoring is realized by the irregular sensor monitoring process performed by the forced interrupt, and the forced interrupt is performed. At normal times, sensor status monitoring can be performed by periodic sensor monitoring processing, and sensor status monitoring with less leakage as a whole can be performed, and periodic sensor monitoring processing and irregular sensor monitoring processing can be performed. It is executed efficiently without overlapping in time.

(3) The gaming machine according to claim 3, further comprising a control device having processing means for executing a power failure process as a forced interruption process in accordance with the power failure detection information of the power failure detection device,
The sensor monitoring process (irregular) is executed in the power failure process executed by the control device. For this reason, at the time of a power failure, monitoring of the detection signal of the sensor is executed until the power supply voltage at which the operation of the device is guaranteed (that is, as far as possible), and the detection target of the detection object that occurred immediately before the power failure is detected. Changes (eg, prize ball ejection or game ball prize)
Can be read without omission and reflected on the control.
Therefore, it is possible to eliminate as much as possible the actual harm (the disadvantage of the game store and the disadvantage of the player as described above) due to the fact that the change of the detection target of the sensor that occurred immediately before the power failure is not read and is not reflected in the control. .

(4) In the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect,
The processing means of the control device determines the output value of the sensor at predetermined intervals in order to definitely read the detection signal of the sensor in the sensor monitoring process, and when the output value of the same level continues for more than the specified number of times, The level of this output value is read as a definite value of the detection signal of the sensor. For this reason,
It is possible to accurately read the detection state of the sensor without being affected by chattering or the like. (5) In the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect, the sensor monitoring process which is performed at least irregularly may include a specific sensor related to a game value paid out to a player among a plurality of sensors provided in the machine. (For example, only the prize ball detecting means, the winning detecting means, and the ball-lending detecting means in the pachinko machine as in the above embodiment) are configured to be executed. For this reason, in the event that sensor monitoring is missed, monitoring of the status of important sensors that are highly harmful can be performed without omission, and such actual harm can be avoided. Long time can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a back side configuration of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main control system of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing of the game control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of the game control device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a normal interrupt process of the game control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a forced interrupt process (power failure process) of the game control device.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating an (irregular) sensor monitoring operation during a power failure.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating a regular sensor monitoring operation at a normal time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 14a Half-sphere detection switch (sensor) 16 Discharge control device (control device with backup function) 17 Game control device (control device with backup function) 18 Launch control device (control device without backup function) 20 Display Control device (control device without backup function) 21 Decoration control device (control device without backup function) 22 Sound control device (control device without backup function) 24 Power supply device 34 Power failure detection circuit (power failure detection means) 41 Ball lending detection sensor ( 42) Prize ball detection sensor (sensor) 51 Toku-zu start switch (sensor) 52 general-purpose start switch (sensor) 53 attacker V switch (sensor) 54 attacker count switch (sensor) A1 to AN winning opening switch (sensor) 110 Microcomputer ( Management means) 122 overflow switch 123 glass frame open switch 210 the microcomputer (processing means)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A control device for controlling an operation of a controlled device in a machine while monitoring a detection signal of a sensor provided in the machine, wherein the control device reads and monitors a detection signal of the sensor. A gaming machine comprising processing means for periodically and irregularly executing a sensor monitoring process. 2. The irregular execution of the sensor monitoring process,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is performed by a forced interrupt. 3. A power failure detection means for detecting the start of a power failure and making the power failure detection information active, wherein said processing means forcibly executes a power failure processing including said sensor monitoring processing when said power failure detection information becomes active. 3. The sensor monitoring process according to claim 2, wherein the sensor monitoring process is performed irregularly by a forced interrupt.
The gaming machine described. 4. The processing means determines the output value of the sensor at predetermined intervals in order to deterministically read the detection signal of the sensor, and when the output value of the same level continues for a prescribed number of times or more. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the level of the output value is read as a definite value of a detection signal of the sensor. 5. The sensor monitoring process, which is performed at least irregularly, is executed only for a specific sensor related to a game value paid out to a player among the plurality of sensors. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a control device with a backup function capable of storing and holding game control information including at least information related to a detection signal of the sensor even when power is turned off. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.