JP2001327706A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of the discharge operation of a game medium. SOLUTION: A prize ball control signal is so arranged to contain a command data for directing the contents of the discharge control of prize balls in a predetermined data form and an INT signal indicating the timing of taking in the command data and moreover, a ball discharge device can be controlled to accomplish continuous paying out without dividing the discharge operation of a payout motor of the ball discharge device (for example, at the interval of five, thirteen balls or the like each) at each winning in the discharge of the prize balls corresponding to a plurality of winnings. The number of balls to be discharged continuously is set to allow continuous discharge control. Thus, the continuous discharge control is carried out within a range of the number of balls to be discharged continuously (e.g. 25).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, a slot machine, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a winning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of gaming machine, it is possible to pay out a predetermined number of prize game media such as prize balls in accordance with a prize, in addition to those generally known in the past. Game machine.

In such a gaming machine, when a predetermined number of prize game media are paid out in accordance with a prize, payout control of a payout control board or the like from a game control means such as a game control board or the like is performed. A payout control signal composed of command data instructing payout control contents is transmitted to the means, and the payout control means controls the payout means such as a payout motor and pays out the prize game medium in accordance with the command indicated by the command data. Was being done.

In such a gaming machine, when paying out a predetermined number of prize game media in accordance with a prize, a game medium payout means such as a payout motor drives and stops every one prize. Repeated payout operation control has been performed. That is, conventionally, the payout of the prize game medium has been performed by driving the game medium payout means at intervals of one winning.

[0005]

However, the conventional gaming machines described above have the following problems.
Since the timing of taking in the command data on the side of the payout control means is not particularly specified, when the data recognized as the command data is sent, the payout control means simply takes in the data as it is. For this reason, command data capture errors are likely to occur, such as a large number of capture error states in which command data cannot be captured at an appropriate timing. Further, in the conventional gaming machine as described above, the game medium payout means is driven at intervals for each payout of one prize game medium for one prize. In addition, there is a problem that unpaid prize media for a plurality of prizes are generated, and when it is necessary to pay out the prize game media, payout of the prize game media cannot be promptly performed.

[0006] As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, in addition to the above-mentioned abnormal state of taking in command data, the prize game medium is paid out when unpaid prize medium for a plurality of prizes is generated. Cannot be performed promptly, for example, an abnormal state of the payout control operation such as an abnormal state in which an accurate number of game media cannot be paid out, and a payout speed of the game medium is increased. Sex was not so good.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the operability of a payout operation of a game medium.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a winning, and controlling a gaming state. Game control means, payout means for performing an operation of paying out game media, and payout control means for controlling the payout means, wherein the payout control means controls the payout of the premium game medium received from the game control means. The prize game medium payout control signal is performed based on the prize game medium payout control signal, and the prize game medium payout control signal is command data for instructing the contents of the prize game medium payout control in a predetermined data format. And a capture signal indicating a timing of capturing the command data, wherein the payout control unit includes:
Further, the payout of the prize game medium according to the plurality of winnings can be performed without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each winning.
It is possible to control the dispensing means so as to continuously pay,
The number of continuous payouts is set such that the payout control means can continuously perform payout control, and the payout control means further performs continuous payout control within the range of the continuous payout number. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the command data includes first data capable of instructing a type of payout control and the number of premium game media to be paid out. And second data that can be instructed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the command data is transmitted from the game control means to the payout control means in a plurality of times. It is characterized by that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect, the command data includes identification data capable of identifying a data type.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, a game medium supply passage for supplying a game medium to the payout means, and the game medium passage. Further comprising a game medium detecting means capable of detecting a game medium present at a predetermined position of, between the payout means and the detection position of the game medium by the game medium detecting means,
At least game media for the number of consecutive payouts can be stored.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the payout means pays out a game medium to be lent to a player. The number of continuous payouts of the game media by the payout means at the time of payout of the game media is the same as the number of continuous payouts.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. The game state is controlled by the operation of the game control means. An operation of paying out the game medium is performed by the function of the payout means. The payout means is controlled by the operation of the payout control means. By the further operation of the payout control means, the payout of the prize game medium is performed based on the prize game medium payout control signal instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means. The premium game media payout control signal includes:
Command data instructing the details of payout control of the prize game medium in a predetermined data format, and a capture signal indicating a timing of capturing the command data are included. By the further function of the payout control means, it is possible to control the payout means so as to continuously pay out the prize game media according to the plurality of winnings without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each winning. The number of continuous payouts is set so that the payout control means can continuously perform payout control. With the further operation of the payout control means, continuous payout control is performed within the range of the number of continuous payouts.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The command data has first data capable of instructing the type of payout control and second data capable of instructing the number of premium game media to be paid out.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. The command data is transmitted from the game control means to the payout control means in a plurality of times.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2 or 3, it operates as follows. The command data includes identification data capable of identifying the type of the data.

According to the present invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, it operates as follows. The game medium is supplied to the payout means through the game medium supply passage. By the function of the game media detection means,
A game medium present at a predetermined position in the game medium passage can be detected. Between the payout means and the detection position of the game medium by the game medium detection means, at least game media for the number of continuous payouts can be stored.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, according to claim 1,
In addition to the functions of the invention described in any one of the above-mentioned, the following functions are provided. With the further function of the payout means, it is possible to perform an operation of paying out a lending game medium for lending to a player. The number of continuous payouts of the lending game media by the payout means at the time of paying out the lending game media is the same as the number of continuous payouts.

[0020]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a slot machine or the like, and pays out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a prize. All gaming machines that can be played are eligible.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 2 shows a gaming board 40 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1.
FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the internal configuration of each of the dividable cases in the ball dispensing device 116 in a see-through manner. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a case showing an operation state of a passage switching solenoid (also referred to as a distribution solenoid) when the ball discharging device 116 is viewed from the side. FIG. 6 shows the ball dispensing device 1
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the case when 16 (also referred to as a CR unit payout unit) is viewed from the rear side. 7 and 8
3 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, pachinko gaming machine 1
Is an outer frame 2 formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape, and the outer frame 2
A front frame 3 which is rotatably supported inside and inside and is provided with substantially all of the main components of the ball game machine 1 collectively, and is provided so as to be freely openable and rotatable on an upper front surface of the front frame 3. And a front opening / closing frame 4. The main components provided on the front frame 3 include the front opening / closing frame 4, the game board 40, the upper plate 19, the lower plate 27, the ashtray 29, the operation handle 30, the mechanism unit 100, and the hitting device 8.
There are seven. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, a card unit 31 (for a recording medium) for renting a game ball (a game pachinko ball) as an example of a game medium to a player beside the pachinko gaming machine 1. Information processing device).

The front frame 3 and the front opening / closing frame 4 are pivotally supported at the left end when viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
The pachinko gaming machine 1 is opened and closed with its left end viewed from the front as an open end. The front opening frame 4 has a circular see-through window 5 that can substantially see through the game area 41 of the game board 40, and a glass plate is mounted from the back of the circular see-through window 5. A plurality of decorative lamps 6 to 8 and a plurality of decorative LEDs are provided on the upper side of the front opening / closing frame 4 along the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5.
13 and 14 are provided. These decorative lamps 6-8
The decorative LEDs 13 and 14 are lit or flashed in accordance with the game state, and inform the player when a special game state has occurred or continue, and enhance the atmosphere of the game. In addition, on the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5, there is a shortage lamp 9 for notifying that the prize ball (prize ball) to be paid out is short (when a later-described ball-off switch 115 is operated), and a prize ball is generated. When a predetermined number of prize balls based on the prize balls are performed, a prize ball lamp 10 is provided to notify the fact by lighting. This prize ball lamp 10
When there is a number of outstanding prize balls,
Notifies that a prize ball will be played. Here, an example in which the prize ball lamp 10 is turned on when there is an unpaid number of prize balls has been described, but instead, the prize ball lamp 10 may be blinked when there is an unpaid number of prize balls. Thus, it may be notified that a prize ball has been performed.

Further, on the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5, speakers 12 a and 12 b are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front opening / closing frame 4 to generate sounds such as sound effects according to the progress of the game. A mesh net (not shown) is attached to the front of the speakers 12a and 12b.
The sound generated from 12b is passed. On the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5, a see-through lens 39 for visually recognizing a stamp attached to the game board 40 is provided.

The decorative lamps 6-8, 9L, 10 described above
L, ball out lamp 9, prize ball lamp 10, decoration LED1
As shown in FIG. 8, reference numerals 3 and 14 denote game effect lamp substrates 6a, 7a and 8 each composed of a printed wiring board.
a, 9a, 10a and gaming effect LED boards 13a to 13d
And is attached to the front side of the front frame 3 and the back side of the front opening / closing frame 4 shown in FIG. And each game effect lamp board 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a is connected to the frame relay B board 15, and each LED board 13a-1.
3d is connected to the frame lamp relay C board 16. Frame relay B board 15, frame relay C board 16
Are connected to a frame lamp relay A board 96 fixed to a relay board terminal block 95 attached to the lower portion of the rear surface of the front frame 3 and then to a lamp control board 80 described later.

The main board 151 includes a microcomputer 151M for game control. The game control microcomputer is a one-chip microcomputer, which stores a ROM for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM used as a work memory, a CPU 151a for performing a control operation according to the game control program, and I / O port for I / O. The microcomputer 151M for game control is reset periodically (for example, every 2 msec) and repeatedly executes the game control program stored in the ROM from the beginning to perform various game controls.

The frame lamp relay A board 15 is mounted on the front side of the front frame 3 (the game effect lamp board is also mounted on the front side of the front frame 3 correspondingly), and the frame lamp is mounted. The relay B board 16 is attached to the back side of the front opening / closing frame 4 (the game effect LED board is also attached to the back side of the front opening / closing frame 4). Although not shown, a door switch may be provided to detect that the front opening / closing frame 4 has been opened. In this case, the wiring of the door switch is once connected to a frame switch relay board, which will be described later, and then input to the main board 151, and based on the information signal from the main board 151, the lamp control board 80
The lighting control of some or all of the lamps 6 to 8, 9, and 10 is performed to notify that the front openable frame 4 has been opened.

The wires extending from the speakers 12a and 12b are connected to audio relay boards 17a and 17b (shown as audio relay B board and audio relay C board in FIG. 8) mounted on the left and right rear surfaces above the front opening frame 4. Once connected, and then connected to an audio relay board 97 (indicated as an audio relay A board in FIG. 8) fixed to a relay board terminal block 95 attached to the lower portion of the rear surface of the front frame 3, and then connected to an audio It is connected to a control board 82. Voice control board 8
Numeral 2 controls the driving of the speakers 12a and 12b in accordance with an audio control signal for instructing audio control given from the main board 151. The voice control board 82 also has the main board 1
Similarly to 51, a control CPU (CPU 82 described later)
a), a microcomputer 82M for voice control including a ROM, a RAM, etc., for controlling voices such as sound effects is provided.

Next, the structure of the upper plate 19 attached to the lower side of the front opening frame 4 will be described. The upper plate 19 is configured by fixing a plate member obtained by combining a plurality of synthetic resin members. Above the open side of the upper plate 19, a ball-drawing operation lever 21 is provided. The ball removing operation lever 21 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and moves in one direction against the urging force of a spring (not shown) to form the balls stored in the upper plate 19 on the back side. In this case, the ball is drawn down a ball extraction path (not shown) and guided to the lower plate 27. The upper plate 19 may be provided with a piezoelectric buzzer inside. The piezoelectric buzzer is used when a game ball lending error occurs (for example, a continuous beep, a beep, a beep) or when a game ball is lent (for example, 100
A beep every time a game ball equivalent to a yen is paid out)
A notification sound for notifying that is generated.

The above-mentioned upper plate 19 will be described in more detail. The upper plate 19 temporarily stores a prize ball paid out from a prize ball payout port 20 formed on the upstream side thereof, and then stores the prize ball in a firing position (not shown). It supplies balls. In addition, the upper plate 19 is an operation unit 232 that is operated when a game ball is lent via a card unit 31 provided adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1, and is a hollow member that is a hollow member for installing these. It is provided on the upper surface side of the section 190.
The operation unit 232 provided in the upper plate makeup unit 190 includes a ball lending switch 24, a return switch 25 (both shown in FIG. 8),
A ball lending display LED (not shown), a frequency display LED (not shown) as a balance display, and the like are provided on a balance display board 23 mounted thereon, so that they can be operated and visually recognized by a player. The switch and the display are arranged. This balance display board 23 is provided on the upper surface side of the upper dish decoration section 190.

The ball lending switch 24 is connected to the card unit 3
1 is a switch operated when receiving a game ball lending (also referred to as ball lending and ball lending payout). When the game is over, the return switch 25
The switch is operated when a card (a card usable for a game) inserted into the insertion slot 34 is returned.
Here, the card that can be used for the game is a magnetic recording type card, and is a recording medium that can record the value (card balance) owned by the player that can be used for the game (for example, can be used for lending a ball). is there. Here, the value refers to data such as a card balance owned by the player and used for the game.

The frequency display LED displays the frequency as the card balance (card balance) recorded on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 34 of the card unit 31. The upper wiring extending from the balance display board 23 on which the ball lending switch 24 and the return switch 25 provided on the upper plate 19 are mounted is a wiring see-through opening formed at the lower portion of the front frame 3 on the pivot side. (Not shown) to the back side of the front frame 3 to be described later.
44.

At the open end of the upper plate 19, a locking device 84 (see FIG. 3) for locking the front opening / closing frame 4 to the front frame 3 and locking the front frame 3 to the outer frame 2 is provided. A cylinder lock 26 for operation is facing. In addition, a ball punching pin insertion port (not shown) is provided at the upper part of the front opening / closing frame 4 on the pivot side.
Are formed. Then, by inserting a ball extraction pin (not shown) from the ball extraction pin insertion port, a ball extraction operation tube (not shown) connected thereto is swung up and down to close or open the ball extraction port. Or so.

An undulating portion is formed in the lower portion of the front opening frame 4 on the pivot side, and the undulating portion may be provided with an earphone jack and a selection switch for selecting music heard from the earphone jack. .

A lower plate 27 provided under the front frame 3 is also provided.
Is a prize ball overflowing from the upper plate 19 for storing an extra prize ball discharged from the connection gutter 93 (see FIG. 3) through a surplus ball passage (not shown). On the front wall of the lower plate 27, a boring operation lever 28 is slidably mounted. By operating the ball-pulling operation lever 28, the prize balls stored in the lower plate 27 can be balled down and transferred to a portable ball box. An ashtray 29 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 27, and an operation handle 30 is provided on the right side. The operation handle 30 has a built-in single-shot firing switch 91 and a touch sensor 92 (both indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 9) for starting driving of the firing motor 88 of the hit ball firing device 87 shown in FIG. To adjust.

The front structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is generally as described above, but in the illustrated embodiment, the card unit 31 is arranged adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1.
The card unit 31 is operated by operating an operation unit such as the ball lending switch 24 and the return switch 25 provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 19, and performs predetermined processing such as information processing of a card. Various devices such as a microcomputer and a card reader / writer are provided. The operation of the card unit 31 is controlled by a microcomputer. In the card unit 31,
Usability indicator 3 for indicating whether or not it is usable
2, a link stand direction indicator 33 for displaying which side of the card unit 31 corresponds to the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a card insertion slot 34 for inserting a magnetic card as a recording medium. I have.

The card unit 31 thus configured
Are controlled by a unique control circuit, and as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1. Pachinko machine 1
, The card unit wiring 35 is connected to the payout control board 1
44, and sends and receives signals to and from the card unit 31 via the payout control board 144. The card unit 31 has a power cord 1 of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
Power is supplied from an independent power cord 311 different from 35. The power cord 311 is a cord having a ground electrode. For this reason, the card unit 31
It is electrically grounded via a power cord 311.

On the other hand, on the back of the pachinko gaming machine 1, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a mechanism unit 100 equipped with various mechanisms for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the occurrence of a winning ball is provided. On the back surface corresponding to the operation handle 30,
A hitting ball launching device 87 having a launching motor 88 and a hitting gutter (not shown) is fixed. The hit ball launching device 8
A connection gutter 93 for guiding a prize ball flowing down the surplus ball passage provided in the mechanism section 100 to the lower plate 27 is fixed to the side of 7. Further, a relay board mounting base 95 is mounted on the side of the connection gutter. A locking device 84 is provided on the open rear surface of the front frame 3 with respect to the outer frame 2.

In the above-described configuration, the hit ball launching device 87 is provided with a launch control board 90, and the firing control board 90 controls the driving of the hit ball launching device 87. As shown in FIG. 3, the firing control board 90 is covered with a firing control board cover 89, and the payout control board 14 is provided via a connector provided at a position exposed from the firing control board cover 89 to the outside.
4 and is configured to be unable to fire a hit ball upon receiving a stop signal from the payout control board 144 in a predetermined state. The relay board mounting base 95 includes a frame lamp relay A board 96, a voice relay A board 97,
A launch relay B board 98 and a launch relay A board 99 are attached at predetermined positions.

Although the overall schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described above, the detailed configuration of each of the gaming board 40 and the mechanical unit 100 among the elements constituting the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described below. explain.

First, the game board 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. The front structure of the game board 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 40 is formed of a substantially square plywood so as to be stored and fixed in a game board storage frame 36 integrally formed on the back side of the front frame 3. On the surface of the game board 40, the guide rail 4 is formed in a circular spiral shape.
2 are installed. The inside of the guide rail 42 is used as the game area 41, and the shot ball shot is dropped. In the illustrated example, the special variable display device 44, the special variable winning ball device 48, the normal variable winning ball device 5
8. A normal symbol display 63 and the like are provided, and a winning opening for hitting a hit ball, a passing opening for passing a hit ball, a flowing direction of the hit ball, a windmill for changing the speed, or a number of obstacle nails are provided. I have. In the lowermost part of the game area 41,
An out port 69 is provided for receiving a hit ball that has not won any of the winning areas.

The structure of the game area 41 will be described in detail according to the game operation. On the left side slightly below the center of the game area 41, a passage (gate) 620 provided so that a ball falling in the game area 41 can pass therethrough, and the passage 62
A gate switch (pass detector) 62 for detecting a hit ball (passing ball) passing through 0 is provided.

Above the special variable display device 44 arranged substantially at the center of the game area 41, a normal symbol display 63 as a normal symbol variable display device is provided. In the present embodiment, the hit LED and the off-going LED
Although one LED is usually used as the symbol display 63, an LED that can display numbers, such as a 7-segment LED, is generally used. The normal symbol display 63 is a gate switch 62
After variably displaying (alternately blinking) for a predetermined period based on the detection signal, the display result is derived and displayed (one of them is turned on). On both sides of the ordinary symbol display 63, an ordinary symbol storage LED 64 for storing and displaying the number of hit balls passing through the gate switch 62 during the variable display of the ordinary symbol display 63.
(Up to four are stored and displayed). Normally, the display result of the symbol display 63 is a predetermined hit symbol (hit LED is turned on, and if a 7-segment display is used, 0 is displayed).
In the variable display of numbers up to 9, for example, when 7 is stopped and displayed), the normal variable prize ball device 58
Is opened for a predetermined time. The variable display time of the ordinary symbol display 63 is set relatively long (for example, 30 seconds) in the normal probability mode and relatively short (for example, 3 to 5 seconds) in the probability variation mode. ing.

The normal variable winning ball device 58 is provided in the game area 41.
Of the electric tulip type, which is arranged between the special variable display device 44 arranged substantially at the center of the game and the special variable winning ball device 48 arranged above the out port 69 of the game area 41 and is driven to open and close by a solenoid 59. It is a variable winning ball device. The normally variable winning ball device 58 has a built-in first-type starting port switch 60 as a starting winning detector, and detects a winning ball received during opening or closing. When a hit ball is detected by the first-type starting port switch 60, the special variable display device 44 starts variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information called a special symbol. The opening time of the ordinary variable winning prize ball device 58 is set to be relatively short (for example, 0.5 seconds) in the normal probability mode and relatively long (for example, 2 seconds) in the probability variation mode. In addition, even when the normal variable prize ball device 58 is not opened, a hit ball is accepted.

The special variable display device 44 is composed of a liquid crystal type variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and is arranged substantially at the center of the game area 41. If the combination of symbols at the time of stopping the variable display on the special variable display device 44 is a combination of predetermined jackpot symbols (for example, when the same symbol is aligned with any of the hit lines), In the game state, the special variable winning ball device 48 is driven to open and close in a predetermined manner as described below. Some of the combinations of the big hit symbols are set as probability variation symbols. When the jackpot game state is reached with the probability variation symbol, a probability variation mode in which the appearance probability of the hit symbol on the ordinary symbol display 63 or the appearance probability of the jackpot symbol on the special variable display device 44 after the end of the jackpot game state is increased. Is controlled to be Special variable display device 44
Has a decorative board (no symbol) attached to the front side of the game board 40.

A decoration LED 45 is provided at the upper part of the special variable display device 44, and a decoration LED 45a is provided at the lower part. Further, in the lower center of the special variable display device 44, a special symbol start storage LED 46 (up to four) that stores and displays the number of balls detected by the first type start port switch 60 during the variable operation of the special variable display device 44. Memory display) is attached.

The special variable prize ball device 48, which is driven and controlled when the big hit game state is set, is provided with a large prize winning opening which enables a player to win a hit ball when opened. A large winning opening door 49 as an opening and closing plate driven to be opened and closed by the solenoid 50 is provided in such a manner that the large winning opening can be opened and closed.

In the special variable winning ball device 48, a specific area switch 51 as a specific ball detector and a count switch as a winning number detector are provided in order to detect a hit ball received in the special winning opening door 49. 52 are provided.

When the large winning opening door 49 is opened, the balls that have entered the special variable winning ball device 48 from the large winning opening are finally guided toward the count switch 52 and detected by the count switch 52. In addition, among the balls that have entered the special variable winning prize ball device 48, the balls detected by the specific area switch 51 are thereafter guided toward the count switch 52, and are detected by the count switch 52.
Therefore, the ball that has entered the special variable winning ball device 48,
As a result, all are detected by the count switch 52.

In the case of the jackpot game state, a special winning opening is performed until a predetermined time (for example, 28 seconds) elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls is won within the predetermined time. The door 49 is opened (hereinafter, this opening is referred to as an opening cycle), and when the hit ball received during the opening cycle is detected by the specific area switch 51, the continuation right is established, and the above-described opening cycle is performed again. The open cycle can be repeated up to 16 times, provided that the continuation right is established in each open cycle.

Inside the special variable winning ball device 48, a large winning opening guide plate as a seesaw type ball sorting member is provided (not shown). The guide plate in the special winning opening can be switched between a state inclined toward the direction of the specific area switch 51 and a state inclined toward the direction opposite to the specific area switch 51. Solenoid (solenoid 5 for the guide plate in the special winning opening to be described later)
The drive is controlled by 3). In that case, the grand prize entrance door 49
Is released once (during one cycle), the distribution member is inclined toward the specific area switch 51 until the specific area switch 51 detects one ball. After the specific area switch 51 detects one ball, the distribution member is inclined in the direction opposite to the specific area switch 51 after the specific area switch 51 detects one ball. Thus, the ball is hardly detected by the specific area switch 51.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the guide plate inside the special winning opening is provided at the entrance to the specific area switch 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A simple shutter may be provided. The shutter is driven by a solenoid and is kept open until the specific area switch 51 detects one ball in each open cycle. When the specific area switch 51 detects one ball, the state is controlled to the closed state. By performing such control, when the special winning opening door 49 is opened once (during one cycle), the specific area switch 51 is not used until the specific area switch 51 detects one ball.
After the specific area switch 51 detects one ball, the specific area switch 51 cannot detect the ball.

Further, the special variable winning ball device 48 has a normal winning port 54 having a right drop winning switch 55a and a left drop winning switch 55b as winning ball detectors.
a, 54b, a decorative LED 56C indicating that the special winning opening door 49 is open, a decorative LED 56R notifying that the continuation right has been established, and a notification that the continuation right has not been established in the big hit game state. Decorative LED 56L to inform and Decorative LED 57 illuminated during big hit game state
Is provided.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the gaming area 41 includes a sleeve decoration lamp 65Lb, 65Rb, a winning opening 65L having a built-in left sleeve winning opening switch 65La as a winning ball detector, and a right side as a winning ball detector. Sleeve entrance switch 65
A winning opening 65R containing Ra, a windmill 66, a side decoration 67L containing a side decoration lamp 67La, a side decoration 67R containing a side decoration lamp 67Ra, and the like are provided.

Various lamps and various LEDs shown above
Are all display-controlled (drive-controlled) by the lamp control board 80. The lamp control board 80 includes a C for lamp control.
A lamp control microcomputer 80M including a PU (CPU 80a to be described later), a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for performing a lamp control is provided.
The above various lamps and various LEDs are controlled.

In the embodiment described above, the prize port and the prize device where the hit ball wins are provided with detection switches 51, 52, 55a, 55 for detecting a prize ball.
b, 60, 65La, and 65Ra are all provided. Of these detection switches, switches 52 and 5
5a, 55b, 60, 65La, and 65Ra are used to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the detection signal. The specific area switch 51 is used to detect the establishment of the continuation right, and the count switch 52 also has a ball counting function for restricting the opening of the special winning opening door 49.

Switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 6
As shown in FIG. 8, the 5La and 65Ra are connected to the main board 151 via a switch relay board 77 described below. The main board 151 stores detection signals from these switches and sequentially derives a prize ball control signal for instructing the number of prize balls to be paid out to the payout control board 144 so as to pay out a prize ball corresponding to a winning. , A ball dispensing device 11 described later
6 is driven and controlled. The number of prize balls to be paid out when the switch detects a prize ball is determined in plural types according to the type of prize, and one start prize ball detected by the first type start port switch 60 is one. Is paid out for the detection of prize balls, and 13 prize balls detected by the other detection switches are paid out.
It is determined that payout of the prize balls is performed, and the number of prize balls is instructed by the prize ball control signal. In addition, when it is detected by the count switch 52, 15 prize balls may be paid out, and other 5 prize balls may be paid out, or a start prize (detection of the first type start port switch 60). Pays out 5 prize balls and wins a special winning opening (detection of count switch 52)
, And 15 other prize balls may be paid out.

The payout control board 144 includes a ROM for storing a payout control program and the like, a RAM used as a work memory, a CPU 144j for performing a control operation in accordance with a payout control program, and an I / O for data input / output. A payout control microcomputer 144M (one-chip microcomputer) including an / O port and performing payout control of prize balls and ball lending is provided.

The prize ball control signal includes a command (also referred to as a prize ball control signal CD0 to CD7) indicating a command content and an INT signal (prize ball control signal I) indicating a command fetch timing.
NT). Here, the command of the prize ball control signal is a one-byte command that is composed of two bytes of data, and is a one-byte command that designates (commands) one of two types of modes, a prize ball payout mode and a payout stop mode. MODE, command data, number of payouts, stop of payout operation,
It consists of 1-byte command data called EXTDATA for designating (instructing) any of the payout operations. Microcomputer 151M for game control
Commands the contents of the payout control by sequentially transmitting such 2-byte data. The payout control microcomputer 144M performs the payout control of the prize ball in response to the command of the prize ball control signal.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first-type starting port switch 60 as a starting ball detector is directly connected to the main board 151 without the intermediary of the relay board 77, and the starting signal and the winning signal ( However, the other detection switches 52 and 55
The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of winning balls at a, 55b, 65La, and 65Ra is a relatively large number, for example, thirteen, whereas the first-type starting port switch 60 is provided.
The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the winning ball in (1) is relatively small, for example, 5). This is because the wiring from the first-type starting port switch 60 is directly connected to the main board 151, and the wiring (called a hanging board or the like) incorporating an incorrect circuit board is connected in the middle of the connection. This is to make it easier to find out whether or not there is. The wiring that directly connects the first-type start-up switch 60 and the main board 151 has a color that is clearly different from the colors of the other wirings (in the case of the present embodiment, pink and yellow fluorescent colors). Therefore, from this point, it is easy to determine whether or not the wiring from the first-type start-up switch 60 is illegal.

In the game area 41 of the game board 40, as described above, a large number of electrical components such as switches and solenoids, decorative lamps and decorative LEDs are provided. Lamp relay board 76, switch relay board 7 attached to the back of cover 70
7, and is connected to the main board 151 and the lamp control board 80.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 62, and 65L provided on the game board surface.
a, 65Ra, and each solenoid 50, 53, 59
Are connected to the main board 151 via the switch relay board 77.

The decorative lamp boards 56, 66a, 67a on which the decorative lamps provided on the game board are mounted, and the decorative LEs on which the decorative LEDs provided on the game board are mounted.
D boards 45 and 57 and storage display LEDs 46 and 64
Are connected to a lamp control board 80 via a lamp relay board 76.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the game board 40, the back surface of the special variable display device 44 is provided so as to protrude. On the back surface of the special variable display device 44,
A symbol control board 75 as a display control board is attached so as to cover the symbol control board cover 74. The symbol control board 75 includes a microcomputer 75M that performs symbol control which is variable display control of symbols in each of the special variable display device 44 and the ordinary symbol display 63. The microcomputer 75M includes a symbol control CPU (to be described later, a CPU 75a), a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs symbol control (variable display control) of each of the special variable display device 44 and the ordinary symbol display 63. The microcomputer 75M receives a symbol control signal for instructing symbol control from the main board 151 from the main board 151, controls the variable display operation of the variable display of the special variable display device 44 in accordance with the command, and performs the normal symbol display. The variable display operation of the device 63 is also controlled.

In addition, around the rear surface of the above-mentioned special variable display device 44, a prize ball which has won a prize hole (in this embodiment, a prize hole 47) located above the special variable display device 44 is guided. A first winning ball guide cover 70, which is a cover having a winning ball guide path formed on the front surface thereof, is attached, and a second winning ball guide is provided at a lower portion thereof so as to communicate with the first winning ball guide cover 70. A cover body 71 is attached.

The first winning ball guide cover body 70 has a window hole 72 formed in the center thereof through which the back surface of the special variable display device 44 penetrates, and a lamp relay board 76 and a board external terminal board on one rear surface. 78 are attached. Also,
Below the symbol control board cover 74, a switch relay board 77 is provided. As described above, the lamp relay board 76 and the switch relay board 77 connect electrical components such as switches, lamps, solenoids, and LEDs provided in the game area 41 of the game board 40 to the main board 151 or the lamp control board 80. It relays.

As shown in FIG. 8, the board external terminal board 78 includes game information necessary for the business management of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, big hit 1 information for notifying that a big hit game is being played, a probability variation symbol). Big hit game state, big hit 2 information (signal that continues to be output during big hit and probability change) that informs that the big hit state and the probability change due to the big hit, probability change after big hit state by probability change symbol Probability variation information that informs that the vehicle is in the middle, start-up information that informs the number of hit balls for which the first-type start-up switch has been turned on, symbol determination count 1 information that reports the variable display operation count of the special variable display device, ordinary Management of the symbol determination number 2 for notifying the number of variable display operations of the variable display device, and the number of accessory items for notifying the number of times of opening and closing of the normally variable prize ball device, etc.) Has an external connection terminal 78b for outputting the computer, the game information are provided from the main board 151. Further, information such as which symbol has a big hit and which symbol has stopped may be output.

On the rear side of the second winning ball guide cover 71, a control board box 161 for accommodating a lamp control board 80 and a voice control board 82 is mounted.

The structure of the game board 40 has been described in detail above.
The game board storage frame 36 formed on the back side of the front frame 3 is stored and fixed. As is well known, the game board storage frame 36 is formed in a step shape on the back surface of the front frame 3 so as to store a game board 40 formed in a substantially square shape. A game board locking lever 86 for pressing and fixing the back surface of the stored game board 40 is attached to an appropriate position of the game board storage frame 36. The lower part of the game board storage frame 36 is
The lower side of the game board 40 is placed as a flat support plate, and an out ball guide path for guiding an out ball is formed substantially at the center of the support plate. When the game board 40 is stored and fixed by the game board locking lever 86, the mechanism 100 is covered from the back surface thereof. The mechanism portion 100 is formed of a conductive (metal-made) projecting upward from each of the two conductive bearings 37, 37 which are separately fixed to an upper side and a lower side on the inner side surface of the game board storage frame 36. ) Shaft pin 38
In addition, the latching holes of the shaft support portions formed at the upper and lower portions of the metal mounting member 148 fixed in the vertically extending manner in the mechanism section 100 are respectively opened and closed. It is supported by. In addition, the mechanism section 100 engages a locking pin (not shown) that is planted at an appropriate position of the game board storage frame 36 with a mechanism section locking lever 149 provided on the mechanism section 100, thereby forming the mechanism section. 100 can be held in a closed state. Here, the case where the mechanism unit 100 can be freely opened and closed with respect to the front frame 3 has been described as an example, but is not limited thereto.
The mechanism may be fixed to the front frame 3 and cannot be opened and closed.

Next, the structure of the mechanism section 100 provided on the back of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the mechanism unit 100 includes a storage tank 105.
, The upper component, the intermediate component, and the lower component constitute the opening window 102 when viewed from the rear.
1 are integrally formed.

The storage tank 105 serves mainly as a ball supply unit for storing prize balls. The upper component is provided with a ball alignment rail member 108 and a curve rail member 111 for guiding the prize balls stored in the storage tank 105 while aligning them on the downstream side. The intermediate component includes a ball passage 114 that guides a ball from the curve rail member 111 and a ball payout device 116 that pays out a prize ball based on a winning ball. The lower component is provided with a processing mechanism that mainly processes hit balls including winning balls hit into the game board.

When the mechanical section 100 is closed, the back side accommodating section of the game board 40 faces outside through the opening window 102. For this reason, even if the back surface structure of the game board 40 is a complicated structure including the back surface of the special variable display device 44 and the control board box 161 as described above, the mechanical unit 1
00 can be smoothly opened and closed. At a position slightly below the center of the opening window 102, there is provided a horizontal projecting plate 103 which is formed so as to protrude rearward from both ends of the opening window 102, and the horizontal projecting plate 10 is provided.
3, an upper portion of a main board box 150 described later is attached. However, the connectors 80a to 80c mounted on the lamp control board 80 and the connectors 82a to 82c mounted on the voice control board 82 are located above the horizontal projecting plate 103 and face the outside from the opening window 102. ing.

The configuration of the mechanism section 100 will be described below. First, a storage tank 105 for storing a large amount of prize balls, and a ball alignment rail member for arranging the prize balls supplied from the storage tank 105 in two rows by a partition wall to flow down are provided on the upper component of the mechanism section 100. 108, a curve rail member 111 for turning a prize ball guided by the ball alignment rail member 108 toward a ball payout device 116 described later, and a frame external terminal board provided above the curve rail member 111 132 are provided at predetermined positions.

The storage tank 105 is provided with an out-of-ball information detection lever 106 pivotally supported on the bottom surface thereof and urged upward by a spring (not shown). , The ball out information detection switch 107 is fixed. As shown in FIG. 9, the ball out information detection switch 107 is connected to a frame external terminal board 132.
To output a ball-out signal to a management computer (not shown) when a prize ball runs short in the storage tank 105. The ball alignment rail member 108 disposed on the downstream side of the storage tank 105 is attached in an inclined manner from one end of the upper component to the other end, and a partition wall (not shown) is erected in the center of the inside. Storage tank 1
The prize balls flowing out from 05 are arranged in three rows toward the downstream.

Further, a ball leveling member 109 is slidably suspended about the support shaft at the upper portion on the downstream side of the ball aligning rail member 108, and flows down the ball aligning rail member 108 in two vertical steps. The prize ball is made one step by the action of the weight buried in the ball leveling member 109.

An external connection terminal 1 to which a signal line to the outside is connected is provided on the upper portion on the downstream side of the ball alignment rail member 108 described above.
A frame external terminal board 132 having 33 is provided. External connection terminal 133 provided on frame external terminal substrate 132
Has a ball out information output terminal, a ball lending information output terminal, a prize ball information output terminal, and the like for connecting a signal line between the outside (for example, a management computer) and a ball game machine. Connector 132 to which detection switch 107 is connected
a, and a connector 132b to which the payout control board 144 is connected. Further, a hook (not shown) for bundling the power supply line 135 when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is carried is formed on the back surface of the mechanism section 100 near the information terminal board 132. Thereby, the power supply line 135 and the insertion plug 135a during transportation are provided.
Can be prevented from being damaged. The power supply line 135 is provided with a fuse case integrally.

In addition to the above-described configuration, a mechanism locking lever 149 having one end supported at the open end and at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the frame external terminal board 132 is rotatably provided on the upper component. Have been. The mechanism portion locking lever 149 is formed with a groove that engages with a distal end portion of a locking pin (not shown) that is planted and fixed at a predetermined position of the game board storage frame 36. By rotating the mechanism portion locking lever 149 so as to release the engagement between the groove and the locking pin, the fixed state of the mechanism portion 100 to the game board storage frame 36 can be released. Since the mechanism locking lever 149 is provided at the open end of the upper component and the open end of the lower component, the fixed state of the mechanism 100 to the game board storage frame 36 is firmly stabilized. It can be made to be.

Next, a curve rail member 111 is provided at the upper part of the intermediate component of the mechanism unit 100 and communicates with the downstream end of the ball alignment rail member 108 to guide the prize sphere by changing the direction of the prize ball by 180 degrees. . The curve rail member 111 is also formed so as to align winning balls in three rows and guide them toward the downstream side. A ball-off valve (not shown) is swingably provided at the hairpin-shaped bent portion of the curve rail member 111, and a ball-off passage 112 is provided from the side of the ball-off valve to the downstream side.
Are formed. The bleed passage 112 is provided when the bleed valve is operated (for example, when the business is closed and the storage tank 1 is closed).
05 when it is necessary to pull out the prize balls stored in the storage tank 105 and the ball alignment rail member 108
Is guided to the outside of the ball game machine 1.

A ball passage member is provided vertically downstream of the curve rail member 111. Specifically, a ball passage member is constituted by two rows of ball passages 114 on the left and right sides.
5 is provided so as to face the passage. The ball-out switch 115 is connected to the main board 151 via the frame switch relay board 142 as shown in FIG. 7, and when the ball-out switch 115 no longer detects a ball, a ball payout device described below. Dispensing motor 118 provided on 116
(See FIG. 8) is stopped to inactivate the payout of the balls. Here, the payout motor 118
The maximum payout number (also referred to as a continuous payout number) to be paid out by one payout operation is set to 25.

The ball-out switch 115 is used when the maximum number of balls to be paid out (for example, 25) or more balls in the ball payout device 116 and the ball passage 114 are entered. The detection position is set so that the ball located at the uppermost end can be detected. Therefore, when the ball-out switch 115 no longer detects a ball, it is detected that the number of balls to be paid out is less than the maximum payout number (25 pieces) (ball-out state).

Below the ball passage 114, a ball payout device 116 is attached. The ball dispensing device 116 is housed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case (see FIG. 7 and the like) and is detachably attached to the rear surface of the mechanism main body 101. The ball dispensing device 116 includes, in addition to various members that operate for dispensing balls, a photo sensor for stopping the dispensing motor 118 (more precisely, a rotating member) to reliably perform the ball dispensing operation. Also, a motor position sensor 122 (see FIG. 8) for detecting the position of the motor is provided.
Specifically, the motor position sensor 122 detects a detection protrusion 216 provided on a gear 212 shown in FIG. 4 described later using a photosensor provided on a relay board 223 shown in FIG. 8 described later. Thus, the stop position of the payout motor 118 is detected.

Next, the structure of the ball payout device 116 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The ball dispensing device 116
As shown in FIG. 6, the case 201 is formed collectively in the case 201. The case 201 is completed by being divided into three parts (cases 201a to 201c) on the left, the middle, and the right, and assembling them. Middle and left cases 201b, 201c
The two rows of ball passages 11 are provided on the sides facing each other.
Ball passage 203 (in each case 201b, 201)
Since the internal structure of c is almost bilaterally symmetric,
Is omitted), and the prize balls entered from the ball entrance 202 at the upper end of the ball passage 203 are divided one by one by a sprocket 205 provided in the ball passage 203, and balls are formed. The liquid is discharged from a discharge port 204 at the lower end of the passage 203. The outlet 204 includes two outlets 204a and 204b that are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction. The front discharge port 204a is configured as a ball discharge port 204a that discharges a ball discharged from the ball discharging device 116 as a ball. The rear discharge port 204b is a prize ball discharge port 20 for discharging a ball discharged from the ball discharge device 116 as a prize ball (prize ball).
4b. The discharge port 204a detects the number of balls (the number of lending balls) discharged from the discharge port 204a (specifically, outputs a detection signal in response to detecting the paid lending ball). The ball lending number count switch 119 is provided. The discharge port 204b has a prize for detecting the number of balls (the number of prize balls) discharged from the discharge port 204b (specifically, outputting a detection signal in response to detecting the paid prize ball). A ball count switch 120 is provided.

The sprocket 205 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 206 via a washer (not shown) so as to face below the bent portion of the ball passage 203. Describing in more detail, the sprocket 205 has a flange-shaped disk (not shown) formed on the right end side of an elongated cylindrical member 208. A plurality (three) of protruding portions 210 are formed on both sides of the disk portion so as to protrude with an interval for receiving the balls. Thereby, each protrusion 2
Between 10 is formed as a recess 211 for receiving and guiding the ball. Also, at the left end of the cylindrical member 208,
An inner fitting portion 214 is formed to fit into a fitting hole 213 formed in the center of the gear 212. Thus, the sprocket 205 rotates integrally with the gear 212. A plurality of detection projections 216 are provided on one side surface of the gear 312 along the outer circumference (see FIG. 4). The sprocket 205 is attached by inserting a center hole (not shown) formed in the center of the columnar member 208 into a rotary shaft 206 which is inserted and supported slightly above the center of the case 321c. Thus, the sprocket 205 is rotatably supported. The other end of the rotating shaft 206 is connected to the case 2 when the case 301a is assembled.
01a is supported by a support hole (not shown).

The sprocket 205 rotatably supported as described above is provided in the dispensing motor 1 accommodated and supported in a motor accommodating space (not shown) formed in front of the ball passage 203.
18 is driven to rotate. That is, the payout motor 118
Is fixed to a motor fixing plate (not shown) provided so as to close an opening formed in a side surface of the case 201b. Output shaft 218 protruding forward of the motor fixing plate
a (see FIG. 5), the gear 32 is inserted through the above-described opening.
0 is fixed. The gear 220 engages with the gear 212. Each gear 212, 22
0 is arranged in the accommodation space formed between the cases 201a and 201b. Further, the payout motor 118 is connected to the payout unit relay board 124 on which various electronic components are mounted, as described above. Dispensing unit relay board 1
Wiring from the payout control board 144 (signal lines to the payout control board 144) is connected to the 24 connectors 221a, while wiring from the main board 151 (relayed by the frame switch relay board 142) is connected to the connector 221b. Signal line from the main board 151 is connected. The wiring from the payout control board 144 and the main board 151 may be relayed via another relay board.

Further, the payout unit relay board 124 includes:
Dispensing motor position sensor 122 (photo sensor) described above
Is connected to a payout motor position sensor board 223, a ball lending number count switch 119, a prize ball number count switch 120, and a passage switching solenoid 117. Specifically, it is connected to the main board 151 so that the detection signal of the winning ball number count switch 120 is inputted,
The payout control board 144 includes the payout motor position sensor 12.
2. The detection signals of the prize ball number count switch 120 and the ball lending number count switch 119 are input, connected to the payout motor 118 from the payout control board 144 to output a drive signal (firing control signal), and paid out. The control board 144 is connected to the passage switching solenoid 117 so as to output a drive signal (solenoid control signal).

The dispensing unit relay board 124 is inserted into the case 20 with respect to a positioning hole (not shown) formed in the board.
In a state where the positioning protrusion (not shown) projecting from 1b is fitted, it is screwed to a mounting boss formed on the case 201b through a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the dispensing unit relay board 124. You. Also, the sensor substrate 223
Is screwed to a mounting boss (not shown) formed in the case 201a via a mounting hole 227 formed in the substrate 223.

Here, in the payout unit relay board 124, the two connectors 221a and 221b are different in size. With the dispensing unit relay board 124,
A signal line for transmitting a signal to the main board 151 (a signal line via the frame switch relay board 142) and a signal line for transmitting and receiving a signal from the payout control board 144 are relayed. The wiring is different, so there is no erroneous wiring. In addition, the payout unit relay board 124
Since it is accommodated in the case 201, it is protected from the outside. The screw between the case 201b and the case 201c is
This is performed using a fixing method such as screwing screws 242 and 243 into predetermined screw holes.

Further, each of the cases 201b, 201
In the assembled state of c, a gear 220 (hereinafter, referred to as a small diameter gear) fixed to the output shaft 218a of the payout motor 118 and a gear 212 (hereinafter, referred to as a large diameter gear) integrally attached to the sprocket 205 are included. The gears are engaged (the gear ratio is 1: 2). The sprocket 205
As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion 210 and the concave portion 211 enter the inside of the ball passage 203 with the rotation, and are received by the bent portion of the ball passage 203 in the concave portion 211 where the protruding portion 210 is heard. The ball is rotated and released at an obliquely lower point while the ball is stored, and the ball is paid out from the ball lending outlet 204a or the prize ball outlet 204b. The protrusions 210 and the recesses 211 formed on the left and right sides of the large-diameter gear 212 of the sprocket 205 are alternately formed as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ball paid out from one ball passage 203 and the ball paid out from the other ball passage 203 are not paid out at the same time, but are paid out alternately. Further, the rotation position of the sprocket 205 is detected by the payout motor position sensor 122 described above. That is, the payout motor position sensor 122
Detecting projection 21 formed on the back surface of large-diameter gear 212
The rotation position of the sprocket 205 is detected based on the fact that a light non-detection state has occurred due to the crossing of the detection position by the sensor 6.

Each case 201b, 201 on the upstream side of the ball passage 203 (above the sprocket 205).
Between c, there is provided a partition plate 247 for partitioning the left and right ball passages 203 communicating with the two rows of ball passages individually.
On the other hand, on the downstream side of the ball passage 203 (below the sprocket 205), no partition plate 247 is provided, and the ball passage 203 having a width of two rows on the left and right is inclined toward the center, and a width of one row (ball 1) is provided. (See FIG. 6), and below the ball passage 203 in one row, the ball passage 203 is divided into two front and rear rows. The ball rental passage 203c (passage state shown in FIG. 5B) for sending the ball sent from the sprocket 205 to the ball rental outlet 204a, and the prize ball outlet 204b. Send prize ball passage 20
A passage switching valve 250 is provided for switching the ball passage between 3d (the passage state shown in FIG. 5A). The passage switching valve 250 is provided with a rotary shaft 25 in an insertion hole formed in the lower end.
2 are inserted, and both ends of the rotating shaft 252 are
It is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 252 by being fitted into and fitted into each fitting hole of the mounting boss protruding from 1b and 201c. In addition, an engagement protrusion 255 protrudes from a left end of the passage switching valve 250. The distal end portion of the engagement protrusion 255 is provided in an accommodation space formed between the cases 201a and 201b by passing through an insertion hole formed in the case 201b, and provided in engagement with a connecting member 263 described later. Can be The passage switching valve 350 has a curved shape as viewed from the side as shown in FIG.
In the passage switching state shown in (B), the shape is along the curved ball passage, and the ball receiving surface is concavely concave. Therefore, even when the passage switching valve 250 forms a part of the ball passage, the ball can be guided to slide. As a result, smooth flow of the balls can be caused, and the durability of the passage switching valve 250 can be improved.

Further, a concave portion 257 is formed in the ball passage 203 in contact with the distal end of the passage switching valve 250 so that the distal end of the switching valve 350 does not protrude into the ball passage 203. Therefore, in any of the passage shapes switched by the passage switching valve 250 (the respective passage states shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B), the flow of the ball is not prevented, so that the flow is smooth. In this case, the tip of the passage switching valve 250 can be transferred.

The passage switching valve 250 rotatably supported as described above is provided with the passage switching solenoid 11 accommodated and supported in the accommodation space formed between the cases 201a and 201b.
7 is driven to rotate. That is, the passage switching solenoid 117 is screwed and fixed to the side surface of the case 201b below the motor housing space, and the connecting member 263 is fixed to the tip of the plunger by screwing. The connecting member 263 includes a passage switching solenoid 1
An insertion hole (not shown) into which the tip of the plunger 17 is inserted, and a notch-shaped engaging portion 266 that engages with the above-described engaging protrusion 255 are formed. Accordingly, in a state where the plunger is moved backward by the elastic force of the spring (not shown) without being driven (excited), the passage switching solenoid 117 holds the passage switching valve 250 at the rotation position shown in FIG. (The ball passage 203 is switched to the prize ball discharge port 204b side). On the other hand, when the plunger is advanced (moved) by being driven (excited), the passage switching valve 250
(B) (the ball passage 203 is switched to the ball lending outlet 204a side).

Further, in the passage switching by the passage switching valve 250, the ball passage 2 above the sprocket 305
Whereas 03 (ball receiving passage) is 2 rows (2 rows),
Ball passage 203 below sprocket 305 (ball rental passage 2)
03c, the prize ball path 203d) is configured to be one line (one row). Therefore, the number of detectors provided on the ball discharge passage side can be minimized. Specifically, a count switch (ball lending number count switch 119, prize ball number count switch 120) is provided for each of the ball lending passage 203c and the prize ball passage 203d.
Only need to be provided. Also, to make Article 2 into Article 1,
Since the balls to be dispensed in Article 2 are brought to the center and guided to the passage of Article 1, the balls to be dispensed alternately can be smoothed by one.
It is designed to flow into the ridge passage. And that one
The passage that has become a line branches into a ball lending passage and a prize ball passage, and the prize ball passage extends vertically and straightly with respect to the passage that has become a single line. That is, the passage switching valve 250
Thus, the ball is formed so that the ball does not fall down and the ball falls vertically. For this reason, in paying out prize balls, which are more frequently paid out than ball lending and are likely to be clogged due to a high payout speed, problems such as clogging can be avoided as much as possible.

Further, assembling between the cases 201a and 201b accommodating the passage switching solenoid 117 is performed by hinged screws 270 to 272 in the same manner as the above-described assembling between the cases 201b and 201c. Further, a positioning opening (not shown) for positioning the case 201a and the passage switching solenoid 117 is formed in the case 201a by fitting a rectangular side wall portion of the passage switching solenoid 117 therein. In addition,
This positioning opening exposes the side wall portion of the passage switching solenoid 117 to the outside, so that the passage switching solenoid 11
It also functions as a heat radiating hole for releasing heat generated from the outside to the outside.

The case 201 is located at the center case 20.
1b, the left and right cases 201a and 201c are respectively assembled.
a, 201b, right and center cases 201
Housing spaces for various constituent members are provided between c and 201b. With this configuration, the various horizontal components of the ball dispensing device 116 can be housed separately in two housing spaces. For this reason, when performing maintenance on the ball dispensing apparatus 116, maintenance may be performed by removing only the case (one of the left and right cases 201a and 201c) on the side that forms the storage space in which the member to be maintained is stored. The work of removing members not related to maintenance can be avoided as much as possible.

Next, the lower components of the mechanism section 100 will be described. Due to the structure of the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1,
Although not shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball passage is formed on the rear side of the lower component portion at one upper side thereof, and an upper plate communication port is formed at a lower end of the winning ball passage. The upper plate communication port guides a prize ball to the upper plate 19 provided on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. An extra sphere passage is connected to one side of the upper plate communication port. When a large number of prize balls based on the winning are paid out and the upper plate 19 is full of prize balls, and finally reaches the upper plate communication port and further prize balls are continuously paid out,
The prize ball is guided to the surplus ball passage, and then discharged to the lower plate 27 via the connection gutter described above. And when the prize ball is further paid out, the lower plate 27 is also full,
Full tank switch 12 provided on one side wall of surplus ball passage
9 (see FIG. 7), the full tank switch is turned on, and the payout motor 118 of the ball payout device 116 is turned on.
Is stopped to inactivate the award ball and ball lending payout operations. The driving of the firing motor 88 of the hit ball firing device 87 may be stopped as necessary. Note that the rear surfaces of the above-described prize ball passage, ball-drop passage, and surplus ball passage are closed by a lower passage cover body.

Although not shown in FIG. 3 due to the structure of the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a game board 40 is provided on the front side of the lower component (the side that contacts the game board 40).
The prize ball collecting gutter for collecting the prize balls generated in the above is provided in an inclined shape. The winning balls collected in the winning ball collecting gutter are discharged to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (recovery path formed inside the installation island of the pachinko gaming machine 1) through the driving ball discharging passage. In the driven ball discharge passage, not only the winning ball but also the out ball taken into the out mouth 69 and the prize ball removed from the ball removal passage 112 are discharged together.

Further, the mechanism section 1 configured as described above
The power supply unit box 136, the main board box 150, the payout control board box 143, and the frame switch relay board 142 are provided on the rear side of the lower part of the 00. The power supply unit box 136 accommodates a power supply board 137 that generates a plurality of power supplies having different voltages. The main board box 150 includes a special variable display device 44 and a special variable prize ball device 4 provided on the game board 40.
The main board 151 for controlling the operation of the gaming machine such as 8 is accommodated. The payout control board box 143 houses a payout control board 144 that controls the operation of the ball payout device 116.

The frame switch relay board 142 relays the connection between the main board 151 and the full tank switch 129, the ball cut switch 115, and the payout unit relay board 124.

The power supply unit box 136 includes the opening window 1
02 is detachably attached to the mechanism unit main body 101 at the lower position side of 02. The main board box 150 is rotatably and detachably disposed at a position overlapping the power supply unit box 136 and overlapping the control board box 161. The dispensing control board box 143 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a driven ball discharge passage and a ball ejection passage 112.
It is detachably attached to the rear surface side. Since the payout control board box 143 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, the inside of the box can be seen through from the outside.

The dispensing control board 144 accommodated in the dispensing control board box 143 has an error display 145 for displaying the type of the failure by a numeral or an English character when a failure or the like occurs.
(See FIG. 3). This error indicator 14
Reference numeral 5 denotes a 7-segment display, which is accommodated in the payout control board box 143 in such a manner as not to be exposed from the payout control board box 143. Since the dispensing control board box 143 is made of a transparent resin, the error indicator 1
Reference numeral 45 indicates that the display can be viewed from outside the box even when housed in the payout control board box 143. Further, the payout control board 144 may be provided with a reset switch operated when the payout control board 144 is restarted.

A power supply board 137 housed inside the power supply unit box 136 on the back side of the main board box 150 has a connector for connecting a power supply line (power supply cord 135) to which AC 24 V is supplied as primary power supply, and a power supply. A variety of electrical components are mounted, including a connector for connecting to the board to which the power is supplied, and a plurality of fuse cases and the like in which fuses are mounted to cut off overcurrent during power supply and protect various circuits. I have.

The power supply board 137 is used to release (stop) the supply of backup power as backup power when the supply of 24 V AC power supplied from the power cord 135 is cut off. A reset switch and a power switch that generates power of a plurality of types of voltages by an ON operation and supplies the power to each control board may be provided.

Further, each of the connectors for connecting to the power supply destination board is provided with a power supply line of a type required for the power supply destination board collectively for each supply destination board. These are connected as wiring.

The symbol control board cover 7 shown in FIG.
4, control board box 161, main board box 150,
In addition, the dispensing control board box 143 is configured so that a part or all of the dispensing control board box 143 is made of a transparent synthetic resin so that the inside thereof can be seen through (an unauthorized modification of a ROM or the like can be easily visually recognized), and a heat radiation hole is formed. ing. The audio control board 82 accommodated in the control board box 161
Is a ROM (in particular, an RO storing sound effect data)
M) Even if it is replaced, it can be easily recycled. The ROM of the lamp control board 80 accommodated in the control board box 161 and the symbol control board 75 covered by the symbol control board cover 74 are also exchanged unless the board configuration and the number of lamps are changed. It can be recycled by doing. In other words, if the boxes are collected when the game board 40 is replaced, and the ROM is taken out and rewritten or replaced, it can be used for a new model having different contents. Therefore, only the ROM is replaced when the new model is replaced. The changed control box can be delivered again and reused.

As described above, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the gaming board 4
0, and the schematic configuration of the mechanical section 100 have been described. However, the mutual relationship between various control boards provided on the mechanical section 100 and the game board 40, and the various control boards and the mechanical section 100, The relationship between the front frame 3 and the electrical components provided on the front opening / closing frame 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8. FIG.

The connector 76a of the lamp relay board 76 and the connector 80a of the lamp control board 80 attached to the upper part of the first winning ball guide cover 70 are connected. The lamp relay board 76 includes various lamp boards provided with various lamps as described above (in FIG. 7, a decorative lamp board 76a as a generic name of various lamp boards), and various LED boards as described above. L provided with
An ED board (shown as a decorative LED board 76b as a generic name of various LED boards in FIG. 7), a normal symbol storage LED 64, a special symbol start storage LED 46 (a memory display LED board as a generic name of these storage LEDs in FIG. 7) 46, 64).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, nine connectors 144a to 144i are mounted on the payout control board 144. The main board 151 is connected to the connector 144a.
Is connected. The power supply board 1 is connected to the connector 144b.
37 is connected, and power supply is supplied. The frame external terminal board 132 is connected to the connector 144h. The payout unit relay board 1 is connected to the connector 144d.
24 are connected. The balance display board 23 is connected to the connector 144c. The connector 144f has:
The emission control signal relay board 98 is connected. The power supply board 137 is connected to the connector 144g, and a power-off signal is supplied. An earth plate described later is connected to the connector 144e. A card unit wiring 35 from the card unit 31 is connected to the connector 144i. Among such connectors, the connector 144i for connection with the card unit 31 has a connection portion facing downward on a lower edge portion in a state where the payout control board 144 is attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is provided in a manner. The connector 144i has a part of the connection part projecting below the payout control board 144. Connector 1
44i is provided at a position below the card unit 31 below the payout control board 144.

In addition, the connector 1 other than the connector 144i
44a to 144h are arranged in a line on the upper edge portion in a state where the payout control boards 144 are attached to the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the connection portions are provided in such a manner as to face the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. I have.

Of the connectors 144a to 144h described above, the connector 144c for connection to the balance display board 23,
A connector 144a for connection to the main board 151, and
Connector 14 for connection with payout unit relay board 124
The positional relationship of 4d is as follows.

Connector 144 for connection to main board 151
“a” is provided on the dispensing control board 144 at a position closer to the open end of the front frame portion, that is, at a position closer to the main board 151 so as to be easily connected to the main board 151. On the other hand, the connector 144c is located on the dispensing control board 144 at a position closer to the shaft support end of the front frame, that is, the connector 1 on the dispensing control board 144.
It is provided at a position on the substrate opposite to the arrangement position of 44a. The positional relationship between the connector 144a and the connector 144d is such that the game control board connector is located on the front side in an arrangement in which the game control board is closer to the open end of the front frame than the payout control board. The one provided near the open end of the frame and the connector for the balance display near the pivot end of the front frame correspond to the balance display and the game control board, respectively. This is because connection of the wiring to be performed becomes easy.

Further, the connector 144d for connection with the payout unit relay board 124 has the payout device 116 located above the payout control board 144.
(More specifically, it is provided at a position between the connector 144c and the connector 144a on the dispensing control board 144 so as to be easily connected to the dispensing unit via the dispensing unit relay board 124).

Although the dispensing control board box 143 covers the entire board, the dispensing control board box 143 is located at a position corresponding to each of the connectors 144a to 144i and at which the respective connector can be exposed. Openings 143a to 143 having shapes that can be exposed
3i are formed. Here, the opening 143i corresponding to the connector 144i is provided on the lower surface side of the payout control board box 143 in accordance with the direction of the connecting portion of the connector 144i, unlike the other openings. Connector 14
Part of 4i protrudes outward from the opening 143i.

By the way, the colors of the wirings connecting the above-mentioned boards are set according to the boards to be connected. Each connector 144a to 144 of the payout control board 144
The wiring connected to i is set to brown. The wiring connected to each of the connectors 80a to 80d of the lamp control board 80 is set to green. The wires connected to the connectors 82a to 82c of the audio control board 82 are set to yellow. The wiring connected to the main board 151 is basically set to white. However, the payout control board 14
4. The connection wirings with the lamp control board 80 and the sound control board 82 are connected to the boards 144, 80, 8 respectively.
Priority is given to the wiring color according to the second type starting switch 6
The wiring of the connector 151a for connecting 0 is set to pink and yellow fluorescent colors as described above. The wiring connected to the emission control board 90 is set to white, and the wiring connected to the power supply board 137 is set to black. Also, the horizontal projecting plate 103 formed on the mechanism section 100
(The main board 15 provided on the open side of the front frame 3)
1, a wiring converging member (not shown) for bundling the wiring connected to the connectors 151b to 151d of the main board 151 is provided. A wiring holder for keeping the wiring processing of the rear surface of the mechanical unit 100 orderly is provided on the surface of the mechanism 103 including the surface facing the open window 102). Note that the wiring press provided on the surface of the horizontal projecting plate 103 that faces the opening window 102 collects the wiring of the lamp control board 80 and the sound control board 82 housed in the control board box 161. .

The wiring converging member is formed by coating a metal with a synthetic resin, and the wiring retainer is a synthetic resin molded product which is pivotally supported by screws and has a rotatable structure.
Either structure can be used.

In the circuit configuration in which the wiring is connected as described above, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switches 51, 52, 5 provided on the game board 40 are provided on the main board 151.
Signals from 5a, 55b, 62, and 65a are input via the switch relay board 77, a signal from the first-type starting port switch 60 is also input, and signals from the full tank switch 129 and the ball out switch 115. Is input via the frame switch relay board 142. Further, the main board 151 has a ball lending number count switch 119 and a prize ball number count switch 120 via a payout unit relay board 124 and a frame switch relay board 142.
Is input.

The main board 151 receives the input signals from the switches 51, 52, 60 and 62 provided on the game board 40 and performs the following control. The main board 151 includes solenoids 50 and 59 provided on the game board 40 and the normal symbol display 6 according to the game state.
3, and control the storage display LEDs 46 and 64. Further, the main board 151 outputs a lamp control signal as a command to the lamp control board 80 in order to control the lamp according to the game state. Further, the main substrate 15
1 controls a voice control signal as a command to control a voice such as a sound effect according to a game state.
Output to 2. Further, the main board 151 controls a symbol control signal such as an off display control signal, a reach display control signal, and a big hit display control signal in order to control the variable display state of the special variable display device 44 according to the game state. Output to the substrate 75. In addition, the main board 151 is a board external terminal board 7.
8 to output various game information.

The lamp control board 80 includes various lamps 6 to 10, 56, 66a, 67a, various LEDs 13a, and the like in accordance with the type of the lamp control signal input from the main board 151.
45 and 57 are display-driven controlled. The voice control board 82
The drive of the speakers 12a and 12b is controlled in accordance with the type of the audio control signal input from the main board 151. Further, the symbol control board 75 controls to derive the display result of the special symbol display 44 according to the type of the symbol control signal input from the main board 151.

Further, based on the input signal from the full tank switch 129, the main board 151 outputs a full tank signal to the payout control board 144, and stops the drive of the payout motor 118 based on the full tank signal. I do. Alternatively, the main board 151 may stop driving the firing motor 88 based on the full signal. The full tank switch 12
9 when there is an input signal from the lamp control board 8
A full signal may be output to 0 to display and drive a predetermined lamp or LED to notify that fact. Also, since a full tank signal is output to the payout control board 144,
For example, an error indicator 145 on the payout control board 144
The user may be notified of such a situation.

Each of the switches 51, 52, 55a and 55 except the gate switch 62 provided on the game board 40 is provided.
The main board 151 outputs a prize ball control signal designating the number of prize balls to the payout control board 144 based on the input signals from b, 65La and 65Ra. The payout control board 144 drives the payout motor 118 based on the input of the winning ball control signal designating the number of winning balls, and pays out a predetermined number of winning balls.

Also, based on an input signal from the prize ball number count switch 120, the number of prize balls actually paid out is grasped. The main board 151 outputs a winning ball information signal indicating the number of winning balls to the frame external terminal board 132, and outputs this signal from the frame external terminal board 132 to an external management computer. Further, the main board 151 includes the switches 52 and 55.
When it is recognized that there is a winning based on the input signals from a, 55b, 60, 65La, and 65Ra, a lamp control signal is output to the lamp control board 80, and the prize ball lamp 10 is driven to display. Notify that. In such a case, a sound control signal may be output to the sound control board 82 to output a sound from the speakers 12a and 12b to provide notification.

Further, based on the input signal from the ball cut switch 115, the main board 151 is dispensed with the payout control board 144.
A prize ball control signal for stopping the payout operation, or a prize ball out signal to the lamp control board 80 to drive the ball out lamp 9 in a predetermined manner. Instead of controlling the out-of-sphere lamp 9 or the separately provided out-of-sphere lamp by the main board 151 or the payout control board 144, the power supply is supplied to the out-of-sphere lamp 9 or the separately provided out-of-sphere lamp, and the out-of-sphere switch is provided. It is also possible to simply turn on and off 115 to turn off and on.

As described above, the main board 151 has a switch input for controlling a game operation, a switch input for controlling a payout operation of award balls, and drives a decorative lamp, a decorative LED, and the speakers 12a and 12b. Only switch input for control is input. Therefore, the main substrate 1
With respect to the relationship between 51 and the other control boards 144, 80, 82, 75, the main board 151 moves the other control boards 144, 8
It becomes a one-way communication relationship toward 0, 82, 75. For this reason, this pachinko gaming machine 1 is
There is an advantage that even if an illegal processing program is incorporated in 4, 80, 82, 75 and an attempt is made to perform an illegal processing on the main board 151, it cannot be executed. In addition, the main board 151
Control of the other control boards 144, 80, 82, 75
In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the main board 1
It is also possible to reduce the burden on 51 and to facilitate the inspection of the main board 151 by the regulatory agency.

Next, referring to FIG.
4 includes a motor position sensor 122 and a count switch 1
19, 120, signals from the ball out switch 115 are input through the payout unit relay board 124, signals from the ball lending switch 24, the return switch 25 of the balance display board 23 are input, and various information from the card unit 31 are input. Is entered. Further, as described above, the prize ball control signal (including the prize ball number signal indicating the number of prize balls) is input to the payout control board 144 from the main board 151.

Based on the input signal from the motor position sensor 122, the payout control board 14
4 is a payout motor 1 in a payout operation of a lending ball and a prize ball.
The stop position of 18, that is, the stop position of the rotating member can be accurately controlled, and whether or not the rotating member is rotating can be detected.

Further, based on the input signals from the count switches 119 and 120, the payout control board 144 causes the payout motor 1 to pay out the correct number of balls to be paid and prize balls.
18 and the frame external terminal board 132
To output ball lending information that can specify the number of balls to be paid. The prize ball information is output from the main board 151.

The balance display board 23 is connected to the card unit 31 via a relay wiring 1440b formed on the payout control board 144. Relay wiring 1440
b is not connected to other signal lines and electronic devices provided on the payout control board 144, but merely relays signals.

When the ball lending switch 24 is operated, the operation signal is relayed by the payout control board 144 and given to the card unit 31, and based on the operation signal, the card lending is performed from the card unit 31 to the payout control board 144. A request operation signal (BRDY signal described later) is provided. In this case, the payout control board 144 does not refer to the balance information grasped by the card unit 31 and drives the payout motor 118 in accordance with the ball lending request based on the ball lending request operation signal to pay out the ball lending. . Also, return switch 2
When the operation 5 is performed, the operation signal is relayed by the payout control board 144 and provided to the card unit 31, and the card unit 31 outputs a card return signal to the card unit 31 based on the operation signal. Further, the card unit 31 outputs a balance display signal indicating the balance of the card, and the operation signal is relayed by the payout control board 144 and given to the frequency display LED, whereby the balance is displayed.

Further, based on the prize ball control signal from the main board 151, the payout control board 144 executes the prize ball payout operation via the payout unit relay board 124 as described above, or executes the launch control board 90. Or a stop signal of the firing motor 88 is output.

The input signal from the ball-out information detection switch 107 connected to the frame external terminal board 132 is not input to the payout control board 144, but is output as ball-out information directly to an external management computer or the like. Is output.

The power supply board 137 receives power supply power of 24 V AC as the primary power supply, and operates as a secondary power supply by the operation of various circuits provided on the board.
V, 21 V DC, 12 V DC, 5 V DC, and 24 V AC power are generated. The power supply power generated in the power supply board 137 is supplied to each board as follows.

The main substrate 151 has a DC voltage of 30 V,
V, 5 V DC power supply power is supplied. Dispensing control board 1
44, DC30V, DC12V, DC5V, AC2
A power supply of 4 V is supplied. The voice control board 82 includes
Power supply power of DC12V and DC5V is supplied. The lamp control board 80 includes DC30V, DC21V, DC12V.
V, 5 V DC power supply power is supplied. Launch control board 9
0, DC 30 V, DC via the launch relay A board 99
A power supply of 5 V is supplied. In addition, power supply of DC12V and DC5V is supplied from the main board 151 to the symbol control board 75.

As described above, various control boards 15
1, 144, 80, 82, 75, and 92 are power supply boards 13
7 is configured to receive desired power supply power. However, the supply of power to the symbol control board 75 is
The operation is performed not directly from the power supply board 137 but from the power supply board 137 via the main board 151. This is because the power supply voltage used differs between the case where the special variable display device is an electric variable display member (liquid crystal in this embodiment) as in the present embodiment and the drum type variable display member. For this reason, it is necessary to change the type or number of the power supply terminals in the power supply board 137 with the replacement of the game board 40. However, the power supply wiring is branched from the main board 151 changed with the replacement of the game board 40 and the symbols are changed. When the power is supplied to the control board 75, if the power supply terminals of the main board 151 are connected to only the wires of a required voltage while keeping the type or the number of the power supply terminals on the power supply board 137 as they are, This is because there is no need to change the type or number of terminals. The power supply board 137
May be separately configured in accordance with the type of the variable display member.

In this pachinko gaming machine 1,
The following electrostatic discharge structure is provided. Contact members which are capable of contacting the balls and have conductivity are provided at the storage positions of the balls such as the storage tank 105, the upper plate 19, and the lower plate 27 and at the passage positions of the balls. Each contact member is connected to the above-described mounting member 14 via a wiring and a conductive member other than the wiring.
8 (made of a conductive member). The card unit wiring 35 includes a ground wiring (FG in FIG. 8) connected to the above-described ground electrode of the power cord 311 and the inside of the card unit 31.
Discharge wiring is provided on the payout control board 144, and the discharge wiring connected to the mounting member 148 and the grounding of the card unit wiring 35 are connected to the discharge wiring. The wiring and the connector are connected.
The discharge contact member and the mounting member 148 in such a discharge structure include many plate-like members,
Since it is grounded via the above-described path, it is called an earth plate 500 and is shown in FIG.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1 having such a discharging structure, the contact member receives the static electricity charged on the ball. Then, the static electricity is transmitted to the mounting member 148 via wiring, conductive members, and the like provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1.
To the card unit wiring 35 from the mounting member 148 via the payout control board 144. Since the card unit wiring 35 is connected to the grounding pole of the power cord 311 of the card unit 31, the static electricity transmitted to the card unit wiring 35 inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 will
It is discharged through the eleven ground electrodes.

As the electrostatic discharge structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a structure capable of discharging the static electricity received by the contact member to the power supply of the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be employed. Also, without providing the contact member, the pachinko gaming machine 1
A conductive member receiving internal static electricity is provided, and the static electricity charged inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is received by the conductive member to discharge the card unit 31 or the power supply of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as described above. It may be performed.

By adopting the above-described discharge configuration, static electricity charged inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 is discharged and removed. Elimination of static electricity charged in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be easily performed without the need for complicated work such as ground wiring outside the pachinko gaming machine. By removing such static electricity, generation of noise due to static electricity can be prevented. As a result, malfunctions of electrical equipment such as a control circuit in the pachinko gaming machine 1 due to noise due to static electricity can be prevented. In addition to preventing noise, it is possible to protect against noise caused by static electricity.

Next, the main board 151 and the payout control board 14
4 will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the main board 151 and the payout control board 14.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals to / from the H.4.

Referring to FIG. 9, output buffers 151b, 151e, and 15b are provided on main board 151 as means for transmitting signals from microcomputer 151M for game control.
1f and output ports 151c and 151d.

Here, a transmission mode of the award ball control signal will be described. The prize-ball control signal includes a command (also referred to as a prize-ball control signal CD0 to CD7) indicating a control command content and an INT signal (prize-ball control signal I) indicating a command capture timing.
NT), and when the payout control board 144 receives the prize ball control signal INT, the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD0
The CD 7 is taken in and control is performed according to the command. Details of the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7, which are commands for prize ball control, are sent from the game control microcomputer 151M to the output buffer 151b and the output port 15 respectively.
1c, and output to the outside of the substrate via the output buffer 151e. The prize ball control signal INT is sent from the microcomputer 151M to the output buffer 151.
b, output port 151d, and output buffer 151
The signals are sequentially output to the outside of the substrate via f.

Microcomputer 151 for game control
M and the output buffer 151b.
Signals are transmitted by data buses between b and the output port 151c and between the output buffer 151b and the output buffer 151e. Output port 151
c and the output buffer 151e, the parallel I / O
Signals are transmitted in parallel by signal lines between ports. Between the output port 151d and the output buffer 151f,
Signals are transmitted by signal lines between single I / O ports.

The payout control board 144 includes an input buffer 14 as a means for receiving a prize ball control signal from the main board 151.
4B, 144C and input port 14 for command input
4D is provided. The payout control microcomputer 144M provided on the payout control board 144 has an input port 144E.

The prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 output from the main board 151 are input to the microcomputer 144M on the payout control board 144 via the input buffer 144B and the input port 144D in order. The prize ball control signal INT output from the payout control board 144 is
In the payout control board 144, the data is input to the payout control microcomputer 144M via the input buffer 144C and the input port 144E in order.

Between the output buffer 151e of the main board 151 and the input buffer 144B of the dispensing control board 144, and between the input buffer 144B and the input port 144D, a signal is transmitted by a signal line between the parallel I / O ports. It is transmitted in parallel. Signals are transmitted between the input port 144D and the microcomputer 144M via the data bus. Between the input buffer 144C and the input port 144E of the payout control board 144, a single I
Signals are transmitted by signal lines between the / O ports.

The input buffers 144B and 144C of the payout control board 144 have a function of transmitting information only in one direction from the main board 151 to the payout control board 144.
That is, the input buffers 144B and 144C are irreversible input interfaces that allow input of information from outside to inside the payout control board 144 but do not allow output of information from inside to outside of the payout control board 144. . Therefore, since input buffers 144B and 144C are provided, an illegal signal is input to main board 151 using a communication portion between main board 151 and payout control board 144, and an illegal control operation is performed. Can be prevented.

The symbol control signal described above has the same signal configuration as the prize ball control signal, and includes a command (also referred to as symbol control signals CD0 to CD7) indicating the contents of an instruction and an INT signal (indicating the command fetch timing). Symbol control signal I
NT), and when the symbol control board 75 receives the symbol control signal INT, the symbol control signals CD0 to CD
D7 is taken in and control is performed according to the command.

The voice control signal described above has the same signal configuration as the prize ball control signal, and includes a command (also referred to as a voice control signal CD0 to CD7) indicating the content of an instruction and an INT signal (instruction timing) indicating a command fetch timing. Voice control signal I
NT), and when the voice control board 82 receives the voice control signal INT, the voice control signals CD0 to CD
D7 is taken in and control is performed according to the command.

The above-described lamp control signal has the same signal configuration as the prize ball control signal, and includes a command (also referred to as a lamp control signal CD0 to CD7) indicating a command content and an INT signal (instruction timing) indicating a command fetch timing. When the lamp control board 82 receives the lamp control signal INT, the lamp control boards 82 take in the lamp control signals CD0 to CD7 and perform control according to the command.

Next, various signals used for paying out prize balls and lending balls by the ball payout device 116 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the transmission and reception relationship of various signals used when paying out award balls and lending balls. FIG. 10 clarifies the relationship between signal transmission and reception.
A relay board and the like provided in the middle of signal transmission are omitted.

On the payout control board 144, various wiring patterns for transmitting various signals and the like are formed.
When the power supply voltage drops due to a power failure or the like, a power-off signal for giving an instruction to back up the RAM data is given from the power supply board 137 to the payout control board 144. In this case, the backup of the RAM data is performed based on the backup power supplied from the power supply board 137.

A winning ball number count switch signal indicating that a ball has been detected by the winning ball number count switch 120 is given from the winning ball number switch 120 to each of the main board 151 and the payout control board 144.
In the main board 151, the ball number count switch signal is used to determine the number of unpaid prize balls (total prize ball number described later).

The above-described prize ball control signal is applied from the main board 151 to the payout control board 144. The commands in the prize ball control signal include a prize ball payout number command indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out, a payout stop command indicating stoppage of the payout of balls (forced stop), and a payout stopped by the payout stop command. A payout stop release command indicating the release of the state is included. In accordance with these commands, the payout control board 144 performs control for paying out winning balls, forcibly stopping the payout of balls, and canceling the forcibly stopped payout state. The prize ball number count switch signal given to the payout control board 144 is
Is used for grasping the number of unpaid prize balls.

The ball lending number counting switch 119 is provided from the ball lending number counting switch 119 to the payout control board 144.
A ball lending number count switch signal (ball detection signal) indicating that the ball has been detected is given by 19. In the payout control board 144, a ball lending number count switch signal is issued to determine the number of unpaid balls.

The payout control board 144 and the card unit 31
Between the BRDY signal (ball lending request operation signal), B
Various signals such as an RQ signal (ball lending operation preparation confirmation signal), an EXS signal (payout operation enable signal), and a PRDY signal (gaming machine operation signal) are exchanged.

A ball lending information signal capable of specifying the number of balls to be paid out is given from the payout control board 144 to the frame external terminal board 132. A firing control signal (a control signal including the above-described stop signal) for controlling the operation state of the hit ball firing device 87 is supplied from the payout control board 144 to the firing control board 90. As a result, control such as stopping driving of the hit ball firing device 87 is performed. A solenoid control signal for controlling the drive of the passage switching solenoid 117 is provided to the passage switching solenoid 117 from the dispensing control board 144. As a result, passage switching control by the passage switching solenoid 117 is performed. Dispensing control board 144
The payout motor 118 is supplied with a payout motor control signal for controlling the driving of the payout motor 118. Thus, the drive control of the payout motor 118 is performed, and the payout of the balls becomes possible. The payout control board 144 receives a motor position detection signal as a detection signal of the stop position of the payout motor 118 from the payout motor position sensor 122.
As a result, the payout control board 144 controls the payout motor 11
8 stop positions are known.

On the dispensing control board 144, a connector 144i to which wiring from the card unit 31 (card unit wiring) is connected and a dispensing control microcomputer 144M provided on the dispensing control board 144 have Card unit 31 and microcomputer 14
Input / output signal lines 1440a (a plurality of wirings) for transmitting signals exchanged with 4M are formed as wiring patterns. On the payout control board 144, via such an input / output signal line 1440a, an EXS signal (payout operation enable signal), a PRDY signal (gaming machine operation signal), a VL (power supply power), a BRDY signal (ball rental request) Various signals (including power supply power) such as an operation signal) and a BRQ signal (ball lending operation preparation confirmation signal) are exchanged.

On the payout control board 144, the card unit 3 is connected between the connector 144i to which the wiring from the card unit 31 (card unit wiring) is connected and the connector 144c for connecting the balance display board 23.
A relay wiring 1440b (a plurality of wirings) for relaying the transmission of a signal exchanged between 1 and the balance display substrate 23 is formed as a wiring pattern. This relay wiring 1
440b is a microcomputer 144 for controlling payout.
A wiring pattern for relaying signals in a non-connected state to M,
It is formed on the payout control board 144 so as not to be connected to the microcomputer 144M.

Ball Lending Switch 24 and Return Switch 2
5 to the card unit 31, an operation signal is given to the card unit 31 via the corresponding wiring of the relay wiring 1440 b as a wiring pattern formed on the payout control board 144. In addition, the card lending possible display LED 231 is provided from the card unit 31 to the relay wiring 1 of the payout control board 144.
An LED control signal is provided via a corresponding wiring of 440b. In addition, from the card unit 31 to the frequency display LED 232, the relay wiring 1 of the payout control board 144 is provided.
An LED control signal is provided via a corresponding wiring of 440b.

Ball Lending Switch 24 and Return Switch 2
5, the operation signal (operation detection signal) is relayed by the relay wiring 1440b of the payout control board 144 and given to the card unit 31, so that the card unit 31 performs the ball lending operation and returns It is grasped that each operation has been performed. The ball lending possible display LED 231 is relayed by the relay wiring 1440b of the payout control board 144 from the card unit 31 and is given to the ball lending possible display LED 231 so that the ball lending possible display LED 231 indicates that the ball lending is possible. Whether or not there is can be displayed. An LED control signal for displaying the card balance is relayed from the card unit 31 by the relay wiring 1440b on the payout control board 144, and the frequency display LED 23
2, the current card balance can be displayed on the frequency display LED 232.

Next, a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 11, payout control board 144 includes output port 144J, input port 144K, transistor array 144L, and signal transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving signals to / from card unit 31.
A photocoupler 144N is included.

The EXS signal and the PRDY signal transmitted to the card unit 31 are sequentially output from the payout control microcomputer 144M to the outside of the board via the output port 144J, the transistor array 144L, and the photocoupler 144N. It is received by the card unit 31. You. The power supply power VL, the BRDY signal, and the BRQ signal transmitted from the card unit 31 are input to the payout control microcomputer 144M via the photocoupler 144N and the input port 144K in order.

Next, the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7, IN
T will be described. FIG. 12 shows prize ball control signals CD0 to CD0.
It is a timing chart which shows the transmission timing of CD7, INT. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7.

As shown in FIG. 12, the prize ball control signal includes a command (command data) indicating the content of the command, and an INT signal indicating the timing of capturing the command.
Here, in the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7, one command is composed of 2-byte data.

As shown in FIG. 13, the award ball control signal C
D0 to CD7 indicate MODE, which is 1-byte data for designating (instructing) a payout control mode (prize ball payout mode, payout stop mode, etc.), and operation contents (payout number, payout operation stop, payout operation restart, etc.). EXTDATA, which is 1-byte data to be designated (instructed), is transmitted sequentially (by 2 times) one byte at a time to instruct payout control contents. As shown in FIG. 13, the prize-ball control signals INT0 and CD0-CD7 are MOD of the prize-ball control signals CD0-CD7.
After a lapse of a predetermined time A after switching to E, the winning ball control signal INT is started for a predetermined time B. Award ball control signal INT
When a predetermined time C elapses from the fall timing of, the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are switched to EXTDATA. Then, the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are EXT
After a lapse of a predetermined time A after switching to DATA, the award ball control signal INT rises for a predetermined time B.

As described above, the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7
Are transmitted twice, ie, MODE, which is 1-byte data, and EXTDATA, which is 1-byte data. In this example, the case where the prize-ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are transmitted twice is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The prize-ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are transmitted three or more times. May be transmitted.

On the payout control board 144 side, an interrupt mode 2 is generated in response to the rise of the prize ball control signal INT, and the values of the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are stored in the input buffer. Then, on the payout control board 144 side, the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are analyzed, and the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are analyzed.
Is controlled based on MODE and EXTDATA indicated by (1), payout operation of a designated number of prize balls, stop of payout operation, restart of payout operation, and the like.

Next, the types of MODE and EXTDATA data indicated by the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7 will be described.

FIG. 14 is a table showing the relationship between MODE data and the payout control mode specified by the data. Referring to FIG. 14, when MODE is F0H, a mode for paying out award balls is designated. MOD
When E is FFH, a mode for stopping payout or resuming payout is designated. The type of EXTDATA data differs between a mode in which award balls are paid out and a mode in which the payout is stopped or the payout is restarted.

FIG. 15 is a table showing the relationship between EXTDATA data and the operation content specified by the data when a mode for paying out a prize ball is specified. Referring to FIG. 15, EXTDATA 01H to 0H
Payout of 1 to 15 prize balls can be designated corresponding to each of the FHs.

FIG. 16 shows EXTDA when the mode for stopping the payout or resuming the payout is designated.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a relationship between TA data and operation contents specified by the data. Referring to FIG.
If EXTDATA is 00H, it is designated to restart the payout operation. When EXTDATA is 01H, it is designated to stop the payout operation.

In the prize ball control signal described above, MODE and EXTD as command data are used.
Each ATA contains identification data that can identify the type of command data.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining identification data provided so that the type of command data can be identified. FIG.
, MODE data (F01H, FFH)
And EXTDATA data (01H to 0FH) are shown in binary numbers.

The MODE data and the EXTDATA data are each composed of 8 bits, and the data of the most significant bit (command header) is identification data DH capable of identifying the type of command data. Specifically, in the case of MODE data, the identification data DH is “1”, and in the case of EXTDATA data, the identification data DH is “0”. Thus, the type of the command data can be identified based on the value of the identification data DH included in the command data. The payout control microcomputer 144M uses the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD0M.
When the CD 7 is loaded, the value of the identification data DH is checked so that the command data is MOD.
It is determined which data is E or EXTDATA.

Although the case where the identification data is the most significant bit is shown here, the present invention is not limited to this, and other bits such as the least significant bit may be used for the identification data. That is, the identification data may use a predetermined bit. Here, an example in which one bit data is used as the identification data has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of bits of two or more bits may be used as the identification data. That is, the identification data may use a predetermined number of bits.

Next, the signal exchange between the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31 during the operation of paying out balls for lending by ball lending will be described. FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing a signal processing timing between the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31 during the payout operation by ball lending. In FIG. 18, an operation for lending a ball for two payout units (for example, 200 yen when one payout unit number is 25 for 100 yen, 25 × 2 = 50) is performed. PRDY signal, BR
The DY signal, BRQ signal, and EXS signal are shown. The payout unit number in this case is the same as the maximum payout number described above, and is also referred to as the maximum payout number in the following description.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the power of pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, a PRDY signal is output to payout control board 144.
(To be turned on). This indicates to the card unit 31 that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operating. When the card is accepted in the card unit 31 and the ball lending switch 24 is operated, a BRDY signal is given from the card unit 31 to the payout control board 144 (starts up in the ON state). This indicates to the pachinko gaming machine 1 that a ball lending request operation (ball lending payout request by the ball lending operation) has been made.

When a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the BRDY signal, the BRQ signal is output to the card unit 31.
Is supplied to the payout control board 144 (started up in the ON state). Thus, an inquiry is made to the pachinko gaming machine 1 to confirm whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state in which it is possible to pay out a lending ball. Then, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state where it is possible to pay out a lending ball (for example, it is not in the payout stop state by the above-described payout stop command, and the payout of the previous prize ball is completed). If a predetermined condition such as the previous completion of the payout of the lending ball is satisfied), the EXS signal is supplied from the payout control board 144 to the card unit 31 (started up in the ON state). Thus, the card unit 31 is replied to the card unit 31 that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state in which it is possible to pay out a lending ball. Then, if the EXS signal rises before a predetermined period elapses from the rise of the BRQ signal, the output of the BRQ signal is stopped (falls to the off state). In response to the stop of the output of the BRQ signal, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the payout motor 118 is started to drive, and the payout of the lending starts.

When the payout of the ball is started, the payout control board 144 monitors the number of the ball to be paid based on the signal from the ball lending number count switch 119. Specifically, in the payout control board 144, when there is a payout request for a lending ball, the microcomputer 144M stores the maximum payout number (25) in the RAM as the unpaid number of the lending ball,
The value is used as a counter for the number of unpaid balls. Then, every time the ball lending number count switch 119 detects the payout of the lending ball, the unpaid number is subtracted and updated. In such a payout control board 144, the unpaid number is “0”.
Then, it is determined that the payout of the requested lending ball is completed. In the payout control board 144, when the payout of the maximum payout number is confirmed by monitoring the payout number of the lending balls, the output of the EXS signal is stopped (down to the off state). This indicates to the card unit 31 that the payout of the payout unit number of lending balls has been completed.

The above-described operation is a payout operation of the maximum number of payout balls. In the card unit 31,
The payout unit number that has been paid out from the start of the transmission of the BRDY signal is added and stored, and the number of balls to be paid out in response to the ball lending request operation is monitored. The BRDY signal continues to be output (ON state) until the payout of the maximum number of coins to be paid out coincides with the requested number of coins to be paid out, and the output is stopped when the numbers match. (Turned off).

In the payout control board 144, BRDY
The time A required from the rise of the signal to the rise of the BRQ signal, the time C required from the rise of the EXS signal to the fall of the BRQ signal, the time C required from the fall of the EXS signal to BR
Time E required until Q signal rises, Time F required from fall of EXS signal to fall of PRDY signal
Are monitored respectively. Specifically, the times A, C, E, and F are respectively measured using a timer. In that case, one timer may be commonly used for monitoring each time, or a plurality of timers may be used for monitoring each time. Time A, C,
Each of E and F is individually set to a normal value (A = 28 ms to 50 ms, C = 30 ms to 56 ms,
E = 256 ms (MAX), F = 256 ms (MA
X)) is predetermined. When the card unit 31 is operating normally, the signals to be monitored change within the monitoring times A, C, E, and F as described above.

When each monitoring time of the times A, C, E, and F exceeds the upper limit of the corresponding set value, the payout control board 144 does not generate a signal change that should be performed by the card unit 31. It is considered that the card unit 31 is in an abnormal state, and an abnormal state control described later (FIG. 19)
Refer to).

On the other hand, the card unit 31 monitors the time B required from the rise of the BRQ signal to the rise of the EXS signal, and the time D required from the fall of the BRQ signal to the fall of the EXS signal. Specifically, the times B and D are respectively measured using a timer. In that case, one timer may be commonly used for monitoring each time, or a plurality of timers may be used for monitoring each time.

Each of the times B and D is individually set to a normal value (B = 14 ms to 10 s, D = 10 ms to
10s) is predetermined. When the pachinko gaming machine 1 including the payout control board 144 is operating normally, the signals of the respective monitoring targets change as described above within the respective monitoring times of the times B and D.

When the monitoring time of each of the times B and D exceeds the upper limit value of the corresponding set value, the card unit 31 does not generate a signal change expected to be performed by the payout control board 144. 144 (pachinko gaming machine 1) is considered to be in an abnormal state, the BRDY signal is forcibly lowered, and the request to pay out the lending ball is withdrawn.

Next, the abnormal time control performed by the payout control board 144 when any one of the monitoring times A, C, E, and F described above exceeds the upper limit of the corresponding set value. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing the operation of abnormal control performed by the payout control board 144 when a signal input from the card unit 31 to the payout control board 144 has an abnormality. FIG. 19 shows, as an example, a case where the PRDY signal and the EXS signal are in the ON state at the time when the input signal becomes abnormal.

Referring to FIG. 19, when it is determined that any of monitoring times A, C, E, and F by payout control board 144 shown in FIG. 18 exceeds the upper limit and is not normal. The signal is controlled as follows in the event of abnormal control. After a lapse of a predetermined first time T1 from the judgment point, P
The RDY signal falls. Then, the PRDY signal rises after a lapse of a second time T2 from the fall of the PRDY signal, and PRDY after a lapse of a third time T3 from the rise.
The signal falls, the PRDY signal rises after a lapse of a fourth time T4 from the fall, and the PRDY signal rises from the rise for a fifth time.
After a lapse of time T5, the PRDY signal falls, and after a lapse of a sixth time T6 from the fall, the PRDY signal rises. In the case of this embodiment, for example, T1 is 202
ms, T2 is 200ms, T3, T4, T5 are 100m
s and T6 are 10002 ms. When an abnormality occurs in the signal input from the card unit 31 to the payout control board 144 as described above, such a PRDY signal changes as described above to signal that an abnormality has occurred in the communication state. Can be confirmed by the state of.

Next, the basic operation of paying out prize balls controlled by the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out a prize ball. In FIG. 20, in order to explain the payout operation,
The operating state (rotation, stop) of the payout motor 118 is shown.

Here, in the payout control board 144,
In the RAM described above, the number of unpaid prize balls is stored in an updatable manner. The number of unpaid prize balls is updated by adding or subtracting a counter value in a prize ball unpaid number counter provided in the RAM. Each time a prize ball payout number command is received, the unpaid number of prize balls is added and updated by adding the payout number indicated by the command. Is subtracted and updated by "1".
As described above, the maximum number of balls to be paid out by the ball payout device 116 is 25, which is set to a number larger than the number of prize balls (13 or 5) paid out for one winning. I have. In other words, for example, there are a plurality of winnings within a predetermined period, such as when a large number of winnings occur in such a short time that the payout of prize balls according to one winning has not yet been completed. When performing the control of paying out the winning prize balls, the payout number of the prize balls according to one winning is determined without dividing the payout operation of the payout motor 118 of the ball payout device 116 for each payout number of the prize balls according to one winning. Control is performed to continuously pay out a predetermined number of payouts (25) of prize balls.

Referring to FIG. 20, when payout of prize balls is performed, if the number of unpaid prize balls is equal to or less than the maximum payout number (25), the payout motor is rotated by the rotation amount corresponding to the number of unpaid balls. By rotating the 118, one prize ball is paid out by the number of unpaid pieces in one payout operation. When the prize balls are paid out, if the unpaid number is larger than the maximum payout number (25), that is, if the unpaid number is 26 or more,
The first single payout operation (rotational operation) of the payout motor 118
In, the prize balls of the maximum payout number (25) are paid out, and the remaining unpaid number (remaining number) is paid out by the next and subsequent payout operations (rotational operations). In the payout operation after the next time, up to 25 payouts at a time, prize balls of the remaining unpaid number payout number are paid out,
If there is a remaining number, the payout operation is performed by the next payout operation. That is, the number of unpaid items is the maximum number of paid items (25
If the number of payout balls is larger than the number of payout balls, the payout of the winning ball with the maximum payout number (25) as the payout upper limit number is repeated until the unpaid number becomes “0”.

In the case of paying out the unpaid number larger than the maximum number of payouts as described above, the rotation operation of the next payout motor is started after a lapse of a predetermined time T7 from the stop of the payout motor in the previous payout. Is done. T7 in this embodiment is, for example, 302 ms.

Next, the operation control performed by the payout control board 144 when the payout control board 144 receives the payout stop command during the payout operation of the prize ball will be described. FIG.
1 is a timing chart showing a control operation when the payout control board 144 receives a payout stop command during the payout operation of award balls. In FIG. 21, the operation state (rotation, stop) of the payout motor 118 is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 20 to explain the operation state. Here, the payout stop command is issued when the running out of ball switch 115 detects the running out of the ball, or when the full state switch 129 detects that the lower plate 27 is full, that is, the ball payout operation can be performed normally. If there is no output, it is output from the main board 151.

Referring to FIG. 21, when payout motor 118 is rotating and payout balls are being paid out (the number of unpaid pieces to be paid out in one payout operation of payout motor 118 still remains). When the payout control board 144 receives the payout stop command in the payout process (in the state of payout), after the payout operation of the remaining unpaid number to be paid out in the current payout operation is completed, the payout motor 11
8 is stopped, and the payout operation is terminated. That is, in such a case, the payout operation is continued until one payout operation is completed, and after the one payout operation is completed, the payout operation is stopped.

Next, when the payout control board 144 receives the payout stop command during the prize ball payout operation, the payout stop release command is received in the stop state corresponding to the payout stop command as shown in FIG. The operation control performed by the payout control board 144 in the case of the above will be described. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing an operation when the payout control board 144 receives the payout stop release command in the stop state according to the payout stop command. FIG.
In FIG. 7, the operation state (rotation, stop) of the payout motor 118 is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 21 to explain the operation state. Here, the payout stop release command is output from the main board 151 when a predetermined payout stop release condition, such as elimination of running out of balls, is satisfied.

Referring to FIG. 22, in the state where payout motor 118 is stopped in response to the payout stop command and the number of unpaid items is still “1” or more (when there is a remaining number of unpaid items), When the payout stop release command is received, the rotation operation of the payout motor is started after an elapse of an interval time of a predetermined time T8 from the time of receiving the payout stop release command. As a result, when a payout stop release command is received in a state where there is an unpaid number, the payout operation is restarted after a certain inverter valve period (T8). On the other hand, if the number of unpaid items is “0” when the payout stop release command is received, the payout operation as shown in FIG. 22 is not restarted. T8 in this embodiment
Is, for example, 2002 ms.

As described above, when the payout stop release command is received in a state where there is an unpaid number, the payout operation is restarted, and after the payout is stopped due to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the player is notified. The payout of the unpaid number can be compensated, and the occurrence of trouble between the player and the game hall can be prevented. Further, in such a case, the payout operation is not immediately restarted, but is performed after an interval period, so that, for example, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the running out of the ball is eliminated by the number of balls in a state close to the running out state. It is possible to avoid restarting the payout operation in a state in which the payout stop condition has not been sufficiently resolved, such as in a state where the ball has been blown by the ball-out switch 115, so that immediately after the payout operation is restarted, It is possible to prevent the payout stop state from occurring again.

Next, when a ball lending request is received from the card unit 31 during the prize ball payout operation, the payout control board 1
The operation control performed by 44 will be described. FIG.
It is a timing chart which shows the control operation | movement when the payout control board | substrate 144 receives the request of ball lending from the card unit 31 during the payout operation | movement of a prize ball.

In FIG. 23, the BRDY signal, BRQ
Signals, EXS signals, payout paths (ball lending path, winning ball path), and states of payout motors (rotation, stop) are shown. Here, the payout route indicates a ball passage selected so that the ball is paid out according to the state of the passage switching valve 250. The ball lending route corresponds to the ball lending passage 203c, and the prize ball route is awarded. This corresponds to the ball passage 203d. In the case of FIG. 23, the state of the prize ball path is shown using the solenoid control signal of the passage switching solenoid 117 described above. That is, in the figure, it is shown that the switching of the path is performed instantaneously, but this is merely the solenoid control signal (when the switching to the ball lending path 203c is performed, the excitation level is set, and the path is switched to the prize ball path 203d). (A signal that becomes a non-excitation level when switching is performed), and the actual passage switching valve 250 switches later than the switching state in the figure.

Referring to FIG. 23, when payout motor 118 is rotating and payout balls are being paid out (the number of unpaid pieces to be paid out in one payout operation of payout motor 118 still remains). If the BRDY signal is received by the payout control board 144 (when the BRDY signal rises), the payout operation of the remaining unpaid number to be paid out in the current payout operation is completed. After that, the payout motor 118 is stopped, and the payout operation is stopped. That is, in such a case, the payout operation is continued until one payout operation is completed, and after the one payout operation is completed, the payout operation is stopped.

After a lapse of a predetermined time T9 from the stop of the payout motor 118, the EXS signal is started. Waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T9 as described above is not performed until the time required for the last prize ball paid out from the sprocket 205 to be detected by the prize ball number count switch 120 is reached. May not be detected correctly. Therefore, the predetermined time T9
Is set to a time sufficient for the prize ball finally paid out from the sprocket 205 to be detected by the prize ball count switch 120. Therefore, such a predetermined time T
By waiting for the lapse of 9, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of balls when switching from payout of prize balls to payout of lending balls.

When the EXS signal rises, the BRQ signal falls accordingly. And like this, B
After the falling of the RQ signal, the passage switching solenoid 117 is accordingly excited and the switching operation of the passage switching valve 250 is started. Thereby, the prize ball passage 203d
The switching of the payout path from the to the ball lending path 203c is started. A predetermined time T1 from the start of the switching of the payout passage
After the elapse of 0, the rotation operation of the payout motor 118 is started, and the payout operation for lending a ball is started. Waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T10 as described above is performed by the passage switching valve 250.
Is not performed instantaneously, so if the time required for the switching operation of the passage switching valve 250 to be completed is not waited for, the discharged balls are moved between the passage switching valve 250 and the passage. This is because a problem such as pinching may occur. Therefore, the predetermined time T
10 is set to a time when the switching operation from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c by the passage switching valve 250 can be completed sufficiently. Therefore, by waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T10, it is possible to prevent the ball from being pinched when the ball payout path is switched, and to ensure that the switching of the ball path by the path switching valve 250 is completed. The payout motor can be driven in a state where the payout of the lending balls becomes possible.

As described above, the payout control microcomputer 144M outputs the signal (BRD) requesting the payout of the lending ball.
Y signal), the microcomputer 144M
Controls to pay out the lending ball accordingly. Such payout control of the lending is performed by the microcomputer 144M for payout control without receiving the input of the information which can specify the card balance from the card unit 31.

Next, after the operation of paying out the ball in response to the ball lending request as shown in FIG.
4 will be described.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing the operation after the ball lending operation is completed when a ball lending request is received during the payout of award balls. In FIG. 24, signals and the like of the same kind as those in FIG. 23 are shown to explain the operation state.

Referring to FIG. 24, after the ball is loaned in response to the ball lending request received during the payout of the prize ball, when the payout motor 118 for the ball lending stops the payout operation,
After a predetermined time T11 has elapsed from the stop, an operation of switching the payout passage from the ball lending passage 203c to the prize ball passage 203d by the passage switching valve 250 is started. Until the predetermined time T11 elapses, the last lending ball must be waited for until the ball lending paid out from the sprocket 305 is detected by the ball lending number count switch 119. May not be detected correctly. Therefore, the predetermined time T11 is set to a time long enough for the prize ball finally paid out from the sprocket 305 to be detected by the ball lending number count switch 119. Therefore, by waiting for such a predetermined time T11 to elapse, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of a ball when switching from paying out a lending ball to paying out a prize ball. The predetermined time T11 in the present embodiment is set to a time longer than the predetermined time T9 for preventing erroneous detection of a ball when switching from the above-described payout of prize balls to the payout of lending balls. This is because the path length (stroke) from the ball dispensing position by the sprocket 305 to the ball lending number switch 119 is the path length (stroke) from the ball dispensing position by the sprocket 305 to the prize ball number count switch 120. ).

The ball switching passage 203 is operated by the passage switching valve 250.
When the switching operation of the payout path from c to the prize ball path 203d is started, the EXS signal falls after waiting for a predetermined time T12 from the start. Waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T12 in this way is not instantaneous switching of the discharge passage by the passage switching valve 250, and therefore waits for a time required until the switching operation of the passage switching valve 250 is completed. That's why. Therefore, the predetermined time T1
2 is set to a time when the switching operation from the ball lending passage 203c to the prize ball passage 203d by the passage switching valve 250 can be completed sufficiently. Therefore, such a predetermined time T
By waiting for the passage of twelve, the EXS signal can be lowered in a state in which the switching of the ball passage by the passage switching valve 250 is completed and the payout of the winning prize ball becomes possible.

If there is a number of unpaid prize balls in the next payout operation at the time of receiving the ball lending request as described above, the payout of the unpaid number of prize balls in the next time is performed. Then, the rotation operation of the payout motor 118 is started. On the other hand, if there is no unpaid number for such next payout, such payout operation is not performed.

In FIG. 24, there is shown a case where there is an unpaid number for the next time. Even if there is no payout number, when the operation of paying out the ball ends, as shown in FIG. From ball rental passage 203c to prize ball passage 203d
To be in the award ball payout standby state. That is, when there is no payout request, the ball passes through the prize ball passage 203d. FIGS. 23 and 24 show one time (1
The ball lending of 00 yen = 25 balls) is described as an example, but the ball lending is performed a plurality of times (twice) as shown in FIG.
Also in the case of lending the ball twice for 100 yen, the passage switching operation is performed for each payout operation (when the payout operation is performed once, the payout passage is changed to the prize ball passage 203d).
Is switched to the ball lending passage 203c, and when one payout operation is completed, the payout passage is switched from the ball lending passage 203c to the prize ball passage 203d). That is, in the case of ball lending a plurality of times, the above-described passage switching operation for one time is repeated a plurality of times. By doing this,
Since the series of operation programs shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 may be performed a plurality of times, the programs can be simplified and the program capacity can be reduced.

Next, a basic operation of paying out a lending ball controlled by the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out a lending ball. In FIG. 25, signals and the like of the same kind as those in FIG. 23 are shown in order to explain the payout operation of the lending ball.

As described above, in the payout control board 144, the number of unpaid balls to be paid out is renewably stored in the aforementioned RAM. The number of unpaid balls is
It is updated by adding or subtracting the counter value in the unpaid number counter of the lending balls provided in the RAM. Each time the BRQ signal is received, the unpaid number of lending balls is updated by adding the number of lending balls corresponding to the maximum number of lending, and the ball lending number count switch 119 detects the lending of the lending balls. Each time, “1” is subtracted and updated. In the case of this embodiment, the maximum payout number is 25 as described above.

Referring to FIG. 25, when paying out a lending ball, BRs are arranged in the order shown in FIG.
After a lapse of a predetermined time T29 after the fall of the Q signal, the switching operation of the passage switching valve 250 is started, and thereby the switching of the payout passage from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c is started. In the case of this embodiment, the predetermined time T29 is set to 2 ms.

After the elapse of the predetermined time T10 from the start of the switching of the payout passage, the rotation operation of the payout motor 118 is started, and the payout operation for lending a ball is started. By such a rotation operation of the payout motor 118,
A maximum number of payouts (25) are paid out by one payout operation. Then, when one payout operation by the payout motor 118 is stopped, after the above-described predetermined time T11 has elapsed from the stop, the operation of switching the payout passage from the ball lending passage 203c to the prize ball passage 203d by the passage switching valve 250 is performed. Be started.

The ball switching passage 203 by the passage switching valve 250
When the switching operation of the payout passage from c to the prize ball passage 203d is started, the predetermined time T12 elapses from the start of the switching operation on the condition that the number of unpaid balls to be paid out is “0”. , The EXS signal falls. When the payout of the ball lending according to the ball lending request operation is completed, the BRDY signal is dropped.

In FIG. 25, one ball lending (100 yen = 25 balls) is described as an example.
As shown in FIG. 18, in the case of multiple (two) ball lending (when lending a ball by dividing 200 yen into two 100 yen),
As described above, the payout passage switching operation is performed each time the payout operation is performed (when the payout operation is performed once, the payout passage is switched from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c,
When one dispensing operation is completed, the dispensing passage is changed to a ball lending passage 2.
(Operation of switching from 03c to the prize ball path 203d). That is, in the case of ball lending a plurality of times, for example, 500
In the case of lending a ball for a yen, 5 times, such as 1
The passage switching operation is repeated a plurality of times.

Next, when the number of balls paid out in one ball-paying operation is less than the maximum payout number,
The control operation performed by the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing a control operation performed by the payout control board 144 when the number of balls paid out in one lending ball payout operation is less than the maximum payout number. In FIG. 26, the EXS signal
The state of the payout path (ball lending path, winning ball path) and the payout motor (rotation, stop) are shown. Also, T10 in the figure
T12 is the same time as T10 to T12 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 26, if the number of balls paid out in one ball payout operation is less than the maximum number of balls to be paid out, when payout motor 118 is stopped in the ball payout operation. After the elapse of the predetermined time T11 described above,
Once the payout route is changed from the ball rental passage 203c to the prize ball passage 203
The operation of switching to d is started. Then, after a lapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time T12 from the start of the switching operation, the payout path is changed from the prize ball path 203d to the ball lending path 203 again.
The operation of switching to c is started. After the predetermined time T10 elapses from the start of the switching operation, the operation of the payout motor 118 starts in order to pay out the remaining unpaid number which has not been paid out in the previous one time payout. Is done. Thereby, the remaining number of lending balls are paid out. Then, after the predetermined time T11 described above has elapsed from when the payout motor 118 is stopped in the payout operation, an operation of switching the payout path from the ball lending path 203c to the prize ball path 203d is started. After a lapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time T12 from the start of the switching operation, the EXS signal falls. As described above, the EXS signal is dropped when it is confirmed that the payout of the number of unpaid balls has been completed.

Next, the contents of the control processing executed by the CPU 151a of the main board 151 will be described. FIG.
8 is a flowchart showing a main process as a main routine of a control process executed by a CPU 151a of a main board 151.

Steps S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1 to S
12, a process for performing an initial setting for executing the control process is performed. The interrupt is prohibited by S1. Next, in S2, an interrupt mode 2 indicating an interrupt processing mode is set. Next, the stack pointer is set in S3. Next, in S4, the setting of the built-in device register is performed. Next, CTC and PIO are set in S5. Next, S
6, the setting for making the RAM accessible is performed.

Then, at S7, the RA of the main substrate 151 is
It is determined whether M has no backup data (whether or not it is stored). As described above, this backup data is stored in the RAM in response to receiving a power-off signal from the power supply board 137 in a predetermined case such as when a power failure occurs.

If it is determined in step S7 that there is backup data, the flow advances to step S8 to perform a process of restoring the state of the control processing executed in the CPU 151a to the state before the power was cut off based on the stored backup data. Done. Thereafter, the main process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S7 that there is no backup data, the process proceeds to S9, and a process of clearing the data stored in the RAM of the main board 151 is performed. Next, at S10,
A symbol control board 75, a voice control board 8 called a sub board
2. Rambe control board 80 and payout control board 144
Are initialized. Next, S11
Thus, the setting of the CTC interrupt is performed. Next, S1
2 allows interrupts.

Next, in S13, the special variable display device 4
A display random number updating process for updating a display random number for determining a stop symbol in the variable display of No. 4 is performed. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a special symbol stop symbol in the variable display of the special variable display device 44 is determined based on a random number (counter value of a random counter). In S13, the display random numbers for determining some of the special symbols in the special symbols are updated.

After S13, the process proceeds to S14, where it is determined whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred. Main board 15
In 1, a timer for counting time for timer interruption is provided, and a timer interruption is performed every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.002S) is counted by the timer. In S14, the process waits until a timer interrupt is performed. When the timer interrupt is performed, the process proceeds to S15. Therefore, the subroutine processing of S15 to S25 is executed every time a timer interrupt is performed.

Next, in S15, the gate switch 6
2. Type 1 starter switch 60, specific area switch 5
1 and the state of the count switch 52 and the like are input,
A switch process is performed to determine whether or not a prize has been won for each winning port or variable winning ball device. Next, S16
Accordingly, various abnormalities are diagnosed by the self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing for generating an alarm if necessary according to the result is performed. Next, in S17, a random number updating process for updating each random counter indicating various random numbers for determination used in the game control is performed.

Next, in S18, the same display symbol random number updating process as in S13 described above is performed. Next, S19
Thus, a special symbol process is performed. In the special symbol process process, one of a plurality of types of processes is selected and executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state.

Next, in S20, normal symbol processing is performed. In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the normal symbol display 63 in a predetermined control order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

Next, in S21, a special symbol command control process for controlling a symbol control signal as a command for variably displaying a special symbol is performed. Next, in S22, a normal symbol command control process for controlling a normal symbol control signal as a command for performing a variable display of the ordinary symbol is performed.

Next, in S23, the board external terminal board 1
An information output process for outputting various information to the outside of the board, such as transmission of external output information to the external device 32, is performed.

Next, in S24, various solenoids 5
Solenoid output processing for outputting signals for controlling the driving of 0, 53, 59 to the substrate is performed. Next, in S25, prize ball processing for paying out prize balls in accordance with the winning ball signal is performed.

After execution of S25, the process returns to S13, and S15 to S2 until the next timer interrupt timing.
Execution of the subroutine 5 is awaited.

Next, a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU 151a of the main board 151 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU 151a of the main board 151.

The CPU 151a constantly monitors a predetermined counter for counting time, and executes a timer interrupt process in order to execute a timer interrupt every time 2 ms elapses. In the timer interrupt processing, first, in step SB
According to 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as SB), a process of setting data indicating the presence of a timer interrupt as data indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred is performed. As a result, it is determined that a timer interrupt has occurred in S14 of the main process described above. Next, a process of permitting the next timer interrupt is performed by SB2. Thereafter, the timer interrupt process ends.

Next, the contents of the award ball processing in S25 of the main processing will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the prize ball processing executed by the CPU 151a of the main board 151.

First, at step SC (hereinafter simply referred to as SC) 1, a full tank check process is performed. In the full tank check process, the full tank switch 129 is used.
Is checked, and the full switch 129 is set to 100
When it is in the ON state (full tank detection state) for more than ms,
It is determined that the full tank switch 129 has detected the full tank state.

Next, at step SC2, a ball out check process is performed. In this out-of-ball check processing, the state of the out-of-ball switch 115 is checked, and when the out-of-ball switch 115 is turned on (out-of-ball detection state) for 100 ms or longer, the out-of-ball switch 115 detects the out-of-ball state. It is determined that

Next, award ball stop processing is performed in step SC3. In the prize ball stop processing, when the full state or the out-of-ball state described above is detected, processing for outputting a prize ball stop stop command is performed.

Next, in step SC4, a winning ball number command storing process is performed. In the prize ball number command storage processing, when a prize is won, a process of storing a command indicating the number of prize balls according to the type of the prize is performed. Next, in step SC5, a winning ball number command setting process is performed. In the award ball number command setting process, a process for setting the command stored in the award ball number command storage process is performed.

Next, in step SC6, the number of prize balls set in the prize ball number command setting processing and output as the prize ball control signal is determined by the total prize balls indicating the total number of prize balls not yet paid out. A process of adding the total number of prize balls after addition to the number data is performed. Next, S
Every time the prize ball detection signal is received by the prize ball count switch 120 by C7, the above-described process of subtracting and updating the total prize ball number obtained in SC6 is performed. By such SC6 and SC7, the CP of the main substrate 151 is
In U151a, it is possible to accurately grasp the total prize ball number (unpaid number) which has been requested to pay out the prize balls but has not been paid out yet.

Next, the content of the prize ball number adding process by SC6 in the above-mentioned prize ball process will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the prize ball number adding process. First, in step SH (hereinafter simply referred to as SH) 1, the data of the number of prize balls is stored in the RAM from the storage area of the number of prize balls set in the prize ball number command setting process and output as the prize ball control signal. A process of loading the winning ball number calculation area is performed.

Next, the flow advances to SH2, where it is determined whether the value of the number of award balls loaded in SH1 is "0". If SH2 determines that the value is "0", that is, if the winning ball control signal designating the winning ball number is not output, the winning ball number adding process ends. On the other hand, S
If it is determined by H2 that it is not "0", that is, if a prize ball control signal designating the number of prize balls is output, the process proceeds to SH3, and the total number of prize balls is stored from the storage area of the total prize ball number. The processing of loading the winning ball number data into the total winning ball number calculation area in the RAM is performed.

Next, the process proceeds to SH4, in which the value of the total number of prize balls loaded by SH3 and the value of the number of prize balls loaded by SH1 are added, and a process of obtaining the addition result as the current total number of prize balls is performed. . Then, the process proceeds to SH5, in which the data after the addition obtained in SH4 is stored as the current total prize ball number in the storage area of the total prize ball number data described above. Thereby, the value of the total winning ball number is updated every time the winning ball control signal designating the winning ball number is output. next,
Proceeding to SH6, the command for setting the payout of the winning balls set by the above-described SC5 command setting processing of SC5 is set as output data, and is output as a winning ball control signal.

Next, the flow advances to SH7, where it is determined whether the award ball lamp 10 is on. That is, it is determined whether or not the prize ball lamp 10 is lit according to the unpaid number. When the prize ball lamp 10 is on, it is only necessary to maintain the lighting state of the prize ball lamp 10 indicating that there is an unpaid number in order to indicate that there is an unpaid number of prize balls. Then, the prize ball number adding process ends. On the other hand, if the prize ball lamp 10 is turned off, it is necessary to turn on the prize ball lamp 10 to indicate that there is an unpaid number. A command (lamp control signal) is set as output data and output as a lamp control signal. Thereafter, the prize ball number adding process ends.

As described above, on the main substrate 151 side,
By adding and updating the value of the total number of prize balls each time a new prize ball is paid out, the number of unpaid balls is managed as the total number of prize balls. Is turned on.

Next, the content of the winning ball number subtraction process by SC7 in the winning ball process described above will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the winning ball number subtraction processing. First, in step SH (hereinafter simply referred to as SL) 1, a process of loading the current total prize ball number data from the storage area of the total prize ball number data in the RAM into the total prize ball number calculation area in the RAM is performed. .

Next, the process proceeds to SL2, where it is determined whether or not the value of the total winning ball number loaded in SL1 is "0". If it is determined by SL2 that the number is "0", that is, if there is no unpaid number, the prize ball number adding process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SL2 that it is not "0", that is, if there is an unpaid number, the process proceeds to SL3, and the value of the prize ball count switch timer is stored in the RAM. Is loaded. The prize ball count switch timer is a timer for counting the duration of the prize ball count switch 119 each time the prize ball count switch 119 is turned on (a ball is detected). Is stored in the storage area. Therefore, in SL3, the timer value is loaded and used for the winning ball number subtraction processing.

Next, at SL4, the timer value of the prize ball count switch timer loaded by SL3,
A process is performed to compare with a predetermined switch-on determination value. Here, the switch-on determination value is the continuation time of the ON state in which it is recognized that the ball has been detected in the normal state of the prize ball number count switch 120. The prize ball number counting switch 1 continues for a time equal to or longer than the switch-on determination value
When 20 is in the ON state, it is recognized that the ball has been detected in the normal state of the prize ball number count switch 120.

Next, at SL5, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the winning ball number count switch timer compared at SL4 has reached a value coinciding with the switch-on determination value. If it is determined that the value does not reach the matching value by SL5, there is a possibility of erroneous detection due to noise or the like. In this state, it is not recognized that the ball has been detected in a normal state, and the prize ball number subtraction processing is performed as it is. finish. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the matching value has been reached by SL5,
Recognizing that the prize ball count switch 120 has detected a ball in a normal state, the process proceeds to SL6, and the value of the total prize ball number loaded by SL1 is subtracted and updated by "1". As a result, the number of unpaid prize balls is reduced in accordance with the detection of the payout of prize balls. Next, the process proceeds to SL7, in which the total winning ball count obtained as a result of the subtraction by SL6 is stored in the above-described total winning ball count data storage area. As a result, the value of the total prize ball count is changed to the prize ball count switch 12.
It is updated every time a prize ball is detected by 0.

Then, the flow advances to SL8, where the total number of prize balls is "0".
Is determined. If it is determined that the total number of prize balls is not “0”, that is, if there is an unpaid number, the prize ball number subtraction process ends as it is.
That is, at this stage, if the prize ball lamp 10 is being lit and there is an unpaid number, the prize ball lamp 10 must be kept lit, and the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the total number of prize balls is “0”, that is, if the number of unpaid balls has been exhausted, S
Proceeding to L9, a process of setting a command (lamp control signal) for turning off the prize ball lamp 10 as output data and outputting the command as a lamp control signal is performed. That is, at this stage, when the prize ball lamp 10 is being turned on and the number of unpaid items has been exhausted, the prize ball lamp 10 must be turned off, so that SL8 is executed. SL
After 9, the prize ball number subtraction process ends.

As described above, on the main substrate 151 side,
By subtracting and updating the value of the total prize ball number each time the prize ball payout is detected by the prize ball number count switch 120, together with the prize ball number addition process, the unpaid number described above is used as the total prize ball number. When the number of unpaid items is exhausted, control is performed to turn off the prize ball lamp 10.

Next, the contents of the command transmission processing executed when transmitting the respective commands of the symbol control signal, the voice control signal, the prize ball control signal, and the lamp control signal will be described. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a command transmission process executed by the CPU 151a of the main board 151. This command transmission processing is for transmitting a command set to be transmitted as a control signal from the main board 151 to each sub-board (symbol control board 75, voice control board 82, ramp control board 80, and payout control board 144). For example, the above-described SH6, SH8,
This subroutine is started when various processes for setting a command to be transmitted to each control board, such as SL9, are executed. For example, the above-described SH6, SH8, SL9
In this case, in each step, the command is transmitted by calling and executing the command transmission process. Therefore, the command transmission processing is executed in the processing related to the transmission of each command in the main processing described above, and the output of the symbol control signal, the voice control signal, the lamp control signal, and the prize ball control signal is performed. Commonly used for

Referring to FIG. 32, first, at step SD
According to 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as SD), processing for setting data for outputting an INT signal to a comparison value is performed. Next, a process of setting the number of transmissions (4) to the number of processes is performed by SD2. The number of transmissions is the number of times that the process of finding the destination of the command is repeatedly performed during one execution of the command transmission process. As described later, all of the four sub-boards described above can be checked as the destination of the command. Is set to “4”.

Next, a process of setting the IO address for designating the address of the output port for outputting the command to the address of port 1 is performed by SD3. Here, for example, the output port corresponds to each board, such as port 1 for the symbol control board 75, port 2 for the voice control board 82, port 3 for the ramp control board 80, and port 4 for the payout control board 144. By setting the address of the output port as the IO address for transmitting the command, the sub-board to which the command is transmitted is selected.

Next, a process of shifting the comparison value to the right is performed by SD4. As a result, the comparison value is determined to be a value that can be compared with the output data set in the output port specified by the IO address. The data of the comparison value determined in this way is compared with the output data set in the output port specified by the IO address, and when the output data of the command is set in the output port to be compared, , These values match and the carry flag is set. In other words, the output port to which the command data to be output is set is set according to the fact that the command data is already output to the corresponding board, so the data is set to each output port. By confirming whether or not the command data is output, it is recognized that the command data is output to the corresponding board.

Next, it is determined by SD5 whether the carry flag has been set. If the carry flag is determined to be set by SD5, SD6
Thus, a process of outputting a command to be transmitted to the corresponding IO address is performed. Thereby, a command is output. After that, it proceeds to SD7. On the other hand, if it is determined that the carry flag is not set,
Go to 7.

In SD7, a process of adding 1 to the IO address is performed. As a result, the output port for comparing the state of the output data in the next loop is switched to the output port in the next processing order. Next, the process proceeds to SD8, in which the number of processes set by SD2 is subtracted by "1", and it is determined whether or not the number of processes after the subtraction update is other than zero. If the number of processes after the subtraction update by SD8 is not 0, the process returns to SD4 described above, and the above-mentioned command output destination is checked for the output port in the next check order. On the other hand, if the number of processes after the subtraction and update by SD8 becomes 0, the process proceeds to SD9 described above.

In SD9, a process of setting data of the output INT signal is performed. Then, a process of outputting the data of the INT signal set in SD9 to the output port 0 which is a port for outputting the INT signal is performed by SD10. Thereby, the INT signal is output (started up). Next, a process of setting a weight counter is performed by SD11. here,
The weight counter is a counter for counting the standby time, and is used to monitor the output period of the INT signal at this stage, and is set to "5".

Then, the flow advances to SD12, where a process of subtracting and updating the counter value of the weight counter by "1" is performed.
It is determined whether or not the counter value after the subtraction update is other than 0. If the counter value after the subtraction update by SD12 is not 0, SD12
Is repeated. On the other hand, if the number of processes after the subtraction update by SD12 becomes 0, the process proceeds to SD13, where the process of setting clear data is performed, and the set clear data is output to the output port 0 by SD14. Is performed. As a result, the data for outputting the INT signal is cleared, and the INT signal is stopped (falled). In this way, the INT signal rises and then falls after the output level is continued for the time when 5 is counted by the weight counter.

Next, a process of setting a weight counter is performed by SD15. The wait counter at this stage is used to monitor the end period of the command transmission process, and is set to "5". Next, SD1
The process proceeds to step S6, in which the counter value of the weight counter is decremented and updated by "1", and it is determined whether or not the counter value after the decrement and update is other than zero. S
If the counter value after the subtraction update by D16 is not 0, the processing of SD16 is repeated. On the other hand, when the number of processes after the subtraction update by the SD 12 becomes 0, this command transmission process ends.

According to the command transmission processing as described above,
When a command to be output to the above-mentioned sub-board is set, by executing one control routine, by selecting a sub-board to be output, by executing this command transmission processing, to which sub-board, Can also send commands.

Next, the contents of control processing executed by the CPU of the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a main process as a main routine of a control process executed by the CPU 144j of the payout control board 144.

Step SE (hereinafter simply referred to as SE) 1
Through SE12, a process for performing initial settings for execution of the control process is performed. The interrupt is prohibited by SE1. Next, an interrupt mode 2 indicating an interrupt processing mode is set by SE2. Next, the stack pointer is set by SE3. Next, SE
4 sets the internal device register.
Next, the CTC vector is set by SE5. Next, the unused CTC and PIO are set by SE6. Next, the setting for making the RAM accessible is performed by SE7.

Then, in SE8, it is determined whether or not the backup data exists in the RAM (whether or not the backup data is stored). As described above, this backup data is stored in the RAM in response to receiving a power-off signal from the power supply board 137 in a predetermined case such as when a power failure occurs.

If it is determined in SE8 that there is backup data, the flow advances to SE9, and based on the stored backup data, the CP of the payout control board 144 is determined.
A process is performed to restore the state of the control processing executed in U to the state before the power was turned off. Thereafter, the main process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SE8 that there is no backup data, the process proceeds to SE10, and processing for clearing the data stored in the RAM is performed. Next, SE11
Thus, the setting of the CTC interrupt is performed. Next, SE
12 enables interrupts.

After SE12, the process proceeds to SE13, where it is determined whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred. The dispensing control board 144 is provided with a timer for counting time for timer interruption, and the timer interruption is performed every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.002 sec) is counted by the timer. In SE13, the process waits until a timer interrupt is performed. When the timer interrupt is performed, the process proceeds to SE14. Therefore,
The subroutine processing of SE14 to SE23 is executed every time a timer interrupt is performed.

At SE14, a switch process is executed. In this switch processing, the payout control board 1
The state of the output signal of various switches (ball lending number counting switch 119, prize ball number counting switch 120, etc.) connected to 44 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the switch has performed a detection operation.

At SE15, an input determination process is executed. In this input determination processing, input determination of a prize ball control signal (command, INT signal) from the main board 151 is performed, and a command is received according to the input of the INT signal. In SE16, a command analysis execution process is executed. In the command analysis execution processing, the command content of the command of the received prize ball control signal is analyzed. The payout control board 144 recognizes the command content of the command based on the analysis result, and performs processing according to the command.

At SE17, a payout stop state setting process is executed. In the payout stop state setting processing, a payout stop state of the balls performed according to the payout stop command described above is set. In this process, for example, T8 or the like as an interval time after receiving the payout stop release command shown in FIG. 15 described above is set.

At SE18, a prepaid card unit control process is executed. The prepaid card unit control process is a process for performing various controls related to the card unit 31.
Control processing related to ball lending, such as transmission and reception of signals between the card unit 4 and the card unit 31, is performed.

[0270] In SE19, a ball lending control process is executed. In the ball lending control process, a payout control for paying out a lending ball is performed at the control timing as described above. The details of the ball lending control process will be described later with reference to FIG. In SE20, a prize ball control process is executed. In the prize ball control processing, payout control for paying out prize balls is performed at the above-described control timing. The details of the award ball control process will be described later with reference to FIG. In SE21, a payout motor control process is executed. In this payout motor control process,
Control relating to driving of the payout motor is performed.

In SE22, error processing is executed. In this error processing, the card unit 31
Processing relating to connection abnormalities of the card, processing relating to control abnormalities of the card unit 31, processing relating to control of the firing control signal, processing for monitoring the ball clogging of the prize ball number count switch 120, processing for monitoring the ball clogging of the ball lending number count switch 119 Various processes relating to an error state (abnormal state) such as a process relating to an abnormality of the prize ball route, a process relating to an abnormality of the ball lending route, and a process relating to display of error information are performed.

In SE23, an output process is executed. In this output process, a process of outputting various signals and various data including error information from the payout control board 144 is performed. After the execution of SE23, the process returns to SE13 described above and repeats SE14 to SE14 until the timing of the next timer interrupt.
Execution of the subroutine of SE23 is awaited.

Next, the CPU 144 of the payout control board 144
The command interrupt processing executed in j will be described. FIG. 34 shows the CPU 144j of the payout control board 144.
5 is a flowchart showing a command interrupt process executed in the first embodiment.

The CPU 144j constantly monitors whether or not a prize ball control signal INT has been received, and executes a command interruption process when receiving the prize ball control signal INT. In the command interrupt processing, first, at step SG (hereinafter simply referred to as SG) 1, command data, that is, award ball control signals CD0 to CD7 are input, and at SG2, the command data is set (stored). Is made. Next, a process of permitting the next command interrupt is performed by SG3. Thereafter, the command interrupt processing ends.

Next, the CPU 144 of the payout control board 144
The timer interrupt processing executed in j will be described. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU 144j of the payout control board 144.

The CPU 144j constantly monitors a predetermined time counting counter, and executes a timer interrupt process in order to execute a timer interrupt every time 2 ms elapses. In the timer interrupt processing, first, in step SH
According to (hereinafter simply referred to as SH) 1, a process of setting data indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred as data indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred is performed. As a result, FIG.
In SE13 of the main process shown in (1), it is determined that there is a timer interrupt. Next, a process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed by SH2. Thereafter, the timer interrupt process ends.

Next, the contents of the ball lending control processing in SE19 described above will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the details of the ball lending control process.

Referring to FIG. 36, first, at step SM
A process of loading the value of the ball lending number count switch timer is performed by 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as SM). The ball lending number count switch timer is a timer that counts the duration of the ball lending number count switch 119 each time the ball lending number count switch 119 is turned on (a state where a ball is detected), and the timer value is stored in the RAM. You. Therefore, S
At M1, the timer value is loaded and used for the ball lending control process.

Next, a process of comparing the timer value of the ball lending number count switch timer loaded by SM1 with a predetermined switch-on determination value is performed by SM2. Here, the switch-on determination value is a continuation time of the ON state in which the ball lending number count switch 119 is recognized as detecting a ball in a normal state. If the ball lending number count switch 119 is continuously turned on for a time equal to or longer than the switch-on determination value, it is recognized that the ball lending number count switch 119 has detected a ball in a normal state. Can be

Next, it is determined by SM3 whether or not the timer value of the ball lending number count switch timer compared by SM2 has reached a value coinciding with the switch-on determination value. If it is determined by SM3 that the value has reached the matching value, it is recognized that the ball lending number count switch 119 has detected a ball in a normal state, and the process proceeds to SM4, where the ball lending number counting process is executed. In the ball lending number counting process, the stored value of the unpaid number of lending balls is subtracted and updated by "1". As a result, the number of unpaid balls to be paid out is reduced in accordance with the detection of the paid out balls. The contents of SM4 will be described later with reference to FIG. After SM4, proceed to SM5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value does not reach the matching value by SM3, there is a possibility of erroneous detection due to noise or the like, so that it is not recognized that the ball is detected in a normal state, and the process proceeds to SM5 as it is.

In SM5, processing for setting the address of the module block to the pointer is performed. Next, SM
The process proceeds to 6, where a process of loading the ball lending control code is performed. The ball lending control code is code data for designating a control process to be executed among the processes of SM10 to SM14, and can be changed according to the progress of the ball lending control process. Next, the process proceeds to SM7, and by executing SM7 to SM9, a process of setting the ball lending control code loaded by SM6 to a value capable of designating any one of SM10 to SM14 is performed. Specifically, S
In M7, a process of doubling the ball lending control code loaded by SM6 is performed, and in SM8, a process of doubling the ball lending control code calculated by SM7 is performed.
At M9, a 2-byte / 1-byte addition process is performed.

After SM9, among the processing of SM10 to SM14, a processing in which a control code corresponding to the ball lending control code obtained by the processing of SM6 to SM9 is specified, and thereafter, the ball lending control processing is performed. finish. Specifically, SM10 is a ball lending start waiting process. In this ball lending start waiting process, it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending request as described above, and if there is a ball lending request, the number of balls to be paid out, a ball lending control timer used for ball lending control Is set, and a control code for a ball lending and payout path switching process to be executed next is specified.

[0283] SM11 is a ball lending and payout path switching process. In this ball lending and payout path switching process,
First, in order to execute a switching operation for switching the passage switching valve 250 from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c, the solenoid control signal is set to the excitation level and the passage switching solenoid 117 is switched. As a result, the switching of the ball payout path from the prize ball path 203d to the ball lending path 203c is started. In addition, the ball lending control timer set in the ball lending start waiting process described above waits until the time expires.
Is set, and a control code for a ball payout motor stop wait process to be executed next is specified. As a result, control is performed to start the payout operation of the payout motor after the elapse of the time T10 shown in FIG. 25 described above.

[0284] SM12 is a payout motor stop waiting process at the time of ball lending. In the ball lending payout motor stop waiting process, the number of balls detected by the ball lending number count switch 119 during the payout operation of the payout motor 118 is checked. In addition to setting the predetermined time T11 shown in FIG. 25, the control code of the ball lending ball passage waiting process to be executed next is designated.

[0285] SM13 is a ball lending ball passage waiting process. In the ball lending ball passage waiting process, first, after the payout operation of the payout motor 118 is stopped, the number of balls detected by the ball lending number count switch 119 is checked, and the unpaid ball lending number becomes “0”. Is determined. Also, wait until the ball lending control timer set in the ball lending payout motor stop waiting process times out, and when the time is up, set the ball lending control timer to the predetermined time T12 shown in FIG. Then, the control code of the prize ball payout path switching process to be executed next is designated. Further, at this stage, when an error such as a biting of the payout motor 118 occurs, a process for executing an error process corresponding to the error is also performed.

[0286] SM14 is prize ball payout path switching processing. In the prize ball payout path switching processing, first, in order to execute a switching operation of switching the path switching valve 250 from the ball lending path 203c to the prize ball path 203d, the solenoid control signal is set to the non-excitation level to switch the path switching solenoid 117. The switching operation is performed. As a result, switching of the ball payout path from the ball lending path 203c to the prize ball path 203d is started.

[0287] Further, the ball lending control timer set in the ball lending ball passage waiting process described above waits until the time is up, and after the time is up, it is determined whether or not the number of unpaid balls is "0". Is made. If the number of unpaid balls is “0”, the SM10 described above is used.
The control code is designated so that the ball lending start waiting process is executed in the next process. As a result, when the number of unpaid balls becomes "0" at this point, the state returns to the ball lending start waiting state.

On the other hand, when the number of unpaid balls to be paid is not “0” (when it is “1” or more), the control code is set so that the ball lending and payout path switching processing of the SM 11 is executed at the next processing. The designation is performed. From this, if the unpaid number of lending balls is not “0” at this point, the ball lending and payout path switching process is executed again in order to pay out the remaining unpaid number, and the following process is performed. By executing each of the above-described processes, the remaining number of unpaid balls is paid out as shown in FIG.

By executing the ball lending control processing as described above, the ball lending control as shown in the above-described timing charts is performed.

Next, the details of the ball lending number counting process executed by SM4 in FIG. 36 will be described. FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing the details of the ball lending number counting process.

First, in accordance with SG (hereinafter simply referred to as SG) 1, the counter value of the unpaid-ball-unpaid-number counter stored in the unpaid-ball-paid-amount storage area in the RAM is stored in RAM
Is loaded into the calculation area of the number of unpaid balls.

Next, the flow advances to SG2, where it is determined whether or not the number of unpaid lending balls indicated by the unpaid number of lending balls counter value loaded by SG1 is "0". SG2
When it is determined that the number of unpaid ball lending is “0”, the ball lending number counting process ends. On the other hand, S
When it is determined by G2 that the number of unpaid balls is not “0”, the process proceeds to SG3, and a process of subtracting and updating “1” from the unpaid number counter value of balls loaded by SG1 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to SG4, in which processing is performed to store the lending ball unpaid number counter value subtracted and updated by SG3 in the previously described lending ball unpaid number storage area.

According to the ball lending number counting process as described above, in response to the ball lending number counting switch 119 detecting the ball lending payout, the number of unpaid ball lending which the payout control microcomputer 144M knows is determined. Will be reduced.

Next, the contents of the award ball control processing in SE20 described above will be described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the award ball control processing.

Referring to FIG. 38, first, in step SJ
The processing of loading the value of the winning ball number count switch timer is performed by 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as SJ). The prize ball count switch timer is a timer for counting the duration of the prize ball count switch 119 every time the prize ball count switch 119 is turned on (a state in which a ball is detected), and the timer value is stored in the RAM. ing. For this reason, SJ
At 1, the timer value is loaded and used for the award ball control processing.

Next, in SJ2, the timer value of the prize ball number count switch timer loaded in SJ1 and
A process is performed to compare with a predetermined switch-on determination value. Here, the switch-on determination value is the continuation time of the ON state in which it is recognized that the ball has been detected in the normal state of the prize ball number count switch 120. When the prize ball number count switch 120 is in the ON state continuously for a time equal to or longer than the switch-on determination value, it is recognized that the ball has been detected while the prize ball number count switch 120 is in a normal state.

Next, in SJ3, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the winning ball number count switch timer compared in SJ2 has reached a value coinciding with the switch-on determination value. If it is determined by SJ3 that the value has reached the matching value, it is recognized that the ball has been detected in the normal state of the prize ball number count switch 120, and the process proceeds to SJ4 to execute the prize ball counting process. In this prize ball counting process,
The stored value of the number of unpaid prize balls described above is subtracted and updated by "1". Thereby, according to the detection of the payout of the prize ball,
The number of unpaid prize balls is reduced. The contents of SJ4 will be described later with reference to FIG. After SJ4,
Proceed to SJ5. On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ3 that the value does not reach the matching value, there is a possibility of erroneous detection due to noise or the like.
Proceed directly to SJ5.

At SJ5, processing for setting the address of the module block to the pointer is performed. Next, SJ
The program proceeds to 6 for loading a prize ball control code. The award ball control code is code data for designating a control process to be executed among the processes of SJ10 to SJ12, and can be changed according to the progress of the award ball control process. Next, the process proceeds to SJ7, and by executing SJ7 to SJ9, a process of setting the award ball control code loaded by SJ6 to a value that can designate any one of SJ10 to SJ14 is performed. Specifically, in SJ7, a process of doubling the prize ball control code loaded by SJ6 is performed, in SJ8, a process of doubling the prize ball control code calculated by SJ7 is performed, and in SJ9, a process of doubling the prize ball control code is performed.
Byte / 1 byte addition processing is performed.

After SJ9, among the processing of SJ10 to SJ12, a processing in which a control code corresponding to the winning ball control code obtained by the processing of SJ6 to SJ9 is specified is executed. finish. Specifically,
SJ10 is a prize ball start waiting process. In this prize ball start waiting process, it is determined whether or not there is a prize ball request (a prize ball request is made when a predetermined condition such as the unpaid number is one or more is satisfied). Then, when there is a prize ball request, setting of the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the payout motor 118 according to the number of payouts in one payout operation, setting of a payout motor control code for controlling the payout motor 118, and Then, the control code of the next payout motor stop waiting process to be executed is designated. Here, in response to the setting of the payout motor control code, the payout motor 11
8 is started.

SJ11 is a payout motor stop waiting process. In the payout motor stop waiting process, the number of balls detected by the winning ball number count switch 120 during the payout operation of the payout motor 118 is checked.
Then, after the payout motor 118 is stopped, the prize ball control timer is set to the above-described predetermined time T9 shown in FIG. 23, and a control code for a prize ball passage waiting process to be executed next is specified.

Step SJ12 is an award ball passing waiting process. In the prize ball passage waiting process, first, the payout motor 11
After the payout operation of Step 8 is stopped, the number of balls detected by the prize ball count switch 119 is checked to determine whether or not the number of unpaid prize balls has become “0”. Also, after the prize ball control timer set in the payout motor stop waiting process described above has timed out, the aforementioned SJ1
A control code is designated so that the award winning start processing of 0 is executed in the next processing. Thus, upon completion of the award ball passage waiting process, the process returns to the award ball start waiting state described above.

Next, the contents of the awarded ball payout number counting process executed in SJ4 of FIG. 38 will be described.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the content of the winning ball payout number counting process.

First, the counter value of the prize ball unpaid number counter stored in the prize ball unpaid number storage area in the RAM is stored in the RAM (hereinafter simply referred to as SF) 1.
Is loaded into the calculation area for the number of unpaid prize balls.

Next, proceeding to SF2, it is determined whether or not the winning ball unpaid number indicated by the winning ball unpaid number counter value loaded by SF1 is "0". SF2
When it is determined that the awarded ball unpaid number is “0”, the awarded ball paid out number counting process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SF2 that the awarded ball unpaid number is not “0”, the process proceeds to SF3, and a process of subtracting and updating “1” from the awarded ball unpaid number counter value loaded by SF1 is performed. . Next, the process proceeds to SF4, in which a process of storing the prize ball unpaid number counter value subtracted and updated by SF3 in the prize ball unpaid number storage area described above is performed.

According to the prize ball payout number counting as described above, according to the detection of the prize ball payout by the prize ball count switch 120, the payout control microcomputer 144M grasps the unpaid number of prize balls. Will be reduced.

Next, the main effects obtained by the above embodiment will be listed. As shown in FIG.
The payout control board 144 including the payout control microcomputer 144M allows the payout of payout balls corresponding to a plurality of wins to be performed without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each win (for example, every 5 or 13 payouts). ), The ball payout device 116 (including the payout motor 118) can be controlled so as to pay out continuously. In this way, for example, when a prize ball is unpaid according to a plurality of prizes, such as when prizes are concentrated in a short period of time, and the prize ball needs to be paid, the payout operation is performed. Since it is not divided for each winning, the payout of the prize ball can be promptly performed. Thereby, the payout of the prize balls can be speeded up. Further, since continuous payout control is performed within the range of the number of continuous payouts (for example, 25) set so that the payout control board 144 can continuously perform payout control, for example, for one winning prize. Even if there are unpaid prize balls exceeding the number of prize balls that have been paid out, prize balls are paid out as continuously as possible. The payout of prize balls can be further expedited, for example, the payout becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 12, a predetermined data format (for example, a data format as shown in FIGS. 13 to 17) instructs a prize ball control signal to give a prize ball payout control content. Since the command data CD0 to CD7 are included, it is possible to clearly instruct the content of the payout control of the prize ball by the command data.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the command data CD0 to CD7 included in the prize ball control signal include MODE, which is first data capable of designating (instructing) the type of payout control, and the prize to be paid out. EXTDATA as second data capable of designating (commanding) the number of balls is provided.
Since the payout number of the prize balls is clearly specified by the TA, the payout control microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144) can control the payout of the correct number of prize balls.

As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the command data CD0 to CD7 are composed of MODE and EXTDATA.
Therefore, even if the amount of transmitted / received data is limited by one time, the command data having a large amount of data can be transmitted / received in a plurality of times. Can be easily transmitted and received.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17 and the like, the command data includes identification data (identification data DH) capable of identifying the type of the data. It is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of the type of command data received on the computer 144M side (payout control board 144 side).

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, between the ball payout device 116 including the payout motor 118 and the ball detection position by the ball cutout switch 115, at least when the prize ball is paid out, Since balls (25) for the number of consecutive payouts (also referred to as the maximum payout number) can be stored, a sufficient number of balls for paying out prize balls are secured in accordance with the detection result by the ball out switch 115. It can be detected whether or not the ball is paid out by the ball payout device 116 before the payout operation.

Also, as described above with reference to FIG.
The number of continuous payouts of lending balls by one payout operation in the ball payout device 116 is, for example, 25 pieces, and is the above-described continuous payout number (also referred to as the maximum payout number), for example, 25.
Since the number of balls to be paid out is the same as the number of balls, the number of balls to be paid out for one time can be paid out by one continuous payout operation of the ball payout device 116.

As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the prize ball control signals include prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7, which are command data for designating (instructing) the content of prize ball payout control, and command data of the command data. The prize ball control signal INT, which is a capture signal indicating a capture timing, is included. The payout control microcomputer 144M can recognize the command data capture timing based on the prize ball control signal INT. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state of data acquisition. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the detection signal output from the winning ball number count 120 is a microcomputer 151M for game control (payout control board 144) and a microcomputer 144M for payout control (main board 151). , The microcomputer 1 for game control.
Both the 51M (main board 151) and the payout control microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144) can grasp the payout number of prize balls. As described above, since the occurrence of an abnormal state of command data capture is reduced and the number of paying out prize balls in both the microcomputers 151M and 144M is grasped, the prize ball payout control can be performed reliably. The operability of the ball payout operation can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 31, in the microcomputer 151M for game control (main board 151), the number of unpaid prize balls is stored, and in accordance with a detection signal from the prize ball number count switch 120. Since the stored number of unpaid prize balls is updated by subtraction, the microcomputer 151M for game control performs
The number of unpaid prize balls can be ascertained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 30, FIG. 31, etc., when there is an unpaid number of prize balls, the fact that there is an unpaid number is notified by lighting of the prize ball lamp 10. Based on the presence or absence of the notification, the player can grasp the presence or absence of an unpaid prize ball.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the number of unpaid prize balls is stored in the payout control microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144). Since the stored number of unpaid prize balls is subtracted and updated in accordance with the detection signal, the payout control microcomputer 14
On the 4M side (payout control board 144 side), the number of unpaid prize balls can be grasped.

As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the prize ball control signal includes prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7 which are command data for designating (instructing) the content of prize ball payout control. The prize ball control signal INT, which is a capture signal indicating a capture timing, is included. The payout control microcomputer 144M can recognize the command data capture timing based on the prize ball control signal INT. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state of data acquisition. In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 25, and the like, ball lending payout control is performed based on a ball lending request operation signal BRDY or other signal requesting ball lending payout, and based on a prize ball control signal. The payout control of the prize ball is performed, and the passage switching valve 250 switches one of the ball lending passage 203c and the prize ball passage 203d so that the ball paid out from the ball payout device 116 can pass through. Therefore, the ball lending and the prize ball can be paid out in a distinct manner. As described above, since the occurrence of an abnormal state of the command data is reduced, and the payout is performed in a manner that allows clear distinction between the lending ball and the prize ball, the payout control can be reliably performed. In addition, it is possible to improve the operability of the award ball payout operation.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, since the ball lending passing through the ball lending passage 203c can be detected by the ball lending number counting switch 119, the lending is performed based on the detection by the ball lending number counting switch 119. The payout of the ball can be confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the prize ball passing through the prize ball passage 203d can be detected by the prize ball count switch 120. The payout of the ball can be confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 13, etc., the prize ball control signals CD0 to CD0 which are command data for specifying (instructing) the content of the prize ball payout control in a predetermined data format. The microcomputer 144M includes a CD 7 and a prize ball control signal INT which is a capture signal indicating the timing of capturing the command data. The payout control microcomputer 144M recognizes the command data capture timing based on the prize ball control signal INT. Because you can
It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state of taking in command data. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The payout control board 144 including the payout control microcomputer 144M allows the payout of payout balls corresponding to a plurality of wins to be performed without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each win (for example, every 5 or 13 payouts). ), The ball payout device 116 (including the payout motor 118) can be controlled so as to pay out continuously. In this way, for example, when a prize ball is unpaid according to a plurality of prizes, such as when prizes are concentrated in a short period of time, and the prize ball needs to be paid, the payout operation is performed. Since it is not divided for each winning, the payout of the prize ball can be promptly performed. Thereby, the payout of the prize balls can be speeded up. Further, since continuous payout control is performed within the range of the number of continuous payouts (for example, 25) set so that the payout control board 144 can continuously perform payout control, for example, for one winning prize. Even if there are unpaid prize balls exceeding the number of prize balls that have been paid out, prize balls are paid out as continuously as possible. The payout of prize balls can be further expedited, for example, the payout becomes possible. in this way,
It is possible to improve the operability of the ball payout operation, for example, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state of command data capture and to speed up the payout of award balls.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31 are connected by the connector 144i provided on the payout control board 144.
As shown at 0, not all the wiring patterns among the wiring patterns connected to the connector 144i are connected to the payout control microcomputer.
That is, the input / output signal line 1440b as a wiring pattern on such a payout control board 144 is connected to the payout control microcomputer.
The return switch 25, the ball lending possible display LED 231 and the relay wiring 1440b as a wiring pattern for the frequency display LED 232 relay a signal on the payout control board 144 in a disconnected state to the payout control microcomputer 144M. It is. By providing a wiring pattern that is not connected to the microcomputer 144M in this manner, signals exchanged between the card unit 31 and the pachinko gaming machine 1 do not need to pass through the payout control microcomputer 144M as necessary. Can be done. As a result, the amount of information handled by the payout control microcomputer 144M is reduced, and the processing load of the payout control microcomputer 144M can be reduced. In addition, since the payout control board 144 is directly connected to the card unit without interposing a relay board or the like between the card unit 31 and the payout control board 144, workability in manufacturing can be improved.

Also, as shown in FIG. 23 and the like, when the payout control microcomputer 144M receives a signal (BRDY signal) requesting the payout of a lending ball, information of the information capable of specifying the card balance is obtained. Since the payout control is performed without receiving the input, the payout control microcomputer 144M does not need to perform the process of managing the card balance, so that the processing load of the payout control microcomputer 144M is reduced. It can be further reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the card unit 31 and the frequency display L are provided by the relay wiring 1440b as a wiring pattern provided on the payout control board 144.
Since the connection with the ED 232 is relayed, the pay-out control microcomputer 144M does not need to be involved in the process related to the display of the balance by the frequency display LED 232.
The processing load on the microcomputer 144M for payout control can be further reduced.

As shown in FIG. 10, the relay between the card unit 31 and the ball lending switch 24 is relayed by the relay wiring 1440b as a wiring pattern provided on the payout control board 144. Microcomputer 144M does not need to be involved in the process of detecting the ball lending operation (lending operation) by the ball lending switch 24, and therefore the payout control microcomputer 144M.
The processing load on M can be further reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the relay between the card unit 31 and the return switch 25 is relayed by the relay wiring 1440b as a wiring pattern provided on the payout control board 144. Since the microcomputer does not need to be involved in the processing according to the detection of the return operation by the return switch 25, the processing load on the microcomputer 144M for payout control can be further reduced.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the payout control board 144, the connector 144i for connection with the card unit 31 is arranged at a distance from connectors other than the connector for connection with the card unit 31. The connector 144i for connection with the card unit 31
Can be easily connected to and removed from the wiring. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, although the payout control board box 143 houses the payout control board 144, the payout control board box 143 corresponds to each of the plurality of connectors 144a to 144i provided on the payout control board 144. Opening 14 through which each of the connectors can be exposed to the outside
3a to 143i, the connectors 144a to
Since the wiring can be directly connected to and disconnected from the connector 144i, a plurality of connectors 14 including the connector 144i for connection to the card unit 31 are provided.
Connection and disconnection of wiring to and from 4a to 144i can be easily performed. Further, since the inside of the payout control board box 143 can be seen through, the trace of the misconduct can be easily found from the outside, and thereby the motivation of the misconduct person is eliminated. This can prevent fraudulent acts on the payout control board 144. Further, a plurality of connectors 14
Opening 1 that each of 4a to 144i can be exposed to the outside
Since the payout control board box 143 has 43a to 143i, it is not necessary to expose portions other than the connector on the payout control board 144.
4, it is difficult to directly commit fraudulent acts on the wiring pattern and the like, so that fraudulent acts on the payout control board 144 can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 3, the payout control board 14
Of the plurality of connectors 144a to 144i provided on the card unit 31 for connection with the card unit 31
Are provided on the lower side of the payout control board 144 and closer to the card unit 31.
Connectors 144a to 144h other than connector 144i for connection to card unit 31 among 4a to 144i
Is disposed on the upper side of the payout control board 144, the arrangement position of the connector for the recording medium processing apparatus is different from the arrangement position of the other connectors.
Connection of the wiring connected to 44i can be facilitated. Further, since the connectors 144a to 144h are arranged in a line, when wiring is connected to those connectors, the connectors to be connected can be easily grasped based on the order in which the connectors are arranged.
To 144h can be easily connected.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing control board box 143 accommodates the error display 145 so as not to be exposed to the outside, so that the error display 145 can be protected and the error display 145 can be protected. There is no need to provide a cover exclusively for protection.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the payout control board 144, the open end of the front frame portion including the front frame 3 and the front open / close frame 4 (the right end of the pachinko game machine 1 as viewed from the front). In contrast, in the arrangement state in which the main board 151 is closer to the payout control board 144, the game control means connector is provided at a position near the open end of the front frame portion, and A connector 144c for connection is provided at a position near the shaft support end side (opposite to the open end side) of the front frame. For this reason, connection of the wiring corresponding to each of the balance display board 23 including the frequency display LED 232 and the main board 151 can be facilitated due to these installation positions.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the payout control board 144, wiring connected to the ball payout device 116 (in the case of this embodiment, the payout unit relay board 1
24, which is relayed to and connected to the ball dispensing device 116)
Is connected to the balance display board 2
3 connector 144c and main board 151 connector 1
Since it is provided at a position between the ball balance payout device 44a and the position, the connection of the wiring corresponding to the ball payout device 116 does not hinder the connection of the wiring corresponding to each of the frequency balance display board 23 and the main board 151. Therefore, the connection of the wiring corresponding to the ball payout device 116 can be facilitated.

Also, as shown in FIG. 25 and the like, the passage switching solenoid 117 drives the passage switching valve 250 only when the passage of the ball to be paid out is switched from the winning ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c (ON state). ), It is possible to prevent the passage switching solenoid 117 from being driven too frequently.
7 can be further improved in durability.

As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, when paying out a lending ball in response to the reception of the BRQ signal from the card unit 31, after the EXS signal is transmitted,
After it is ensured that the operation of paying out the lending ball is possible, the passage guided to pay out the ball is award ball passage 2
The operation of switching from 03d to the ball lending passage 203c is started. For this reason, it is possible to prevent occurrence of an abnormal state related to payout after the start of the ball passage switching operation. As a result, when paying out a lending ball, it is possible to pay out the lending ball with distinction from the prize ball.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25,
When paying out a lending ball in response to the reception of the BRQ signal from the card unit 31, the transmission of the BRQ signal performed in the card unit 31 in response to the reception of the EXS signal from the payout control board 144 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Later (after falling), that is, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a state in which a payout operation of a lending ball is possible, and furthermore, the state is grasped by the card unit 31 side, and then guidance is performed to pay out the ball. The operation of switching the passage from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c is started. For this reason, it is possible to prevent occurrence of an abnormal state related to payout after the start of the ball passage switching operation. As a result, when paying out the ball lending, the ball lending and the prize ball can be clearly and reliably paid out.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24 and the like, the BRD in which the transmission from the card unit 31 is continued from the start of the ball payout request to the end of the lending of the ball is completed.
From the Y signal, it can be grasped that both the card unit 31 and the pachinko gaming machine 1 are in the state of paying out balls. For this reason, transmission and reception of a signal relating to payout of a lending ball are performed after both parties have grasped that such a situation is present, so that a signal relating to the payout of a lending ball is transmitted between the card unit 31 and the pachinko gaming machine 1. Exchange can be performed reliably.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26, after the operation of paying out the ball by the sprocket 205 is completed, the ball lending passage 20 is moved from the prize ball passage 203d.
After starting the operation of switching the path to 3c, the transmission of the EXS signal is stopped (falled). For this reason, the start of the switching operation of the passage from the prize ball passage 203d to the ball lending passage 203c is performed prior to the stop of the transmission of the EXS signal to the card unit 31, and from the state where the lending of the ball can be paid out. It is possible to quickly shift to a state in which a prize ball can be paid out.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, since the ball lending guided by the ball lending passage 203c can be detected by the ball lending number count switch 119, it is possible to count the number of the ball lending. It is possible to pay out the correct number of lending balls.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the prize balls guided by the prize ball passage 203d can be detected by the prize ball count switch 120, so that the number of prize balls to be paid out can be counted. It is possible to pay out the correct number of prize balls.

In this embodiment, among the microcomputers provided on each control board, the microcomputer 151M for game control and the microcomputer 141M for payout control are one-chip microcomputers. The other microcomputer 82M for voice control, the microcomputer 80M for lamp control, and the microcomputer 75M for symbol control were not made into one-chip microcomputers. The reason is as follows. That is,
For voice control, lamp control, and symbol control,
By exchanging a ROM (ROM in which a control program or the like is stored), a microcomputer can be diverted to another game machine. Therefore, the one-chip type was not used to allow such exchange. As for the payout control, a ROM (RO storing a payout control program and the like) is used.
M) can also be used commonly for other gaming machines (the entire microcomputer can be used for other gaming machines).
One-chip ROMs are easy to manufacture, so the one-chip ROM is used.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which one ball payout device 116 pays out both a lending ball and a prize ball. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and instead of the above-described ball payout device 116, two ball payout devices are provided: a ball payout device dedicated to paying out lending balls, and a ball payout device dedicated to paying out prize balls.
With these two ball payout devices, a lending ball and a prize ball may be paid out independently.

Next, feature points of modified examples of the present invention will be listed. (1) In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which one bit of each data is used as identification data for identifying the type of two types of data (MODE, EXTDETA) included in the command data. When three or more types of data are included in the command data, two or more bits (a plurality of bits) of each data are used as identification data. Specifically, for example, when three types of data are included in the command data, two bits of each data are used as identification data.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the conditions for outputting the payout stop command among the prize ball commands are listed. However, the conditions for outputting the payout stop command are not limited to the above-described conditions, but may be the card. A condition may be added that a payout stop command is output even when the unit 31 is not connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

(3) In the above embodiment,
As an example, a case where a card usable for a game is a magnetic card and the card unit 31 has a configuration for processing a magnetic card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and IC cards (contact-type IC
Other types of recording media such as a card and a non-contact type IC card may be used. The card unit 31 may be constituted by another type of recording medium processing device such as a card unit capable of processing an IC card according to a card used in a game.

(4) In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is, for example, a slot machine. Is also good. When the present invention is applied to a slot machine, a game coin corresponds to a game medium. That is, the present invention is also applied to a slot machine capable of playing a game by inserting a predetermined number of game media (inserting a predetermined number of coins).

(5) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which one ball payout device pays out both a lending ball and a prize ball. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Two ball dispensing devices are provided: a ball dispensing device dedicated to paying out balls, and a ball payout device dedicated to paying out prize balls. May be operated independently of each other.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the ball dispensing device 116 for dispensing balls using a stepping motor has been described as a device for dispensing balls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball payout device may not use a stepping motor as described below. The device for dispensing a ball has a stopper (locking member) for performing an operation for locking the dispensed ball and an operation for releasing the lock, and releases the locking of the ball by the stopper. When the ball detection switch for detecting the number of balls to be paid out starts to pay out the balls and detects the number of balls to be paid out, a ball payout device having a structure for locking the balls by a stopper and terminating the balls is used. You may. The stopper of such a ball dispensing device is driven by using a solenoid (for example, by turning off the solenoid, the stopper is in a locked state of the ball,
When the solenoid is turned on, the stopper is driven so as to release the locking of the ball). Further, a stopper operation detection switch for detecting whether the stopper of such a ball dispensing device is operating is provided.

(7) The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like constitutes a gaming machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of premium game media (prize balls) in accordance with winning. I have. In the gaming machine having such a configuration, the gaming medium may be represented as a ball, and the gaming machine may be represented as a ball-and-ball gaming machine.

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

[0348]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) Paying out a predetermined number of premium game media (prize balls) according to a prize by the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like. The game machine which can do is constituted. A game control means for controlling a game state is constituted by the main board 151 shown in FIG. 7 and the like, more specifically, the microcomputer 151M. The ball payout device 116 shown in FIG.
This constitutes a payout unit that performs an operation of paying out game media (balls). Payout control board 14 shown in FIG.
4. More specifically, a payout control means for controlling the payout means is constituted by the microcomputer 144M. As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the payout control means, based on a prize game medium payout control signal (prize ball control signal) for instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means, Perform payout control. As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the premium game medium payout control signal indicates the content of the premium game medium payout control in a predetermined data format (for example, a data format as shown in FIGS. 13 to 17). Command data to be commanded (prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7) and a capture signal (prize ball control signal INT) indicating the timing of capturing the command data are included. As shown in FIG. 20 and the like, the payout control means does not divide the payout of the prize game medium according to a plurality of prizes without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each prize (for example, five or thirteen). Without delimiting each withdrawal)
It is possible to control the dispensing means so as to continuously pay,
A continuous payout number (for example, 25) is set so that the payout control means can continuously perform payout control, and the payout control means performs continuous payout control within the range of the continuous payout number. .

(2) As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the command data includes first data (MODE) capable of instructing the type of payout control and second data capable of instructing the number of premium game media to be paid out. (EXTDATA).

(3) As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the command data is transmitted a plurality of times (for example, MODE and EX).
(TDATA and twice) is transmitted from the game control means to the payout control means.

(4) As shown in FIG. 17, the command data includes identification data (identification data DH) capable of identifying the type of data.

(5) The ball passage 114 shown in FIG. 2 constitutes a game medium supply passage for supplying a game medium to the payout means. A game medium detecting means capable of detecting a game medium present at a predetermined position in the game medium passage by the ball cutout switch 115 shown in FIG. 2 and the like. As described above, between the payout unit and the detection position of the game medium by the game medium detection unit, at least as many (25) game media as the continuous payout can be stored.

(6) As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, the payout means is a lending game medium (lending ball) for lending to a player.
Can be performed. As described above, the number of continuous payouts (25) of the lending game media by the payout means at the time of payout of the lending game media is the same as the number of continuous payouts (25).

[0354]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. The prize game medium payout control signal includes command data for instructing the contents of the prize game medium payout control in a predetermined data format, and a capture signal indicating a timing of capturing the command data. Since the payout control means can recognize the command data fetch timing based on the command data, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the command data fetch abnormal state. Further, it is possible to control the payout means so as to continuously pay out the prize game media in accordance with a plurality of prizes without dividing the payout operation of the payout means for each prize. In this way, for example, in the case where prizes are concentrated in a short period of time, unpaid premium game media corresponding to a plurality of prizes are generated, and when it is necessary to pay them out, the payout operation is performed. Since it is not divided for each prize, payout of the prize game medium can be promptly performed. Thereby, the payout of the prize game media can be further expedited. Furthermore, since the continuous payout control is performed within the range of the continuous payout number set so that the payout control means can continuously perform the payout control, for example, a prize game medium exceeding the payout amount for one prize. Prize game media are paid out as continuously as possible even if there are unpaid prizes, so it is possible to pay out prize game media exceeding the number of payouts for one prize in one continuous payout, etc. Accordingly, the payout of the prize game media can be further expedited. As described above, the operability of the payout operation of the game medium can be improved, for example, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the abnormal state of the command data capture and to expedite the payout of the prize game medium.

According to claim 2, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. The command data includes command data having first data capable of instructing the type of payout control and second data capable of instructing the number of premium game media to be paid out, and the premium to be paid out based on the second data. Since the number of game media is clearly specified, it is possible to pay out an accurate number of game media.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect according to claim 1 or 2, the following effect can be obtained. Since command data is transmitted in multiple times,
Even if the amount of data transmitted and received at one time is limited, command data having a large data amount can be easily transmitted and received by performing transmission and reception in a plurality of times.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effect according to claim 2 or 3, the following effect can be obtained. Since the command data includes identification data capable of identifying the type of data, based on the identification data,
It is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of the type of command data received on the payout control means side.

Regarding claim 5, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effect can be obtained. Between the payout unit and the detection position of the game medium by the game medium detection unit, at least game media for the number of continuous payouts can be stored, so that the prize game medium can be stored in accordance with the detection result by the game medium detection unit. It is possible to detect before the payout operation whether or not a sufficient number of game media for payout are secured.

Regarding claim 6, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the following effect can be obtained. The number of continuous payouts of the game media by the payout means at the time of payout of the game media is the same as the number of continuous payouts set so that the payout control means can continuously perform the payout control. In the case of paying out game media, one operation of the payout means can pay out the number of payouts of one lending game medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a game board provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the internal configuration of each dividable case in the ball payout device in a see-through manner.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a case showing an operation state of a passage switching solenoid when the ball payout device is viewed from a side.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the case when the ball payout device is viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between a main board and a payout control board.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a transmission and reception relationship of various signals used in paying out award balls and lending balls.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between a payout control board and a card unit.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing transmission timings of award ball control signals CD0 to CD7, INT.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data configuration of award ball control signals CD0 to CD7.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a relationship between MODE data and a payout control mode designated by the data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a relationship between EXTDATA data and an operation content specified by the data when a mode for paying out a prize ball is specified.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a relationship between EXTDATA data and an operation content specified by the data when a mode for stopping payout or resuming payout is designated.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating identification data provided so that the type of command data can be identified.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing processing timing of signals between a payout control board and a card unit during a payout operation by ball lending.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing an abnormal-time control operation performed by the payout control board when an abnormality occurs in a signal input from the card unit to the payout control board.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out prize balls.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing a control operation when the payout control board receives a payout stop command during a payout ball payout operation.

FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing an operation when the payout control board receives a payout stop release command in a stop state according to the payout stop command.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing a control operation when a payout control board receives a ball lending request from a card unit during a prize ball payout operation.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing an operation after the ball lending operation is completed when a ball lending request is received during the payout of award balls.

FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out a lending ball.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing a control operation performed by the payout control board when the number of balls paid out in one ball payout operation is less than the maximum payout number.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a main process as a main routine of a control process executed by the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a prize ball process executed by the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a prize ball number adding process.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a winning ball number subtraction process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a command transmission process executed in the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a main process as a main routine of a control process executed by a CPU of a payout control board.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a command interruption process executed in the CPU of the payout control board.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU of the payout control board.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the details of a ball lending control process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the contents of a ball lending number counting process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the winning ball control processing.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the content of the winning ball payout number counting process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine (game machine), 151 is a main board (game control means), 151M is a microcomputer (game control means), 116 is a ball payout device (payout means), and 144 is a payout control board (payout control means). Reference numeral 144M denotes a microcomputer (payout control means); 114, a ball passage (game medium supply path); and 115, a ball out switch (game medium detection means).

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of prize game media in accordance with a winning, a game control means for controlling a game state, and an operation of paying out game media. Payout means, and a payout control means for controlling the payout means, wherein the payout control means is based on a prize game medium payout control signal instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means. The medium payout control is performed, the prize game medium payout control signal is a command data instructing the contents of the prize game medium payout control in a predetermined data format, and a capture signal indicating a timing of capturing the command data. The payout control unit further includes a payout of a prize game medium according to a plurality of prizes, without dividing a payout operation of the payout unit for each prize. The payout means can be controlled so that the payout means can be continuously paid out, and the continuous payout number is set so that the payout control means can continuously perform payout control. The payout control means further comprises the continuous payout number. A gaming machine characterized by performing continuous payout control within the range of (1). 2. The command data according to claim 1, wherein the command data includes first data capable of instructing a type of payout control and second data capable of instructing the number of premium game media to be paid out. The described gaming machine. 3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the command data is transmitted from the game control means to the payout control means in a plurality of times. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the command data includes identification data capable of identifying a type of the data. 5. A payout medium supply path for supplying a payout medium to the payout means, and a payout medium detecting means capable of detecting a playout medium present at a predetermined position in the payout medium path, the payout means comprising: The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least game media for the number of continuous payouts can be stored between the game medium and the game medium detection position. Machine. 6. The payout means is capable of performing an operation of paying out game media to be lent to a player, and continuously paying out the game media by the payout means when paying out the game media. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the number of payouts is the same as the number of consecutive payouts.