JP2002000864A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of the payout operation of prize giving media. SOLUTION: In this game machine provided with constitution for paying out balls by using the ball payout device of the constitution provided with a ball lending mechanism including a ball lending motor and a prize ball mechanism including a prize ball motor, prize ball control signals are provided with command data for specifying the contents of the payout control of prize balls and INT signals for indicating the fetch timing of the command data. The detection signals of the payout of the prize balls outputted from prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b are inputted to both of a main board 151 and a payout control board 144.

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 game media for renting out game media to a player and paying out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a prize.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of gaming machine, for example, payout of game media (for example, ball lending) for lending game media such as balls to a player is generally known. There has been a gaming machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of prize game media (for example, prize balls) in accordance with a prize.

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 including command data instructing payout control contents is transmitted to the means, and the payout control means controls a payout mechanism such as a payout motor to pay out the prize game medium in accordance with the command indicated by the command data. Control was taking place.

[0004]

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 described above, the paid-out prize game medium is detected by a detecting means such as a detection switch, and a detection signal of the detecting means is given to one of the game control means and the payout control means, The payout number of the premium game media is managed by one of the control means. For this reason, only one of the two control means related to the payout of the prize game medium can grasp the payout number of the prize game medium.

[0005] As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, in addition to the above-mentioned abnormal state in which command data is apt to be taken in, the number of prize game media to be paid out can be grasped only by one of the control means. As a result, the operability of the prize game medium payout operation is not very good, for example, an abnormal state of the payout control operation such as an abnormal state in which an accurate number of payouts cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been conceived 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 prize game medium payout operation.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for paying out a rental game medium for renting a game medium to a player, and providing a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a prize. A gaming machine capable of performing payout, a gaming control means for controlling a gaming state, a rental medium payout mechanism for performing an operation of releasing the rental medium, and an operation of releasing the premium game medium. A premium game media payout mechanism that performs
Payout control means for controlling the rental medium payout mechanism and the premium game medium payout mechanism; and a payout game medium for detecting a premium game medium paid out from the premium game medium payout mechanism and outputting a detection signal. Detecting means, the payout control means performs operation control of the prize game medium payout mechanism section based on a prize game medium payout control signal instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means, The prize game medium payout control signal includes command data for instructing the content 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 detection signal output from the detection means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means.

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 the 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, the game control means stores the number of unpaid premium game media, and The present invention is characterized in that the stored unpaid number of prize game media is subtracted and updated according to a detection signal from the prize game medium detection means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is an unpaid number of the prize game media, it notifies that the unpaid number exists. It is characterized by further including a notifying means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the payout control means stores the number of unpaid premium game media, and The present invention is characterized in that the stored number of unpaid premium game media is subtracted and updated according to a detection signal from the premium game medium detecting means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of any one of the first to seventh aspects, a lending game medium payout unit having the lending game medium payout mechanism, and the premium It further includes a prize game medium payout unit provided with a game medium payout mechanism, wherein the rental game medium payout unit and the prize game medium payout unit are provided separately.

[0015]

According to the present invention, the operation is as follows. The game state is controlled by the operation of the game control means. The operation of paying out the lending game medium is performed by the function of the lending game medium payout mechanism. The operation of the prize game medium payout mechanism is performed by the function of the prize game medium payout mechanism. The operation of the payout control means controls the rental game medium payout mechanism and the premium game medium payout mechanism. By the function of the payout prize game medium detecting means, the prize game medium paid out from the prize game medium payout mechanism is detected and a detection signal is output. With the further operation of the payout control means, the operation control of the prize game medium payout mechanism 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 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 fetch signal indicating a fetch timing of the command data. Then, the detection signal output from the payout prize game medium detection means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed in addition to the operation of the first aspect.
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 fourth aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed in addition to the operation of the second or third aspect of the invention. 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. By the further function of the game control means,
The number of unpaid prize game media is stored, and the stored number of unpaid prize game media is subtracted and updated according to the detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, it operates as follows.
When the number of unpaid prize game media is present, the function of the notification means notifies that the number of unpaid is present.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, it operates as follows. With the further operation of the dispensing control means,
The number of unpaid prize game media is stored, and the stored number of unpaid prize game media is subtracted and updated according to the detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means.

According to the present invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the following operation is performed. The lending game medium payout mechanism is provided in the lending game medium payout unit, and the prize game medium payout mechanism is provided in the prize game medium payout unit. The rental game medium payout unit and the premium game medium payout unit are provided separately from each other.

[0023]

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. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a slot machine or the like. Any gaming machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a prize is applicable.

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 perspective view showing a relationship between a ball payout device and a payout unit relay board provided integrally with the ball payout device. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a ball payout device of the ball payout device. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prize ball payout device portion of the ball payout device. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the structure of the ball payout apparatus on the ball payout apparatus side. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure of the ball payout device on the prize ball payout device side. FIG.
It is the rear view seen from the contact surface with the mechanism board of a ball payout device.
FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are block diagrams of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

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 is provided with 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 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 an unpaid number of prize balls, by illuminating,
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 12a and 12b are provided on the right and left upper portions of the front opening / closing frame 4 for generating 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 above decorative lamps 6 to 8, 9L, 10
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 back 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 attached to the front side of the front frame 3 (corresponding to this, the game effect lamp board is also attached to the front side of the front frame 3). 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 wiring extending from the speakers 12a and 12b is 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 back of the front frame 3, and then connected to an audio It is connected to the 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 the CPU 51, a control CPU (a CPU 82 described later)
a), a microcomputer 82M for voice control, which includes a ROM, a RAM, etc., and controls voice such as sound effects.

Next, the structure of the upper plate 19 attached to the lower side of the front opening / closing 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 boring 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 the ball stored in the upper plate 19 on the back side by moving in one direction against the urging force of a spring (not shown). 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 abnormality 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. A switch and an indicator 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
This switch is operated when the player 1 receives 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 usable for the game is a magnetic recording type card, and a recording medium capable of recording a value (card balance) owned by the player usable for the game (for example, usable for lending a ball). It is. Here, the value refers to data such as a card balance owned by the player and used for the game.

The frequency display LED indicates 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 and a payout control board 1 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 pipe (not shown) connected thereto is swung up and down to close or open the ball extraction port. Or so.

An undulating portion may be formed in the lower portion of the front opening / closing 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 incorporates a single-shot firing switch 91 and a touch sensor 92 (both shown in FIG. 9) for starting driving of the firing motor 88 of the hit ball firing device 87 shown in FIG. 3, and adjusts the resilience. Things.

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 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 the card unit 31 corresponds to, 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 transmits 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 supply 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 when a predetermined state is reached, a stop signal is received from the payout control board 144 so that a shot cannot be fired. Also, the relay board mounting base 95 has 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 mounted at predetermined positions.

While 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 section 100 among the components 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 configuration 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 passing port (gate) 620 provided so that a ball falling in the game area 41 can pass therethrough, and a passing port 62 thereof.
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
The display result is variably displayed (alternately blinked) for a predetermined period based on the detection signal, and 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 used.
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 winning 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 predetermined combination of 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, the probability variation mode in which the appearance probability of the hit symbol on the ordinary symbol display 63 and 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 decorative LED 45 is provided on the upper part of the special variable display device 44, and a decorative LED 45a is provided on 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 allows 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 so as to be able to open and close the large winning opening.

Inside 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 in order to detect a hit ball received in the special winning opening door 49. 52 are provided.

When the special winning opening door 49 is opened, all balls that have entered the special variable winning ball device 48 from the special 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, the special winning opening 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). 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 on the condition 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 winning prize opening to be described later)
The drive is controlled by 3). In that case, the special winning 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 toward the opposite direction 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, it is controlled to be in 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 includes 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 for displaying that the special winning opening door 49 is open, a decorative LED 56R for 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.

Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the gaming area 41 has a sleeve decoration lamp 65Lb, 65Rb, a winning opening 65L including a 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 described 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 that includes a PU (CPU 80a to be described later), a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and that performs a lamp control, is provided.
The above various lamps and various LEDs are controlled.

In the above-described embodiment, the prize port and the prize device in which a 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 24 described later
0 is drive-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
, 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) that includes a / O port and controls payout 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, a large number of electrical components such as switches and solenoids, decorative lamps and decorative LEDs are provided as described above. Lamp relay board 76 and 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. 10, the switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 62, 65 provided on the game board surface.
La, 65Ra, and each solenoid 50, 53, 5
9 is 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, a back surface of the special variable display device 44 protrudes from the back surface of the game board 40. 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 normal symbol display. The variable display operation of the device 63 is also controlled.

Further, around the rear surface of the above-mentioned special variable display device 44, a prize-winning ball which has won a prize port (in this embodiment, a prize port 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 below the first winning ball guide cover 70 so as to communicate with the first winning ball guide cover 70. A cover body 71 is attached.

In the center of the first winning ball guide cover 70, a window hole 72 through which the back surface of the special variable display device 44 penetrates is formed, and a lamp relay board 76 and a board external terminal board are provided 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. 10, 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 continuously output during big hit and probability change) that informs that big hit state and probability change due to the big hit, probability change after big hit state by probability change symbol Probability variation information that informs that
Starting port information for reporting the number of hit balls for which the seed starting port switch has been turned ON, symbol determination number 1 information for reporting the number of variable display operations of the special variable display device, and symbol determination for reporting the variable display operation number of the ordinary variable display device. An external connection terminal 78b for outputting information on the number of times 2 and information on the number of times of the occasion of opening and closing the normally variable winning prize ball device to a management computer installed in the game hall, and the game information is stored on 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 guiding cover 71, a control board box 161 for accommodating a lamp control board 80 and a voice control board 82 is mounted.

The configuration 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. The mechanical portion 100 is formed of a conductive (metal-made) metal member protruding upward from each of the two conductive metal fittings 37, 37, which are separately fixed on the inner side surface of the game board storage frame 36 in an upper portion and a lower portion. ) Shaft pin 38
The metal mounting member 148 fixed in the mechanism portion 100 in a vertically extending manner is locked by a locking hole of a shaft supporting portion formed at each of an upper portion and a lower portion, so that it can be opened and closed freely. It is supported by. In addition, the mechanism unit 100 engages a locking pin (not shown) erected at an appropriate position of the game board storage frame 36 with a mechanism locking lever 149 provided on the mechanism unit 100, thereby forming the mechanism unit. 100 can be held in a closed state. Here, the case where the mechanism unit 100 is freely openable and closable 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 middle 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 and lending 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 is provided with a ball passage member 229 for guiding a ball from the curve rail member 111 and a ball payout device 240 for paying out a winning ball based on a winning ball. The lower component is provided with a processing mechanism for mainly processing 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 is exposed from the opening window 102 to the outside. 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 240 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. 11, the ball out information detecting switch 107 is connected to the frame external terminal board 13.
2 and outputs 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. And three rows of rail members so that the prize balls flowing out of the storage tank 105 are arranged in three rows toward the downstream. Of the three rows of rail members, two rows are used as prize ball rail members, and one row is used as a ball lending rail member.

On the downstream side of the ball-feeding rail member, a ball-out detecting lever (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of a ball flowing down along the ball-feeding rail member is pivotally supported. ing. The ball-out detection lever is provided with a micro-switch-type ball-off switch 218 on the back side of the mechanism plate, and when there is a ball flowing down the ball-for-ball rail member, While holding the ball-for-ball-out switch 218 in the OFF state, when there is no ball flowing down the ball-for-ball-for-ball member due to ball jam or ball-out, the ball-out detection lever jumps up and the ball for ball-out switch 218 is turned on. Hold in ON state. The ON / OFF signal of the ball-off switch 218 is input to the main board 151 via a frame switch relay board 142 described later. This will be described in detail later. It should be noted that the ball-out detecting lever is connected to the ball payout device 240 by a single row of ball-passing passages (ball-passing passage 1250, ball-passing passage portion 228 described later) (Formed by the ball-lending rail portion of the alignment rail member 108) is rotatably mounted at a position for detecting the 25th ball. This is to confirm whether or not a ball for one lending has been secured. If a ball is paid out in a state where the 25th ball is detected by the ball-out ball switch 218, even if the ball runs out during the ball-lending, the ball is paid out by the confirmed ball even if the ball is out. be able to. In addition, instead of the micro switch type switch as the ball lending switch 218, a switch of another type such as a proximity switch or a photo switch may be used. If a proximity switch facing the unit or a flat proximity switch attached to the back surface of the ball lending rail is used, a member such as a ball cut detection lever is not required, and the structure of the detection unit can be simplified.

Further, a ball leveling member 109 is slidably suspended around 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 stages. 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 at 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 structure, a mechanism locking lever 149 having one end supported at its 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 tip 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 state of fixing the mechanism 100 to the game board storage frame 36 is firmly stabilized. You can make it.

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 change the direction of the ball by 180 degrees and to guide the ball. This curve rail member 111 also has 3 prize balls.
The compartments are formed so as to be aligned with the rows and lead to the downstream side.
Although this curve rail member 111 is not shown in detail,
The ball alignment rail member 108 is divided into a ball lending curve rail section communicating with the ball lending rail section and a prize ball curve rail section communicating with the prize ball rail section.

An unillustrated ball-off valve is provided at the hairpin-shaped bent portion of the curve rail member 111 so as to swing freely, and a ball-off passage 112 is formed from the side of the ball-off valve to the downstream side. Have been. The ball removal passage 112 is provided when the ball removal valve is operated (for example, when the business ends and the ball stored in the storage tank 105 needs to be removed to the outside), the storage tank 105 and the ball alignment rail member 10 are opened.
The ball stored in 8 is guided to the outside of the ball game machine 1.

A ball passage member 229 is provided vertically on the downstream side of the curve rail member 111. The ball passage member 227 includes a row of ball passages 228 for one row and a path 229 for prize balls of two rows. The two-row winning ball passages 229 are each provided with a winning ball out switch 115 facing the passage. As shown in FIG. 10, the winning ball out switch 115 is connected to the main board 151 via the frame switch relay board 142, and when one of the winning ball out switches 115 no longer detects a ball. The operation of the prize ball motor 249 (see FIG. 11) provided in the ball payout device 240 described below is stopped to inactivate the payout of balls. Here, the prize ball motor 249 is configured by a stepping motor, and the maximum number of payouts (also referred to as the number of continuous payouts) to be paid out by one payout operation is set to 25.

The prize ball cut-out switch 115 is used to output 25, 25 or more balls in the prize ball passage 229 from the ball payout device 240 for the maximum number of balls to be paid out (for example, 25).
The detection position is set at a position where the 26th ball can be detected. Therefore, when both of the prize ball out switches 115 no longer detect a ball, it is detected that the number of balls to be paid out is less than the maximum payout number (25) per one time (prize ball out state). It is done. If a prize ball is paid out in a state where the 25th ball is detected by the prize ball out switch 115, even if the ball runs out in the middle of the prize ball, the one ball is paid out by the confirmed ball. be able to.

Next, a more detailed configuration of the ball payout device 240 provided in the intermediate component will be described with reference to FIGS. The ball dispensing device 240 attached below the ball passage member 227 is housed inside a rectangular parallelepiped case 241 formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and is housed in the mechanism plate main body 2.
01 is detachably attached to the front side. The structure of the ball dispensing device 240 will be briefly described here. In the case 241, a single ball lending passage 12 communicating with the ball lending passage 228 of the ball passage member 227 is provided.
50 and two prize ball passages 1300 and 1301 (in which prize ball entrances 246 and 247 are formed) communicating with the prize ball passage portion 229.
(The ball-entry entrance 245 is formed)
48 (a stepping motor is used, but a driving source such as a solenoid may be used). A ball dispensing member 1261 (a rotating member driven by a motor such as a screw or a sprocket, or a ball that prevents flowing down or permits (A stopper member driven by a solenoid that moves), and a two-ball prize ball passage 1300, 1
At 301, a ball payout member 1315 driven by a prize ball motor 249 (in which a stepping motor is used) is desired. Then, each motor 248, 24
By rotating 9, the ball is paid out one by one. In addition, two prize ball passages 1300, 130
From 1 on, since the balls are paid out alternately, the payout speed is higher than the payout speed of the lending balls. In addition, in order to detect the paid-out ball, a ball lending passage 1
The ball lending number count switch 250 faces the 250, and the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b face the prize ball paths 1300 and 1301. Further, in order to reliably perform the payout operation, each motor 248, 2
A ball lending motor position sensor 252 and a prize ball motor position sensor 253 for detecting the position 49 (more precisely, the positions of the ball payout members 1261 and 1315) are provided. This allows
It is possible to execute only one of the lending ball payout operation and the prize ball payout operation, and it is also possible to simultaneously execute the lending ball payout operation and the prize ball payout operation. Also, if one is broken and the other is not broken,
There is also an advantage that the payout operation of the other unbroken ball can be performed.

The case 241 is provided with a position sensor board 254, a ball rental motor 248, a prize ball motor 249, count switches 250, 251a, 251b, and a payout unit relay board 256. The payout unit relay board 256 is provided in the case 241. Note that the dispensing unit relay board 256 is
The cover 41 is detachably attached to the outer side wall of the cover 41 and is covered with a substrate covering cover (also simply referred to as a cover body) 258 detachably attached to the case 241. The board cover 258 is formed with a connection recess in which a connector through-opening for connecting the payout unit relay board 256 and the wiring is formed.

The count switches 250 and 251
Although a and 251b are desirably provided, the payout may be controlled by the detection signal of only the ball rental motor position sensor 252 and the prize ball motor position sensor 253 or the detection signal and the stepping motor step signal. Further, the count switches 250 and 251 are not limited to proximity switches that detect an actual ball, but may be, for example, a photosensor that has a movable plate that is activated by the passage of the ball and detects the movement of the movable plate. That is, the number-of-payouts detecting means for detecting the number of payouts may be any structure and means for detecting the number of paid-out balls.

As described above, the ball payout device 240
Is a ball lending mechanism (ball lending mechanism) such as a ball lending motor 248 and a ball leasing member 1261;
9 and a prize ball payout mechanism section (prize ball payout mechanism section) such as a ball payout member 1315 are operably provided independently. For this reason, the ball payout device 240 can individually execute the lending ball payout operation and the prize ball payout operation.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. As described above, the ball payout device 240 is configured by uniting the ball payout mechanism for paying out balls and a prize ball payout mechanism for paying out prize balls in the case 241. The first case 242 where the ball lending passage 1250 is formed, the second case 243 where the prize ball passage 1300 is formed, and the third case 244 where the prize ball passage 1301 are formed are assembled in parallel. ing. A ball lending ball entrance 245 is opened at the front end side upper end surface of the first case 242, and the prize ball entrance 24 is formed at the front end side upper end surfaces of the second case 243 and the third case 244.
6,247 are formed. Also, on the rear end surface of the case 241 (the surface facing the cover 258 of the dispensing device), parts for attaching the position sensor board 254, the dispensing unit relay board 256, and the cover body 258 covering the boards 254 and 256 are provided. Are formed integrally with the first case 242, the second case 243, and the third case 244.

The position sensor board 254 is a relay board (printed wiring board) to which wiring from the motor position sensor boards 278 and 332 on which the motor position sensors 252 and 253 described later are mounted is connected. Various connectors to which various wirings are connected are mounted on the position sensor board 254, and various electronic components such as resistance elements are also mounted.

The payout unit relay board 256 is connected to the main board 3
51, electrical components provided in the payout control board 291 and the ball payout device 240, and the prize ball out switch 115,
This is to relay the wiring to the ball-off ball switch 218. Various connectors to which various wirings are connected are mounted on the payout unit relay board 256, and various electronic components such as resistance elements are also mounted.

A structure for mounting the position sensor board 254, the payout unit relay board 256, and the cover 258 will be described. The position sensor board 254 is
1 is detachably attached to the upper side of the rear end face.

The dispensing unit relay board 256 is
41 is detachably attached to the lower side of the rear end face. Further, in the payout unit relay board 256, for example, there is a possibility that the connection and detachment of the wiring may be complicated like the connection wiring with the main board and the payout control board, so the payout unit relay board 256 is deformed at the time of insertion. In order to prevent an accident that the printed wiring is cut off, a board supporting piece 1217 which is in contact with the back surface of the payout unit relay board 256 is protruded from each of the cases 242 to 244. The board support pieces 1217 are provided on both the left and right sides and the upper part. In particular, the left and right board support pieces 1217 protrude at positions slightly inward of connectors 1239 to 1241 for connection to the main board and the payout control board. The above effects have been demonstrated.

The cover body 258 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin into a thin rectangular parallelepiped with its rear side open, and is detachably attached to the case 241.

The ball payout device 24 having the above-described appearance.
The structure inside the case 241 at 0 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the ball lending mechanism will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. The mechanism for lending a ball is configured to be integrated into a first case 242 and a second case 243. That is, the first case 242 has a “ku” higher than the front end surface of the concave space facing the second case 243.
A ball lending passage 1250 formed in a character shape is formed, and the upper end of the ball lending passage 1250 is a ball lending ball inlet 245, and the other end of the ball lending passage 1250 is a ball lending ball outlet 1251. I have. The ball lending ball exit 1251 is attached so that a ball lending number count switch 250 having a ball passage hole 1290 through which a ball passes is formed.

A support boss 1252 having a support hole 1253 protrudes from the bent portion of the ball lending passage 1250. The support hole 1253 has a ball payout member 1261 described later.
The tip of a pivot pin 1260 that rotationally supports is inserted and supported. Note that the bent portion of the ball lending passage 1250 is formed slightly upstream in the middle of the passage 1250.

Also, the second case 24 of the ball lending passage 1250
The three side surfaces are connected by a first holding member 1254. The first holding member 1254 is connected to the first case 24.
When the second case 243 is assembled with the first case 2
42, the positioning hole 1255 formed in the upper portion thereof is inserted into the positioning pin 1258 of the second case 243 (the upper positioning pin is not shown). The case 242 and the second case 243 are assembled. The first holding member 1254 is formed with an arcuate concave portion 1256 in which the gear portion 1262 of the ball payout member 1261 and the distal end portion of the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 are accommodated in the middle thereof.

On the other hand, on the side of the second case 243 facing the first case 242, a positioning pin 1258 protrudes and a shaft support pin 1260 rotatably supports the ball discharging member 1261. I have. Ball payout member 1261 rotatably supported by this shaft support pin 1260
Is formed with a rotary shaft hole 1265 in the center of a disk shape, through which a pivot pin 1260 is inserted, and a gear portion 1
A plurality of ball feed projections 1263 project from the circular first case 242 side, and the detection piece 1264 protrudes from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped second case 243 side. A plurality of ball feed protruding pieces 1263 are provided at intervals at which balls flowing down the ball lending passage 1250 fall (in the case of the present embodiment, 3 balls).
8) As shown in FIG.
It is provided on the back surface corresponding to the intermediate position of the ball feed projecting piece 1263. Note that the tooth heights of the gear portions 1262 are not all the same, and as shown in FIG. 7, low tooth portions 1267 having low tooth tips are formed at regular intervals. This is for aligning a meshing position with a gear 1273 to be described later. In particular, a mark hole 1266 is formed at a position inside the disk of the low tooth portion 1273 to be a meshing position.

On the side of the second case 243 facing the first case 242, a structure for mounting the ball rental motor 248 and the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 is provided. That is, a positioning hole 1271 is formed on the upper position side of the motor mounting plate 1268 to which the ball rental motor 248 is mounted.
And a positioning boss 1294 protruding from the second case 243
Plug in. In addition, a positioning hole 1280 is also formed on one side upper portion of the motor position sensor board 278, and this positioning hole 1280 is inserted into the positioning boss 1294. Thus, the motor mounting plate 1268 and the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 overlap and are locked to the positioning boss 1294. In addition, a mounting hole 1281 is formed in the upper part on the other side of the ball rental motor position sensor board 278.
Is fixed to the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 by screwing with screws 1282 so as to match the stop boss 1231 formed in the second case 243. When the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 is fixed, the motor mounting plate 1268 is sandwiched between the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 and the vertical wall surface of the second case 243, so that the ball rental motor 24
8 is also temporarily fixed.

Further, the ball rental motor 248 is provided in the second case 2
43 through the motor through hole 1276 formed in
The gear 1273 is fixed to a motor shaft 1272 (see FIG. 7) as an output shaft of the ball rental motor 248, while being located in the concave space of the case 243. This gear 1273 is, as shown in FIG.
The number of teeth is smaller than the number of teeth 262 (1/2 in the illustrated embodiment), and not all the roots have the same depth. High tooth portion 1275. This is for controlling the meshing position with the gear 1262, and the high tooth 127
A mark hole 1274 is formed at an inner position of 5.

Thus, the mark hole 126 of the gear portion 1262
When the low-tooth portion 1267 in which the gear 6 is locked and the high-tooth portion 1275 in which the mark hole 1274 of the gear 1273 is aligned and engaged with each other, the ball feed projection 1126 of the ball discharging member 1261
263 is a position for receiving a ball flowing down the ball lending passage 1250, and the detection piece 1264 is a motor position sensor 2 mounted on a ball lending motor position sensor board 278.
52 is the position detected. Thereby, the stop position of the ball rental motor 248 can be made accurate. The motor shaft 1272 of the ball rental motor 248 and the gear 127
3 is excited by exciting the ball rental motor 248 and the motor shaft 1
272 is not rotated (a two-phase excitation point having a strong excitation force is set as a reference excitation point). Thereby, when the ball rental motor 248 stops, the rotation of the teeth due to the inertial force can be prevented. In addition,
The shaft support pin 1260, which is the rotation axis of the ball dispensing member 1261, and the motor shaft 1272 of the ball rental motor 248 are arranged in parallel.

A motor position sensor 252 composed of a light-transmitting / receiving type sensor is mounted on the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 at the end facing the first case 242.

As described above, the first holding member 1254, the ball discharging member 1261 and the motor mounting plate 1 are mounted on the second case 243.
When the first case 242 is fitted from the side with the 268 and the ball rental motor position sensor board 278 mounted, the assembly boss holes 1285a and 1285b formed in the upper part and the middle part of the first case 242. And the second case 24
3 are aligned with the mounting boss holes 1286a and 1286b, and in that state, the mounting holes 1285a and 1285
Attachment screws 1287a and 1287b are screwed from the side of the first case 242 so that b, 1286a and 1286b are fastened. Thus, the first case 242 and the second case 243 can be assembled in parallel.

As described above, the first case 242 and the second case 242
In a state in which the case 243 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 7, the ball feed protrusion 1263 of the ball payout member 1261 faces below the bent portion of the ball lending passage 1250, and the ball payout member 12
61 gear portion 1262 and motor shaft 1 of ball rental motor 248
The gear 1273 fixed to the shaft 272 is engaged with the gear 1273 obliquely upward to the right, and the ball rental motor 248 is located above the concave space behind the winning ball passage 1300 of the second case 243. I have.

Next, the mechanism for the prize ball will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. The mechanism for the prize ball is the second
The case 243 and the third case 244 are collectively configured. That is, a winning ball passage 1300 formed in a “<” shape is formed from the front end surface of the concave space portion of the second case 243 facing the third case 244, and the winning ball passage 130 is formed.
The upper end of 0 is a prize ball entrance 246, and the lower end of the prize ball passage 1300 is a prize ball exit 1302.
A ball passing hole 1344 through which a ball passes is formed at the ball exit 1302 for the prize ball.
It is attached so that a faces. This mounting structure is the same as the ball lending number count switch 250. Further, a support boss 1304 having a support hole 1304a is provided to protrude from a bent portion of the prize ball path 1300. Support hole 1304a
Has a pivot pin 13 for rotatably supporting the ball dispensing member 1315.
14 are inserted and supported. The bent portion of the prize ball passage 1300 is formed slightly downstream of the middle of the prize ball passage 1300.

On the other hand, the second case 24 of the third case 244
A prize ball passage 1301 formed in a “<” shape is formed more than the tip end surface of the concave space portion facing 3, and the upper end of the prize ball passage 1301 is a prize ball ball entrance 247.
The lower end of the prize ball passage 1301 is a prize ball exit 1303. The prize ball outlet 1303 is attached so as to face a prize ball count switch 251b in which a ball passage hole 1349 through which a ball passes is formed. This mounting structure is the same as that of the ball lending number counting switch 250.
A support boss 1313 having a projection is provided. The pivot pin 1314 is for rotatably supporting a ball discharging member 1315 described later. Note that the bent portion of the prize ball passage 1301 is formed slightly downstream of the middle of the passage 1301.

Further, the second case 243 and the third case 24
4, a second holding member 1305 is held between the first and second holding members. When the second case 243 and the third case 244 are assembled, the partitioning head 1306 at the upper end of the second holding member 1305 has the ball entrance 246 and 247 portions of the prize ball of the second case 243 and the third case 244. Is held by a holding step portion 1353 formed at the rear of the head. Also,
Guide slopes 1307 are formed on the left and right from the lower end of the partition head 1306 of the second holding member 1305, and the entrance 24 for the prize ball is formed.
The ball entering from 6,247 is guided obliquely to the side. In addition, a pair of plate-like portions hang down from the lower end side of the guide inclined surface 1307, and arc recesses 1308 and 1309 having different sizes are formed in the upper portions of the respective plates. Between a pair of plate-shaped portions, a ball payout member 131 described later is provided.
No. 5 gear portion 1316 and winning ball motor position sensor board 3
32 tip portions are accommodated. And the second case 24
First arc-shaped concave portion 1308 formed in the plate-shaped portion facing 3
The first ball feed convex piece 1317 of the ball discharging member 1315 penetrates through the second arc concave portion 1309 formed in the plate-shaped portion facing the third case 244.
The ball feed convex piece 1318 penetrates. However, since the trapezoidal gear portion 1316 of the ball dispensing member 1315 is arranged in a portion close to the second arc recess 1309, the diameter of the first arc recess 1308 is reduced so that the ball does not enter the prize ball passage 1300. ing. The second arc recess 13
Even if the diameter of 09 is large, the second arc recess 1309 can be closed by the disk on which the gear portion 1316 is formed, so that the ball does not enter from the prize ball passage 1301. In addition, a switch contact piece 1310 is added to the lower end of the second holding member 1305 to be in contact with the tip side surface of the winning ball number count switches 251a and 251b. In addition, award ball passage 1
Positioning support pieces 1311 and 1312 that engage the above-described first arc recess 1308 and second arc recess 1309 protrude from the bent portions of the front ends 300 and 1301.

On the other hand, a ball dispensing member 131 rotatably supported by a pivot pin 1314 protruding from the third case 244.
5 has a rotary shaft hole 1320 through which a pivot pin 1314 is inserted at the center of the disk and has a gear portion 1316 on the outer periphery thereof, and a plurality of first balls on the second case 243 side of the disk. A feeding piece 1317 and a plurality of detection pieces 1319 are protrudingly provided, and a second ball feeding protruding piece 1318 is provided on the third case 244 side having a disk shape. 1st ball feed convex piece 1317
In addition, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) protrusions of the second ball feed convex piece 1318 are protruded at intervals at which balls flowing down the prize ball path 1300 fall. The same number (six in the case of the present embodiment) as the total number of the convex pieces 1317 and the second ball feed convex pieces 1318 is provided at equal intervals, and the projecting intervals are determined by a motor position sensor described later. Reference numeral 253 denotes an interval at which a ball falls between one ball-feeding convex piece at a position where one detecting piece 1319 is detected, and a ball is placed on the other ball-feeding convex piece. In addition,
The first ball-feeding convex pieces 1317 and the second ball-feeding convex pieces 1318 are provided alternately so as to protrude. In addition, the heights of the cutting edges of the gear portions 1316 are not all the same, and as shown in FIG. 7, low tooth portions 1322 having low cutting edges are formed at regular intervals. This aligns a meshing position with a gear 1328 described later, and a mark hole 1321 is formed at an inner position on the disk side of the low tooth portion 1322.

Further, the third case 24 of the second case 243
On the side facing 4, a configuration is provided for mounting the prize ball motor 249 and the prize ball motor position sensor board 332. That is, the positioning hole 13 is provided at the lower position side of the motor mounting plate 1323 to which the prize ball motor 249 is mounted.
26 is formed, and the positioning hole 1326 is formed in the second
It is inserted into a positioning boss 1338 projecting below the position side of the concave space portion of the case 243. A positioning hole 1335 is also formed in the lower portion on the position side of the prize ball motor position sensor board 332, and this positioning hole 1335 is
38. As a result, the motor mounting plate 1323 and the winning ball motor position sensor board 332 overlap and are locked by the positioning boss 1338. Further, a mounting hole 1336 is formed in the upper part on the other side of the prize ball motor position sensor substrate 332, and the mounting hole 1336 is aligned with a transparent boss 1339 formed in the second case 243 and fastened with a screw 1337. Thereby, the winning ball motor position sensor board 332 is fixed. When the winning ball motor position sensor board 332 is fixed, the motor position sensor board 1322 and the second case 243 are fixed.
By pinching the lower part of the motor mounting plate 1323 with the positioning boss 1338, the prize ball motor 249 is also temporarily fixed. The gear 1328 and the motor mounting plate 132
The prize ball motor 249 including the gear No. 3 is exactly the same as the ball rental motor 248 including the gear 1273 and the motor mounting plate 1268. It is just doing.

The prize ball motor 249 is attached to the positioning boss 1338 and the stop boss 1339 so as to be located below the concave space of the second case 243. A motor opening 1331 is formed to face the award ball motor 249 for the time being. Also,
A gear 1328 is fixed to a motor shaft 1327 of the prize ball motor 249. As shown in FIG. 8, the gear 1328 has a smaller number of teeth (１ ／ in the case of the illustrated embodiment) than the number of teeth of the gear portion 1316, and all the tooth bottoms have the same depth. This is not the case, and a high tooth bottom portion 1330 having a high tooth bottom portion is provided at regular intervals. This is to adjust the meshing position with the gear portion 1316,
A mark hole 1329 is formed inside the high tooth bottom portion 1330. Thus, the mark hole 13 of the gear portion 1316
When the low-tooth portion 1322 where the gear 21 is formed and the high-tooth bottom portion 1330 where the mark hole 1329 of the gear 1328 are aligned with each other and mesh with each other, a prize is provided between one ball feeding convex piece of the ball payout member 1315. The position where the ball flowing down the ball path is received, the position where the ball flowing down the other prize ball path is placed between the other ball feeding convex pieces, and the detection piece 1319 is the prize ball motor position sensor board 332. Is a position detected by the prize ball motor position sensor 253 mounted on. Thereby, the stop position of the prize ball motor 249 can be made accurate. The press fit of the motor shaft 1327 and the gear 1328 of the prize ball motor 249 is performed in a state where the prize ball motor 249 is excited and the motor shaft 1327 does not rotate (a two-layer excitation point having a strong excitation force is set as a reference excitation point). Sent. Thereby, when the prize ball motor 249 is stopped, it is possible to prevent an excessive rotation due to an inertial force.
It should be noted that the pivot pin 13 which is the rotation axis of the ball discharging member 1315
14 and the motor shaft 1327 of the prize ball motor 249 are arranged in parallel.

A motor position sensor 253 composed of a light emitting and receiving type sensor is mounted on the award ball motor position sensor board 332 at the end facing the third case 244.

Thus, the second holding member 1305, the ball discharging member 1315, and the motor mounting plate 132
3 and the prize ball motor position sensor substrate 332 are mounted, and the third case 244 is fitted from the side, thereby assembling boss holes 1341a and 1341b formed at the top and the middle of the third case 244. And the assembly boss holes 1286a, 1286b formed in the second case 243 coincide with each other, and in this state, the assembly holes 1341a, 1341b, 1
286a and 1286b are fixed to the third case 24.
Attachment screws 1342a and 1342b are screwed from the side of No. 4. Thus, the second case 243 and the third case 244
And can be assembled in parallel.

As described above, the second case 243 and the third case
In a state where the case 244 is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the first ball feed convex piece 1317 and the second ball feed convex piece 1318 of the ball payout member 1315 are connected to the prize ball passage 1.
The gears 1316 of the ball dispensing member 1315 and the gear 1328 fixed to the motor shaft 1327 of the prize ball motor 249 mesh with the gears 1328 fixed to the left and downward obliquely. As shown in FIG. 6, the prize ball motor 249 is connected to the prize ball passage 1 of the second case 243.
It is located below the concave space behind 300.

As described above, the ball payout device 240 according to the present embodiment.
However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to pay out a ball received from the storage tank 105 as a ball supply unit with a prize ball based on the occurrence of a prize and a ball lending based on a ball lending request signal. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 provided with the ball payout device 240, the ball payout device 240 is a prize ball motor as a power supply drive source for a prize ball driving a ball payout member 1315 facing a prize ball passage 1300 or 1301 for guiding a prize ball. 249 and a ball rental motor 248 as an electrical drive source for ball rental that drives the ball dispensing member 261 facing the ball lending passage 1250 that guides the ball lending.
Are provided so as to be independently driven, and a prize ball motor 249 and a ball rental motor 24 are provided in a case 241 in which a prize ball passage 1300, 1301 and a ball lending passage 1250 are formed.
8 is fixed in the up-down direction, so that the prize ball motor 249 and the ball rental motor 248 in the case 241 of the ball payout device 240 are provided in a vertical positional relationship without overlapping in the horizontal direction. There is no need to increase the width dimension of the. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the lateral width of the side of the mechanism plate 100 on which the ball payout device 240 is provided.

In this embodiment, the case 241 is used.
Has prize ball passages 1300 and 1301 and ball lending passage 1250
And three rows of ball passages 1300, 1301, 1250
Are formed in parallel, and the three rows of ball passages 13
By attaching the prize ball motor 249 and the ball rental motor 248 to the second case 243 constituting the central prize ball passage 1300 of 00, 1301, 1250, the second case 243 constituting the central prize ball passage 1300 is previously formed. The first case 242 and the third case 2 that have the prize ball motor 249 and the ball rental motor 248 mounted thereon and configure left and right ball paths.
The ball dispensing device 240 can be completed simply by assembling the 44 to the second case 243 constituting the central ball passage, and there is an advantage that the assembling operation can be easily performed. In addition,
The one member to which the two motors 248 and 249 are attached is not limited to the side wall of the second case 243 and the boss protruding from the side wall as in the above embodiment. And may be attached to both sides thereof. In short, any structure may be used as long as the two motors 248 and 249 are attached to one member built in the case 241.

Further, in the present embodiment, the motor 148 and the prize motor 248 are arranged such that the motor shaft 1272 which is the output shaft of the motor 248 and the motor shaft 1327 which is the output shaft of the prize ball motor 249 are in opposite directions. The ball motors 249 are arranged, the respective motor shafts 1272, 1327 and the corresponding shaft support pins 1260, 1314, which are the rotation shafts of the ball dispensing members 1261, 1315, are arranged in parallel and fixed to the respective motor shafts 1272, 1327. Gear 12
By engaging the gears 73, 1328 with the gears 1262, 1316 formed on the ball payout members 1261, 1315, the mechanism for paying out prize balls and the mechanism for lending balls are symmetrical, so that the same mechanism is used. Since the components need only be used in reverse, the configurations of the prize ball path and the ball lending path can be simplified as a result, and there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in designing the ball payout device is increased.

In the above-described embodiment, the stepping motor has been described as an example of the electric drive source for paying out prize balls and lending balls. However, a normal synchronous motor or a solenoid may be used. There may be. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ball lending passage 12
Although the case where the number 50 is one and the prize ball passages 1300 and 1301 are two are described, both the ball lending passage and the prize ball passage may be one.

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. 10), the full tank switch is turned on and the ball rental motor 24 of the ball payout device 240 is turned on.
8. The drive of the prize ball motor 249 is stopped to inactivate the prize ball and ball lending payout operation. 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 (the side in contact with the game board 40) of the lower component.
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
A power supply unit box 136, a main board box 150, a payout control board box 143, and a 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 240.

The frame switch relay board 142 includes a full tank switch 129, a prize ball out switch 115, a lending ball out switch 218, and a payout unit relay board 12.
4 is connected to the main board 151.

The power supply unit box 136 has 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 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 in the form of numbers or English characters 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 in 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 24 V AC as primary power supply is connected, 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 generated power to each control board may be provided.

In addition, each of the connectors for connecting to the power supply destination board is composed of one set of power supply lines of the type required for the power supply destination board. They are connected as wiring.

The symbol control board cover 7 shown in FIG.
4, control board box 161, main board box 150,
Further, the dispensing control board box 143 is configured such 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 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 number of boards and the number of lamps are changed. It can be recycled by doing. In other words, when the game board 40 is replaced, the boxes are collected, and the ROM is taken out and rewritten or replaced, so that it can be used for a new model having different contents. 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 mechanism unit 100 have been described. However, the mutual relationship between various control boards provided on the mechanism unit 100 and the game board 40, and the various control boards and the mechanism unit 100, the game board 40, 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, 10, and 11. FIG.

[0130] The connector 76a of the lamp relay board 76 and the connector 80a of the lamp control board 80 attached to the upper portion 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. 10, a decorative lamp board 76 a 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. 10), an ordinary symbol storage LED 64, and a special symbol start storage LED 46 (FIG.
Then, the storage display LED as a generic name of these storage LEDs
(Shown as substrates 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. A 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 portion projecting below the payout control board 144. Connector 1
44i is provided at a position on the lower side of the payout control board 144 near the card unit 31 side.

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 a manner facing the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1. I have.

Of the connectors 144a to 144h, 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 will be described 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 opposite to the arrangement position of 44a on the substrate. 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.

The connector 144d for connection with the payout unit relay board 124 is provided by the payout device 240 because the payout device 240 is 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 payout control board 144 so as to be easily connected to the same (via the payout 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 connection 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 above-mentioned wirings connecting the substrates are set according to the respective substrates 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 wiring connected to each of the connectors 82a to 82c of the audio control board 82 is 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 wiring with the lamp control board 80 and the audio control board 82 is connected to the board 144, 80, 8
Priority is given to the wiring color according to the first 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 substrate 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 mechanism unit 100 orderly is provided on the surface of the mechanism 103 opposite to the open window 102. Note that a 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 wired and connected as described above, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
1 includes switches 51, 5 provided on the game board 40.
2, 55a, 55b, 62, and 65a are input through the switch relay board 77, and the signal from the first-type start-up switch 60 is also input. Signals from the switch 115 and the ball-out ball switch 218 are input via the frame switch relay board 142. Further, the ball lending number counting switch 25 is connected to the main board 151 via the payout unit relay board 256 and the frame switch relay board 142.
0, signals from the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b are 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 in accordance with the game state. Further, the main substrate 15
1 outputs a voice control signal as a command to the voice control board 82 in order to control voice such as sound effects according to the game state. Further, the main board 151 controls symbol control signals 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. Substrate 75
Output to The main board 151 outputs various game information to the board external terminal board 78.

The lamp control board 80 includes various lamps 6 to 10, 56, 66a, 67a, various LEDs 13a, and the like according to 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 based on the full tank signal, the ball rental motor 248 and the prize ball motor 249. Or stop driving. Alternatively, the main board 151 may stop driving the firing motor 88 based on the full signal. When there is an input signal from the full tank switch 129, a full tank signal may be output to the lamp control board 80 to display and drive a predetermined lamp or LED to notify the fact. In addition, a full control signal is output from the control board 1.
Since the information is output to the payout control board 44, for example, the error indicator 145 or the like on the payout control board 144 may notify that fact.

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 prize ball motor 249 based on the input of the prize ball control signal designating the number of prize balls, and pays out a predetermined number of prize balls.

Further, 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 prize ball out switch 115, the main board 151
A prize ball control signal for stopping the payout operation is output to 44 or a prize ball out signal is output to the lamp control board 80 to display and drive the ball out lamp 9 in a predetermined manner. It should be noted that the ball out lamp 9 or a separately provided ball out lamp 9
Instead of controlling with 51 or the payout control board 144,
The power supply is supplied to the out-of-ball lamp 9 or a separately provided out-of-ball lamp to turn on / off the out-of-ball switch 115
May simply blink and turn off.

As described above, on the main board 151, a switch input for controlling the game operation, a switch input for controlling the payout operation of the prize ball, and the decorative lamp, the decorative LED, and the speakers 12a and 12b are driven. 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
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. 11, payout control board 1
44, a ball lending motor position sensor 252, a prize ball motor position sensor 253, a ball lending number count switch 250,
Signals from the prize ball number counting switches 251a and 251b are input via the payout unit relay board 256, and the ball lending switch 24 and the return switch 2 of the balance display board 23 are input.
5 is input, and various information is input from the card unit 31. Further, the payout control board 144
As described above, a prize ball control signal (including a prize ball number signal indicating the number of prize balls) is input from the main substrate 151 to the prize ball.

Based on the input signal from the ball lending motor position sensor 252 among the input signals described above, the payout control board 144 determines the stop position of the ball lending motor 248, that is, the stop position of the payout member, in the ball lending operation. Is accurately controlled, and whether or not the payout member is rotating can be detected.

Further, based on the input signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 253, the payout control board 144 controls the prize ball motor 2 in the prize ball payout operation.
It is possible to accurately control the stop position of 49, that is, the stop position of the dispensing member, and detect whether the dispensing member is rotating.

Also, the ball lending number counting switch 250
The payout control board 144 controls the ball lending motor 248 so as to pay out the correct number of balls to be paid out based on the input signal from the player, and also provides ball lending information capable of specifying the number of balls to be paid out. Is output to the frame external terminal board 132. The prize ball information is output from the main board 151.

Also, the award ball number counting switch 251
a, 251b, based on the input signal, the payout control board 144 confirms that the prize ball has been paid out, grasps the unpaid number, and pays out the ball so as to pay out the correct prize ball payout number. The drive control of the rental motor 248 is performed.

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 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 drives the ball lending motor 248 according to the ball lending request based on the ball lending request operation signal without referring to the balance information grasped by the card unit 31, and pays out the ball lending. Do. 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 controls the launch control board 90. Or a stop signal of the firing motor 88 is output.

Note that 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 to an external management computer or the like. Is output.

The power supply board 137 receives the power supply of AC 24 V as the primary power supply, and by the operation of various circuits provided on the board, the power supply of DC 30
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 and a DC voltage of 12 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. 11) connected to the 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. A contact member for discharge in such a discharge structure,
The mounting member 148 includes a large number of plate-like members, and is grounded via the above-described path. Therefore, the mounting member 148 is referred to as 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 is reduced by the power cord 3.
It is discharged through the eleven ground electrodes.

Incidentally, 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 employing 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. 12 shows the main board 151 and the payout control board 1
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a communication device.

Referring to FIG. 12, output buffers 151b, 151e, and 1 are provided on main board 151 as means for transmitting signals from microcomputer 151M for game control.
51f, and output ports 151c and 151d.

Here, the 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 controlling the prize ball, are supplied from the microcomputer 151M for game control 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 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 above-described symbol control signal 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 voice control signals CD0 to CD7) indicating command contents and an INT signal (instruction timing) indicating command acquisition 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 when paying out prize balls and lending balls by the ball payout device 240 will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the transmission and reception relationship of various signals used when paying out award balls and lending balls. FIG. 13 clarifies the relationship between signal transmission and reception.
A relay board and the like provided in the middle of signal transmission are omitted.

[0177] 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.

Prize ball number counting switches 251a, 25
1b, the main board 151 and the payout control board 144 are provided with prize ball number counting switches 251a, 251 respectively.
A prize ball number count switch signal indicating that a ball as a prize ball has been detected is given by b. On the main board 151, the prize ball number switch signal received from these switches is used to determine the number of unpaid prize balls (total prize ball number described later).

The prize ball control signal as described above is given 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 count switch 2 is sent from the ball lending number count switch 250 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 50. 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.

From the payout control board 144 to the ball rental motor 248
Is supplied with a ball rental motor control signal for controlling the driving of the ball rental motor 248. Thereby, the ball rental motor 2
The drive control of 48 is performed, and the payout of the lending becomes possible. A prize ball motor control signal for controlling the driving of the prize ball motor 249 is given from the payout control board 144 to the prize ball motor 249. Thus, the drive control of the prize ball motor 249 is performed, and the payout of the prize ball becomes possible.

A ball rental motor position detection signal as a detection signal of a stop position of the ball rental motor 248 is given from the ball rental motor position sensor 252 to the payout control board 144. Thus, the payout control board 144 knows the stop position of the ball rental motor 248. A prize ball motor position detection signal as a detection signal of the stop position of the prize ball motor 249 is given from the prize ball motor position sensor 253 to the payout control board 144. Accordingly, the stop position of the prize ball motor 249 is grasped on the payout control board 144.

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 rental 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. 14 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. 14, payout control board 144 includes output port 144J, input port 144K, transistor array 144L, and signal transmitting / receiving 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. 15 shows prize ball control signals CD0 to CD0.
It is a timing chart which shows the transmission timing of CD7, INT. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data configuration of the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7.

As shown in FIG. 15, the prize ball control signal includes a command (command data) indicating the content of the command and an INT signal indicating the timing of taking in the command.
Here, in the award ball control signals CD0 to CD7, one command is composed of 2-byte data.

As shown in FIG. 16, the prize 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. 16, the prize-ball control signals INT0 and CD0-CD7 are the 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. 17 is a table showing the relationship between MODE data and the payout control mode specified by the data. Referring to FIG. 17, when MODE is F0H, a mode for paying out winning 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. 18 is a diagram showing, in a table form, the relationship between EXTDATA data and the operation contents specified by the data when a mode for paying out a prize ball is specified. Referring to FIG. 18, EXTDATA 01H to 0H
Payout of 1 to 15 prize balls can be designated corresponding to each of the FHs.

FIG. 19 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. 20 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 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.

[0204] Here, the case where the identification data is the most significant bit has been described, but 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.

Hereinafter, the control of the payout operation of the lending ball and the payout operation of the prize ball will be described with reference to a timing chart. Here, as an example, the payout operation of the lending ball and the payout operation of the prize ball are not performed in parallel, and if the request of the payout operation of the lending ball and the request of the prize ball payout operation are simultaneously performed, An example in which one of the operations is preferentially performed, and then the other operation is controlled to be performed will be described. The payout operation of the ball lending and the payout operation of the prize ball may be executed simultaneously in parallel.

Next, the exchange of signals 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. 21 is a timing chart showing signal processing timing between the payout control board 144 and the card unit 31 during the payout operation by ball lending. In FIG. 21, two payout unit numbers (for example, 200 when one payout unit number is 25 for 100 yen)
PRDY signal, BRDY signal, BR when there is an operation for lending a ball of 25 yen × 2 = 50)
The Q signal and the 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. 21, 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 ball lending motor 248 is started to drive, and the payout of the lending is started.

When the payout of the ball is started, the payout control board 144 monitors the number of the ball to be paid out 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 the unpaid number counter value of the lending ball. Each time the ball lending number count switch 250 detects the payout of a lending ball, the unpaid number is decremented and updated.
In such a payout control board 144, when the unpaid number becomes “0”, it is determined that the required payout of the 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 operation described above is a payout operation of the maximum number of payouts of one lending ball. 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 the monitoring times of the times A, C, E, and F exceed the upper limit values of the corresponding set values, the payout control board 144 does not generate a signal change expected to 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. 22 is a timing chart showing an abnormal time control operation performed by the payout control board 144 when an abnormality occurs in a signal input from the card unit 31 to the payout control board 144. FIG. 22 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. 22, when it is determined that any of monitoring times A, C, E, and F by payout control board 144 shown in FIG. 21 exceeds the upper limit value 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. 23 is a timing chart showing the basic operation of paying out prize balls. In FIG. 23, in order to explain the payout operation,
The operating state (rotation, stop) of the prize ball motor 248 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, and the prize ball to be paid out is determined by one of the prize ball count switches 251a and 251b. Is subtracted and updated by "1" each time it is detected. As described above, the maximum number of balls to be paid out by the ball payout device 240 is 25, and 1
The number is set to be larger than the number (13 or 5) of prize balls paid out for one winning. 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 ball, the payout of the prize ball according to one winning is performed without dividing the payout operation of the prize ball motor 249 of the ball payout device 240 for each payout number of the prize ball according to one winning. Control is performed to continuously pay out a predetermined number of payout balls (25) greater than the number.

Referring to FIG. 23, 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 prize balls are rotated by an amount corresponding to the number of unpaid balls. By rotating the motor 249, in one payout operation, all the prize balls of the unpaid number are paid out. 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,
First single payout operation (rotational operation) of the prize ball motor 249
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 next prize ball motor 249 will be operated after the elapse of the predetermined time T7 from the stop of the prize ball motor 249 in the previous payout. The rotation operation is started. T7 in this embodiment is, for example, 30
2 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.
4 is a timing chart showing a control operation when the payout control board 144 receives a payout stop command during a payout ball payout operation. 24, the operation state (rotation, stop) of the prize ball motor 249 is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 24 to explain the operation state. Here, the payout stop command is issued when the prize ball exhaustion switch 115 detects that the prize ball has run out, or when the full switch 129 detects that the lower plate 27 is full, that is, when the ball is paid out. When the operation cannot be performed normally, the signal is output from the main board 151.

Referring to FIG. 24, when the prize ball motor 249 is rotating, and prize balls are being paid out (the number of unpaid balls to be paid out in one payout operation of the prize ball motor 249 is smaller than the number of unpaid balls). When the payout control board 144 receives the payout stop command in the state of the payout still remaining), after the payout operation of the remaining number of unpaid numbers to be paid out in the current payout operation is completed, the prize ball motor is stopped. 24
9 is stopped, and the payout operation ends. 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. 25 is a timing chart illustrating 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 prize ball motor 249 is shown in the same manner as in FIG. 24 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. 25, in a state where prize ball motor 249 is stopped in response to the payout stop command and the number of unpaid numbers is still "1" or more (when there is a remaining number of unpaid numbers). When the payout stop release command is received, the rotation operation of the prize ball motor 249 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. 25 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 convenience of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the payout to the player is stopped. 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 the state where the ball has been discharged (the ball-out switch 115 has detected a ball). In addition, 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 award 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. 26, the BRDY signal, BRQ
Signal, EXS signal, state of ball rental motor (rotation, stop),
The state of the prize ball motor (rotation, stop) is shown.

Referring to FIG. 26, when the prize ball motor 249 is rotating and the prize ball is being paid out (the number of unpaid balls to be paid out in one payout operation of the prize ball motor 249 is smaller than the number of payouts). If the BRDY signal is received by the payout control board 144 (when the BRDY signal rises) in the remaining payout state (payout in progress), the remaining number of payouts to be paid out in the current payout operation is performed. Is completed, the award ball motor 249 is stopped, and the award ball payout operation is stopped. In other words, in such a case, the payout operation of the prize ball is continued until one payout operation is completed,
After the one payout operation is completed, the payout operation of the prize ball is stopped.

After a predetermined time T9 has elapsed since the stop of the award ball motor 249, the EXS signal is started. In order to wait for the predetermined time T9 to elapse, it is necessary to wait for the time required until the prize ball finally discharged from the ball discharge member 1315 of the prize ball motor 249 is detected by the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b. This is because such a last prize ball may not be detected correctly. Accordingly, during the predetermined time T9, the prize ball finally paid out from the ball payout member is the prize ball number count switch 251.
a, 251b is set to a time sufficient to be detected. Therefore, by waiting for the predetermined time T9 to elapse, it is possible to prevent the prize ball from being erroneously recognized as not being detected despite being paid out.

When the EXS signal rises, the BRQ signal falls accordingly. Then, in response to the fall of the BRQ signal, the rotation operation of the ball rental motor 248 is started, and the payout operation for ball rental is started.

As described above, the microcomputer 144M for controlling the payout controls the signal (BRD) for 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. 27 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. 27, signals and the like of the same type as those in FIG. 26 are shown to explain the operation state.

Referring to FIG. 27, after the ball lending is performed in response to the ball lending request received during the payout of the prize ball, the paying-out operation of the ball lending motor 248 for the ball lending is stopped.
After a predetermined time T11 has elapsed from the time of the stop, it is determined whether or not all the lending balls to be paid out have been paid out. The reason for waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T11 in this manner is that the ball lending member 1261 of the ball lending motor 248 must wait for the time required for the ball lending number count switch 250 to detect the lending ball unless it waits for the time. This is because such a last lending ball may not be correctly detected. Therefore,
The predetermined time T11 is set to a time sufficient for the ball lending number count switch 250 to detect the prize ball finally paid out from the ball payout member. For this reason, by waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time T11, it is possible to prevent the erroneous recognition that a lending ball has been paid out but has not been detected.

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 prize balls of the unpaid number in the next time are paid out. Then, the rotation operation of the prize ball motor 249 is started. On the other hand, if there is no unpaid number for such next payout, such payout operation is not performed.

Next, the basic operation of paying out a lending ball controlled by the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing the basic operation of paying out a lending ball. In FIG. 28, the same types of signals as those in FIG. 26 are shown, except for the state of the prize ball motor, in order to explain the payout operation of the ball lending.

As described above, in the payout control board 144, the number of unpaid balls to be paid out is stored in the RAM described above in an updatable manner. 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 the lending ball is updated by adding the number of the lending ball corresponding to the maximum number of the lending, and the ball lending number counting switch 250 detects the lending of the lending ball. 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. 28, when paying out a lending ball, BRs are arranged in the order shown in FIG.
After a lapse of a predetermined time T10 since the falling of the Q signal, the rotation operation of the ball lending motor 248 is started, whereby the payout of lending balls is started. In the case of this embodiment, the predetermined time T10 is set to 2 ms.

Then, with the rotation operation of the ball rental motor 248, the maximum number of payouts (25
Balls) are paid out. And the ball rental motor 248
When one payout operation is stopped, the EXS signal is dropped on condition that the number of unpaid balls has become “0” after the above-mentioned predetermined time T11 has elapsed since the stop. When the payout of the ball lending according to the ball lending request operation is completed, the BRDY signal is dropped.

Next, when the number of balls paid out in one lending ball payout operation is less than the maximum payout number,
The control operation performed by the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 29 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. 29, the EXS signal,
The state of the ball rental motor (rotation, stop) is shown.

Referring to FIG. 29, when the number of balls paid out in one lending ball payout operation is less than the maximum number of payouts, the ball rental motor 248 stops in the lending ball payout operation. After a lapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time T11 from the time,
The operation of the ball lending motor 248 is started again, and the ball lending motor 248 is operated in order to pay out the remaining unpaid number which has not been paid out in the previous single payout.
Thereby, the remaining number of lending balls are paid out. Then, the EXS signal is lowered on condition that the unpaid number becomes “0” after the elapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time T11 from the stop of the ball rental motor 248 in the payout operation. 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
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 processing for restoring the state of the control processing executed in the CPU 151a to the state before the power-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 there is a prize 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 processing 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, at 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 timing of the next timer interrupt.
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. 31 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 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 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. 32 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, in step SC2, a ball out check process is performed. In this out-of-ball check process, the status of the out-of-ball switch 115 is checked, and when the out-of-ball switch 115 is turned on for 100 ms or more (in-ball detection state), the out-of-ball switch 115 is used. It is determined that the prize ball out condition has been detected.

Next, award ball stopping 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 process 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 (prize ball unpaid number) which has been requested to pay out a prize ball but has not been paid out yet.

Next, the content of the prize ball number adding process by SC6 in the prize ball process described above will be described. FIG. 33 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 flow advances to SH4, where 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.

Thus, 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 above winning ball process will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the prize 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, and 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 number count switch timer is provided corresponding to each of the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b, and each time the corresponding switch is turned on (a state where a ball is detected), the duration thereof is counted. The timer values are stored in the timer area of the RAM. For this reason, in SL3, such two timer values are loaded and used for this winning ball number subtraction processing.

Next, a process of comparing the timer value of each winning ball number count switch timer loaded by SL3 with a predetermined switch-on determination value is performed by SL4. Here, the switch-on determination value is a continuation time of an on-state in which it is recognized that each of the prize ball number counting switches 251a and 251b detects a ball in a normal state. When each prize ball number count switch 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 in the normal state of each prize ball number count switch.

Next, a determination is made by SL5 as to whether or not the timer value of the winning ball number count switch timer compared with SL4 has reached a value that matches 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 by SL5 that there is a timer that has reached the coincident value, the prize ball number counting switches 251a, 251
It is recognized that the corresponding one of 1b has detected a ball in a normal state, the process proceeds to SL6, and the value of the total winning 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. Here, the two prize ball number counting switches 251a and 251b are configured such that the prize ball payout structure of the ball payout device 240 pays out balls alternately from the two prize ball passages 1300 and 1301. Since the detection states of the switches do not simultaneously become the switch-on determination value, in the award ball number subtraction processing, “1” is subtracted from the total award ball number in accordance with one of the switches becoming the switch-on determination value. It is done.

Next, the flow advances to SL7, where 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 251a, 25
It is updated each time a prize ball is detected by 1b.

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 winning ball control signal, and the lamp control signal will be described. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a command transmission process executed in 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, SH
8 and SL9 are subroutines that are started when various processes for setting a command to be transmitted to each control board, such as SH6, SH8, and S9, are executed.
In the case of L9, in each step, a 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. 35, 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.

At SD9, processing for 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 the control processing executed by the CPU of the payout control board 144 will be described. FIG. 36 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 there is backup data in the RAM (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 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
Thereby, 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. 25 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.

[0297] 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 motor control process is executed. In this motor control processing, control relating to driving of the ball rental motor 248 and the prize ball motor 249 is performed.

At SE22, an error process 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. 37 shows the CPU 144j of the payout control board 144.
5 is a flowchart showing a command interrupt process executed in the first embodiment.

[0301] The CPU 144j constantly monitors whether or not the 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. 38 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU 144j of the payout control board 144.

[0303] 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. 39 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the ball lending control process.

Referring to FIG. 39, 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). This ball lending number count switch timer is a timer that counts the duration of the ball lending number count switch 250 every time the ball lending number count switch 250 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, the 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 it is recognized that the ball has been detected when the ball lending number count switch 250 is in a normal state. If the ball lending number count switch 250 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 250 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.

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 is executed. Thereafter, the ball lending control processing is executed. 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 Are set, and a control code for waiting for a motor to be stopped next to be executed is designated. Here, in response to the setting of the ball rental motor control code, the ball rental motor 248
Is started.

[0310] SM11 is a ball rental motor stop waiting process. In the ball lending motor stop waiting process, the number of balls detected by the ball lending number count switch 250 during the payout operation of the ball lending motor 248 is checked, and after the ball lending motor 248 stops, the ball lending control timer is set as described above. In addition to setting the predetermined time T11 shown in FIG. 28, the control code of the ball lending ball passage waiting process to be executed next is specified.

[0311] SM12 is a lending pass waiting process. In the ball lending passing process, the ball lending control timer set in the ball lending motor stop waiting process waits until the time is up. When the time is up, first, the ball lending motor 248 stops the payout operation, and then the ball lending motor 248 stops. The number of balls detected by the number counting switch 250 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the number of unpaid balls has become “0”. If the number of unpaid balls is “0”, a control code is designated so that the above-described SM10 ball lending start waiting process is executed in the next process. From this, the number of unpaid balls at this time is “0”
When it becomes, it returns to the ball lending start waiting state.

On the other hand, if the number of unpaid balls to be paid out is not “0” (if it is “1” or more), the control code is executed so that the above described ball rental motor stop wait processing of the SM 11 is executed at the next processing. The designation is performed. Accordingly, if the number of unpaid balls has not been set to “0” at this time, the motor for waiting for ball lending stop processing is executed, and the ball lending motor 248 is operated to pay out the remaining number of unpaid balls. When driven, the payout of the remaining number of unpaid balls as shown in FIG. 29 is executed.

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

Next, the details of the ball lending number counting process executed by the SM4 in FIG. 39 will be described. FIG.
0 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 the 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 billed ball 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 count switch 119 detecting the payout of the ball lending, the payout control microcomputer 144M grasps the unpaid ball lending number. Will be reduced.

Next, the content of the above-described prize ball control processing in SE20 will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the award ball control processing.

Referring to FIG. 41, first, at 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 number count switch timer is provided corresponding to each of the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b, and counts the duration of each time the corresponding switch is turned on (a state where a ball is detected). The timer values are stored in the timer area of the RAM. For this reason, in SJ1, these two timer values are loaded and used for this prize ball control processing.

Next, in SJ2, a process of comparing the timer value of each winning ball number count switch timer loaded in SJ1 with a predetermined switch-on determination value is performed. Here, the switch-on determination value is a continuation time of an on-state in which it is recognized that each of the prize ball number counting switches 251a and 251b detects a ball in a normal state. If each prize ball number count switch 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 in the normal state of each prize ball number count switch.

Next, in SJ3, it is determined whether or not there is a timer whose timer value of the winning ball number count switch timer compared in SJ2 has reached a value that matches the switch-on determination value. If it is determined by SJ3 that there is a timer that has reached the coincident value, it is determined that the corresponding one of the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b has detected a ball in a normal state, and the process proceeds to SJ4, where The number counting process is executed. In this prize ball count processing, the stored value of the number of unpaid prize balls described above 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. The contents of SJ4 will be described later with reference to FIG. Here, two award ball number counting switches 251
a and 251b show that the prize ball payout structure of the ball payout device 240 is 2
Since the ball is alternately paid out from the prize ball passages 1300 and 1301, the detection state of both switches does not become the switch-on determination value at the same time. Is reduced to the switch-on judgment value, the number of unpaid prize balls is subtracted from "1".

After SJ4, the flow advances to SJ5. On the other hand, SJ3
Determines that the match has not been reached,
Since there is a possibility of erroneous detection due to noise or the like, it is not recognized that the ball has been detected in a normal state, and the process proceeds 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 prize 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, the rotation speed (rotation amount) of the prize ball motor 249 is set according to the number of payouts in one payout operation, and a prize ball motor control code for controlling the prize ball motor 249 is provided. The setting and the designation of the control code of the award ball motor stop waiting process to be executed next are performed. Here, in response to the setting of the prize ball motor control code, the prize ball motor 24
9 is started.

SJ11 is a prize ball motor stop waiting process. In the prize ball motor stop waiting process, the number of balls detected by the prize ball number count switch 120 during the payout operation of the prize ball motor 249 is checked.
After the stoppage of the prize ball motor 249, the prize ball control timer is set to the predetermined time T9 shown in FIG. 23 described above, and a control code for a prize ball passage waiting process to be executed next is specified.

Step SJ12 is a prize ball passage waiting process. In the prize ball passage waiting process, first, the prize ball motor 24
After stopping the payout operation of No. 9, the number of balls detected by the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b is checked to determine whether or not the number of unpaid prize balls has become "0". After the prize ball control timer set by the prize ball motor stop wait process described above has timed out, a control code is designated so that the above-described prize ball start wait process of SJ10 is executed in the next process. . 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. 41 will be described.
FIG. 42 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 prize ball unpaid number indicated by the prize 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 switches 251a and 251b, the payout control microcomputer 144M grasps the prize ball not yet detected. The number of payouts will be reduced.

Next, the main effects obtained by the above embodiments will be listed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, in the ball payout apparatus 240, a ball payout mechanism portion such as a ball rental motor 248 and a ball payout member 1261, and a payout ball payout such as a prize ball motor 249 and a ball payout member 1315. Since a mechanical part is provided, these can be controlled individually. Therefore, the payout control of the ball lending and the payout control of the prize ball can be clearly distinguished from each other.

As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, a payout control board 144 including a payout control microcomputer 144M provides a payout of prize balls corresponding to a plurality of prizes, such as a prize ball motor 249 for each prize. The prize ball payout mechanism can be controlled without partitioning the payout operation of the prize ball payout mechanism portion (for example, without partitioning every 5 or 13 payouts). In this way, for example, when unpaid prize balls corresponding to a plurality of prizes are generated and required to be paid out, for example, when prizes are concentrated in a short period of time,
Since the payout operation 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 further 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. 15, a predetermined data format (for example, a data format as shown in FIGS. 16 to 20) instructs a prize ball control signal to award ball control signals. 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.

[0334] As shown in Fig. 16 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.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15 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.

As shown in FIG. 20, etc., the command data includes identification data (identification data DH) capable of identifying the type of 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, the prize ball is moved from the prize ball passages 1300 and 1301 to the detection position of the prize ball out switch 115 via the prize ball passage portion 229. At least, at the time of payout of the prize balls, balls (2) for the number of continuous payouts (also referred to as the maximum payout number) described above.
5) can be stored.
In accordance with the detection result by 5, it is possible to detect whether or not a sufficient number of balls have been secured for paying out award balls before the payout operation by the ball payout device 240.

As described above with reference to FIG. 29 and the like,
The number of continuous payouts of lending balls by one payout operation of the ball payout mechanism including the ball lending motor 248 in the ball payout device 240 is, for example, 25 pieces, and the number of continuous payouts described above (the maximum number of payouts is also For example, when paying out ball lending, the ball payout device 24
By the continuous one payout operation of 0, it is possible to pay out the number of payouts of one lending ball.

As shown in FIG. 16 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 payout control of prize balls, and prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7. 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.
The detection signals output from 1a and 251b are used as a game control microcomputer 151M (payout control board 144).
Since it is input to both the microcomputer 144M (main board 151) for payout control and the microcomputer 151M (main board 151) for game control and the microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144) for payout control. , The number of prize balls paid out can be grasped. As described above, the occurrence of the abnormal state of the command data capture is reduced and the microcomputer 151
Since the payout number of the prize ball is grasped in both M and 144M, the operability of the prize ball payout operation can be improved, for example, the prize ball payout control can be reliably performed.

As shown in FIG. 34, in the microcomputer 151M for game control (main board 151), the number of unpaid prize balls is stored, and the detection signals from the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b are used. In response, the stored number of unpaid prize balls is updated by subtraction, so that the microcomputer 151M for game control can grasp the number of unpaid prize balls.

As shown in FIG. 33, FIG. 34, 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 FIG. 41, FIG. 42, etc., the payout control microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144) stores the number of unpaid prize balls and stores the prize ball number switches 251a, 251b. The stored unpaid number of winning balls is subtracted and updated in accordance with the detection signal from the CPU. Therefore, the payout control microcomputer 144M (payout control board 144 side) grasps the unpaid number of winning balls. can do.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, since the ball lending passing through the ball lending passage 1250 can be detected by the ball lending number counting switch 250, the lending is performed based on the detection by the ball lending number counting switch 250. The payout of the ball can be confirmed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the prize ball passage 1 is controlled by the prize ball number count switches 251a and 251b.
Since prize balls passing through 300 and 1301 can be detected, payout of prize balls can be confirmed based on detection by the prize ball count switches 251a and 251b.

As shown in FIG. 16 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 and the like, the payout control board 144 including the payout control microcomputer 144M provides the payout of payout balls corresponding to a plurality of wins to the prize ball motor 24 for each win.
The prize ball payout mechanism can be controlled without dividing the payout operation of the prize ball payout mechanism such as 9 (for example, without partitioning every 5 or 13 payouts). In this way, unpaid prize balls corresponding to a plurality of prizes are generated, for example, when prizes are concentrated in a short period of time,
When it is necessary to pay it out, the payout operation is not separated for each winning, so that the payout of the prize ball can be promptly performed. Thereby, the payout of the prize balls can be further 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 described above, the operability of the ball payout operation can be improved, 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 in FIG. 1, not all the wiring patterns among the wiring patterns connected to the connector 144i are connected to the payout control microcomputer.
In other words, 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.

As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, when the payout control microcomputer 144M receives the signal (BRDY signal) requesting the payout of the lending ball, the information of the card balance can be specified. 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.

Also, 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 related to the detection of the ball lending operation (lending operation) by the ball lending switch 24, and thus the payout control microcomputer 144M.
The processing load on M can be further reduced.

Also, 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, so that the payout control 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.

Also, 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.

Further, 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, the payout control board 144 has an open end portion of the front frame portion including the front frame 3 and the front opening / closing frame 4 (the right end portion of the pachinko gaming 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.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the payout control board 144, wiring connected to the ball payout device 240 (in this embodiment, the payout unit relay board 1
24 is connected to the ball dispensing device 240 by being relayed to 24)
Is connected to the balance display board 2
3 connector 144c and main board 151 connector 1
44a, the connection position of the wire corresponding to the ball dispensing device 240 does not hinder the connection of the wires corresponding to the frequency balance display board 23 and the main board 151, respectively. Therefore, the connection of the wiring corresponding to the ball payout device 240 can be facilitated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21 and the like, the BRD in which the transmission from the card unit 31 is continued from the start time of the ball payout request to the end time of the payout of the lending ball.
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.

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.

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. 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, the ball rental motor 2 is provided inside the case 241 of the ball payout device 240.
An example is shown in which the ball payout mechanism including the payout ball 48 and the prize ball payout mechanism including the prize ball motor 249 are housed together. But,
The present invention is not limited to this.
As shown in FIG. 3, they may be provided separately and independently. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 showing a modified example of the configuration of the ball lending payout mechanism and the prize ball payout mechanism. In FIG. 43, portions common to FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the case of FIG. 43, the ball payout apparatus includes a ball payout mechanism 240a in which a ball payout mechanism 241a including a ball rental motor is accommodated in a ball payout mechanism case, and a prize ball payout mechanism 241b including a prize ball motor. It is separated from the prize ball payout device 240b housed in the prize ball payout mechanism case and is configured separately. That is, the ball payout device 240a is a ball payout unit, and the winning ball payout device 240b is a winning ball payout unit. The ball lending device 240a and the prize ball dispensing device 240b may be arranged separately in the vertical direction as shown in the figure, or may be arranged in the horizontal direction. in this way,
Even in the case where the payout ball payout device 240a and the prize ball payout device 240b are configured separately, it is possible to perform payout of payout balls and payout of prize balls as in the above-described embodiment. The ball payout mechanism 241a is a ball payout device 240
a, and the prize ball payout mechanism 241b is provided in the prize ball payout device 240b, so that the operation of paying out the lending ball and the operation of paying out the prize ball can be individually controlled. Further, a ball lending payout mechanism 241a and a prize ball payout mechanism 241b.
Are divided into two units, so that the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the ball lending payout mechanism 241a and the winning ball payout mechanism 241b is improved. Further, the supply path of the ball lending and the supply path of the prize ball to the prize ball payout mechanism are provided with a ball path common to the ball lending and the prize ball for guiding the ball from the ball storage tank as described above. It may be configured such that a common ball passage diverges into a ball lending passage (a passage toward a ball lending payout mechanism) and a prize ball passage (a passage toward a prize ball payout mechanism).

(6) In the above embodiment, the ball payout mechanism (apparatus) and the prize ball payout mechanism (apparatus) for paying out balls using a stepping motor have been described as apparatuses for paying out balls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of these payout mechanisms (devices) may not use a stepping motor as described below. The dispensing device (mechanism) 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 using a solenoid (for example, when the solenoid is turned off).
The state is set so that the stopper is in the locked state of the ball, and the solenoid is turned ON so that the stopper is in the state in which the locked state of the ball is released.) 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 pays out game media (loan balls) for renting game media to a player, and sets a predetermined number of game media in accordance with a prize. A gaming machine capable of paying out premium game media (prize balls) is configured. 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) In the above-described embodiment, when a request for a payout operation of a lending ball and a request for an operation of paying out a prize ball are made at the same time, one of these operations is executed first. After that, an example of the payout control for executing the other operation has been described.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the request for the payout operation of the lending ball and the request for the operation of paying out the prize ball are at the same time, the payout operation of the lending ball and the payout operation of the prize ball are executed in parallel. Control may be performed. This makes it possible to pay out the ball lending and the prize ball at the same time, thereby speeding up the payout of the ball.

(9) 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.

[0367]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like pays out gaming media (lending balls) for renting out gaming media to a player and wins a prize. A game machine capable of paying out a predetermined number of prize game media (prize balls) according to the game machine.
A game control means for controlling a game state is constituted by the main board 151 shown in FIG. 10 and the like, more specifically, the microcomputer 151M. The lending game payout mechanism such as the ball lending motor 248 and the ball lending member 1261 in the ball payout apparatus 240 shown in FIG. ing. The prize ball payout mechanism of the prize ball payout mechanism such as the prize ball motor 249 and the ball payout member 1315 in the ball payout device 240 shown in FIG. ing.
The payout control board 144 shown in FIG. 11 and the like, more specifically, the microcomputer 144M, constitutes a payout control means for controlling the rental game medium payout mechanism and the premium game medium payout mechanism. The prize ball number counting switches 251a and 251b shown in FIG. 6 and the like constitute payout prize game medium detection means for detecting the prize game medium paid out from the prize game medium payout mechanism and outputting a detection signal. I have. As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the payout control means outputs the prize game medium payout based on a prize game medium payout control signal (prize ball control signal) instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means. The operation of the mechanism is controlled. As shown in FIG. 15 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. 16 to 20). Command data to instruct (prize ball control signals CD0 to CD7)
And a capture signal (prize ball control signal INT) indicating the timing of capturing the command data. As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, a detection signal output from the payout prize game medium detection means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means.

(2) As shown in FIG. 16 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. 15 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. 20, the command data includes identification data (identification data DH) capable of identifying the type of data.

(5) As shown in SL3 to SL7 in FIG. 34, the game control means stores the number of unpaid prize game media, and responds to a detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means. The stored number of unpaid premium game media is subtracted and updated.

(6) Prize ball lamp 10 shown in FIG.
Thus, when there is an unpaid number of the prize game media, a notifying means for notifying that the unpaid number exists (see FIG. 33) is configured.

(7) As shown in SF1 to SF4 in FIG. 42, the payout control means stores the number of unpaid prize game media, and responds to a detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means. The stored number of unpaid premium game media is subtracted and updated.

(8) Ball Lending Dispensing Apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 43
40a constitutes a lending game medium payout unit including the lending game medium payout mechanism section (ball lending payout mechanism section 241a). From the prize ball payout device 240b shown in FIG. 43, the gaming medium payout mechanism section (prize ball payout mechanism section 241)
The prize ball game medium payout unit provided with b) is configured. As shown in FIG. 43, a lending game medium payout unit and a prize game medium payout unit are separately provided.

[0375]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. Since the lending game medium payout mechanism and the prize game medium payout mechanism are provided, the lent game medium payout mechanism and the prize game medium payout mechanism can be individually controlled. And
The prize game medium payout control signal includes command data for instructing the content of the prize game medium payout control, and a capture signal indicating a timing of capturing the command data,
The payout control means can recognize the command data capture timing based on the capture signal,
It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state of taking in command data. Further, since the detection signal output from the payout prize game medium detection means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means, both the game control means and the payout control means determine the number of payouts of the prize game media. be able to. In this way, by reducing the occurrence of abnormal command data capture and by grasping the number of prize game media to be paid out in both the game control means and the payout control means, the payout control can be performed reliably, etc. It is possible to improve the operability of the prize game medium payout operation.

Regarding claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effects 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, an accurate number of game media can be paid out.

[0377] Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the following effect can be obtained. Since command data is transmitted in multiple times,
Even when 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. In the game control means, the number of unpaid premium game media is stored, and according to the detection signal given from the paid premium game medium detection means, the stored number of unpaid premium game media is updated by subtraction. The game control means can grasp the number of unpaid premium game media.

According to claim 6, in addition to the effect according to claim 5, the following effect can be obtained. When there is an unpaid number of prize game media, the presence of the unpaid number is notified by the notifying means, and the player grasps the presence or absence of the unpaid game medium based on the notification. be able to.

Regarding claim 7, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 1 to 6, the following effect can be obtained. In the payout control means, the number of unpaid premium game media is stored, and according to the detection signal given from the paid premium game medium detection means, the stored number of unpaid premium game media is updated by subtraction. The payout control means can grasp the number of unpaid premium game media.

With regard to the eighth aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. The lending game medium payout mechanism is provided in the lending game medium payout unit, the prize game medium payout mechanism is provided in the prize game medium payout unit, and the lending game medium payout unit and the prize game medium payout unit are separately provided. For,
The payout operation of the rental game media and the payout operation of the premium game media can be individually controlled. Further, since the lending game medium payout mechanism and the prize game medium payout mechanism are separated into two separate units, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the lending game medium payout mechanism and the prize game medium payout mechanism is improved. .

[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 perspective view showing a relationship between a ball payout device and a payout unit relay board provided integrally with the ball payout device.

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

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a winning ball payout device portion of the ball payout device.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a structure of the ball payout device on the ball payout device side.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure of the ball payout device on the prize ball payout device side.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the ball payout device as viewed from a contact surface with a mechanism plate.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control circuit provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between a main board and a payout control board.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a transmission and reception relationship of various signals used in paying out award balls and lending balls.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration used for transmitting and receiving signals between a payout control board and a card unit.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing transmission timings of award ball control signals CD0 to CD7 and INT.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data structure of award ball control signals CD0 to CD7.

FIG. 17 is a table showing a relationship between MODE data and a payout control mode designated by the data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing, in a table format, 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. 19 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 specified.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating identification data provided so that the type of command data can be identified.

FIG. 21 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. 22 is a timing chart showing the operation of abnormal control performed by the payout control board when an abnormality occurs in a signal input from the card unit to the payout control board.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out prize balls.

FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing a control operation when a payout control board receives a payout stop command during a payout ball payout operation.

FIG. 25 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. 26 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. 27 is a timing chart showing an operation after a ball lending operation is completed when a ball lending request is received during the payout of award balls.

FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing a basic operation of paying out a lending ball.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing a control operation performed by a payout control board when the number of balls paid out in one lending ball payout operation is less than the maximum payout number.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a main process as a main routine of a control process executed by the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a prize ball process executed by the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a winning ball number adding process.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a winning ball number subtraction process.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a command transmission process executed in the CPU of the main board.

FIG. 36 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. 37 is a flowchart showing a command interruption process executed in the CPU of the payout control board.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed in the CPU of the payout control board.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the details of a ball lending control process.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the details of a ball lending number counting process.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the winning ball control processing.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the contents of a winning ball payout number counting process.

FIG. 43 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine showing a modified example of the configuration of the ball-payout mechanism and the prize-ball payout mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine), 151 main board (game control means), 151M microcomputer (game control means), 240 ball payout device (game media payout mechanism,
Prize game medium payout mechanism section), 248 ball lending motor (game medium payout mechanism section), 249 prize ball motor (prize game medium payout mechanism section), 1261, 1315 ball payout members (game medium payout mechanism section, prize game) Medium dispensing mechanism) 144
Payout control board (payout control means), 144M microcomputer (payout control means), 251a, 251b
Prize ball number count switch (payout prize game medium detecting means), 10 prize ball lamp (notifying means), 240a ball payout apparatus (game medium payout unit), 241a ball payout mechanism section (game medium payout mechanism section) , 240b prize ball payout apparatus (prize ball game medium payout unit), 241b prize ball payout mechanism section (lending game medium payout mechanism section).

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine capable of paying out rental game media for renting out game media to a player and paying out a predetermined number of premium game media in accordance with a prize, A game control means for controlling a game state; a lending game medium payout mechanism for performing an operation of paying out the lending game medium; a prize game medium payout mechanism for performing an operation of paying out the prize game medium; A payout control unit that controls the payout mechanism and the prize game medium payout mechanism; and a prize game medium detection unit that detects a prize game medium paid out from the prize game medium payout mechanism and outputs a detection signal. The payout control means controls the operation of the prize game medium payout mechanism based on a prize game medium payout control signal instructing the prize game medium payout control received from the game control means. 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, the payout prize. A game machine wherein a detection signal output from the game medium detection means is input to both the game control means and the payout control means. 2. The command data according to claim 1, wherein the command data includes 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. 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. The game control means stores the number of unpaid prize game media, and subtracts the stored number of unpaid prize game media according to a detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gaming machine is updated. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that the unpaid number exists when the unpaid number of the premium game medium exists. 7. The payout control means stores the number of unpaid prize game media, and subtracts the stored number of unpaid prize game media according to a detection signal from the payout prize game medium detection means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gaming machine is updated. 8. A lending game medium payout unit having the lending game medium payout mechanism, and a prize game medium payout unit having the prize game medium payout mechanism. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the prize gaming medium payout unit is provided separately from each other.