JP2002035224A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine detecting fraudulent winning and preventing prizes from being fraudulently acquired. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a first detecting means detecting game media winning in a prize winning area and a second detecting means detecting the game media on the downstream of the first detecting means. When the first detecting means detects the game media, prize game media are paid off. If the numbers of game media detected by the first and second detecting means do not coincide with each other at a prescribed judging time, it is judged that an abnormality occurs in winning detection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine for obtaining a prize by winning a game medium in a winning area provided in a gaming area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally known game machines of this type include a game machine in a prize area provided in a game area such as a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine. There are gaming machines that allow media to be awarded to obtain prizes.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, by transmitting radio waves to the winning detection switch provided in the winning area, it is determined whether or not there is a winning despite the absence of a winning. Such a fraudulent manner of obtaining a prize by causing the erroneous detection to be a winning detection switch may be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which an illegal winning is detected and a prize is not illegally obtained.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus comprising: a plurality of prize areas provided in a game area; first detection means for detecting a game medium having a prize in the prize area; A second detecting means for detecting the game medium downstream of the first detecting means;
A gaming machine capable of identifying and paying out the number of premium game media to be paid out at a stage when the first detecting means detects the ,
When the number of game media detected by the first detection means does not match the number of game media detected by the second detection means, it is possible to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the prize detection. A detection abnormality determination unit is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a payout means capable of paying out a prize game medium based on a prize of the game medium, and the payout means being controllable. Payout control means, and the payout control means includes the winning detection abnormality determination means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control means for controlling a game state of the game machine, wherein the game control means comprises the first game control means. Based on the detection by the detecting means, the payout control means
Outputs an information signal capable of specifying the number of game media detected by the detection means, and the payout control means stores the number of game media detected by the first detection means based on the input of the information signal. I do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the number of game media detected by the first detecting means and the second The number of differences from the number of game media detected by the detecting means is counted by one counting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the prize detection abnormality determining means determines whether the first detection means detects the prize. By comparing the number of game media detected by the first detection means with the number of game media detected by the second detection means on condition that there is no predetermined time, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection. Is determined.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the winning detection abnormality judging means is detected by the first detecting means. On the condition that the number of game media detected by the second detection means is larger than the number of game media obtained, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the winning detection abnormality judging means is detected by the second detecting means. On the condition that the number of game media detected by the first detection means is larger than the number of game media obtained, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first detecting means corresponds to each of the plurality of winning regions. Is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the second detecting means is adapted to detect all of the plurality of prize areas. It is provided in common.

The present invention described in claim 10 provides the present invention according to claims 1 to
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 12, the apparatus further comprises a discharge processing device capable of discharging the game media guided downstream of the first detection means one by one at a predetermined timing. The discharge processing apparatus is provided with the second detection means.

The present invention according to claim 11 provides the present invention according to claim 10.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in the above, the winning detection abnormality determination means, when the detection state by the second detection means changes at a timing when the discharge processing device is not discharging the game medium, a winning detection Is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following operations are provided. By the function of the first detecting means, a game medium having won a plurality of winning areas provided in the gaming area is detected. The game medium is detected downstream of the first detecting means by the function of the second detecting means. Then, when the first detecting means detects the number, the number of premium game media to be paid out is specified and paid out. When the number of game media detected by the first detection means does not match the number of game media detected by the second detection means at a predetermined determination time by the function of the winning detection abnormality determination means, Then, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the payout control means operates the payout means so that the prize game medium can be obtained based on the winning of the game medium. Will be paid out. The payout means is controlled by the operation of the payout control means including the winning detection abnormality determination means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the second aspect of the present invention, the operation of the game control means controls the game state of the game machine and the first state. Based on the detection by the detection means, an information signal capable of specifying the number of game media detected by the first detection means is output to the payout control means. By the function of the payout control means, the number of game media detected by the first detection means based on the input of the information signal is stored.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to third aspects of the present invention,
The difference between the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the number of game media detected by the second detection means is counted by one counting means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to fourth aspects,
By the function of the prize detecting means, the number of game media detected by the first detecting means and the game detected by the second detecting means are provided on condition that the detection by the first detecting means is not performed for a predetermined time. The number of media is compared with each other to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention,
By the function of the prize detection abnormality determination means, an abnormality in the prize detection is provided on condition that the number of game media detected by the second detection means is larger than the number of game media detected by the first detection means. A determination is made that an error has occurred.

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,
By the function of the prize detection abnormality determination means, an abnormality is detected in the prize detection on condition that the number of game media detected by the first detection means is larger than the number of game media detected by the second detection means. A determination is made that an error has occurred.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects,
Since the first detection means is provided for each of the plurality of prize areas, the game medium which has won each of the prize areas is more quickly detected.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect of the present invention,
Since the discharge processing device collectively processes the game balls that have won the plurality of winning regions, the discharge processing device can efficiently use the discharge processing device to discharge the winning game media.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to ninth aspects, the operation of the discharge processing apparatus provided with the second detecting means is provided. Thereby, the game media guided to the downstream side of the first detecting means are discharged one by one at a predetermined timing.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the tenth aspect, the discharge processing device does not discharge the game medium due to the function of the winning detection abnormality determination means. At the timing, when the detection state of the second detection means changes, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, will be described. Figure 1 shows a pachinko machine 1
FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, but may be a coin gaming machine or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1
It has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. Below the hit ball supply tray 3, a surplus ball tray 4 for storing the storage balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 and a hit ball operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a hit ball are provided. A game board 6 is detachably mounted behind the glass door frame 2. In addition, game board 6
A game area 7 is provided on the front side of the game.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a special symbol display section 9 and a normal symbol display section 10 is provided. Each of the variable display devices 8 has 4
A special symbol storage display 18 composed of a plurality of LEDs and a normal symbol storage display 41 are provided. The number of lit LEDs of the special symbol storage display 18 indicates that the winning number to the starting port 14 for starting the special symbol is stored with the upper limit being four. The number of lit LEDs of the ordinary symbol storage display 41 indicates that the number of game balls passing through the passage gate 11 for starting the ordinary symbol is stored with the upper limit being four. .

In the path of the game ball passing through the starting winning port 14, a starting port switch 1 for detecting a winning game ball is provided.
When a game ball is detected by the starting port switch 17, a signal is sent to the game control board 31, and control for turning on the special symbol storage display 18 is performed. Further, a gate switch 12 for detecting a passed game ball is provided in a path of the game ball that has passed through the passage gate 11, and when the gate switch 12 detects the game ball, a signal is sent to the game control board 31. Is transmitted, and control for turning on the ordinary symbol storage display 41 is performed.

In the lower position of the variable display device 8, the opening operation is performed by driving a solenoid or the like in a specific game state (big hit state) with a starting winning opening 14 also serving as a variable winning ball device 15 (electric tulip). Winning opening 2
0 are sequentially arranged. The winning ball that has entered the starting winning port is detected by the starting port switch 17 and guided to the back of the game board. A winning ball in the special winning opening is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23, and is guided to the back of the game board.

The gaming board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 19 and 24, and the winning of the gaming balls to the winning ports 19 and 24 is detected by the winning port switches 19a and 24a. The winning opening switch 19 corresponding to each of the plurality of winning openings 19 and 24.
a, 24a, each winning opening 19, 24
Each detection can be performed quickly.

On the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 illuminated and displayed during the game, and at the lower part there is an out opening 26 for absorbing hit balls that have not been won. Also,
Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, game effect lamps 28a, 28b, 28c are provided.

In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that lights up when a prize ball is paid out and a ball out lamp 52 that lights up when a supply ball runs out are provided near the game effect lamp. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 which is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables lending of balls by inserting a prepaid card.

The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 for indicating whether or not the card is in a usable state. When a fraction (a number less than 100 yen) remains in the balance information stored in the card, the fraction is displayed. A fraction display switch 152 for generating a frequency display LED provided near the hit ball supply tray 3, and a connection board direction indicator 153 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 the card unit 50 corresponds to. A card insertion indicator 154 for indicating that a card is inserted into the card unit 50, a card insertion slot 155 for inserting a card as a recording medium, and a card reader provided on the back of the card insertion slot 155. When checking the writer mechanism, the card unit 5
A card unit lock 156 for releasing 0 is provided.

The hit ball fired from the hitting ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hitting rail, and thereafter, the game area 7
Come down. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passage gate 11, the display device of the symbol display unit 10 normally changes to a continuously changing state. When a hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start winning switch 17, the symbol rotation in the special symbol display section 9 is started if the change of the symbol can be started. If it is not possible to start changing the symbol, the start winning memory is increased by one.

The rotation of the image in the special symbol display section 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of big hit symbols, the game shifts to a big hit game state. That is, the special winning opening 20 is opened until a predetermined time has elapsed, or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls has won. Then, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning area during the opening of the special winning opening 20 and is detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening of the special winning opening 20 is performed again. The continuation right is generated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15
Round) acceptable.

When the combination of images in the special symbol display section 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next big hit increases. In other words, a high-probability state is more advantageous for the player. In addition, when the stop symbol in the normal symbol display section 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high-probability state, the probability that the stopped symbol in the ordinary symbol display unit 10 will be a hit symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened increase.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine tank 38 is provided on an upper part of a mechanism board 36, and a gaming ball is provided from above the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. Game ball tank 3
8 is supplied. The game balls in the game ball tank 38 reach the ball payout device 97 through the guiding gutter 39.

The mechanism board 36 has a display control unit 20 composed of a display control board 80 for controlling the special symbol display section 9 and the ordinary symbol display section 10 and a display device, and a game control section covered with the board case 32. A game control board (main board) 31 on which a microcomputer or the like is mounted, a game control lamp 28a, 28b, 28c, a prize ball lamp 51, and a lamp control board 35 for sending signals to a ball cut lamp 52;
A sound control board 70 for performing control relating to sound, a payout control board 37 provided with a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of a prize ball, and the like, and each electric component and electric component control board provided in the gaming machine. A power supply board 910 for supplying power is provided.

A winning ball processing device 115 is provided between the payout control board 37 and the game board 6 (see FIG. 5). In the winning ball processing device 115, each winning port 19a, 2
A process is performed in which the winning balls that have won 4a are collected and discharged one by one. By using the game ball discharged by the winning ball processing device 115, the winning opening switch 19a, 2
At 4a, it is determined whether or not the winning detection has been properly performed. The details will be described with reference to FIGS.

Further, below the mechanism panel 36, a hitting ball firing device 34 for shooting a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of a motor is provided. On the card unit 50 side below the pachinko gaming machine 1, a connector 100 for communicatively connecting the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 is provided. Furthermore, this connector 1
The other end of the harness 55 whose one end is connected to 00 is connected to a connector 500 provided on the card unit 50.

The game ball passing through the guide gutter 39 passes through the ball cutout detector 187 and reaches the ball dispensing device 97 via the supply gutters 186a and 186b. The game balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hit ball supply tray 3 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the communication port. A surplus ball passage communicating with the surplus ball tray 4 provided on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed on a side of the communication port. When a large number of prize balls based on the prize are paid out and the hitting ball supply plate 3 becomes full, and finally the game balls are further paid out after the game balls reach the contact port, the surplus balls pass through the surplus ball passage through the surplus ball passage. It is led to the saucer 4. When the game ball is further paid out, the sensing lever presses the full tank switch to turn on the full tank switch. In this state, the rotation of the stepping motor in the ball discharging device 97 stops, the operation of the ball discharging device 97 stops, and the driving of the hitting ball firing device 34 also stops as necessary.

In this embodiment, a ball dispensing device 97 for dispensing game balls by rotation of a stepping motor is illustrated as a ball dispensing device 97 for dispensing game balls by driving an electric drive source. A ball payout device having a structure in which game balls are sent out by a drive source may be used, or a ball payout device having a structure in which a stopper is removed by driving an electric drive source and the game balls are paid out by its own weight may be used.

Signals from the winning port switches 19a and 24a, the starting port switch 17 and the V count switch 22 are sent to the main board 31 to perform the prize ball payout control. The CPU 56 of the main board 31 is
When 7 is turned on, it is known that a prize corresponding to the payout of six prize balls has occurred. Further, when the count switch 23 is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to the payout of 15 prize balls has occurred. Then, when the winning opening switch is turned on, it is known that a winning corresponding to the payout of 10 prize balls has occurred. In this embodiment, for example, a game ball that has won the winning opening 24 is detected by the winning opening switch 24 a provided in the winning ball flow path from the winning opening 24, and the game ball that has won the winning opening 19 is detected. Is detected by a winning opening switch 19a provided in the winning ball flow path from the winning opening 19.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the main board 31. FIG. 3 shows the payout control board 37, the lamp control board 35, the audio control board 70, the emission control board 91, and the display control board 80. On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 12,
A switch circuit 58 for giving signals from the starting port switch 17, V count switch 22, count switch 23, and winning port switches 19a, 24a to the basic circuit, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the winning ball device 15, and opening and closing of the special winning port 20. The solenoid 21 for opening and closing the plate is connected to the basic circuit 53.
And a solenoid circuit 59 driven in accordance with a command from the controller.

The main board 31 has a jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a jackpot and an effective start information indicating the number of winning prize balls used for starting the image display of the special symbol display section 9 in accordance with the data supplied from the basic circuit 53. It includes an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information indicating that a probability change has occurred to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 as an example of a storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. Including. In this embodiment, the ROM 54, R
The AM 55 is mounted on the CPU 56. That is, C
The PU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer has at least CP
It is sufficient that U56 is built-in, and ROM54, RAM5
5 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally mounted or built-in. The I / O port unit 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

Further, the main board 31 includes one of a system reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on, and an I / O port unit 57 by decoding an address signal given from the basic circuit 53. I / O
An address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting a port section is provided. Note that the ball payout device 9
There is also switch information input to the main board 31 from 7,
They are omitted in FIG.

A hit ball firing device that hits and fires a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on a firing control board 91. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 is provided with the start memory display 18, the gate passage memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board 6. Display control and game effect lamp / LED2 provided on the frame side
8a, 28b, 28c, award ball lamp 51 and ball out lamp 52 are displayed. Here, the lamp control unit is an example of the illuminant control unit. The display control of the special symbol display unit 9 for variably displaying special symbols and the ordinary symbol display unit 10 for variably displaying ordinary symbols is performed by a display control board 80.
This is carried out by a symbol control means mounted on the device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as components of the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 97. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 is transmitted to the main board 3 via the relay board 71.
1 is input to the I / O port 57. Full tank switch 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes a switch that detects whether the surplus ball tray 4 is full.

The detection signals from the out-of-ball detection switch 167 and the out-of-ball switch 187 are input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 71. The out-of-ball detection switch 167 is a switch that detects a shortage of replenishing balls in the game ball tank 38, and the out-of-ball switch 187 is
A switch for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage.

The detection signals from the winning opening switches 19a and 24a are also input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 via the relay board 71. Winner switch 19a, 24a
Is a switch for detecting that a ball falling down the game area 7 has entered the winning opening.

The CPU 56 of the main board 31 checks whether the detection signal from the ball out switch 187 indicates that the ball is out.
Alternatively, if the detection signal from the full switch 48 indicates a full state, a payout control command for instructing ball lending prohibition is transmitted. When receiving the payout control command instructing the ball lending prohibition, the payout control microcomputer 370 of the payout control board 37 stops the ball lending process.

The detection signals from the prize ball count switch 301A and the ball lending count switch 301B are:
Via the relay board 72, the I / O port 57 of the main board 31
Is input to The prize ball count switch 301A and the prize ball count switch 301B are connected to the ball payout device 97.
Of the payout mechanism, and detects the payout balls actually paid out.

When there is a prize, the payout control board 37 has output ports (ports G, H) 577, 578 of the main board 31.
, A payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input. The output port 577 outputs 8-bit data, and the output port 578 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal). The payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input to the I / O port 372a via the input buffer circuit 373. The payout control microcomputer 370 is
A payout control command is input via the / O port 372a, and the ball payout device 97 is driven in accordance with the payout control command to perform payout.

In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer 370 is a one-chip microcomputer, and has at least a built-in CPU.

Payment control microcomputer 370
Outputs a lending number signal indicating the lending number to the terminal board 160 via the output port 372g, and inputs and outputs a buzzer driving signal to and from the buzzer board 75. A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer board 75. Further, the output port 372e
An error signal is output to the error display LED 374 via the.

Further, the input port 3 of the payout control board 37
A detection signal from the winning ball count switch 301A is input to the relay board 72b via the relay board 72. The drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the payout motor 289 is sent to the ball payout device 9 via the output port 372c and the relay board 72.
7 to the payout motor 289 in the payout mechanism 7. The drive signal to the winning ball processing device 115 for discharging the winning game ball is transmitted to the winning ball processing device 115 via the output port 372d, and is detected by the winning ball detector 122 provided in the winning ball processing device 115. The signal is sent to the payout control microcomputer 37 via the output port 372h.
Informed to 0.

The card unit 50 has a microcomputer for controlling the card unit. Also,
The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display device 152, a connection direction indicator 153, a card insertion display lamp 154, and a card insertion slot 155 (see FIG. 1). The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch, and a return switch provided near the hit ball supply tray 3.

From the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50
In response to the player's operation, a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are given via the payout control board 37. A card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lending possible display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the balance display board 74 via the payout control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37, a connection signal (VL signal) and a unit operation signal (P
An RDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), a ball lending completion signal (EXS signal), and a ball lending preparation signal (BRDY signal) are exchanged via the I / O port 372f.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the payout control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, no signal is input from the card unit 50 to the main board 31.
There is no room for a signal to be incorrectly input to the basic circuit 53 of the main board 31 from the card unit 50 side. The main substrate 3
1 and the dispensing control board 37, the distribution solenoid 310
And a driver circuit for driving a motor or a lamp, but these circuits are omitted in FIG.

In this embodiment, the RAMs of the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 are backed up by a backup power supply. That is, even if the power supply to the game ball is stopped, the contents of the RAM are stored for a predetermined period. When detecting a drop in the power supply voltage, each CPU performs a predetermined process and then enters a power recovery wait state. When the power is turned on, if data is stored in the RAM, each CPU restores the state before the power was turned off based on the stored data.

Next, the structure of the winning ball processing device (also referred to as a discharging device) 115 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the winning ball processing device 115 is formed integrally on the mounting base 116, and therefore, the mounting portion 118 formed around the mounting base 116 is provided on the back side of the game board 6. By fitting into a mounting boss projecting and contacting a lower base unit (not shown) and screwing it with screws, it can be easily mounted on the lower base unit. The periphery of the mounting base 116 is a reinforcing rib 117.
Are formed to enhance the overall rigidity. When the mounting base 116 is mounted on the lower base unit,
The winning ball entrance 119 formed in the lower base unit and the starting end of the winning ball flowing down path 120 formed in the mounting base 116 are aligned with each other, whereby the winning ball is guided to the winning ball processing device 115. It has become. In addition, the winning ball after being processed by the winning ball processing device 115 is:
It is configured to be discharged to a winning ball exit 121 formed at a position communicating with the ball drop lower passage of the lower base unit 63.

By the way, a rightward winning ball flow path 120 is formed from the lower side to the center of the mounting base 116, and the winning ball detector 122 is slightly below the bent portion of the winning ball flow path 120. It is fixed by. The winning ball detector 122 is a proximity switch, and has a passage hole formed in front of the switch, through which a winning ball passes.

The first ball locking member 124 and the second ball locking member 13 are sandwiched between the passing holes of the winning ball detector 122.
Numeral 0 is pivotally supported around pivots 125 and 131, respectively. The rear end of the first ball locking member 124 is
The solenoid 127 is connected to a plunger 128 via a link rod 126. The solenoid 127 is removably mounted by a locking claw protruding from the mounting base 116, and a spring 1 is attached to the plunger 128.
Reference numeral 29 is provided to urge the plunger 128 downward.

On the other hand, on the tip end side of the first ball locking member 124, a ball locking portion 124a is formed on the upper portion thereof, and an engagement piece 124b for engaging with the second ball locking portion 130 is formed on the lower portion thereof. The second stop portion 130 has a front stop portion 13
0a is formed, and an engagement recess 130b that engages with the engagement piece 124b is formed in the middle thereof.

The operation of the winning ball processing device 115 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the normal state of the FF, as shown in FIG. 5A, the ball stopping portion 124a of the first ball locking portion 124 does not protrude into the winning ball flowing down path 120, or the second ball stopping member. 13
The 0 ball stopping portion 130a is in a state of protruding into the winning ball flow path 120 below the winning ball detector 122. In such a state, when a prize ball is generated and the prize ball flows down the downflow path 120, the first prize ball P1 is stopped by the ball stop portion 130a in a state of entering the through hole of the prize ball detector 122. .

It is to be noted that the first winning ball P1 is the ball stopping portion 130a.
In the state where the ball is stopped, the ball pressures of all the winning balls including the succeeding winning balls are changed to the ball stopping portions 13 of the second ball stopping member 130.
0a, or the load is received by the support shaft 131 located substantially directly below the detent portion 130a, so that the load applied to the first detent member 124 by the engagement between the engagement recess 130b and the engagement piece 124b. The load is reduced, so that the plunger 128 does not rise against the urging force of the spring 129. That is, the first and second ball stopping members 124 and 130 are not blinded by the load of a large number of winning balls, and the winning balls are surely processed one by one.

When a detection is made by the winning opening switches 19a, 24a, the starting switch 17 and the count switch 23, a drive signal is sent from the payout control board 37 to the solenoid 127 to drive the solenoid 127 repeatedly for a predetermined time. When the solenoid 127 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the stop part 124a enters the winning ball flowing down road 120 and prevents the next winning ball P2 from entering the passage hole of the winning ball detector 122. At the same time, the ball stopping portion 130a is retracted from the winning ball flowing down path 120, so that the leading winning ball P1 is opened and flows downward. Then, when the solenoid 127 is turned off after a certain period of time, FIG.
Returning to the state shown in (A), the operation of stopping the next winning ball is performed.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the winning balls are discharged from the state where the winning balls are held in the discharge processing device 115, as shown in FIG. 5B. The prize ball detector 122 as the second detecting means uses the detection method of detecting a prize ball due to a change to a state where the prize ball is not held in the processing device 115, but the prize ball can be detected at a predetermined timing. In the case of the detection method, even if the prize ball detector serving as the second detecting means detects the prize ball, the prize ball detector serving as the second detection means may detect the prize ball when the prize ball discharged by the discharge processing device 115 flows through the passage. Good.

The winning ball processing device 115 can discharge one game ball at a predetermined timing one by one at a predetermined timing, through the discharging passages downstream of the winning port switches 19a and 24a, the starting port switch 17, and the count switch 23. Because
The winning medium detector 122 can reliably detect the game media one by one.

The winning ball processing device 115 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Since it is possible to periodically switch between a state in which the game ball shown in FIG. 5B can be held and a state in which the game ball shown in FIG. 5A can be discharged, the timing is measured.
Game balls can be discharged one by one.

Further, since the winning ball processing device 115 is provided in common for the plurality of winning ports 19 and 24, the starting port switch 17 and the count switch 23, the plurality of winning ports 19 and 24 and the starting port switch are provided. 17. Since the game ball that has won the count switch 23 can be discharged by one winning ball processing device 115, the winning ball discharging device 115 can be efficiently used to perform a process of discharging the winning ball.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the game control main process and the interrupt process executed by the basic circuit 53. FIG. 6 shows a game control main process, and FIG. 7 shows an interrupt process. This interrupt processing is performed, for example, every 1 msec.
Executed several times.

In the game control main process, first, before entering step SA (hereinafter simply referred to as “SA”) 1, a stack pointer is set. This is a stack setting process for setting the designated address of the stack pointer. Next, initialization processing is performed in SA1. In the initialization processing, it is determined whether or not an error is included in the RAM 55. If the error is included, processing such as initializing the RAM 55 and initializing various flags is performed. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interrupt time (for example, 2 msec) that defines the timing of executing an interrupt process described later in the CPU 56 is performed. As a result, clocking for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after resetting due to power-on or the like is started.

Next, a display random number update process for determining a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) is performed by SA2. In this pachinko gaming machine 1, the fixed symbol of the special symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on a random number (count value of a random counter). This S
In A2, the display random number for determining the stop symbol is updated in such a manner. Next, in SA3, it is determined whether or not there is a timer interrupt. If there is no timer interrupt, the process returns to SA2, and the display random number updating process is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop by SA2 and SA3.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the timer interrupt process is executed at every timer interrupt time (for example, 2 msec) specified in the initialization process, the timer interrupt is set by SB1, and the timer interrupt is set by SB2. An interrupt is permitted. As a result, if NO is determined in SA3 of FIG. 6, the process proceeds to SA4, and no timer interrupt is set.
4 to SA14 are executed.

At SA4, the state of the gate switch 12, the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23 and the like are inputted, and it is determined whether or not each of the winning ports 19, 24 and the variable winning ball device 15 has a winning. A determination process is performed. When a start winning is detected by the start opening switch 17, a start storage process is executed in this switch process. Specifically, when a winning start is detected by the starting port switch 17, the count value of the random counter for determining the big hit is extracted at that timing, and the extracted value is stored in the specific symbol determination bank for storing the start. You. As a result, the starting memory is stored. The special symbol determination bank for starting storage is composed of four banks, bank 0 to bank 3, and up to four starting memories can be stored by these four banks. Therefore, if there is a memory in all banks when the start winning is detected, the starting winning is invalidated.

Next, error processing is performed in SA5. This error process is a process of performing various abnormal diagnoses by a self-diagnostic function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 and generating an alarm if necessary according to the result.

Next, the flow advances to SA6, where a random number updating process is performed. This is a process of updating each random counter indicating various random numbers for determination used in game control.

Next, the flow advances to SA7, where a process of updating the display symbol random numbers is performed. This processing is the same as the processing of SA2.

Next, the flow advances to SA8, where special symbol processing is performed. In the special symbol 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 is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Next, a normal symbol processing process is performed by SA9. In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable symbol display device 10 in a predetermined order, and is updated during each process.

Next, the flow advances to SA10, where special symbol command processing is executed. The special symbol command process is a process in which the basic circuit 53 transmits the above-described command data for displaying a special symbol to the display control board 80. Next, SA11
The normal symbol command processing is executed. The normal symbol command process is a process in which the basic circuit 53 transmits command data for controlling the display of the variable symbol display device 10 to the lamp control board 35.

Next, the flow advances to SA12, where an information output process is performed. This information output process is a process of externally outputting the above-described probability change information, big hit information, and start information via the information output circuit 64. Next, the process proceeds to SA13, and the solenoid 1
This is a process for outputting a control signal for controlling the excitation of the solenoids 6 and 21 to the solenoid circuit 59. Next, the process proceeds to SA13, where award ball processing is performed. The prize ball processing is a process in which the basic circuit 53 transmits a prize ball number signal and a prize ball enable signal to the payout control (prize ball substrate) 37 to issue a prize ball payout command. After SA14, the process proceeds to SA2 again to perform processing.

FIG. 8 shows 2 ms performed by the payout control board 37.
It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. In the 2 ms timer interrupt process, the interrupt flag is set each time 2 ms is counted by the timer, and the flow proceeds to the payout control main process (SC1). Therefore, the payout control process shown in FIG. 9 can be executed every 2 ms.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the payout control main process. 2m in the payout control main process
If the interrupt flag set in the s timer interrupt process is on, the process proceeds to SC2, but if the interrupt flag is not set, the process waits until the interrupt flag is set (SC2).

When the interrupt flag is set in SC2 and the process proceeds to SC3, a switch process is performed. In this switch processing, processing based on the input of the detection signal of the prize ball or the ball lending detected by the prize ball count switch 301A or the ball lending count switch 301B is performed. Next, an input determination process is performed in SC4. In this input determination processing, processing based on a signal input from the game control board 31 to the payout control board 37 or a detection signal of a prize ball or a ball lending detected by the prize ball count switch 301A or the ball lending count switch 301B. Is performed.

Next, in SC5, a command analysis execution process is performed. In this command analysis execution processing, a command (signal) input from the game control board 31
The processing to be performed is analyzed on the basis of, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, in SC6, a winning check process is performed. In the winning check processing, monitoring processing and matching processing of the winning check switch and control processing of the discharge processing device are performed. The details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

Next, a payout stop state setting process is performed (SC7). In the dispensing stop state setting process, based on the payment prohibition command or the payment prohibition canceling command,
Prohibition of the payout (including lending) of the game ball by the ball payout device 97 or processing for canceling the prohibition is performed.

Next, ball lending control processing is performed (SC
8). In this ball lending control process, the card unit 5
Processing related to execution or suspension of lending of game balls based on a ball lending request from 0 is performed.

Next, a prize ball control process is performed (SC9).
In this prize ball control processing, processing for paying out game balls based on winnings accompanying the progress of the game is performed. next,
An information output process is performed (SC10). In this information output process, information on prize balls or ball lending, such as completion of payout of prize balls or completion of lending of lending balls, is externally output.

Next, error processing is performed (SC1).
1). In this error process, processes related to errors such as a process of detecting an error related to award balls or ball lending and a process of notifying the error are performed.

FIG. 10 shows the SC of the payout control board 37 in FIG.
6, the fluctuation and stop of the prize monitoring time timer T2 and the prize monitoring time timer T1 corresponding to the input of the prize ball designation command, and the discharge processing device (the prize ball processing device 115). 6 is a timing chart showing the ON / OFF relationship of the operating solenoid / discharge flag.

First, as shown in FIG.
, There is an input of a prize ball designation command. And A
At the time, the prize monitoring time timer T2 starts operating in response to the input of the prize ball designation command as shown in FIG. 10B, and the prize monitoring time timer T1 is started as shown in FIG. 10C. Start operation. At time A, the first ON state of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid / discharge flag is started. Next, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid / discharge flag is turned off. This O
At the timing of the FF, the operation of the solenoid 127 of the winning ball processing device 115 stops, and the winning ball processing device 11
5 changes from the state of FIG. 5 (A) to the state of FIG. 5 (B), whereby the winning ball detector 122 as the second detecting means detects a game ball.

Thereafter, during the period from the time point B to the time point C, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operates as the first interval period of the solenoid / discharge flag. Next, immediately before the time point C, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid / discharge flag 2
The second ON period starts, and immediately after the time point C, the second interval period starts. Before and after the time point C, both the winning monitoring timer T1 and the winning monitoring timer T2 are counting. While the prize monitoring time timer T2 is counting, the prize ball processing device 11
5 is operating, but it is not during the period in which the game ball should be ejected, so that if the ball detector 122 as the second detecting means detects the ball, it is determined that the winning detection is abnormal. become.

Next, at the time point D, the prize monitoring time timer T2 is stopped, and a period is reached in which only the prize monitoring time timer T1 is counting. The period from the point D at which the prize monitoring time timer T2 stops to the point G at which the prize monitoring time timer T1 stops is a period for performing appropriate prize detection. Next, at time E, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid / discharge flag is turned on for the third time.

At time point F, an interval period has elapsed. Therefore, if there is a winning detection based on the operation of the discharge processing device operating solenoid at this time point F, the winning detection is abnormal. Further, from the time point F to the time point G
During this time, the discharge processing device operating solenoid / discharge flag is turned on for the fourth time. The winning detection based on the operation of the operating solenoid of the third and fourth discharge processing devices (winning ball processing device 115) is appropriate detection by the winning ball detector 122 as the second detecting means.

Next, at time point G, as shown in FIG. 10C, the winning monitoring time timer T1 is turned off. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10D, at time point H, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid / discharge flag is turned on. At time point I, both the winning monitoring timer T1 and the winning monitoring timer T2 are stopped. If there is a winning detection at this point I, the winning detection is abnormal.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 which operates as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
A winning port switch 19 as first detecting means for detecting a winning ball which has won one of the starting port 14 and the special winning port 20 (hereinafter, referred to as “winning ports 19, 24, etc.”).
a, 24a, any one of the starting port switch 17 and the count switch 23 (hereinafter referred to as “winning port switch 19a, 2”
4a etc. " The difference between the number of detections of the winning opening switches 19a, 24a and the like and the number of detections of the winning ball detector 122 is counted by using a winning number counter as counting means, on condition that the detection by the predetermined time has not elapsed. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a winning opening switch 19a, 2
During a period in which the game balls do not win for a predetermined time in 4a or the like, the difference between the number of game balls detected by the winning opening switches 19a, 24 and the like and the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detector 122 is counted. It is determined that the winning detection is abnormal. For this reason, the predetermined time is set by the winning opening switches 19a, 24a, etc.
If the game ball is set to be longer than the time at which the game ball flows to 22, the number of detections of the prize detection switches 19a, 24a, etc. is required until the game ball detected by the prize port switches 19a, 24a, etc. reaches the prize ball detector 122. The error of the winning detection abnormality determination such as counting the difference between the winning detection and the detected number of the winning ball detector 122 can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation of the winning ball processing device 115 can be started (the discharge processing device operating solenoid is turned on) upon the detection by the winning opening switches 19a, 24a and the like. Since the winning ball processing device 115 operates only when a winning detection is performed, power can be saved, and the winning ball processing device 11 can be used.
5 can be hardly recognized from the outside.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the command execution analysis processing. This command execution analysis process is a process executed in SC5 of the payout control main process of FIG. In the command execution analysis process, first, in SD1, the payout control board 37 determines whether or not any command has been input from the game control board 31. In SD1, if there is no input of any command, the command execution analysis process ends. If there is any input of command, the process proceeds to SD2, and it is determined whether or not the input command is a prize ball designation command. The point at which the award ball designation command is input is shown in FIG.
This is point A in the timing chart described above with reference to FIG.

In SD2, if the input command is not a prize-ball designation command, the command execution analysis process is terminated. If the input command is a prize-ball designation command, the first detection means of the present invention is used. Winner switch 1
9a, 24a, etc.
Proceeding to 3, the number of game balls to be awarded, designated by the award ball designation command, is stored in the total number storage.

Next, in SD4, the winning opening switch 1
The prize number counter capable of counting the number of prizes that can specify the number of game balls detected by 9a, 24a, etc.
1 ". Next, in SD5, the operation flag of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is turned ON. The discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation flag is a flag indicating that the winning ball processing device 115 shown in FIG. 5 is operating.

Next, in SD6, it is determined whether or not the timer T101 as the winning monitoring time timer 1 is operating. This timer T101 is stored in SD8 or SD9.
The prize-ball processing device 115 shown in FIG.
7 is a timer for measuring a time for determining whether or not a game ball has been ejected within a predetermined time after being input to 7. In SD6, if the timer T101 is operating, the process proceeds to S7, and after resetting the timer T101, proceeds to SD8, restarts the timer T101, and ends the command execution analysis process. In SD6, if the timer T101 is operating, the process proceeds to SD9, and the timer T10
After starting 1, the process proceeds to SD10, the timer T102 as the winning monitoring time timer 2 is started, and the command execution analysis process ends. This T102 is a timer for determining whether or not a winning ball has been ejected by the winning ball processing device 115 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the prize ball designation command is input to the payout control board 37. Therefore, the timer T101 as the prize monitoring time timer 1
And the timer T102 as the prize monitoring time timer 2, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, after the prize designation command is input to the payout control board 37, the first predetermined time has elapsed and the first Is determined by the winning ball processing device 115 within a second predetermined time longer than the predetermined time. That is, the timer T101
It is determined whether or not the game ball has been ejected by the winning ball discharge processing device 115 and the winning ball has been detected by the winning ball detector 122 in the period from the time point D to the time point G in the timing chart of FIG. Is done.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the winning check processing. In the winning check process, a winning check switch monitoring process is performed in SE1. In the prize check switch monitoring processing, it is determined whether or not the prize ball processing device 115 is in an appropriate state in a state where a game ball has been prize in the prize openings 19 and 24. 13 will be described later. Next, in SE2, a winning check switch matching process is performed. In the winning check switch matching process, it is determined whether or not the detected numbers of the winning opening switches 19 and 24 and the detected number of the winning ball detector 122 match. For details, refer to FIG. It will be described later. Next, in SE3, a discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) control processing is performed. In the control process of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115), it is determined whether the solenoid for operating the discharging processing device (winning ball processing device 115) / discharge flag is turned ON or OFF. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the winning check switch monitoring process. In the winning check switch monitoring process, first, in SF1,
Winning ball processing device 115 as the second detecting means of the present invention
Is determined whether the winning ball detector 122 has changed from ON to OFF. If the winning ball detector 122 does not change from ON to OFF in SF1, it is determined that there is no winning in the winning ports 19, 24, etc., and the winning check switch monitoring process is terminated. O
If it has changed from N to OFF, the process proceeds to SF2, and it is determined whether or not the discharging flag is ON. The discharging flag is a flag indicating that the winning ball processing device 115 is performing a discharging operation of the game ball. Therefore, in SF1, the winning ball detector 122 is turned on.
Despite the change from OFF to OFF, the winning ball processing device 1
If the 15 solenoids are not in the state of performing the discharging operation of the game ball, it is determined that some error has occurred, the process proceeds to SF6, and a warning process is performed. The state in which the solenoid of the winning ball processing device 115 is not performing the discharging operation of the game ball is the time point F in FIG. 10 described above.

Next, in SF3, it is determined whether or not the timer T102 is in operation. If the timer T102 is not in operation, the flow advances to SF6 to perform a warning process.
If the timer 102 is operating, the process proceeds to SF4 and the timer T101
It is determined whether or not is operating. In SF4,
If the timer T101 is not operating, the process proceeds to SF6 to perform a warning process, and if the timer T101 is operating, the process proceeds to SF5.
To set the winning counter to "-1".

The above-described processing of SF3 and SF4 is the same as that of FIG.
After a prize ball designation command determined to be present in SD2 of the command execution analysis processing shown in FIG. 1 is input, a first predetermined time counted by the timer T101 elapses,
In addition, within a second predetermined time measured by the timer T102 longer than the first processing time, the winning ball processing device 11
5 is a process for determining whether or not a game ball has been ejected. The timing of proceeding to SF6 by performing the steps of SF3 and SF4 and performing the warning process is the time points C and H described above with reference to FIG. Then, after the prize ball designation command is input, the game ball is discharged by the prize ball processing device 115 within a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time and longer than the first predetermined time. If not, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the discharge by the winning ball processing device 115, and a warning process is performed. After the prize ball designation command is input, a second predetermined time elapsed by the timer T102 is longer than the first predetermined time counted by the timer T101 and is longer than the first predetermined time. When a game ball is ejected by the winning ball processing device 115, the number-of-winning counter for counting the number of winning game balls winning the winning ports 19, 24, etc. is set to "-1".
In other words, the winning ball counter capable of counting the winning balls detected by the winning opening switches 19a, 24a and the like counts down the number of winning balls every time there is a detection. This winning number counter indicates “+” in SD4 shown in FIG.
Since “1” is set, if the operation related to the winning ball processing device 115 is properly performed, “± 0” is set in SF5.
Becomes

Therefore, in the winning check monitoring process shown in FIG.
In 2, when the prize-ball processing device 115 detects the prize-ball detector 122 at a timing that is not based on the timing at which the game medium is discharged, the prize-ball detector 122 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the prize-prize detection. Processing device 1
It is possible to determine a prize detection abnormality in which the prize ball detector 122 detects the prize in a state where the 15 is not operating.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the winning check switch matching process. In the winning check switch matching process, first, in SG1,
It is determined whether or not the timer T101 is operating. If the timer T101 is operating, the process ends. If the timer T101 is not operating, the process proceeds to SG2, and the winning number counter is other than “0”. Is determined. If the winning number counter is other than “0” in SG2, SG1
Since the timer T101 has timed out in
After a game ball has won the winning opening 19, 24 or the like and a winning detection is performed by the winning opening switch 19a, 24a or the like, the game ball is not discharged by the discharge treatment device 115, and the winning ball detector 122 is set by the timer T102. It is determined that no game ball has been detected even after the second predetermined time has elapsed, or that the game ball has been discharged by the winning ball processing device 115 without being detected by the winning port switches 19a and 24a. It is determined that an error has occurred and SG
Proceed to 3 to perform a warning process. The reason is that the winning counter is counted up in SD4 in FIG. 11 and then counted down in SF5 in FIG.
Since it should be "0", the fact that the winning number counter is other than "0" in SG2 means that some error has occurred. Therefore, since it is considered that the game ball is discharged by the winning ball processing device 115 and reaches the winning ball detector 122, the ball is clogged or the like, a warning process is performed. The step of SG2 is the time point I in the timing chart described above with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, according to the SG3 as the winning detection abnormality judging means, the detected number of the winning opening switches 19a and 24a as the first detecting means and the winning ball detection as the second detecting means. When the numbers detected by the devices 122 are not the same, in order to determine that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection, the winning detection switches 19a, 24a and the like are used in a state where there is no winning of the game ball using radio waves or the like. By making an erroneous detection as if a game ball was detected, it is possible to prevent fraud such as acquiring a prize.

Further, the number of prizes which can count the difference between the number of detections of the prize opening switches 19a and 24a as the first detection means and the number of detections of the prize ball detector 122 as the second detection means. Since the counter is provided, it is not necessary to store both the number of detections of the winning opening switches 19a and 24a and the number of detections of the winning ball detector 122, so that the storage area can be reduced.

SG as a winning detection abnormality determination means
In order to determine that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection on condition that the number of detections of the winning detector 122 is larger than the number of detections of the winning opening switches 19a, 24a, etc. Accordingly, it is possible to determine a winning detection abnormality when a winning is detected by the winning detector 122 in a state where the winning is not detected.

SG as a prize detection abnormality determination means
2 on condition that the number of detections of the winning opening switches 19a and 24a is larger than the number of detections of the winning ball detector 122.
Since it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection in SG3, it is possible to determine a winning detection abnormality when the winning ball detector 122 does not detect a winning while the winning detection is performed by the winning opening switches 19a and 24a. .

Further, since the payout control board 37 includes the SG3 as a prize detection abnormality determining means, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the prize detection, the payout of the prize game medium can be immediately stopped. it can.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the control processing of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115). This discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) control processing is performed by turning on / off the discharging processing device (winning ball processing device 115).
It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of the operation | movement which repeats OFF. Discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115)
In the control process, in SH1, it is determined whether or not the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation flag is ON. This discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation flag is a flag that is turned on in step SD5 in FIG. 11, and indicates that the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation solenoid can be operated. It is a flag to indicate. Therefore, in SH1,
The discharge flag of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is O
If the answer is N, the process proceeds to SH2, in which the operation flag of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is cleared, that is, OF
F.

Next, the flow advances to SH3, where "5" is input to the operation number timer. The number-of-operations timer is a timer for sequentially reducing the number of times the solenoid of the winning ball processing device 115 is operated from “5” to “0”. Next, the process proceeds to SH4, and the timer T201 is started. This timer T
Reference numeral 201 denotes a timer for measuring a time during which the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid is operated to discharge the game ball, and is a timer which is automatically reset when a predetermined time has elapsed. Next, in SH5, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid 12
7 is operated, the first and second ball stopping members 124 of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) shown in FIG.
130 sets the state in which the game ball is discharged, and turns on the discharging flag. The discharging flag is a flag indicating that the winning ball processing device 115 is discharging game balls.

Next, in SH6, it is determined whether or not the timer T201 has expired. In SH6, if the timer T201 has not timed out, the control processing of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) ends, but if the timer T201 has timed up, the timer T202 is started. This timer T202 is
This is a timer for counting the intervals of five operations of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid, and is a timer that is automatically reset when a predetermined time has elapsed.

Next, in SH8, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid 127 is stopped, and the discharging processing device (winning ball processing device 1) shown in FIG.
15) The first and second ball stopping members 124 and 130 are set to hold the game ball, and the discharging flag is turned off.
I do. Next, the process proceeds to SH9, where it is determined whether or not the timer T202 has expired. If the timer T202 has not expired, the control process of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is terminated. If the time has expired, the timer for the number of times of operation of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operating solenoid to which "5" has been input in SH5 is set to "-1".

Further, the discharge processing device (the winning ball processing device 11)
5) In the second and subsequent processes after the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation flag is cleared in SH2 of the control process, the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) operation flag is OFF in SH1. Since it is determined that there is, the operation proceeds to SH11 and the operation number timer is set to “0”.
It is determined whether or not it is greater than In SH11,
If the number-of-operations timer is equal to or less than “0”, the control processing of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is terminated. Is not executed, the process proceeds to SH12, and it is determined whether or not the timer T201 is operating.

In SH12, if the timer T201 is operating, since the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) solenoid is being driven, the process proceeds to SH5,
In SH6, the loop of SH12, SH5, SH6, and termination is repeated until the timer T201 times out.
If it is determined in SH12 that the timer T201 is not operating, the discharge processing device (the winning ball processing device 11).
5) Since the interval period is during which the solenoid is not driven, the process proceeds to SH13, and it is determined whether or not the timer T202 is operating. In SH12, if the timer T202 is in operation, the process proceeds to SH8 because the interval of the solenoid for operating the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is in operation, and SH13, SH8, SH9, Repeat the end loop. On the other hand, if it is determined in SH13 that the timer T202 is not in operation, the interval period has expired and the process proceeds to SH14, in which the operating solenoid 127 of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is operated, and FIG. First and second detent members 1 shown in B)
24, 130 to discharge the game ball,
Turns on the discharging flag. Thereafter, the flow advances to SH15, and the timer T201 is restarted. Thus, in the next control processing of the discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115), it is determined in SH12 that the timer T201 is operating and the process proceeds to SH5.

According to the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above,
The game control board 31 outputs a winning information signal to the payout control board 37 based on the input of a winning information signal capable of identifying the number of detections of the winning opening switches 19a and 24a, and the payout control board 37 inputs the winning information signal. Ball payout device 97 based on
, The control load on the game control board 31 is reduced.

The winning ball processing device 115 can discharge the game balls guided through the discharging passage one by one at a predetermined timing on the downstream side of the winning port switches 19a, 24a and the like. 122 is a discharge processing device 11
5 is detectable, and when a winning ball detector 122 detects a gaming ball at a timing not synchronized with a predetermined timing, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection. SF2, SF3, SF4, and SG2 are provided as winning detection abnormality determination means. Therefore, since the operation timing of the winning ball processing device 115 and the ejection timing of the winning game ball are not synchronized, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the winning detection. Further, by performing the abnormality determination using the winning ball processing device 115 having a physical structure, the winning based on the illegal winning detection by radio waves or the like that cannot be determined by the winning detection abnormality determination using only the electronic circuit and the electronic device. Detection abnormality can be determined.

As shown in FIG. 15, in order to perform a discharge processing device control process as a discharge processing device control means capable of controlling the discharge processing operation of the winning ball processing device 115, the operating state of the winning ball processing device 115 is changed. It becomes possible to grasp.

Further, the payout control board 37 performs the discharge processing device control processing shown in FIG. 15 as the discharge processing device control means, and the SF as the winning detection abnormality determination means
Since SF2, SF3 and SF4 are included, the payout of the prize ball can be immediately stopped when an abnormality occurs in the prize detection based on the operation of the prize ball processing device 115.

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present invention will be described. A plurality of prize areas provided in the game area (prize port 1)
9, 24, starting port 14, large winning opening 20) and first detecting means capable of detecting a game medium which has won the winning opening (winning opening switches 19a, 24a, starting opening switch 17, count switch 23). A gaming machine capable of specifying and paying out the number of premium game media to be paid out at a stage when the first detecting means detects the downstream side of the first detecting means. A discharge processing device (winning prize ball processing device 115) capable of discharging the game media guided to the player at predetermined timing one by one, and detecting the game media discharged by the discharge processing device or the discharged game media. The second
And a detecting means (winning ball detector 122) which can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the prize detection when the detection is performed by the second detecting means at a timing not synchronized with the discharge timing. Abnormality determination means (SF2 in FIG. 13)
And FIG. 10).

The discharge processing device can periodically switch between a state capable of holding game media (FIG. 5B) and a state capable of discharging game media (FIG. 5A).

A discharge processing apparatus control means (discharge processing control processing in FIG. 15) capable of controlling the discharge processing operation of the discharge processing apparatus is provided.

The discharge processing device control means detects that the first detection means has detected (SD2 in FIG. 11).
YES at SD5, YE at SH1 in FIG.
At S), the operation control of the discharge processing device can be started.

A payout means (ball payout device 97) capable of paying out prize game media based on a prize of a game medium, and a payout control means (payout control board 37) capable of controlling the payout means. The means includes the discharge processing device control means (discharge processing control processing in FIG. 15).

A game control means (game control board 31) for controlling the progress of the game is provided.
Outputs an information signal (prize ball designation command) capable of specifying the number of detections of the first detection means to the payout control means based on the detection of the detection means. , The number of detections by the first detection means is stored (SD3 in FIG. 11).

The payout control means includes the winning detection abnormality determination means (SF2, SF3, SF4 in FIG. 13 and SG2 in FIG. 14, FIG. 10).

The discharge processing device can process all game media that have won the plurality of winning areas (FIG. 5).

[0138] The prize detection abnormality determination means may determine that the discharge processing device (prize ball processing device 115) has not discharged the game medium (time point F in FIG. 10).
(Detection of the winning ball detector 122) (time points F, G, I in FIG. 10), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0140]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) A plurality of winning areas (winning ports 19, 24, starting ports 14, and large winning ports 20) provided in a game area, and a game in which the winning area has been won. A first detecting means for detecting a medium; and a second detecting means (winning ball detector 122) for detecting the game medium downstream of the first detecting means. Winning opening switch 19a, 24a, starting opening switch 1
7. A gaming machine capable of specifying and paying out the number of premium game media to be paid out at a stage when the count is detected by the count switch 23).
A prize detection abnormality determination that can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the prize detection when the number of game media detected by the detection means does not match the number of game media detected by the second detection means (SG2 in FIG. 14).

(2) Payout means (ball payout device 97) capable of paying out prize game media based on winning of game media, and payout control means (payout control board 3) capable of controlling the payout means
7), and the payout control means includes the winning detection abnormality determination means (SG2 in FIG. 14).

(3) A game control means (game control board 31) for controlling a game state of the game machine is provided, and the game control means is provided to the payout control means based on the detection of the first detection means. An information signal (prize ball designation command) capable of specifying the number of game media detected by the first detection means is output, and the payout control means outputs the information signal based on the input of the information signal. The detected number of game media is stored (SD3 in FIG. 11).

(4) The number of differences between the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the number of game media detected by the second detection means is counted by one counting means (FIG. 1).
4 SG2 winning number counter).

(5) The winning detection abnormality determining means determines that the number of game media detected by the first detecting means is equal to the number of game media detected by the first detecting means on condition that detection by the first detecting means has not been performed for a predetermined time (YES in SG1). By comparing the number of game media detected by the second detection means with the number of game media (SG2), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

(6) The prize detection abnormality judging means judges that the number of game media detected by the second detecting means is larger than the number of game media detected by the first detecting means (SG2 ), It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection (SG3).

(7) The winning detection abnormality judging means judges that the number of game media detected by the first detecting means is larger than the number of game media detected by the second detecting means (SG2 ), It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection (SG3).

(8) The plurality of winning regions (winning opening 1)
9 and 24, the starting port 14, and the special winning port 20) corresponding to each of the first detecting means (winning port switches 19a and 2).
4a, winning port switches 19a, 24a) are provided.

(9) The discharge processing device (winning ball processing device 115) is provided with the plurality of winning regions (winning openings 19, 2).
4. All game media that have won the start-up port 14 and the grand prize port 20) are processed.

(10) A discharge processing device (a winning ball processing device 1 shown in FIG. 5) capable of discharging game media guided downstream of the first detecting means one by one at predetermined timing.
15), and the discharge processing device is provided with the second detection means.

(11) The prize detection abnormality determining means (SF2 in FIG. 13) determines that the discharge processing device (prize ball processing device 115) has not discharged the game medium (time point F in FIG. 10). Second detection means (winning ball detector 1
When the detection state according to 22) changes (time point F in FIG. 10), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.

[0151]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, when the number of game media detected by the first detection unit and the number of game media detected by the second detection unit do not match at a predetermined determination time, an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection. Since there is a prize detection abnormality determination means capable of determining that the game medium has been detected, it is possible to perform an erroneous detection as if the game medium was detected with respect to the first detection means in a state where no prize of the game medium was used using radio waves or the like. As a result, fraud such as obtaining a prize can be prevented.

According to the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since the payout control means includes a winning detection abnormality determining means, when a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection, the prize is immediately given. The payout of the game medium can be stopped.

According to the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, based on the detection of the first detection means, the game control means causes the payout control means to output the number of game media detected by the first detection means. Is output, and the payout control means stores the number of game media detected by the first detection means based on the input of the information signal. The number of detected game media can be managed.

Regarding claim 4, claims 1 to 3
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, the difference between the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the number of game media detected by the second detection means is counted by one counting means. Of the number of game media detected by the detecting means
It is not necessary to store both the numerical values of the number of game media and the number of game media detected by the detecting means, so that the storage area can be reduced.

Regarding claim 5, claims 1 to 4
In addition to the effects of any of the above, the winning detection abnormality determination means may determine that the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the second detection means are provided on condition that the detection by the first detection means is not performed for a predetermined time. In order to judge that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection by comparing the number of game media detected by the first detection means, a predetermined time is detected by the first detection means and then the detection by the second detection means is performed. If the time is set to be longer than a certain time, the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the second number are set between the time when the game medium is detected by the first detection means and the time when the game medium reaches the second detection means. Erroneous winning detection abnormality determination, such as determining that the number of game media detected by the detecting means is not the same, can be prevented.

Regarding claim 6, claims 1 to 5
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, the prize detection abnormality determination means determines that the number of game media detected by the second detection means is greater than the number of game media detected by the first detection means. In order to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the detection, it is possible to determine a winning detection abnormality when a winning is detected by the second detecting means in a state where the winning is not detected by the first detecting means.

Regarding claim 7, claims 1 to 6
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, the prize detection abnormality determination means determines that the number of game media detected by the first detection means is larger than the number of game media detected by the second detection means. Since it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the detection, it is possible to determine a winning detection abnormality when no winning is detected by the second detecting means in a state where the winning is detected by the first detecting means.

[0158] Claim 8 relates to claims 1 to 7
In addition to the effect of any one of the above, since the first detecting means is provided for each of the plurality of winning regions,
The detection for each winning area can be performed quickly.

Regarding claim 9, claims 1 to 8
In addition to the effects relating to any of the above, the discharge processing device processes all the game balls that have won a plurality of winning areas,
It is possible to perform the discharging process of the winning game media by efficiently using the discharging processing device.

According to a tenth aspect, in addition to the effect according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the game medium guided to the downstream side of the first detecting means is discharged one by one at a predetermined timing. Since the discharge processing device further includes a possible discharge processing device, and the discharge processing device is provided with the second detection means, the second detection means surely detects the game media by separating the game media one by one.

According to the eleventh aspect, in addition to the effect according to the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the tenth aspect, the winning detection abnormality determining means determines that the second processing is not performed by the discharge processing device and the second processing is not performed.
When the detection state of the detection means changes, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection, so that the detection by the second detection means is performed at a timing when the discharge processing device is not discharging the game medium. A winning detection abnormality can be determined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a game board (main board).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a payout control board.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a winning ball processing device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a game main process performed by the game control board.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process of the game control board.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a 2 ms timer interrupt process of a payout control board.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a payout control main process.

FIG. 10: a prize ball designation command, a winning monitoring time timer T
1 is a timing chart showing a relationship between a winning monitoring timer T2 and a discharge processing device operating solenoid / discharge flag.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a command execution analysis process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a winning check process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a winning check switch monitoring process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a winning check switch matching process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a discharge processing device control process.

[Explanation of symbols]

19, 24 winning opening, 19, 24a winning opening switch,
31 game control board, 37 payout control board, 97 ball payout device, 115 discharge processing device, 122 winning ball detector.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of prize areas provided in a game area, first detection means for detecting a game medium having won the prize area, and detection of the game medium downstream of the first detection means. A second detecting means for detecting the number of prize game media to be paid out at the stage when the first detecting means detects the prize game medium. If the number of game media detected by the first detection means does not match the number of game media detected by the second detection means at the determination time, a determination that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection A gaming machine provided with a winning detection abnormality determining means capable of performing the following. 2. A payout means capable of paying out a prize game medium based on a winning of a game medium, and a payout control means capable of controlling the payout means, wherein the payout control means includes: Including,
The gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. A game control means for controlling a game state of the gaming machine, wherein the game control means detects the payout control means by the first detection means based on the detection of the first detection means. An information signal capable of specifying the number of game media that has been output, and the payout control means, based on the input of the information signal,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the number of gaming media detected by the first detection means is stored. 4. The number of differences between the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the number of game media detected by the second detection means is counted by one counting means.
The gaming machine according to claim 3. 5. The prize detection abnormality determining means,
By detecting the number of game media detected by the first detection means and the number of game media detected by the second detection means, provided that the detection by the detection means is not performed for a predetermined time, the winning detection is performed. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. 6. The first prize detection abnormality determining means,
Than the number of game media detected by the detecting means
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection on condition that the number of gaming media detected by said detecting means is large. 7. The winning detection abnormality determining means,
Than the number of game media detected by the detecting means of the first.
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in winning detection on condition that the number of gaming media detected by said detecting means is large. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means is provided corresponding to each of said plurality of winning regions. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said second detecting means is provided in common for all of said plurality of winning regions.
A gaming machine according to claim 8. 10. A discharge processing device which can discharge game media guided to the downstream side of the first detection means one by one at predetermined timing and discharge the game media, wherein the second detection is performed by the discharge processing device. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising means. 11. The prize detection abnormality determining means, at a timing when the discharge processing device is not discharging a game medium,
When the detection state by the second detection means changes,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made that an abnormality has occurred in the winning detection.
The gaming machine according to 0.