JP2002282526A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make lending balls impossible to be discharged during prize ball operation regardless of ball lending operation. SOLUTION: A ball payout control part 1700 transmits a lending inexecutable signal as a second control signal to a card unit-side control part 1710 during prize ball paying out operation, and transmits a lending executable signal as a first control signal to the card unit-side control part 1710 in cases other than it. The card unit-side control part 1710 transmits a ball lending request signal to the ball payout control part 1700 in response to the operation of a ball lending button 3020, when the second control signal is receive, and controls so as not to transmit the ball lending request signal when the first control signal is received. Accordingly, lending balls can be made impossible to be discharged during the prize ball paying out operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation for paying out a prize ball with a predetermined number of prize balls in response to satisfaction of a prize ball payout condition, and an operation for performing a ball lending request operation. The present invention relates to an improvement in a gaming machine configured to perform ball lending in response to a ball lending request signal transmitted from a card unit in response to an operation of a means by the same ball payout mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional game machine of this type is described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2559221. In this gaming machine, when a ball lending request signal is received from the card processing means, the ball lending discharge operation process is performed in preference to the start of the unprocessed unit prize ball discharge operation. I was Therefore, when the player performs the ball lending request operation, the ball lending discharging operation is performed in preference to the prize ball.

However, if the player mistakenly performs this operation, although the prize ball operation can secure a sufficient number of game balls, extra ball lending is also performed by this operation. Therefore, the player has to perform the operation while carefully monitoring the operation timing.

[0003] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine in which a lending ball cannot be discharged during a prize ball payout operation regardless of a ball lending operation. Aim.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to a prize ball payout condition being satisfied. The ball dispensing mechanism is configured to perform ball lending discharge in response to a ball lending request signal transmitted from the card unit side in response to the operation of the operation means for performing the ball lending request operation by the same ball payout mechanism. The gaming machine further comprises a control means for not discharging the lending during the payout of the winning ball, irrespective of the operation by the operation means.

According to the present invention, by controlling the operation of the control means, it is possible to prevent the lending of balls from being performed during the payout of payout balls, regardless of the operation of the operation means.

The control means transmits a first control signal to the card unit during the prize ball payout operation.
Otherwise, a control signal transmitting unit for transmitting a second control signal to the card unit side is provided. While transmitting the ball-request request signal to the control means in response, a signal for not transmitting the ball-request request signal in response to the operation of the operation means when receiving the first control signal Processing means may be provided.

[0007] The first control signal and the second control signal may have the same bit length, and differ only in the digital value of the most significant bit or the least significant bit.

[0008] Such control can be realized by recording a control program on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the control program recorded on the recording medium by a computer. Examples of such a recording medium include a semiconductor recording medium such as a ROM and a semiconductor IC, an optical recording medium such as a DVDROM and a CDROM, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO. Further, the control program can be downloaded from the information processing device via a communication network. In the present invention, the "ball" and the "ball" are distinguished from each other in the prize ball and the lending for easy understanding, but they are the same as the object, and the payout and discharge are the same. Has the same meaning.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and operation of a normal gaming machine will be described, and then the main operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. As shown in FIG. The game board 10 has three (left, middle, and right) display areas in a substantially central portion thereof. In each of the display areas, identification information composed of symbols or figures by characters is variably displayed. A possible special symbol display device 100 is provided, and a special symbol starting port 104 is provided directly below the special symbol display device 100. On both sides of the special symbol starting port 104, ordinary symbol operating gates 102, 102 are provided. Has been established. Also,
A pair of opening / closing members 120, 120 are the special symbol opening 104
Are formed so as to be openable and closable so as to form

Below the special symbol opening 104, a special winning opening 106, a normal symbol display device 108, and an out opening 114 are arranged in this order, and further, both diagonally above the special symbol opening 104. Has a lamp display device 110,
110 is provided, and a lamp display device (more specifically, an LED device) is also provided near both side ends of the game board 10.
112, 112 are provided.

[0011] Then, a game ball is won in the special symbol starting port 104 and a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a big hit value, a variable display of at least one identification information is started in each display area. Then, a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) on the winning effective line
Is displayed by the special symbol display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to open and close in a predetermined pattern, so that a big hit gaming state advantageous to the player is achieved.

When the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passing of the game ball, a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a small hit value, the normal symbol display device 108
Is displayed in a predetermined pattern (for example, “7” or “3”), and thereafter, when the opening / closing member 120 is opened and the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 104, the random number is similarly displayed. When a lottery is performed and the selected random number has a big hit value, a variable display in each display area is started, and then a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed on the winning effective line with a special symbol. This is performed by the display device 100, and the opening and closing of the special winning opening 106 is controlled in a predetermined pattern, so that a big hit state advantageous to the player is achieved. on the other hand,
The hit ball that is not won is discharged through the out port 114.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only a main part of the gaming machine in which such gaming machine control is performed according to the progress of the game. The main control unit 200 is equipped with a microprocessor having a built-in CPU. The command data table stores various control commands including at least various commands for controlling the special symbol display device 100, which will be described later. A ROM 201 for storing a game control program such as a control program and control data describing an area 202 and a series of gaming machine control procedures, and a RAM 203 for forming a work area are provided. I have. The game operation is performed by the main control unit 200 repeatedly executing the game control program at a predetermined cycle.

Various peripheral devices are connected to the main control unit 200 via an input port 210. That is, the main control unit 200 includes a special symbol start switch 304 provided inside the special symbol start port 104 for detecting winning of the game ball into the special symbol start port 104, and a game ball provided inside the normal symbol operation gate 102. A normal symbol operation switch 306 for detecting the passage of the gate of the game and a special winning opening switch 308 provided inside the special winning opening 106 for detecting a winning of the game ball into the special winning opening 106 are connected. Each detection signal can be received.

The main control unit 200 includes an output port 2
Many peripheral devices are connected via 15. As this peripheral device, in FIG. 2, a special symbol display device 100 having three display portions for displaying special symbols and characters, each of which can be variably displayed independently and realized by an LCD or the like, and controls the lighting of a lamp. Lamp display devices 110 and 112, a sound effect generation device 116 for generating a sound effect, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a seven-segment display device,
A starting port operating solenoid 300 for controlling opening and closing of the opening member 120 of the starting port, a special winning opening operating solenoid 302 for controlling opening and closing of a wide opening and closing member of the special winning opening 106, and the like are connected. Can transmit a control signal for controlling each device.

The main control section 200 can transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing, and the special symbol display device 100 receives the command. Based on the command, the CPU in itself performs detailed display control without depending on the main control unit 200. Furthermore, a communication mode by one-way communication in which only a command is transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 is adopted.

A special symbol display device 100 for performing a symbol display effect in accordance with the winning of the game ball into the special symbol starting port 104, an effect sound generating device 116 for performing a sound output effect by generating an effect sound together with the symbol display effect, Further, the lamp display device 110 (112) which performs the lighting / lighting-out effect by performing the lighting / lighting-out control of a lighting unit (not shown) together with the symbol display effect constitutes an effect peripheral device group.

A power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 for outputting a reset signal every predetermined time are connected to the main control unit 200 as other peripheral devices. The reset circuit 213 receives a pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter from the main control unit 200 and a monitor signal for monitoring a current supply state from the power supply circuit 212.

Now, as shown in FIG.
A command for display control sent from 0 to the special symbol display device 100 is an identifier for identifying the classification of the command and is 1-byte long digital information (MODE).
6 to 9 show an event (EVENT) which is one-byte digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed. FIGS. 6 to 9 show the command data table area 202 stored in the ROM 201. It shows a part of command data for display control.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the display control commands include "a command for changing a special symbol and designating a changing pattern (first command)", and "command for changing the special symbol". "Command for specifying stop symbol (second command)", "Command for specifying stop symbol in special symbol (second command)", "Command for specifying stop symbol on right of special symbol (second command)" And "command for stopping special symbol (third command)". Note that the first command is a command including information for designating a variation pattern such as a pattern in which a symbol is to be variably displayed and a pattern in which a character is to be displayed. Main control unit 2
00 transmits these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variation display control when the game situation is such that the symbol variation display is started.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. As shown in FIG. The special symbol display device 100 supplies power to a data receiving circuit 1140 (including a voltage converting circuit for converting a data level) for receiving a strobe signal and a command from the main control unit 200, and to the voltage converting circuit and the like. A power supply circuit 1160 and a CPU 1 that generates control data necessary for performing display control based on a received command and outputs the control data to an image processing LSI (VDP) 1060
020 (display control means) and a program ROM 10 containing a program in which an operation procedure of the CPU 1020 is described.
40, a RAM 1090 functioning as a work area and a buffer memory, and an image processing LS for performing image development processing.
I (VDP) 1060 and image processing LSI (VDP)
A video RAM 1080 for temporarily storing the image data developed by the image processing unit 1060, and an image processing LSI (VDP) 10
A character ROM 1180 storing data necessary for image development by 60 and an LCD for receiving and transmitting image data temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080
Panel interface circuit 1100 and this LCD
LCD panel 1 that outputs a display image using image data sent from panel interface circuit 1100
120.

When the main control unit 200 executes the control program recorded in the ROM 201, the following processing including the characteristic parts of the present invention is executed. The recording medium for recording the program is not limited to the ROM, but may be any recording medium that can record digital information and can access the recorded digital information. This control program may be downloaded from an information processing device (not shown) via a communication network (whether wired or wireless) not shown.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the character RO
M1180 is a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area storing actual character data, a pallet data area storing character color data, and a scenario data area storing information defining character movement. The character data is stored in the character image data area in a state where it is compressed by a specific compression method. Further, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of pairs of color numbers and color codes are stored.

The CPU of the special symbol display device 100
1020, the control data generated in response to the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 is transferred to the image processing LSI (V
DP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VD
P) 1060 decompresses the character data obtained from the character image data area, colors it with the color data obtained from the palette data area, and specifies the video RAM 108 specified by the information obtained from the scenario data area.
The temporarily stored data is temporarily stored at a position on the LCD panel 0, and the temporarily stored data is sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100.
By means of 20, various image displays including a change in the variable display speed are performed in detail.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the command transmission / reception timing. As previously mentioned,
The command consists of 1-byte mode data (MODE),
Similarly, the main control unit 200 is composed of one byte-length event data (EVENT). In this example, the main control unit 200 generates a strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when a command changes.
The mode data (M
ODE) information and then a strobe signal (DUS)
Event data (EVENT) information is transmitted upon the second rising edge of TB). Then, in response to this, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device generates an interrupt when the strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives a command by this interrupt processing, and stores the command in the RAM 1090.

Next, first, a normal control operation performed by the main control unit 200 or the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (a general flowchart of game control) and FIG.
, And thereafter, a characteristic operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The series of processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the main control unit 200.
A predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) from the reset circuit 213
The process is executed from the first step by using a reset signal supplied every time as a trigger, and this series of processes is repeatedly executed.

First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated. It is determined whether or not the first processing has been performed since the power-on. Step S11
0). In the case of the first processing after turning on the power (Yes)
The process proceeds to step S200, but otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S200, a clearing process of a storage area is performed as initialization processing of the RAM 203, and then, in step S210, data for performing an initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count values of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for large hit determination, small hit determination, and the like formed in the RAM 203 are incremented. Update the timer value of the timer.

Next, in step S140, a special symbol start switch 304, a normal symbol operation switch 306,
An input port process of reading and storing the detection signal output from the special winning opening switch 308 into a register (not shown) via the input port 210 is executed, and then the process proceeds to step S150 to read and store the data read by the port input process. Switch check processing for grasping the condition.

Next, in step S160, each switch 3
A check is made to see if there is a disconnection or short-circuit in the lines 04, 306, 308, etc., and if any of these failures has occurred (Ye
s) The process proceeds to step S220, but otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S180 (step S180).
170).

In step S180, data necessary for display control of the ordinary symbol display device 108 is stored in the RAM.
203 and a command necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 (see FIGS. 6 to 9).
(Including the commands described in the above) are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are reduced (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 determines a command of a necessary mode and event according to the game control with reference to the command data table area 202, and stores digital information indicating the determined mode and event in the RAM 203 in a predetermined manner. Store in area.

Next, in step S195, the starting port operating solenoid 300 and the special winning port operating solenoid 302 are driven in order to control opening and closing of the special winning opening 106 and the opening / closing member 120 of the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern. Then, in step S220, prize ball setting processing for outputting control information (prize ball number signal) for causing the ball payout control unit 1700 to perform a payout operation, which will be described later, is executed. , 250, external information processing for outputting various game data to a gaming machine management device (not shown), lamp display devices 110, 112
An indicator light control process of storing a command for lighting control in accordance with a game state in a predetermined area of the RAM 203;
A sound effect process of storing a command for controlling the sound effect generation of the sound effect generating device 116 in accordance with the game state in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 is executed.

Next, in step S260, R
The data stored in the AM 203 is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output process), and the device that receives the data performs a control operation based on the data. Then, a strobe signal is first output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 are transmitted as shown in FIG. Thus, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 and received.

In step S270, the reset circuit 21
The reset standby process is executed until the reset signal is input from Step 3, and when the reset signal is input, the process shifts to Step S110 to continue the gaming machine control. Note that the reset standby process includes updating of the various random number generation counters described above.

Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 receiving the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer,
Initialization of the RAM 1090, initialization of the RAM 1090 itself, and the like are performed, and in step S1102, it is determined whether a new command has been input. When it is determined that a new command for display control has been input, (Y
es) The process proceeds to step S1104, while otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S1110.

In step S1104, in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG.
Copies the received command to the RAM 1090, and checks whether the command is normal or not. Next, CPU1
020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) in order to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200. Then, in step S1108, the image processing LSI 1060 The data in the necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated in order to output the data to the RAM 1090.

Next, in step S1110, RA
Based on the symbol control data set in M1090, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained and set in the RAM 1090, and the symbol display position is set. Then, in step S1112, the symbol speed control is performed. Necessary data is stored in the program ROM
It is obtained from a speed table (not shown) built in the 1040 and set in the RAM 1090, and then the step S
At 1114, the symbol offset value is updated based on the speed data, and preparations are made for performing symbol fluctuation at the set speed.

Next, in step S1116, RA
Animation data is acquired from an animation processing table (not shown) storing the animation processing data set in M1090, and preparation for displaying a background image is performed.
Set in P output buffer, output enable flag is "1"
It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S1118).

If the output permission flag is not "1" (No), the process returns to step S1102 to repeat a series of processing, while the output permission flag is "1" (Ye
In step S1120, the data set in the VDP output buffer is transferred to the image processing LSI 106 in step S1120.
Output to 0. The image processing LSI 1060 acquires the data in the character ROM 1180 and develops the image in response to this. The developed data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 to be sent to the LCD panel 1120. Is displayed. In this way, at the set display position on the special symbol display device 100, the symbol variation display at the set speed, the display of the background image, and the like are performed.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are explanatory diagrams of an example of a transmission timing of a command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100, and the transmission command. When a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning in the special symbol starting port 104 is satisfied, the unit 200 first transmits a command for starting a symbol variation and specifying a variation pattern (). A command for designating a left stop symbol is transmitted after a lapse of T1 time (), and a command for designating a middle stop symbol is transmitted after a lapse of T2 time (), and a right stop symbol is designated after a lapse of T3 time. (), And after the elapse of T time from the start of the fluctuation, a command () for stopping all the symbols is transmitted. Before receiving the command, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 performs fine display control such as a change in the fluctuation speed to perform a series of fluctuation display control, and ends the fluctuation display control after a lapse of T time from the start of the fluctuation. I do.

(Characteristic part of the present invention) FIG. 15 is a front external view of the gaming machine 3000 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The award ball is provided slightly below the center of the gaming machine 3000. A ball lending button 3020 is provided at the right end of the upper plate 3010 to which ball lending is supplied. Further, a vertically long prepaid card unit 500 is provided on the left side of the gaming machine 3000. This prepaid card unit 500 has a card insertion slot 50 for inserting a card (not shown) in which valuable values such as the number of lendable balls are recorded.
1 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 17, the card unit control section 1710 provided in the prepaid card unit 500 and the ball payout control section 1700 provided in the gaming machine 3000 can mutually communicate required information. The ball payout control unit 1700 is connected to the main control unit 20.
It is configured to be able to receive an award ball payout instruction signal (award ball number signal) from 0. In addition, the ball payout control unit 1700 is configured to be able to drive and control a motor 1705 for rotationally driving a rotation shaft 1630 described later. further,
The operation signal of the ball lending button 3020 can be detected by the card unit side control unit 1710. More specifically, an operation button or the like for inputting the number of lending balls may be provided. Then, these control units 1700, 1
710 can be realized by the CPU executing the control program recorded in the ROM while using the RAM as a work area.

FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view of the ball discharging mechanism as viewed from the back side of the gaming machine 3000. Game balls are supplied from a ball supply gutter (not shown) to a tank (not shown),
The game ball P from this tank is guided to the sprocket 1600 by a guide member 1625 composed of a cylindrical member. This sprocket 1600 has a motor 1
When the rotating shaft 1630 of 706 is fixedly penetrated and the motor 1705 rotationally drives the rotating shaft 1630 in the clockwise direction, the rotating shaft 1630 is driven to rotate as indicated by reference numeral b. At this time, the recessed portion 1601 provided at an appropriate interval on the sprocket 1600 holds the game ball P while holding the game ball P.
Since the game ball PB is dropped to 0, a ball lending discharging operation is performed. In addition, since many game balls P are actually supplied,
The ball discharge control unit 1700 adjusts the amount of rotation of the sprocket 1600 to discharge balls with a desired number of balls.

On the other hand, when the motor 1705 rotationally drives the rotating shaft 1630 in the counterclockwise direction, the sprocket 1600 is rotationally driven as shown by reference numeral a. At this time, the sprocket 1600 is provided with an appropriately spaced peripheral recess 1.
The prize ball guide member 1610 holds the game ball P 601
, The award ball payout operation is performed. In addition, since many game balls P are actually supplied,
The ball discharge control unit 1700, which determines that the prize ball payout condition is satisfied by the signal from the main control unit 200, adjusts the rotation amount of the sprocket 1600 to perform the prize ball payout with the desired number of prize balls. I have. Thus,
The ball payout control unit 1700 is configured to perform a prize ball payout operation and a ball lending discharge operation using the same ball discharge mechanism.

(Operation) First, the ball discharge control unit 1700
Every time there is one prize ball information to be paid out based on the prize ball number signal transmitted from the main control unit 200, the counter value in the counter area of the RAM (not shown) is incremented by one, and there is one prize ball payout. Thus, a process of decrementing this counter value by one is performed.
Here, in step S1800 in FIG. 18, the ball payout control unit 170 is referred by checking whether the above-described counter value is 0 or not.
0 determines whether or not the gaming machine 3000 is currently paying out a prize ball. If the previous value is not "0", that is,
If it is determined that the prize ball is being paid out (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1810, and the process proceeds to step S1810 as shown in FIG.
A lending execution impossible signal 2110 having a bit length of MSB (most significant bit) of 1 is sent to the card unit side controller 1710.
Send to On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no prize ball (N
In step o), the flow shifts to step S1820, where the MSB (most significant bit) is transmitted using an 8-bit signal as shown in FIG.
Is transmitted to the card unit side control unit 1710. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 21, the lending executable signal 2100 and the lending executable signal 2110 are signals having the same length and differing only in the MSB (illustrated as the PRDY signal in FIG. 17).

Next, the operation of the card unit side controller 1710 will be described with reference to FIG. First, step S
A lending executable signal or a lending non-executable signal transmitted in 1900 is received and stored in a storage unit (not shown). Next, in step S1910, it is detected whether or not the ball lending button 3020 has been operated. If it has been operated (Yes), the process moves to step S1920, while if it has not been operated (No), the following processing ends. Further, in step S1920, it is determined whether or not the previously received and stored signal is a lending executable signal. In the case of a lending executable signal (Yes), the flow shifts to step S1930 to transmit a lending request signal to the ball payout control unit 1700. On the other hand, if the signal is not a lending executable signal (No), that is, if the previously received and stored signal is a lending unexecutable signal, the ball lending button 3020 is operated and transmitted to the card unit side control unit 1710. The processing is terminated in order to invalidate (do not execute) the lending request signal transmission control processing performed based on the received signal.

Next, with reference to FIG.
The operation of 0 will be described. First, in step S2000, it is determined whether or not the lending request signal has been transmitted and received in step S1930. If not received (No), the following operation is not performed.
On the other hand, if it has been received (Yes), step S2010
, The rotation of the rotating shaft 11630 of the motor 1705 is controlled in the clockwise direction to perform the ball discharging operation. Thus,
When the prize ball is being paid out, regardless of the operation of the ball lending button 3020, the ball lending discharge operation is not performed by the ball lending execution impossible signal.
In response to the operation of “0”, the ball lending discharge operation can be performed by the ball lending executable signal.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, regardless of the operation of the ball lending button 3020, it is possible to prevent the ball lending from being discharged during the payout of the winning ball. Therefore, when paying out a prize ball, the player mistakenly makes the ball lending button 3020.
Even if you operate, you can play the game with peace of mind because ball lending is not performed.

That is, the ball payout control unit 1700 transmits a lending execution disable signal as a first control signal to the card unit side control unit 1710 during the prize ball payout operation, but otherwise transmits the second control signal. Is transmitted to the card unit-side control unit 1710 as a control signal, and the card unit-side control unit 1710 responds to the operation of the ball lending button 3020 when receiving the second control signal. While a ball lending request signal is transmitted to the ball payout control unit 1700, when the first control signal is received, a ball lending button 3020
Is controlled so as not to transmit the ball lending request signal in response to the operation of, regardless of the operation of the ball lending button 3020,
During the prize ball payout, the ball lending can be prevented from being discharged.

Since the first control signal and the second control signal have the same bit length and differ only in the digital value of the most significant bit (or the least significant bit), the signal system is complicated. Can be prevented.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is possible to provide a button capable of specifying the number of balls to be operated.

As described above, according to the present invention,
Regardless of the operation by the operation means, it is possible to obtain the effect that the lending of the ball can not be performed during the payout of the winning ball.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a game board 10;

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gaming machine.

3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a character ROM memory map and pallet data.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of command transmission and reception.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a command stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 10 is a general flowchart for explaining a game control operation of the gaming machine.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of CPU 1020 of special symbol display device 100. FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a command.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a command transmission timing for symbol display.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission command.

FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a front-side configuration of the gaming machine 3000.

FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view of a structure of a ball discharging mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram including each control unit.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a lending executable signal and a lending unexecutable signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 100 Special symbol display device 102 Normal symbol operation gate 104 Special symbol starting port 106 Big winning opening 108 Normal symbol display device 110 Lamp display device 112 Lamp display device 114 Out port 116 Sound effect generator 120 Opening / closing member 200 Main control unit 201 ROM 202 Command data table area 203 RAM 210 Input port 213 Reset circuit 212 Power supply circuit 215 Output port 300 Starting port operating solenoid 302 Large winning port operating solenoid 304 Special symbol starting switch 306 Normal symbol operating switch 308 Large winning port switch 500 Prepaid card Unit 501 Card slot 1020 CPU 1040 Program ROM 1060 Image processing LSI 1080 Video RAM 1090 RAM 1100 LCD panel Interface circuit for 1120 LCD panel 1140 Data receiving circuit 1160 Power supply circuit 1180 Character ROM 1600 Sprocket 1601 Depression 1610 Prize ball guide member 1620 Ball lending guide member 1625 Guide member 1630 Rotation axis 1700 Ball payout control unit 1705 Motor 1710 Card unit side control unit 3000 Gaming machine 3010 Upper plate 3020 Ball lending button

Claims (3)

[Claims] In response to the prize ball payout condition being satisfied, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out in response to the prize ball payout condition, and a ball lending request operation is performed in accordance with an operation of an operation means for performing a ball lending request operation. In the gaming machine configured to perform ball-lending in response to a ball-lending request signal transmitted from the card unit by the same ball payout mechanism, regardless of the operation of the operating means, A gaming machine comprising a control means for preventing a ball from being discharged while a ball is paid out. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits a first control signal to the card unit during a prize ball payout operation, but otherwise transmits a second control signal to the card unit. Control signal transmitting means for transmitting the control signal to the card unit side, the card unit, when receiving the second control signal, responds to the operation of the operating means, the ball lending request signal Is transmitted to the control means, but when the first control signal is received,
A gaming machine comprising signal processing means for preventing transmission of the ball lending request signal in response to operation of the operation means. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the first control signal and the second control signal have the same bit length and differ only in the digital value of the most significant bit or the least significant bit. A gaming machine characterized by: