JP2003071094A - Combination game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination game machine capable of accurately continuing or finishing a unit game played before occurrence of an abnormal condition in a recovery from the abnormal condition such as a power failure of a power source. SOLUTION: In this combination game machine provided with a game board, in which a plurality of prize holes 53, 22-28 are arranged in a game area, and a shooting means 9 for shooting a game ball toward the game area, each unit game is played by shooting a predetermined number of game balls to the game area by means of the shooting means 9. The combination game machine is also provided with a backup storage means 92, which stores and retains backup information consisting of predetermined game information when the game is interrupted because of an abnormal condition of power source supply, and a backup recovery means 93 setting the number of dischargeable game balls or a predetermined value for finding the number of dischargeable game balls on the basis of the backup information in replay of the unit game.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination game machine such as an arrangement ball machine and a sparrow ball game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a combination game machine, for example, an arrange ball machine, 16 game balls for each game are driven into a game area of a game board by means of launching means, and the game balls are arranged in a horizontal row at the bottom. When one of the four winning opening means is won, and four adjacent winning openings of the winning opening means are won and a predetermined winning combination is achieved, a score is awarded according to the difficulty level of the winning combination. A predetermined number of game balls are provided and paid out to the player as prize balls.

This type of combination gaming machine is provided with a main control board for controlling game operations on the gaming board side, a payout control board for controlling payout operations, a launch control board for controlling launching means, and the like. CPU, R on the board
Electronic components such as OM and RAM are mounted, and the game operation of each unit is controlled by an electronic control system.

[0004]

In the conventional combination gaming machine, when a power failure of the commercial power source occurs during the game, for example, all the game information stored in the RAM of the main control board is erased. Therefore, even if the power supply is restarted after that, it is not possible to reproduce the game state before the power failure occurred,
Players' profits could be significantly impaired.

In particular, the combination game machine is different from other ball game machines such as pachinko machines because the game progresses in game units. Therefore, for example, when a power failure occurs in the middle of a unit game and the game is interrupted, In order to accurately continue and end the unit game after the game is restarted, it is necessary to appropriately set the number of playable balls in the unit game when the game is restarted.

In view of the above conventional problems, the present invention provides a combination gaming machine capable of correctly continuing and ending a unit game before the occurrence of an abnormality when a power failure such as a power failure is restored. The purpose is to

[0007]

The present invention provides a game area 4a.
A game board 4 having a plurality of winning openings 53, 22 to 28 arranged therein, and a launching means 9 for launching a game ball toward the game area 4a are provided, and the launching means 9 provides a predetermined number for each unit game. A backup storage means for storing and holding backup information consisting of predetermined game information when a game is interrupted due to an abnormality in power supply in a combination gaming machine in which a game ball is shot to the game area 4a while playing a game. 92, and a backup recovery means 93 for setting the number of playable game balls in the unit game at the time of restarting the game or a predetermined value for obtaining the number of playable game balls based on the backup information. Is.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment in which the present invention is adopted in an arrange ball machine. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a gaming machine main body, which has an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable. A game board 4 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the back side, and a glass door 5 and a front plate 6 are openably and closably attached to the front side of the game board 4. The front plate 6 is equipped with an upper plate 7 which stores game balls for launching. A lower plate 8 for storing surplus balls and a firing handle 10 of a firing means 9 are provided below the front frame 3, respectively.

The launching means 9 includes a batting mallet 12 for striking the game ball at the launching position on the launching rail 11 in the launching direction, a spring (not shown) for urging the batting mallet 12 in the striking direction, and a cam mechanism. And a firing motor 13 for driving the batting mallet 12 via the batting mallet 12, and when the player operates the firing handle 10, the firing motor 13 drives the batting mallet 12 so that one from the upper plate 7 on the firing rail 11. Hammering the supplied game ball 12
Hit by a predetermined number per unit game (for example, 16)
The game ball of is to be launched along the launch rail 11 and the guide rail 17 to the game area 4a (FIG. 3) of the game board 4.

In the vicinity of the launch rail 11, the launch rail 1
A launch detection switch (launch detection means) 14 is provided for detecting the launch of the game ball due to the impact of the batting mallet 12 depending on the presence or absence of the game ball on 1. Also, between the launch rail 11 and the guide rail 17, below it, the game area 4a
A return ball guide passage 15 is provided for guiding the return ball that has returned to the lower plate 8 side without reaching the return ball, and a return ball detection switch (return ball) for detecting the return ball is provided near the return ball guide passage 15. (Detection means) 16 is provided.

On the front surface of the game board 4, as shown in FIG.
The guide rail 17 is mounted in an annular shape, and in the game area 4a inside the guide rail 17, the winning opening means 20 is arranged in the lower part thereof, and on the upper side of the winning opening means 20, the symbol display means 21 and the variable winning. Means 22, score increasing means 2
Various game parts such as 3, starting means 24, actuating means 25 and 26, normal winning means 27 and 28 are arranged.

On the back side of the game board 4, a back cover 30 for covering each game component from the back side is mounted, and the back cover 30 has
Main control board 3 that mainly controls game operations on the game board 4 side
1 and a voice control board 32 for controlling sound effects during the game, etc.
And a lamp control board 34 for controlling a lamp effect by a display lamp 33 or the like provided on the game board 4 is mounted.

A back mechanism plate 35 is pivotally attached to the back side of the front frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. On the back mechanism plate 35, a game ball tank 36 for storing game balls for payout and a tank rail 38 for guiding the game balls from the game ball tank 36 to the payout means 37 are arranged on the upper side of the back cover 30. Further, the payout means 37 is arranged on one side of the back cover 30. Further, on the back side of the back mechanism plate 35, the power board 39
And a payout control board 40 for controlling the payout means 37
And are arranged on the left and right.

The payout means 37 is for lending balls and prize balls to the upper plate 7.
The payout case 42 has two rows of payout sections 43, and the payout sections 43 are designed to pay out the game balls for each row. The payout means 37 is provided with a payout detection switch 45 for detecting the game balls paid out from the payout unit 43, in the vicinity of the downstream side of the payout unit 43.

As shown in FIG. 4, the winning opening means 20 is formed into a prize case 52 which is detachably attached to the opening 51 of the game board 4 from the back side, and the winning case 52 is formed in a horizontal row. A plurality of, for example, 16 lower prize holes 53 for guiding the game balls won from the front side to the back side of the game board 4,
A plurality of detecting game balls that have won in each lower prize hole 53,
For example, 16 winning detection switches (winning detection means) 54
The game balls falling along the game board 4 enter one of the lower prize holes 53, and the prize detection switch 54 detects the game balls.

The winning opening means 20 is covered from the front side by a cover 55, and the cover 55 is provided with winning display means 56 and score display means 57. The prize display means 56 includes a plurality of (for example, 16) display portions 58 corresponding to the respective lower prize holes 53, and when a game ball is won in the lower prize holes 53, a display corresponding to the lower prize holes 53. The section 58 is changed to a specific display such as a light emitting state to display the winning.

The display part 58 is arranged in a row in the left-right direction corresponding to the upper and lower parts of the lower winning openings 53 of the winning opening means 20, and is a display lens provided on the cover 55 side as shown in FIG. Part 59, and a prize display lamp 6 such as an LED provided on the prize case 52 side behind the display lens part 59.
0, and when the winning detection switch 54 detects a game ball winning the lower winning opening 53, the winning display lamp 60
Is turned on and the display lens unit 59 emits light.

During the unit game, when the display section 58 which has become a specific display has a predetermined combination, for example, four continuous display sections 58 are in a light emitting state,
A predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls according to the degree of difficulty of the combination.

The score display means 57 is for displaying, for each game, a score given according to the degree of difficulty of the combination when the display section 58, which is the specific display, is a predetermined combination. The display lens section 61 is arranged on the lower side of the prize display means 56, for example, in the center in the left-right direction, and is provided on the cover 55 side, as shown in FIG.
It is provided with a 7-segment type display element 62 provided on the winning case 52 side on the back side of the display lens portion 61.

Winning detection switch 54, winning display lamp 6
0 and the display element 62 are mounted on a substrate 63, and the substrate 63 is detachably fixed to the lower portion of the winning case 52 from the front side. In addition, each lower prize hole 53 is provided on the cover 55.
Corresponding to, numbers 1 to 16 are displayed in order from the left.

A game area 4a near the top of the winning opening means 20.
In the lower prize hole 53, a large number of game nails 64 are provided so that the game balls can be easily won and hard to win.
Is provided.

The symbol display means 21 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal type display means, and on condition that a game ball is won in the starting means 24, one or more, for example, three game symbols in the left-right direction. 21a to 21c fluctuate for a predetermined time and stop. Numerical symbols, alphabetic symbols, character symbols, and other symbols can be used as the game symbols 21a to 21c, and 10 types of numerical symbols 0 to 9 are used in this embodiment.

In the variable winning means 22, the three game symbols 21a to 21c after the change of the symbol display means 21 are in a specific mode (for example, all are the same type symbols such as "7/7/7"). In the case of a combination of symbols), an opening / closing plate 65 that opens until a predetermined number of unit games (for example, 3 games) has passed or a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 1) is won, and the inside thereof is plural, for example, 3 It is divided into the passage of
One of them, for example, the central passage is set in the specific area 66. When the game ball passes through the specific area 66, the operating means 25, 26 become effective. The variable winning means 22 is provided with a passage detection switch 67 for detecting that the won game ball has passed the specific area 66. In addition,
Variable winning means 22, the game symbols 21a-21c after the change
The opening / closing plate 65 may be opened for a predetermined period of time in the case of the specific mode.

The score increasing means 23 is for increasing the score obtained in the game when the game ball wins, and is predetermined on condition that the game ball wins the operating means 25, 26 in the valid state. Number of unit games (eg 3 games)
An opening / closing claw 68 that opens until a predetermined number of game balls (for example, one) is won is provided, and when the game ball wins the score increasing means 23, the score obtained in the game is increased (for example, doubled). It is like this. The score increasing means 23 may open the opening / closing claw 68 for a predetermined time on the condition that the game ball wins the operating means 25, 26 in the valid state.

Winning means other than the winning opening means 20, that is, starting means 24, actuating means 25, 26, ordinary winning means 2
When a game ball is won in 7, 28, the variable winning means 22, and the score increasing means 23, one or a plurality of predetermined light emitting parts 58 which are predetermined for each of the winning means 22 to 28 are changed to a specific display. Then, it is handled in the same manner as the winning in the lower winning port 53 corresponding to the one or a plurality of display parts 58.

The lower prize opening 53 and the variable winning means 2
2, score increasing means 23, starting means 24, operating means 25,
26, the normal winning means 27, 28 correspond to a plurality of winning openings provided in the game area 4a. In addition, each winning means 22
Corresponding to ~ 28, for example, in each winning means 22 ~ 28,
Winning detection switches (winning detection means) 22a to 28a for detecting the winning of each game ball are provided.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control system of the arrange ball machine. As shown in FIG. 5, this control system is divided into a plurality of types of functions so as to achieve a single function of the board, and a main control board 31, a sound control board 32, a lamp control board 34, and a payout control board 40 for each function. , Design control board 7
1, the firing control board 72, and the power supply board 39 are separately mounted. The symbol control board 71 is provided on the back side of the symbol display means 21, etc., and the firing control board 72 is provided on the back side of the firing means 9, etc.

The power supply board 39 includes control boards 31, 32,
A power supply unit 73 that supplies electric power to the power supply units 34, 40, and 71 and a power supply monitoring unit 74 that monitors the power supply status of the power supply unit 73. The power supply monitoring unit 74 detects a state in which the voltage of the power supply is lower than a predetermined value (voltage A in FIG. 6) as an abnormality and outputs a power supply abnormality signal.

The main control board 31 mainly comprises game control means 75 and backup means 76 for controlling the game operation on the game board 4 side. The game control means 75, the winning processing means 78, the random number generating means 79, the determining means 80, the special game state generating means 81, the score giving means 82, the effective firing number counting means 83, the winning number counting means 84, the game updating means 85, The control command transmission means 86 and the like are provided.

The winning process means 78 performs a predetermined winning process based on a detection signal from the winning detection switch 54 when the game ball wins a winning opening such as the lower winning opening 53 of the winning opening means 20. This is for changing the display of the display section 58 of the winning display means 56 corresponding to each winning opening to a specific display each time the winning of the ball is confirmed.

The random number generating means 79 is adapted to repeatedly generate a predetermined random number. The determination means 80 is for selectively selecting whether to make a specific game state advantageous to the player or a disadvantageous non-specific game state based on the extracted random number value from the random number generation means 79. Then, the starting means 24
The generated random number value of the random number generation means 79 is extracted on the condition that the game ball is won, and when the extracted random number value is the specific game determination random number value, it is determined to be in the specific game state. .

When the determination means 80 determines that it is in the specific game state, the game display 21a after the change of the symbol display means 21
After 21c stopped in a specific mode such as "7/7/7",
The opening / closing plate 65 of the variable winning means 22 has passed a predetermined number of unit games (for example, 3 games) or a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 1).
It will be open until you win the prize. If a power failure occurs while the variable winning means 22 is open, the opening / closing plate 65 is immediately closed under the control of the game control means 75.

The special game state generating means 81 provides the player with the condition that the game ball that has won the variable winning means 22 passes through the specific area 66 and the passage detection switch 67 detects the passage of the game ball. An advantageous special game state is generated, and then the special game state is continuously generated until the maximum predetermined number of games (for example, a plurality of games such as 14 games) are obtained. When the game ball that has won the variable winning means 22 passes through the specific area 66 again, the operation of the special game state generating means 81 ends at that point.

In the special game state, the operating means 25, 26 become effective, and if a game ball is won in the operating means 25, 26, the opening / closing claw 68 of the score increasing means 23 has passed a predetermined number of unit games (for example, 3 games) or The game balls are opened until a predetermined number (for example, one) is won, and the score obtained in the game is increased (for example, doubled) on condition that the game balls are won in the score increasing means 23. There is. In addition,
When a power failure occurs while opening the score increasing means 23, the opening / closing claw 68 is immediately closed under the control of the game control means 75.

The score giving means 82 is for giving a score according to a winning combination for each unit game, and the number of game balls required for establishing a winning combination (for example, 4) or more is lower than any one of them. A function of determining the success or failure of the winning combination when the winning combination is won, a function of giving a score according to the degree of difficulty when the winning combination is established, and a score increasing means 23 during the occurrence of the special game state. Is provided with a function of increasing (eg, doubling) the score in the game when a game ball wins. The maximum score per unit game is 10.

The effective firing number counting means 83 is the game area 4
The number of game balls hit in a, that is, the number of effective shots (an example of a predetermined value for obtaining the number of game balls that can be shot in the unit game when the game is restarted) is counted for each unit game. A number storage means 87 is provided, the number of effective shots is counted based on the detection signals of the launch detection switch 14 and the return ball detection switch 16, and the number of effective shots storage means 8 is provided.
It is designed to be stored in 7.

The winning number counting means 84 is a winning opening means 20.
In order to count the number of winning game balls to the respective winning openings such as the lower winning opening 53, the starting means 24, the variable winning means 22 and the like, a winning quantity storage means 88 and an abnormal time temporary storage means 88a are provided, The winning number is counted based on the detection signal from the winning detection switch 54, etc., and the count value (hereinafter, usually referred to as the winning number) is stored in the winning number storing means 88, and when the power supply abnormality occurs, the winning number storing means 88 is stored. The detection signals of the winning detection switches 22a and 23a of the variable winning means 22 and the score increasing means 23, which are closed at the same time as the occurrence of the power supply abnormality, are stopped for a predetermined time (the variable winning means 22, the score increasing means) by stopping the counting of the number of winning prizes stored After closing 23, the winning detection switches 22a, 23a are monitored (the time required to detect the game ball) and the winning detection switches 22a, 23 within the predetermined time are monitored. Winning number based on the detection signal (hereinafter, abnormal winning number of) the abnormal temporary storage means 88
It is designed to be stored in a.

The abnormal winning number stored in the abnormal temporary storage means 88a is stored as a different value for the variable winning means 22 side and the score increasing means 23 side.

The game updating means 85 is for performing a game updating process, and comprises a game starting means 89 and a game ending means 90.

The game starting means 89 is for starting the next unit game when the condition for starting the unit game is satisfied. For example, when the previous unit game is over and a predetermined pause time has elapsed. As a condition, the firing by the firing means 9 is permitted and the unit game is started.

The game ending means 90 is for ending the game when the ending condition of the unit game is satisfied, and the effective firing number counted by the effective firing number counting means 83 is a predetermined number (for example, 16). ) And a predetermined time has elapsed, the number of winning prizes counted by the winning prize number counting means 84 has reached a predetermined number (for example, 16), the variation of the game symbols 21a to 21c has ended, and the prize balls are paid out. The game is ended when various conditions such as the end of the above, the occurrence of a predetermined error such as a lower plate full error, a ball out error, etc. are satisfied.

The game ending means 90, when the number of effective shots counted by the effective shot number counting means 83 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 16), is shot by the shooting means 9 prior to the game ending process. Is supposed to stop.

The control command transmitting means 86 is for transmitting a control command to each of the control boards 32, 34, 40, 71 by one-way communication, and is sent to the symbol control board 71 side based on the judgment result of the judging means 80. The function of transmitting the symbol control command, the function of transmitting the effect control command of the lamp effect to the lamp control board 34 based on the occurrence of the special game state by the special game state generating means 81, the symbol based on the winning process of the prize processing means 78 Based on the function of transmitting a prize display control command to the control board 71 side, the function of transmitting a score display control command to the lamp control board 34 side based on the score giving processing of the score giving means 82, and the score giving processing of the score giving means 82 Based on the function of transmitting the prize ball payout control command to the payout control board 40 and the game update processing of the game update means 85. Having a function for transmitting a fire control command to launch control board 72 through the payout control board 40 (firing start command and firing stop command) Te.

The backup means 76 is necessary for resuming the game from the game state immediately before the occurrence of the abnormal condition after the abnormal condition is resolved when the power supply from the power supply board 39 is abnormal due to a power failure or the like. It stores information, and includes a backup processing unit 91, a backup storage unit 92, a backup restoring unit 93, a backup power supply 94, and the like.

The backup storage means 92 is composed of a RAM or the like, and the stored contents are held by the backup power supply 94 such as a battery even when the power supply from the power supply board 39 is cut off. .

The backup processing means 91 is the power supply board 3
On condition that the power supply monitoring unit 74 of 9 outputs an abnormality detection signal (for example, the power supply voltage has become lower than the voltage A in FIG. 6), the emission control of the emission means 9 is stopped for the game control means 75. , Variable winning means 22 and score increasing means 2
3, closing the update of the winning number of the winning number storage means 88, monitoring the winning number within a predetermined time after closing the variable winning means 22 and the score increasing means 23, and storing the winning number in the abnormal time temporary storage means 88a. In addition to instructing processing such as the above, a backup processing for storing the predetermined game information at that time as backup information in the backup storage means 92 is performed.

In this backup information, the winning number stored at the time of abnormality occurrence stored in the winning number storage means 88 (normal winning number) and the predetermined time after the abnormality occurrence stored in the abnormality temporary storage means 88a. In addition to the number of prizes (the number of prizes at the time of abnormality) awarded to the variable winning means 22 and the point increasing means 23, the point giving information by the point giving means 82 and the judging means 8
Various game information such as determination information by 0, special game state occurrence information by the special game state generation means 81, game update information by the game update means 85, and the like are included.

The backup processing means 91 completes all the backup processing before the power supply voltage value falls below the minimum value (for example, the voltage B in FIG. 6) necessary for performing the backup processing. .

The backup restoring means 93 is the power supply board 3
When the power supply from 9 is restarted, for restarting the game from the game state before the interruption due to the occurrence of the abnormal state (stopping the power supply) based on the backup information stored and held in the backup storage unit 92. The sum of the normal winning number and the abnormal winning number contained in the backup information stored in the backup storing unit 92 is the winning number storing unit 88 and the effective firing number storing unit 8.
The number is stored in the backup storage means 92 such that it is stored as 7 as the initial value of each of the normal winning number counted by the winning number counting means 84 and the effective firing number counted by the effective firing number counting means 83. The backup information is output to the game control means 75 side to restart the game from the game state immediately before the interruption of the game.

The backup restoring means 93 is used when a predetermined backup restoring condition is not satisfied, for example, when the power supply is restarted while the clear switch provided on the back side of the front frame 3 is turned on. , The game is started without performing the above-mentioned backup restoration processing. In this case, the winning number storage means 88 and the effective firing number storage means 87 both store "0" as an initial value.

The payout control board 40 is the main control board 31.
And a function of starting / stopping the supply of power to the firing control board 72 and starting / stopping the output of the firing control signal when there is a firing start / stop command from the side.
When there is a payout control command from the side, it has a function of operating the payout means 37 and paying out a predetermined number of game balls. Further, the payout control board 40 compares the payout control command received from the main control board 31 side with the payout detection signal by the payout detection switch 45 obtained after the payout operation, thereby paying out a predetermined number of game balls. In addition to monitoring whether it is being performed correctly, if there is an abnormality, an error is output, or a process such as adding a shortage of game balls and paying out is performed.

The firing control board 72 is the payout control board 4
This is for controlling the firing of the firing means 9 based on the power supply and the firing control signal supplied from 0, the output of the firing control signal is started from the payout control board 40, and the player performs the firing operation of the game ball. The operation of the firing means 9 is started on the condition that the action is detected based on the signal from the contact detection means of the firing handle 10 and the effective firing number counted by the effective firing number counting means 83 is a predetermined number ( For example, the number is 16), and the operation of the firing means 9 is terminated on the condition that the payout control board 40 stops outputting the firing control signal.

The symbol control board 71, when there is a symbol control command from the main control board 31 side, the game symbols 21a-2 of the symbol display means 21 according to the determination result of the determination means 80.
It is for performing the variation control of 1c, the game symbols 21a to 21c start to vary due to the detection of the game ball of the starting means 24, and when the determination result of the determining means 80 is the specific game determination, "7,7,7". In a specific mode such as "," the game symbols 21a to 21c after a predetermined time change are stopped in a specific mode or a non-specific mode based on the determination result so as to be stopped in the non-specific mode at the time of the non-specific game determination, respectively. Has become.

Further, the symbol control board 71 is a prize display means 5 corresponding to the lower prize hole 53 and the like when a game ball wins the lower prize hole 53 and the like and there is a prize display control command.
6 has a function of changing the display section 58 of 6 to a specific display and returning the specific display of the display section 58 of the winning display means 56 to the initial state when there is a game update command.

The lamp control board 34 displays the display lamp 33 on the game board 4 when there is a production control command for producing a lamp.
And the like, and a function of displaying a score according to the command on the score display means 57 when there is a score display control command. The voice control board 32 is
It is for controlling sound effects during a game.

Next, the operation of the arrange ball machine having the above configuration will be described. Arrange ball machine power cord 101
When is connected to an external power source, the power is passed from the external power source to the power source section 73 of the power source board 39, the main control board 31, the payout control board 40, the symbol control board 71, the lamp control board 34, the voice control board 32, etc. Variable winning means 22 on the board 4 side
Power is supplied to the game parts such as the payout means 37,
The game is ready to start, and by the control of the game starting means 89, the control command transmitting means 86 transmits a firing start command to the payout control board 40.

Upon receipt of the firing start command, the payout control board 40 starts supplying power to the firing control board 72 and outputs a firing control signal.

The firing control board 72 is the payout control board 4
The operation of the launching means 9 is started on the condition that the output of the launching control signal is started from 0 and that the player has performed the launching operation of the game ball based on the signal from the contact detecting means of the launching handle 10 or the like. Then, the game balls sequentially supplied from the upper plate 7 onto the launch rail 11 are sequentially driven into the game area 4a via the guide rail 17.

At this time, each time the game ball is launched by the launching means 9, its launch is detected by the launch detection switch 14, and although it is launched by the launching means 9, it returns without reaching the game area 4a. The returned sphere is recovered to the lower tray 8 side through the return sphere guide passage 15, and the returned sphere is detected by the return sphere detection switch 16.

The effective firing number counting means 83 counts the effective firing number based on the detection signal from the firing detection switch 14 and the detection signal from the return ball detection switch 16. That is, the effective launch number is calculated by subtracting the number of return balls obtained based on the detection signal from the return ball detection switch 16 from the number of launches obtained based on the detection signal from the launch detection switch 14, and this is calculated as the effective launch number. It is stored in the storage means 87.

Whether the game ball hit in the game area 4a is won in any one of the lower prize holes 53 of the prize hole means 20,
Or, after winning the normal winning means 27, 28 or the like, the player is guided to the back side of the game board 4. The game ball is the bottom prize hole 53
When winning a prize etc., the prize detecting switch 54 etc. detects the game ball and the prize processing means 78 carries out a prize process, and by the control of the symbol control board 71, each game ball wins the lower prize hole 53 etc. every time. The corresponding display unit 58 sequentially displays the winning of the game ball.

For example, among the 16 lower prize holes 53 of the prize hole means 20, the first to fourth lower prize holes 53 are provided.
When the game ball wins, the first to fourth four display portions 58 of the prize display means 56 are changed to the specific display and the winning combination is realized. Then, when the fourth game ball wins, the score giving means 82 judges whether or not the winning combination is established, and if the winning combination is established, a predetermined score is given.

When the score is given by the score giving means 82, the score display means 57 is controlled by the lamp control board 34.
Displays a score such as "1 point", and the payout means 37 is operated by the control of the payout control board 40 to pay out the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning combination to the upper plate 7. At this time, the prize balls paid out by the payout means 37 are detected by the payout detection switch 45, and the detection signal is sent to the payout control board 40.

In the payout control board 40, the main control board 3
By comparing the payout control command received from the one side with the payout detection signal by the payout detection switch 45, it is possible to monitor whether or not a predetermined number of game balls are paid out accurately, and if there is an abnormality. An error is output, or a process such as adding a shortage of game balls and paying out is performed.

When a game ball wins a winning opening such as the lower winning opening 53, the winning number counting means 84 determines the number of winning gaming balls to all the winning openings based on the detection signal from the winning detection switch 54 ( The normal winning number) is counted and stored in the winning number storage means 88.

When the game ball wins the starting means 24, the determining means 80 extracts the random number value generated by the random number generating means 79,
It is determined whether or not to be the specific game state from the extracted random number value, based on the determination result, the game symbols 21a to 21c of the symbol display means 21 start to change by the control of the symbol control board 71. After the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of fluctuation, the game symbols 21a to 21c are based on the determination result of the determination means 80, and when the determination result is the specific game determination, "7.
7 ”or the like, and the non-specific mode at the time of the non-specific game determination is stopped by the predetermined type of the specific mode or the non-specific mode by the control of the symbol control board 71.

When the game symbols 21a to 21c are stopped and determined in a specific mode, the opening / closing plate 65 of the variable winning means 22 is opened, and the game ball falling from above is guided into the working opening.
When the game ball that has won the variable winning means 22 passes through the specific area 66, the passage detection switch 67 detects the passage of the game ball, and the special game state generating means 81 starts operating,
A special game state continuously occurs over a predetermined number of games.

Actuating means 25, 2 during the occurrence of the special game state
When 6 becomes effective and the game ball wins the operating means 25, 26, the score increasing means 23 is opened. Then, when the game ball wins the score increasing means 23, the score giving means 82
Performs a process of, for example, doubling the score obtained during the game, and the score of the score display means 57 is doubled,
The payout means 37 pays out the prize balls.

When the effective firing number counted by the effective firing number counting means 83 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 16), the game ending means 90 fires the payout control board 40 via the control command transmitting means 86. Send a stop command. When the payout control board 40 receives the firing stop command, it stops the supply of power to the firing control board 72 and stops the output of the firing control signal, and the firing control board 72 stops the operation of the firing means 9.

After that, the winning number counted by the winning number counting means 84 becomes a predetermined number (for example, 16), the variation of the game symbols 21a to 21c is finished, the payout of the prize balls is finished, When various conditions such as a predetermined error such as a lower plate full error and a ball out error have not occurred, the game ending means 90 performs the game ending process. When a predetermined pause time elapses from the end of the unit game and the unit game start condition is satisfied, the game start unit 89 allows the launch unit 9 to launch the game and starts the next unit game.

When the power supply from the external power supply is stopped due to a power failure or the like during the game, the power supply voltage of the power supply unit 73 of the power supply board 39 decreases while drawing a curve as shown in FIG. 6, for example. At this time, the power supply monitoring unit 74, when the power supply voltage of the power supply unit 73 becomes lower than a predetermined value (voltage A in FIG. 6),
A power supply abnormality signal is output to the backup means 76.

When the backup means 76 receives the power supply abnormality signal, the backup processing means 91 instructs the game control means 75 to stop the game operation. As a result, on the game control means 75 side, a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 40 to stop the firing operation of the firing means 9 by the firing control board 72, and the variable winning means 2
2 and the score increasing means 23 are closed. Further, the winning number counting means 84 stops updating the normal winning number stored in the winning number storing means 88, monitors the winnings within a predetermined time after closing the variable winning means 22 and the score increasing means 23, and monitors the winning number during that period ( Abnormality prize winning number) temporary storage means 88a for abnormality
Memorize to.

The backup means 76, in addition to the normal winning number stored in the winning number storage means 88, the abnormal winning number stored in the abnormal time temporary storing means 88a, the score giving information by the score giving means 82. , Determination means 8
Various types of game information such as determination information by 0, special game state occurrence information by the special game state generating means 81, game update information by the game updating means 85, etc. are stored in the backup storage means 92 as backup information.

The backup storage means 92 in which the backup information is stored receives the power supply from the backup power supply 94 even after the power supply from the power supply unit 73 is stopped, and the stored contents are retained.

When the external power supply is restored and the power failure state is resolved, power is supplied from the power supply unit 73 to each unit again. Thereby, the backup restoration means 93 restores the game by the game control means 75 based on the backup information stored in the backup storage means 92. At this time, the backup restoring means 93 counts the total value of the normal winning number and the abnormal winning number among the backup information stored in the backup storing means 92 by the winning number counting means 84. The winning number storage means 88 and the effective firing number storage means 87 are stored as the value and the initial value of the valid firing number counted by the valid firing number counting means 83.

For example, the number of effective shots is "5", the number of normal winnings is "2", the number of winnings in abnormal is "1" (for example, the variable winning means 22 side is "1", the score increasing means 23 side is "0").
When a power outage occurs in the state of (when there is two game balls that were not won despite being fired in the game area 4a at the time of power outage), the effective number of shots after the power outage is restored And 3 as the initial value of the normal winning number
1) "is set, and the game is restarted in that state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the problem that the number of effective shots and the number of winning prizes become different in the unit game when the game is restarted and the unit game cannot be continued or ended correctly, and
Like the two game balls in the above example, the game area 4a
It is possible to prevent a situation in which the unit game is ended and the player is disadvantaged without the game ball being shot inside winning.

The game control means 75, based on the backup information set by the backup restoring means 93, the sub-boards such as the payout control board 40, the symbol control board 71, the lamp control board 34, and the voice control board 32 are played. A control command for restarting is transmitted to return the game, whereby the game is restarted from the unit game immediately before the interruption of the game. For example, as for the number of winning prizes stored in the backup information as the abnormal winning number, since no processing for the winning is performed at the time the game is interrupted, a payout process based on the abnormal winning number is performed when the game is restarted. At the same time, the profit state based on the winning (the score increasing process by the score giving means 82, etc.) is performed.

When the game is restarted, the number of winning prizes at the time of the game interruption is set to the initial value of the effective number of shots, so the number of game balls that can be shot in the unit game when the game is restarted is
It is the number obtained by subtracting the initial value of the effective number of shots from the number of shots per unit game (for example, 16). That is, in the above example, the number of game balls that can be fired in the unit game at the time of restarting the game is 16-3 = 13 (pieces), and the game ending means 90
By the control of, the unit game ends after 13 game balls have been hit in the game area 4a.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the backup storage means 92 for storing and holding the backup information consisting of the predetermined game information when the game is interrupted due to the abnormal power supply, and the unit game when the game is restarted Since the number of game balls that can be fired or a predetermined value for determining the number of game balls that can be fired is set based on the backup information, the backup restoring means 93 is provided.
When recovering from a power failure such as a power failure, it becomes possible to correctly continue and end the unit game before the failure.

Further, since the backup information includes the winning number counted by the winning number counting means 84,
At the time of recovery from a power failure, the number of winning prizes before the interruption of the game can be set to restart the game.

The backup restoring means 93 sets the winning number stored as backup information in the backup storing means 92 to the initial value of the effective firing number by the effective firing number counting means 83 at the time of restarting the game, so that when the game is restarted. It is possible to prevent the problem that the effective number of shots and the number of winnings in the unit game become different and the unit game cannot be continued / finished correctly, and when there is a game ball that was launched before the game was interrupted and could not win. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the unit game ends and the player becomes disadvantageous while the number of winning prizes is less than the effective number of shoots.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention,
When an abnormality occurs in the power supply, the backup processing unit 91 stores the number of effective shots at that time in the backup storage unit 92, and when the power supply is restored, the backup restoring unit 93 stores the effective shots stored in the backup storage unit 92. An example is shown in which the number is set to the initial value of the number of winning prizes counted by the winning prize counting device 84.

When the power supply abnormality signal is output from the power supply monitoring unit 74, the backup processing means 91 performs substantially the same backup processing as in the first embodiment described above, and in the backup processing, the effective firing number storage means. 8
The effective number of shots stored in No. 7 is stored in the backup storage unit 92 as one piece of backup information.

When the external power supply is restored and the power failure state is resolved, the backup restoring means 93 determines the value of the effective number of shots at the time of the power failure in the backup information stored in the backup storage means 92 as the winning number counting means. 84
Are stored in the winning number storage means 88 and the effective firing number storage means 87 as the initial value of the winning number to be counted in the above and the initial value of the effective firing number to be counted in the valid firing number counting means 83.

For example, when a power outage occurs when the number of effective shots is "5" and the number of winning prizes is "3" (when a power outage occurs,
In the case where there are two game balls that have not been won despite being shot in the game area 4a), after the power failure is restored,
"5" is set as the initial value of both the number of effective shots and the number of winning prizes, and the game is restarted in that state.

Even with the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a problem that the effective number of shots and the number of winning prizes are different values in the unit game at the time of restarting the game, and the unit game cannot be continued or ended correctly. However, in this case, when there is a game ball that has been shot in the game area 4a when the game is interrupted but has not won a prize, the game ball does not win but a prize is won. It should be noted that the game is restarted in the state of being counted in the number.

Although the respective embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the backup recovery means 93 is used to determine the effective number of shots (the number of game balls that can be shot in the unit game at the time of restarting the game, based on the backup information such as the number of effective shots just before the interruption of the game and the winning number. Although the predetermined value) is set, the value of the number of playable balls in the unit game at the time of restarting the game may be directly set based on the backup information.

The backup means 94 is the main control board 31.
It may be provided separately. Further, a part of the backup means 94, for example, the backup power supply 94 may be provided on the power supply board 39 separately from the main control means 31. Power monitoring unit 74
May be provided on a substrate other than the power supply substrate 39.

The backup storage means 93 may be provided separately from the other storage means, or one RAM or the like may be used also as the winning number storage means 88, the abnormal time temporary storage means 88a and the like.

As the backup storage means 92, a non-volatile memory or the like which can maintain the stored data independently after the power supply is stopped may be used. Thereby, the backup power supply 94 can be omitted.

In the embodiment, the effective number of shots is counted based on the detection signals of the launch detection switch 14 and the return ball detection switch 16. However, the number of effective launches is calculated based on at least the detection signal of the launch detection switch 14. It suffices to count. For example, as in the case where the launch detection switch 14 is provided near the entrance of the game area 4a, when the number of effective launches can be counted only by the launch detection switch 14,
The return ball detection switch 16 can be omitted.

After the power is restored, the payout means 37 pays out to the player the number of game balls which have been won in the game area 4a at the time of power failure but have not won the prize (effectively fired number-winning number). You may make it available.

Further, in the embodiment, the arranging ball machine is exemplified, but it goes without saying that various arrangement game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine can be similarly implemented in addition to the arranging ball machine. In addition, the combination gaming machine is a plate 7
In addition to the method of sequentially ejecting the game balls stored in the storage tray for launching the game balls, the game balls are inserted between the launching means 9 and the game board 4 side in order to start the game by inserting medals. A circulation type or the like may be used which circulates. The payout means 37 may pay out medals as a game medium.

[0094]

According to the present invention, a game board 4 having a plurality of winning openings 53, 22 to 28 arranged in the game area 4a, and a launching means 9 for launching a game ball toward the game area 4a are provided.
In the combination gaming machine in which the launching means 9 launches a predetermined number of game balls to the game area 4a for each unit game, the combination game machine has predetermined game information when the game is interrupted due to an abnormality in power supply. A backup storage unit 92 that stores and holds backup information, and a backup that sets the number of playable game balls in the unit game at the time of restarting the game, or a predetermined value for obtaining the number of playable game balls based on the backup information. Returning means 9
3 is provided, it is possible to correctly continue / end the unit game before the abnormality occurs when the power abnormality such as a power failure is recovered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an arrange ball machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the arrange ball machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the winning opening means side showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a change in power supply voltage at the time of a power failure and processing by a power supply monitoring unit and backup means.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 game board 4a Game area 9 firing means 14 Fire detection switch (fire detection means) 22 Variable winning means (winning hole) 23 Score increase means (prize) 24 Starting means (winning hole) 25 Actuating means (winning hole) 26 Actuating means (winning hole) 27 Ordinary winning means (winning mouth) 28 Ordinary winning means (winning mouth) 22a to 28a Winning detection switch (winning detection means) 53 Lower prize holes (winners) 54 Winning detection switch (winning detection means) 83 Effective firing number counting means 84 Winning number counting means 92 Backup storage means 93 Backup recovery means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of winning openings (5) in a game area (4a).
3) A game board (4) on which (22) to (28) are arranged,
A launching means (9) for launching a game ball toward the game area (4a) is provided, and a predetermined number of game balls for each unit game is launched to the game area (4a) by the launching means (9). In a combination gaming machine that is adapted to play a game, a backup storage means (92) for storing and holding backup information composed of predetermined game information when the game is interrupted due to an abnormality in power supply, and a unit game when the game is restarted. A combination gaming machine characterized by comprising a backup restoring means (93) for setting the number of playable game balls or a predetermined value for obtaining the number of playable game balls based on the backup information. 2. The winning openings (53) (22) to (28)
Winning detection means (54) (2) for detecting the winning of the game ball to the
2a) to (28a) and the winning detection means (54) (22)
Based on the detection signals of a) to (28a), the winning opening (5
3) a winning number counting means (84) for counting the number of winnings to (22) to (28), wherein the backup information includes the winning number counted by the winning number counting means (84). The combination gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The backup restoring means (93) comprises:
Based on the winning number stored and held as the backup information, the number of playable balls in the unit game at the time of restarting the game, or a predetermined value for determining the number of playable balls is configured. The combination gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that. 4. The launch detection means (14) for detecting the launch of a game ball by the launch means (9), and at least the shot detection means (14) is driven into the game area (4a) based on the detection signal of the launch detection means (14). Equipped with an effective firing number counting means (83) for counting the effective firing number which is the number of game balls, the backup restoring means (93), the winning prize stored as the backup information in the backup storage means (92). The combination gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the number is set to an initial value of the number of effective shots by the effective shot number counting means (83) at the time of restarting the game. 5. The launch detection means (14) for detecting the launch of a game ball by the launch means (9), and at least the shot detection means (14) is driven into the game area (4a) based on the detection signal of the launch detection means (14). Equipped with an effective firing number counting means (83) for counting the effective firing number which is the number of game balls, and the backup information is the effective firing number counting means (83).
3. The combination game machine according to claim 1, wherein the combination game machine includes the effective number of shots counted by. 6. The backup restoring means (93) comprises:
Based on the number of effective shots stored and held as the backup information, the number of playable game balls in the unit game at the time of restarting the game, or a predetermined value for determining the number of playable game balls is set. The combination gaming machine according to claim 5, characterized in that. 7. The winning openings (53) (22) to (28)
Winning detection means (54) (2) for detecting the winning of the game ball to the
2a) to (28a) and the winning detection means (54) (22)
Based on the detection signals of a) to (28a), the winning opening (5
3) a winning number counting means (84) for counting the number of winnings to (22) to (28), and the backup restoring means (93) is stored in the backup storage means (92) as the backup information. 7. The combination gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the effective number of shots is set to an initial value of the number of winning prizes by the winning prize number counting means (84) when the game is restarted.