JP2004313742A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which performs a smooth game without making a player suffer disadvantages. <P>SOLUTION: In drive regulation of a putting-out motor 62 due to the occurrence of a putting-out abnormal state, even when an error recovery button 44 is not operated in a prescribed way, driving regulation of the motor 62 is released to put out one ball nearly every 10 minutes of driving regulation of the motor 62. A count error flag 53k is turned off when the ball was detected by a putting-out count switch 66 and simultaneously a motor error flag 53l is turned off when a slit 63d is detected by a later-mentioned slit sensor 63e, thereby the game can be started again. Since the driving regulation of the motor 62 can be released without delaying the progress of the game even when putting out of the ball is stagnated due to a slight abnormal state of putting out, the smooth game is performed without making the player suffer disadvantages. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

  Conventionally, control of a game machine such as a pachinko machine is mainly performed by a main control board. The main control board includes, for example, a payout control board that controls a payout of a prize ball and a lending ball by driving a payout motor disposed in a ball payout device, and a display control that performs a variable display of symbols and the like. A board or the like is connected. Control of each of these control boards is performed based on a command transmitted from the main control board to each control board.

  The ball paid out by the payout control board is detected by a count switch provided in the ball payout device, and the detection signal is output to the main control board or the payout control board, so that the ball is reliably paid out. It is configured to be able to confirm whether or not there is. Here, when a failure of the count switch for detecting the payout of the ball or an abnormal state of the payout of the ball is confirmed due to a biting of the ball of the payout motor or the like, the drive of the payout motor is controlled and the progress of the game is performed. It is configured such that unreasonable payout of balls or the like is not restricted. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-224344

  However, when the dispensing abnormal state occurs, the dispensing motor is regulated so as not to execute the dispensing of the ball by controlling the driving of the dispensing motor. If the game is restricted in spite of the abnormal state, the progress of the game is slow, and time is wasted, and there is a problem that the player may be disadvantaged.

  More specifically, for example, when an abnormal payout state occurs during a jackpot, the ball is not paid out to the player thereafter, and the ball hitting the game area runs out. Therefore, there is no ball hitting the game area, so that the predetermined time has elapsed, the continuation right of the jackpot cannot be obtained, and the jackpot ends without obtaining a game value worth the jackpot. there were.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows a player to play a game smoothly without incurring a disadvantage.

In order to achieve this object, a game machine according to claim 1 is a control means for controlling a game using a game medium, a payout means driven by the control means to pay out the game medium, and a payout means thereof Drive detection means for detecting the drive state of the drive, drive determination means for determining whether the detection result of the drive detection means is normal, and payout detection means for detecting the payout state of the game medium paid out from the payout means The payout determining means for determining whether the detection result of the payout detecting means is normal, and the payout state of the game medium or the drive state of the payout means are determined to be abnormal by the payout determining means or the drive determining means. Game control means for restricting the progress of the game in the case, the control means is a regulation time determination means for determining whether or not the game is regulated by the game restriction means, Time information storage means for storing time information that changes in time, time information determination means for determining whether the time information stored in the time information storage means is predetermined information, and determination based on the time information determination means According to the result and the judgment result based on the regulation time judgment means, the regulation time drive means for driving the payout means in a predetermined manner, and the drive state or the payout state of the payout means which is preliminarily driven by the regulation time drive means, When the drive judging unit or the payout judging unit judges that the game is normal, the game control unit cancels the game regulation by the game regulating unit. Note that "regulating the progress of the game" includes, for example, a case where the control of the game by the control means is stopped or interrupted, a case where the driving of one means such as the payout means is stopped or interrupted, and the like. The “time information that changes with time” is, for example, a counter value or a memory value that is counted as time passes.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, a storage section for storing the game medium, a lead-out path for leading out the game medium from the storage section to the payout means, Vibrating means for vibrating is provided, and the regulation-time driving means is configured to drive the payout means in a predetermined manner and vibrate the lead-out path by the vibrating means.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the regulation-time driving unit is configured to vibrate the lead-out path by the vibrating unit before predetermined driving of the payout unit. I have.
A gaming machine according to a fourth aspect is the gaming machine according to the second or third aspect, wherein the regulation-time driving unit drives the payout unit until a predetermined period has elapsed since the predetermined drive of the payout unit. It is configured to limit.

  According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the progress of the game is regulated by the game regulating means, the regulation driving is performed in accordance with the decision result based on the time information decision means and the decision result based on the regulation time decision means. Means is configured to drive the payout means in a predetermined manner, and it is determined that the game medium paid out by the predetermined drive of the payout means by the regulation-time driving means is normally paid out by the drive determining means or the payout determining means. In such a case, the game restriction is released by the restriction release means. In other words, at the time of game regulation in which the payout state is abnormal, the regulation regulation driving means can release the game regulation every time a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, when the payout state becomes abnormal due to a trivial cause and the game regulation occurs, the game regulation can be canceled without significantly delaying the progress of the game, and the player is disadvantaged. There is an effect that a smooth game can be performed without causing the player to play the game.

In addition, even when the payout state of the payout means becomes abnormal, the game regulation can be released without performing the predetermined operation of the first regulation driving means, so that the labor of the clerk at the game hall can be reduced. There is an effect that can be.
According to the gaming machine of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the progress of the game is restricted by the game restricting means, the judgment result based on the time information judging means and the judgment at the time of restriction are made. According to the determination result based on the means, the payout means is driven by the regulated driving means in a predetermined manner, and the lead-out path is vibrated by the vibrating means. When the payout monitoring means determines that the game medium has been normally paid out, the release means releases the game regulation. Therefore, when the payout state becomes abnormal due to a trivial cause and the game regulation occurs, the game regulation can be released without significantly delaying the progress of the game, and the player is disadvantaged. There is an effect that a smooth game can be performed without causing the player to play the game. Further, even when the payout state of the payout means becomes abnormal, it is possible to cancel the game regulation without calling the game room clerk, thereby reducing the labor of the game room clerk. There is.
According to the gaming machine of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the gaming machine of the second aspect, the regulation-time driving means is configured to vibrate the lead-out path by the vibration means and then drive the payout means in a predetermined manner. ing. Therefore, by making it easy to resolve a trivial unusual state of payout such as game media staying on the derivation path, the trivial abnormal state of payout can be resolved, thereby reducing the labor of game store clerks. There is an effect that can be.
According to the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects achieved by the gaming machine of the second or third aspect, the regulation-time driving means sets the payout means until a predetermined period elapses from the predetermined driving of the payout means. Is configured to limit the driving of the motor. Therefore, the non-driving period of the payout means can be maintained for a certain period of time, so that it is possible to prevent the payout means from being unduly paid out due to excessively driving the payout means, and to prevent the payout means from malfunctioning due to long-term drive. And the like can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine which is a kind of a ball game machine will be described as an example of the game machine.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. A game board 2 is provided on the front of the pachinko machine 1 (on the front side with respect to the plane of FIG. 1).

  A substantially arc-shaped outer rail 3 is erected on a front surface of the game board 2, and an arc-shaped inner rail 4 is erected at a position inside the outer rail 3. On the front surface of the game board 2 surrounded by the inner rail 4 and the outer rail 3, a game area 5 into which a ball (hit ball) P is driven is formed, and around the game area 5, the ball wins. Thus, a plurality of normal winning ports 6 are provided in which a predetermined number (for example, 5) of balls are paid out as prize balls. A variable display device 8 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7 for displaying a plurality of kinds of symbols as identification information is provided in a substantially central portion of the game area 5 in which the plurality of normal winning openings 6 are provided. Have been. Note that, instead of the liquid crystal display 7, for example, a variable display device may be configured using a reel or the like.

  An error suggestion lamp 46 for indicating to a player an abnormal state or the like that has occurred in the pachinko machine 1 is provided in the diagonally upper right direction of the game board 2. The error suggestion lamp 46 is a lamp that is turned on when a count error of a payout count switch 66 (to be described later) or an abnormal drive of the payout motor 62 (to be described later) occurs. By recognizing that the error suggestion lamp 46 is turned on, the player can be informed that some abnormal state has occurred in the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, when the error suggestion lamp 46 is lit, the player can stop the game and call an employee or the like of the game hall to cancel the abnormal state.

  A symbol operation gate (starting port) 9 is provided below the variable display device 8. When the ball passes through the symbol actuation gate 9, the starting port switch 39 (see FIG. 3) is turned on, and the variable display 8 described above is started to fluctuate, and a predetermined number of balls are paid out as prize balls. It is. A variable winning device 10 is provided below the symbol operation gate 9, and an opening 10a of a large winning opening is formed at a substantially central portion of the variable winning device 10. The opening 10a of the special winning opening is set to a predetermined time (for example, a predetermined time (for example, a large winning prize) so that the ball can easily win when the display result after the change of the variable display device 8 matches one of predetermined combinations of symbols (big hit display). , 30 seconds), or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of balls reach the opening 10a of the special winning opening. The state in which the opening and closing operation of the opening 10a of the special winning opening can be performed is a state in which a so-called predetermined game value is given (a special game state, commonly called a "big hit" state).

  A front door plate (waist plate) 11 is provided below the variable winning device 10 and outside the above-described game area 5, and a ball is stored on the front surface of the front door plate 11, and a ball is stored in the game area 5. An upper plate 12 for supplying a ball to a ball launching device (not shown) for driving the ball into the ball is provided. Below the upper plate 12 and below the pachinko machine 1, a lower plate 13 for storing balls that could not be stored in the upper plate 12 is provided. At the center of the upper part of the front door plate 11 above the upper plate 12, a balance indicator 14 composed of 7-segment LEDs is arranged to display the balance amount of the card read by a card reading unit 18 described later. Have been. On the right side of the balance display 14, a return button 15 that is pressed to take out a card inserted into a card insertion slot 19 of a card reading unit 18 described later is arranged, while on the left side of the balance display 14. Is provided with a lending button 16 which is depressed when starting the lending (lending) of lending balls. Further, a lending button lamp 17 indicating whether or not the lending button 16 can be pressed is disposed above the left side of the lending button 16, and the lending button lamp 17 is in a state where the lending button 16 can be pressed. On the other hand, it is turned off when the lending button 16 cannot be pressed. Therefore, the player can determine whether or not the lending button 16 can be pressed by visually recognizing the lending button lamp 17.

  On the left side of the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above, a card reading unit 18 having a rectangular shape in a front view is provided side by side. The card reading unit 18 is for reading the data of the balance amount stored in the card, and has a card insertion slot 19 for inserting a card having a valuable value similar to money at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction. Are arranged. A card usable lamp 20 is provided above the card insertion slot 19 and above the card reading unit 18. The card usable lamp 20 can insert a card into the card insertion slot 19, for example. On the other hand, if the card cannot be inserted into the card insertion slot 19, the light is turned off. Therefore, the player can determine whether or not the card reading unit 18 can be used by visually recognizing the card available lamp 20.

  An amount setting button for setting a lending amount based on data of a balance amount recorded on the card, at a position between the card insertion slot 19 and the card usable lamp 20 and above the card reading unit 18. 21 is provided, and by pressing the amount setting button 21, the lending amount can be set to 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen or 500 yen. Usually, the lending amount is set to 500 yen, and the payout of balls equivalent to lending balls for 100 yen (for example, 25 balls) is performed five times in total (for example, 125 balls).

  A fraction display button 22 is provided below the amount setting button 21. The fraction display button 22 is pressed when displaying the fraction on the balance display 14 when the balance amount stored in the card is less than the minimum lending amount (for example, 100 yen). .

  Below the fraction display button 22, a pair of upper and lower connecting stand direction display lamps 23 formed in a substantially triangular shape are arranged. The pair of connecting stand direction indicating lamps 23 are for indicating the direction of disposition (parallel arrangement) of the pachinko machine 1 to which the card reading unit 18 is connected, and one LED is built in each of them. ing. Therefore, for example, when the card reading unit 18 is connected to a pachinko machine (not shown) arranged on the left side, the upper LED is turned on. A card insertion lamp 24 composed of one LED is provided below the connection stand direction indication lamp 23. The card insertion lamp 24 is provided when a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 19. When the card is not inserted into the card insertion slot 19, the light is turned off. The card usable lamp 20 and the connecting stand direction indicating lamp 23 are turned on when the power of the card reading unit 18 is turned on.

  FIG. 2 is a back view of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a ball storage tank 25 for storing a ball to be paid out as a prize ball or a lending ball, and a ball stored in the ball storage tank 25 to a ball payout device 60. A lead-out passage 26 for leading out, a passage vibration vibrator 47 for vibrating the lead-out passage 26, a ball payout device 60 for paying out balls drawn out from the lead-out passage 26, and a main control board C for controlling a game. And a payout control board H that performs payout control in the ball payout device 60 based on a command transmitted from the main control board C.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1, and in particular, a main control board C for controlling game contents of the pachinko machine 1, and a payout control board for controlling payout of award balls and lending balls. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration with H.

  The main control board C of the pachinko machine 1 includes an MPU 31 as an arithmetic unit, a ROM 32 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 31 and fixed value data, and a RAM 33 used as a work memory or the like. I have. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 are stored in the ROM 32.

  The RAM 33 is provided with a backup area 33a, a prize ball buffer 33b, a prize ball pointer 33c, a remaining prize ball number counter 33d, a no tank ball flag 33e, and a lower tank full flag 33f.

  When the power is turned off due to a power failure or the like, the backup area 33a restores the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the state before the power was turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing values such as stack pointers, registers, and I / O. This writing to the backup area 33a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 5). This is performed in a return process (power failure process) (see S35 and S36 in FIG. 7).

  The prize ball buffer 33b is a buffer that stores the number of prize balls to be paid out when a ball hit into the game area 5 wins a normal winning opening 6 or the like. The number of awarded balls to be paid out is stored in the award ball buffer 33b for each winning ball. Therefore, the prize ball buffer 33b is composed of a plurality of bytes. The award ball number data stored in the award ball buffer 33b is deleted from the award ball buffer 33b when transmitted to the payout control board H by the award ball number data transmission process of FIG. Specifically, after transmitting the number of prize balls stored in the 0th prize ball buffer 33b to the payout control board H, the values of the first and subsequent prize ball buffers 33b are shifted one byte at a time to the smaller address side. As a result, the value of the 0th winning ball buffer 33b is deleted.

  Here, the award ball command is a command for instructing the number of award balls to be paid out to the payout control board H, and is composed of 2 bytes. The data in the first byte of the prize ball command is data (for example, “A0H”) indicating that the command is a prize ball command, and the data in the second byte indicates the number of prize balls to be paid out. Data. Since the maximum prize ball number for one winning is 15 balls, fifteen types of data "01H" to "0FH" corresponding to the maximum prize ball number are used as the second byte data of the prize ball command. I have.

  The prize ball command may be composed of one byte. As described above, since the maximum number of prize balls for one winning is 15 balls, when the prize ball command is composed of 1 byte, “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum prize ball number is used. Fifteen types of data are set as prize ball commands. That is, when the upper 4 bits of the command composed of 1 byte are “0”, the command is determined to be a winning ball command.

  The prize ball pointer 33c is a pointer that indicates the position of the prize ball buffer 33b that stores the number of prize balls, and the number of prize balls to be paid out is stored in the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c. The value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by "1" by writing the number of prize balls to the prize ball buffer 33b, and the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is changed to the payout control board by the prize ball data transmission processing (S18). By being transmitted to H, “1” is subtracted.

  The remaining prize ball number counter 33d is a counter for storing the number of unpaid prize balls, and is a counter for managing the number of prize balls paid out by the payout control board H in the main control board C. Every time the main control board C instructs the payout control board H to pay out the prize ball, the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33d is added to the value, and conversely, the payout control board H pays out the prize ball. Is performed, and each time the payout count switch 66 detects the paid out prize ball, “1” is subtracted.

  The tank ball absence flag 33e is a flag for determining the storage state of the balls in the ball storage tank (see FIG. 2) disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. The tank ball absence flag 33e is turned on when there is no more balls in the ball storage tank 25, that is, when a tank ball absence switch 42 described later is turned off. Conversely, when a ball is stored in the ball storage tank 25, that is, when the tank ball no switch 42 is turned on, it is turned off. When the tank ball absent flag 33e is turned on, an error lamp lighting command is transmitted from the main control board C to a display control board (not shown), and the lighting control of the error indication lamp 46 is performed by the display control board. Therefore, it is suggested to the player or the like that the payout state is abnormal.

  The lower plate full flag 33f is a flag for determining the storage state of the ball in the lower plate 13. The lower plate full flag 33f is turned on when the balls stored in the lower plate 13 are full, that is, when the lower plate full switch 43 described later is on. Conversely, it is turned off when the balls stored in the lower plate 13 are not full. When the lower plate full flag 33f is turned on, an error lamp lighting command is transmitted from the main control board C to a display control board (not shown), similarly to the tank ball no flag 33e, and the display control board The lighting control of the error suggestion lamp 46 is performed, and it is suggested to a player or the like that the payout state is abnormal.

  The MPU 31 having the built-in ROM 32 and RAM 33 is connected to an input / output port 35. The input / output port 35 is connected to the payout control board H via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of two-way communication. The mouth switch 38, the starting port switch 39, the V count switch 40, the 10 count switch 41, the tank ball no switch 42, the lower plate full switch 43, the dispensing count switch 66, and the power supply board 70 described later The provided clear switch 70c is connected to another input / output device 45, respectively.

  The normal winning opening switch 38 is a switch for detecting a ball winning the normal winning opening 6 in the game area 5 and is provided near the entrance of the normal winning opening 6. The starting port switch 39 is a switch for detecting a ball that has passed through the symbol operating gate (starting port) 9 and is provided near the symbol operating gate 9. When a ball is detected by the normal winning port switch 38 or the starting port switch 39, the number of prize balls paid out by winning the normal winning port 6 or the symbol operating gate (starting port) 9 is "5", and the prize ball pointer 33c. Is written to the prize ball buffer 33b of the value, and the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by "1".

  The V count switch 40 is a switch for detecting a ball that has won a special winning opening constituted by the variable winning device 10 and has passed through a V zone (not shown) in the special winning opening. The 10-count switch 41 is a switch for detecting a ball that has passed through other than the V zone among the balls that have won the special winning opening constituted by the variable winning device 10. When a ball is detected by the V-count switch 40 or the 10-count switch 41, the number of award balls "15" paid out by winning in the special winning opening is written to the value-th award ball buffer 33b of the award ball pointer 33c. , The value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by "1".

  The tank ballless switch 42 is a switch for monitoring the storage state of the balls stored in the ball storage tank 25 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, and its output is a main control board. C and the payout control board H are input. The tank ball absence switch 42 is turned on when a ball is lost in the ball storage tank 25, and is configured to turn on tank ball absence flags 33e and 53o to be described later. Since the balls stored in the ball storage tank 25 are used for paying out the prize balls or the lending balls, the payout becomes impossible if the balls stored in the ball storage tank 25 are exhausted. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the state of storing the balls in the ball storage tank 25 is monitored by the tank ball no switch 42, and it is detected by the switch 42 that no balls are stored in the ball storage tank 25. In this case, the tank ball absence flags 33e and 53o are turned on, the error suggestion lamp 46 is turned on, and the driving of the payout motor 62 is restricted (stopped).

  The lower plate full switch 43 is a switch for monitoring whether or not the lower plate 13 for storing the balls that could not be completely stored in the upper plate 12 is full of the balls, and outputs the main control board C and the payout. It is input to the control board H. The lower plate full switch 43 is turned on when the lower plate 13 is full by a ball, and is configured to turn on the lower plate full flags 33f and 53p described later. The lower plate 13 is provided to store the balls that could not be stored when the balls could not be stored in the upper plate 12, and when the lower plate 13 is full of balls, the prize ball is provided. Alternatively, when paying out a ball lending, ball clogging or the like occurs in a ball payout device 60 (see FIG. 4) described later. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the state of storage of the balls in the lower plate 13 is monitored by the lower plate full switch 43, and the balls stored in the lower plate 13 are full by the switch 43. Is detected, the lower tray full flags 33f and 53p are turned on, the error suggestion lamp 46 is turned on, and the driving of the payout motor 62 is restricted (stopped).

  The payout count switch 66 is a switch for counting the number of prize balls paid out by the payout control board H, and its output is input to the main control board C and the payout control board H. The payout count switch 66 checks the payout of prize balls exceeding the original number of prize balls or the payout of prize balls less than the original number of prize balls.

  The payout control board H controls the payout of prize balls and ball rentals, and is used as an MPU 51 which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 52 storing a control program executed by the MPU 51 and fixed data, and a work memory. RAM 53 to be used. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and FIGS. 9 to 17 are stored in the ROM 52. The RAM 53 of the payout control board H has a backup area 53a, a receiving buffer 53b, a command receiving flag 53c, a total prize ball counter 53d, a prize ball payout counter 53e, a ball loan payout counter 53f, Ball payout flag 53g, payout execution flag 53h, timer counter 53i, pulse counting counter 53j, count error flag 53k, motor error flag 531, emergency counter 53m, emergency timer counter 53n, tank A ballless flag 53o and a lower plate full flag 53p are provided.

  The backup area 53a, like the backup area 33a of the main control board C described above, restores the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the state before the power was turned off when the power was turned off and the power was turned off. This is an area for storing a stack pointer at the time of power-off (including when a power failure occurs; the same applies hereinafter), values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 53a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 5). Conversely, each value written to the backup area 53a is restored when the power is turned on (the power is turned on due to the blackout of the power failure). (Similarly, the same applies hereinafter) in the return process (power failure process) (see FIG. 7, S35 to S37).

  The reception buffer 53b is a buffer that temporarily stores data (for example, prize ball number data) transmitted from the main control board C. The command reception flag 53c is a flag that is turned on when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H. That is, it is turned on when the data (control command) transmitted from the main control board C is stored in the reception buffer 53b, and the data is stored in any one of the memories by each processing of the control program stored in the ROM 52. It is configured to be turned off when written. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the command reception flag 53c is referred to in the prize ball operation process (S62) to confirm whether or not the prize ball number data has been transmitted from the main control board C.

  The total prize ball number counter 53d is a counter for storing the number of payout prize balls instructed from the main control board C. When the award ball command including the award ball number data transmitted from the main control board C is received by the payout control board H, the award ball number data corresponding to the award ball command is temporarily written into the reception buffer 53b. The configuration is such that the award ball number data written in the reception buffer 53b is added to the total award ball number counter 53d (see S73 in FIG. 11). The prize ball number data written in the total prize ball counter 53d is added to the prize ball payout counter 53e described later when it is determined that the prize ball payout operation is possible (see FIG. 11, S77). The value of the total prize ball counter 53d is cleared to "0" (see S78 in FIG. 11).

  The prize ball payout counter 53e is a counter that stores the number of prize balls to be paid out. The value of the prize ball counter 53d is determined by the value of the total prize ball counter 53d when it is determined that the prize ball payout operation is possible, that is, when the loaned ball payout operation is not executed. Are added (see S77 in FIG. 11). When the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is equal to or more than "1", the payout process of payout balls (S64) in FIG. That is, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the payout operation of the prize ball is performed prior to the payout operation of the lending ball. Further, the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is decremented by "1" each time a prize ball paid out by the payout count switch 66 is detected in the payout switch detection processing (S65) of FIG.

  The ball rental counter 53f is a counter that stores the number of ball rentals to be paid out. Since the lent ball is configured to be lent by 25 balls for every lending amount of 100 yen, the value of the lent ball payout counter 53f is set to "25" for each sphere lending request. When the value of the ball-for-payout counter 53f is equal to or greater than "1" and the value of the prize-ball payout counter 53e is "0", a payout operation of the ball for sale is performed by the payout process (S64) in FIG. In the payout switch detection process (S65) of FIG. 14, the value of the payout ball payout counter 53f is decremented by "1" each time a payout ball is detected by the payout count switch 66.

  The ball lending payout flag 53g is a flag indicating that the ball lending is being paid out (ball lending operation). The ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on when a ball lending request has been issued and the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is "0", that is, when the prize ball payout operation has not been executed. When the ball lending operation is completed, that is, when the value of the ball lending counter 53f becomes "0", the operation is turned off. The payout of the prize ball during the payout operation of the ball or the payout of the ball during the payout operation of the prize ball can be limited by the payout flag 53g. The payout operation of the prize ball or the lending ball can be clearly distinguished without mixing the operations, and the stable payout operation can be executed.

  The payout execution flag 53h is a flag for indicating that the payout of the prize ball or the rental ball has started. The payout execution flag 53h is turned on when the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending ball payout counter 53f is "1" or more, that is, when a prize ball or a lending ball is paid out (see FIG. 13). Conversely, when the payout of the winning ball or the lending ball is detected by the payout count switch 66, when the values of the awarding ball payout counter 53e and the lending ball payout counter 53f become “0”, that is, the awarding ball and the lending ball It is turned off when the ball payout operation is completed (see FIG. 14).

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, in a state where the payout execution flag 53h is turned on, the value of the timer counter 53i or the pulse count counter 53j, which will be described later, is determined so that the prize paid out by the payout motor 62. It can be determined whether the ball or the rental ball has been normally paid out.

  The timer counter 53i is a counter for measuring an elapsed time since a prize ball or a rental ball is paid out. The value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to "0" when the values of the award ball payout counter 53e and the lending ball payout counter 53f are "0", that is, when the award ball or the lending ball is not paid out. Further, the value of the timer counter 53i is configured to be cleared to "0" when an error occurs when a winning ball or a lending ball is not detected within a predetermined time. On the other hand, the value of the timer counter 53i is configured to be incremented by "1" each time the main processing of the payout control board H is performed once (see FIG. 10, S69 and S70). The value of the timer counter 53i is in a state in which the drive abnormality of the payout motor 62 has not occurred, and the payout execution flag 53h remains ON, that is, the prize ball or the ball-lending is not detected by the payout count switch 66. When the payout control board H remains "1000", the payout control board H determines that the payout count switch 66 is not operating normally, turns on a count error flag 53k described later, and drives the payout motor 62 thereafter. Regulate.

  The main processing of the payout control board H of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be performed about every 2 ms. That is, the payout control board H stops the payout operation if no ball is detected by any of the payout count switches 66 until approximately two seconds elapse after issuing the payout instruction such as the prize ball. Is configured.

  The pulse counting counter 53j is a counter for counting the number of pulses of a driving instruction of the payout motor 62 described later. The value of the pulse counting counter 53j is cleared to "0" when the values of the prize ball payout counter 53e and the lending ball payout counter 53f are "0", that is, when the prize ball and the lending ball are not paid out. . Further, the value of the pulse counter 53j is configured to be cleared to "0" when the slit 63d appears by the slit sensor 63e described later. On the other hand, the value of the pulse counter 53j is configured to be incremented by "1" every time a one-pulse signal is output in order to drive the payout motor 62, which is a stepping motor, by one step (FIG. 17).

  The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured to pay out one ball by outputting a signal of 30 pulses to the payout motor 62. Therefore, when paying out a prize ball or a lending ball, when the drive of the payout motor 62 is not detected and the value of the pulse counting counter 53j becomes “45” or more, a conveyance plate described later by ball biting or the like is used. Assuming that the motors 63a and 63b are not normally driven, a motor error flag 531 described later is turned on. That is, in a state where the count error flag 53k is not turned on and the payout execution flag 53h is turned on, the slit sensor 63e described later does not detect the slit 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b described later. When the value of the pulse counter 53j is equal to or greater than "45", the payout control board H determines that the payout motor 62 is not operating normally, or that the transfer plates 63a and 63b have a ball bite. Then, a later-described motor error flag 53l is turned on to regulate the driving of the payout motor 62 thereafter.

  The count error flag 53k is a flag for indicating whether any of the prize balls or the ball rentals paid out by the payout motor 62 is detected by the payout count switch 66 within a predetermined time. The count error flag 53k is a command for paying out one or more balls to the payout motor 62 when a motor error flag 53l described later is not turned on, that is, when abnormal driving of the payout motor 62 has not occurred. Is turned on when a situation in which a ball is not detected by the payout count switch 66 is repeated three times even after about 2 seconds have passed since is output. Conversely, it is configured to be turned off when a ball is detected by the payout count switch 66.

  The motor error flag 53l is a flag for indicating a driving state of the ball receiving member 63 driven by the payout motor 62. When the count error flag 53k is not turned on, that is, when the count error flag 53k is not turned on by the payout count switch 66, the payout motor 62 issues a payout instruction for one ball. Is output, the slit sensor 63e described later does not detect a slit 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b described later, and is turned on when the value of the pulse counter 53j becomes "45" or more. You. Conversely, it is configured to be turned off when the slit 63d is detected by the slit sensor 63e.

  The abnormal number counter 53m counts the number of times a ball has not been detected by the payout count switch 66 even though about 2 seconds have elapsed since the payout instruction was output from the payout control board H to the payout motor 62. It is a counter for. When the value of the timer counter 53i becomes "1000" while the payout execution flag 53h is on, "1" is added to the value of the abnormal number counter 53m. Conversely, when the count error flag 53k is turned on, that is, when the value of the abnormal number counter 53m becomes “3” and the count of the payout count switch 66 is abnormal, “0” is cleared. It is configured.

  In this embodiment, when the value of the abnormal number counter 53m becomes “3”, that is, when the value of the timer counter 53i reaches “1000” three times while the payout execution flag 53h is on, the payout count is performed. The count of the switch 66 is regarded as abnormal, and the count error flag 53k is turned on to restrict the drive of the payout motor 62. Further, each time the value of the abnormal number counter 53k is incremented by "1", the payout motor 62 is rotated in the normal / reverse direction so that the payout motor 62 can be prevented from being stuck. By configuring as described above, it is possible to eliminate a trivial abnormal payout state such as a slight ball biting in the payout motor 62 without significantly delaying the progress of the game.

  The emergency timer counter 53n is a counter for measuring an elapsed time from when the payout state becomes abnormal and a retry operation (return payout processing described later, see FIG. 16) is performed. When the count error flag 53k or the motor error flag 53l is turned on, the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is incremented by "1" each time the main processing loops. That is, since the main processing of the payout control board H is performed every 2 ms, when any of the error flags 53k and 53l is turned on, the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is also set to “1” every 2 ms. Are incremented by one. On the other hand, the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is determined when one of the error flags 53k and 53l is turned on and the error recovery button 44 is pressed, or when the value of the emergency timer counter 53n becomes “5000”. Is cleared to "0" in the return-time payout process (see FIG. 13, S104) executed.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the count error flag 53k or the motor error flag 53l is turned on, that is, when the dispensing state is determined to be abnormal, the driving of the dispensing motor 62 is performed. When restricted (stopped), the time of the abnormal payout state is counted, and a retry operation (return-time payout processing) is executed every approximately 10 seconds after the abnormal payout state has elapsed. I have.

  In the conventional pachinko machine, in the abnormal payout state, that is, when the ball cannot be normally paid out to the player, the driving of the payout motor is regulated so that the ball is not paid out to the player. It is configured. However, in the pachinko machine configured as described above, if the game is restricted (stopped) due to a trivial dispensing abnormal state such as abnormal driving of the dispensing motor due to a ball bite, if an employee or the like of the amusement arcade limits the game. Since the game is restricted unless the payout abnormal state is eliminated, there is a problem that not only time is wasted but also the player is disadvantaged because the game does not progress. Was. More specifically, for example, when an abnormal payout state occurs during a jackpot, the ball is not paid out to the player thereafter, and the ball hitting the game area runs out. That is, since there are no balls hitting into the game area, a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the right to continue the jackpot cannot be obtained, and the jackpot ends without obtaining a game value worth the jackpot. there were.

  Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a retry operation (return payout process) is executed and the game is resumed every time a predetermined time (about 10 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses in the payout abnormal state. It is configured to be able to. More specifically, at the time of controlling the driving of the payout motor 62 due to the occurrence of the abnormal payout state, even if the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner, every time the drive of the payout motor 62 is controlled for approximately 10 seconds. When the drive regulation of the payout motor 62 is released and one ball is paid out and the ball can be detected by the payout count switch 66, the count error flag 53k is turned off, and the slit 63d is detected by the slit sensor 63e described later. In this case, the motor error flag 53l is turned off and the game can be resumed. With such a configuration, even if the payout of the ball is delayed due to a trivial payout abnormal state, the drive regulation of the payout motor 62 can be released without delaying the progress of the game, which is disadvantageous to the player. It is possible to play a smooth game without suffering.

  The tank ball absence flag 53o determines the storage state of the balls in the ball storage tank 25 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, similarly to the tank ball absence flag 333e provided on the main control board C. This is a flag for performing The tank ball absence flag 53o is turned on in each process (see FIG. 18) when there is no more balls in the ball storage tank 25, that is, when the tank ball no switch 42 described later is turned off. Conversely, when a ball is stored in the ball storage tank, that is, when the tank ball no switch 42 is turned on, the switch is turned off. When the tank ball absence flag 53o is turned on, the driving process of the payout motor 62 is skipped in the payout process (see FIG. 13), and the payout motor 62 is not driven.

  The lower plate full flag 53p is a flag for determining the storage state of the ball in the lower plate 13, similarly to the lower plate full flag 33f provided on the main control board C. The lower plate full flag 53p is turned on when the balls stored in the lower plate 13 are full, that is, the lower plate full switch 43 described later is on. Conversely, it is turned off when the balls stored in the lower plate 13 are not full. When the lower tray full flag 53p is turned on, the drive processing of the payout motor 62 is skipped in the payout processing (see FIG. 13), and the payout motor 62 is not driven.

  The MPU 51 including the ROM 52 and the RAM 53 is connected to an input / output port 55. The input / output port 55 is connected to the main control board C via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Units 14 to 17, a card reading unit 18, a driver circuit 57, a payout count switch 66, a slit sensor 63e, an error return button 44, an error suggestion lamp 46, and a clear switch 70c of a power supply board 70 described later. , And other input / output devices 45.

  The driver circuit 57 is a circuit for driving and rotating the payout motor 62. When the payout motor 62 is rotated by the driver circuit 57, the ball receiving member 63 (see FIG. 4) rotates to pay out the prize ball or the lending ball.

  The payout motor 62 is a device for rotationally driving a ball receiving member 63 described later. The motor used in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is a stepping motor, and is configured to be driven one step (about twice in the present embodiment) by one pulse signal output from the MPU 51 of the payout control board H. Have been. Also, by outputting a signal of 30 pulses to the payout motor 62, one ball is paid out.

  The slit sensor 63e is a sensor for detecting a plurality of slits 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b of the ball receiving member 63 disposed in the ball dispensing device 60 described later. The slit sensor 63e is provided at a position that does not interfere with the driving of the ball receiving member 63, and is provided at a position where each slit 63d can be detected. The driving amount of the ball receiving member 63 rotated and driven by the payout motor 62 is detected by the slit sensor 63e. Therefore, even though a pulse signal is output to the payout motor 62 to pay out the prize ball or the lending ball, the slit sensor 63e detects the slit 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b described later. Instead, when the value of the pulse counter 53j becomes equal to or greater than "45", the motor error flag 53l is turned on to limit (stop) the driving of the payout motor 62.

  The error return button 44 releases the drive restriction of only the payout motor 62 when the payout operation of the prize ball or the lending ball is delayed, that is, when the count error flag 53k or the motor error flag 53l is turned on. This is the button to make it work. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the error return button 44 is pressed, one ball is paid out from the payout motor 62. Thereafter, when the dispensed ball is detected by the dispensing count switch 66 and the driving of the ball receiving member 63 is confirmed by the slit sensor 63e and each slit 63d, the dispensing control board H is released from the abnormal dispensing state of the ball. Then, it recognizes that the payout of the ball has returned to normal, and releases the drive restriction and the game stop state of the payout motor 62. Conversely, when the paid-out ball is not detected by the payout count switch 66, or when the driving of the ball receiving member 63 is not confirmed by the slit sensor 63e and each slit 63d, the value of the pulse count counter 53j is set to “45”. Is greater than or equal to, the payout control board H recognizes that the ball payout abnormal state is not resolved and the ball payout remains in the abnormal state, and the drive of the payout motor 62 is performed again. Is regulated (stopped).

  Note that the error recovery button 44 is provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 (not shown), and can be operated only by an employee holding a key or the like in a state where the error recovery button 44 is provided in a game hall (hall). It is arranged in. Therefore, when the driving of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to a clogged ball or the like, that is, when an abnormal payout state (error) occurs, the player of the pachinko machine 1 calls an employee of the game hall, By having the employee resolve the cause of the error (for example, clogged balls) and press the error return button 44, the drive restriction of the payout motor 62 can be released.

  The power supply board 70 includes a power supply unit 70a for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 1, a power failure monitoring circuit 70b, and a clear switch 70c. The power failure monitoring circuit 70b is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal 71 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 31 of the main control board C when a power failure occurs due to a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 70b monitors the largest voltage output from the power supply unit 70a, the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, and determines that a power failure (power interruption) has occurred if this voltage falls below 22 volts. , A power failure signal 71 to the main control board C and the payout control board H. Based on the output of the power failure signal 71, the main control board C and the payout control board H recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure processing (NMI interruption processing in FIG. 5). In addition, even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts, the power supply unit 70a normally outputs the control voltage of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient for executing the power failure process. Since the main control board C and the payout control board H are configured to be maintained at the values, the power outage processing can be executed normally.

  The clear switch 70c is a switch for clearing data backed up in the RAM 33 of the main control board C and the RAM 53 of the payout control board H, and is constituted by a push button type switch. When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on while the clear switch 70c is depressed (including the power-on by turning off the power), the data in the respective RAMs 33 and 53 are cleared by the main control board C and the payout control board H. Is done.

  FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of a ball payout device 60 that performs a payout operation of award balls and lending balls. The ball payout device 60 is disposed on the back surface of the pachinko machine 1 (not shown), and the payout control board H controls the payout motor 62 according to the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball loan payout counter 53f. Is controlled, and a payout operation of a prize ball or a lending ball is executed.

  The ball dispensing device 60 has an inflow passage 61 for allowing the ball P supplied from the ball storage tank 25 (see FIG. 2) via the lead-out passage 26 (see FIG. 2) to flow into the ball dispensing device 60, and the inflow passage 61 And a ball receiving member 63 for receiving the conveyed ball P and conveying the ball P downstream thereof. The ball receiving member 63 is composed of a pair of substantially circular plate-shaped conveying plates 63a, 63b. The ball receiving member 63 is connected to the payout motor 62 via a connection shaft 63c, and is rotated around the connection shaft 63c as the payout motor 62 rotates.

  The transport plates 63a and 63b of the ball receiving member 63 are provided with a total of six slits 63d, three each. The transfer plates 63a and 63b are provided with a total of six recesses, each of which has three recesses. The spheres P fall from the sphere storage tank 25 through the lead-out passage 26 and the inflow passage 61 into each of the recesses. The ball P stored and held in the recess is alternately paid out when the payout motor 62 is rotationally driven. Therefore, by forming slits 63d equal in number to the number of concave portions, the slit sensors 63e can detect as many slits 63d as the number of balls P to be paid out. Accordingly, when one ball P is paid out, the slit sensor 63e is configured to always detect any one of the slits 63d, so that the driving of the ball receiving member 63 can be detected. .

  The ball receiving member 63 is configured so that the payout operation of the balls is alternately performed from the transport plates 63a and 63b by rotating the transport plates 63a and 63b by the payout motor 62. Here, in the case where the ball biting, which is one of the dispensing abnormal states, has occurred, it is possible that the ball biting has occurred in any of the transport plates 63a and 63b. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a drive abnormal state or a payout abnormal state occurs, the payout motor 62 can be driven to rotate forward and reverse to eliminate the ball biting.

  A ball discharge passage 68 communicating with the inflow passage 61 is provided downstream of the ball receiving member 63. A payout count switch 66 for detecting a ball P passing through the ball discharge path 68 is provided downstream of the ball discharge path 68. The payout count switch 66 constitutes a part of a ball discharge path 68, and a ball detecting portion 66a, which is a circular opening through which the balls P can pass one by one, is formed at a substantially central portion thereof. I have. When the ball passes through the ball detection section 66a, the ball P that has passed through the ball discharge path 68 can be detected, and the number of the paid-out balls P can be counted.

  In addition, the payout count switch 66 is configured by a proximity switch having a magnetic sensor. However, an optical sensor configured by combining a light emitting diode, a phototransistor, and the like may be used instead.

  Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an NMI interrupt process that is separately executed by the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power of the pachinko machine 1 is cut off due to a power failure or the like. By the NMI interrupt processing, the states of the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like are stored in the respective backup areas 33a and 53a. Note that the NMI interrupt process is a process separately mounted in the ROM 32 of the main control board C and the ROM 52 of the payout control board H, but can be represented in the same way in the description of the flowchart. Are collectively shown in FIG.

  When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal 71 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 70b to NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminals of the MPUs 31 and 51 of the main control board C and the payout control board H. You. When the power failure signal 71 is input to the NMI terminal, each of the MPUs 31 and 51 suspends the control currently being performed, and starts the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. For a predetermined time after the power failure signal 71 is output, power is supplied from the power supply unit 70a of the power supply board 70 so that the processing of the main control board C and the payout control board H can be performed. The NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 5 is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, the values of each register and I / O are written to the stack area (S1), and then the value of the stack pointer is written to the backup areas 33a and 53a and saved (S2). Further, the power failure occurrence information is written into the backup areas 33a and 53a (S3), and the state at the time of power failure due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like is stored. After that, after executing other power outage processing different for each of the main control board C and the payout control board H (S4), the processing is looped until the power supply is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed.

  Next, each process performed in the main control board C will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main process executed by the main control board C every predetermined time (2 ms in this embodiment). In the main process, first, an initialization process including the initialization of the RAM 33 is executed (S11).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the initialization process (S11 or S61) that is separately executed on the main control board C and the payout control board H. The initialization process is a process separately mounted on the ROM 32 of the main control board C and the ROM 52 of the payout control board H. However, since the initialization process can be represented in the same manner in the flowchart, it is shown in FIG. They are shown together.

  In the initialization processing, first, a stack pointer is set (S31), and it is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 70c is turned on (S32). If the clear switch 70c is not turned on (S32: No), it is checked whether the backup is valid (S33). This determination is made based on whether or not the keywords written in the predetermined areas of the RAMs 33 and 53 are correctly stored. If the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed and the backup is not valid.

  If the backup is valid (S33: Yes), the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup areas 33a and 53a and written to the stack pointer, and the state when the power is turned off (before the power failure), that is, before the NMI interrupt occurs. Return to the state (S35). Next, the data in the stack area after returning the value of the stack pointer, that is, the data of each register and I / O saved in the backup areas 33a and 53a are read from the backup areas 33a and 53a, and these data are restored to the original data. Writing to a register, I / O, or the like (S36), and then the state of the interrupt before the power interruption (before the power failure) stored in the processing of FIG. The state is returned to the previous state (S37), an NMI interrupt return is executed, the processing is returned to the position where the processing was executed before the power supply was cut off, and the control is continued from the state before the power supply was cut off.

  On the other hand, if the clear switch 70c is turned on (S32: Yes) or the backup is not valid (S33: No), RAM clear and initialization processing is executed (S34), and the RAM 33, 53 and I / O are executed. Etc. are initialized and the process ends. After the end of the initialization process (S11 or S61), the process returns to the main process of FIG. 6 or the main process of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after execution of the initialization process (S11), it is confirmed whether or not a ball is detected by the normal winning opening switch 38 or the starting opening switch 39 (S12). When a ball is detected by the normal winning port switch 38 or the starting port switch 39 (S12: Yes), the payout ball buffer 33b of the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is sent to pay out five prize balls. 5 "is written (S13), the value of the award ball pointer 33c is added by" 1 "(S14), and the process proceeds to S15. On the other hand, in S12, when the ball is not detected by the normal winning opening switch 38 or the starting opening switch 39 (S12: No), the process of S13 and S14 is skipped and the process proceeds to S15.

  In the process of S15, it is confirmed whether or not a ball is detected by the V count switch 40 or the 10 count switch 41 (S15). If a ball is detected by the V-count switch 40 or the 10-count switch 41 (S15: Yes), "15" is set to the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c in order to pay out 15 prize balls. Is written (S16), the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by "1" (S17), the process proceeds to S18, and the prize ball number data written in the prize ball buffer 33b is transmitted to the payout control board H. In order to do so, a prize ball number data transmission process is executed (S18). If a ball is not detected by the V count switch 40 or the 10 count switch 41 in S15 (S15: No), the processing of S16 and S17 is skipped, and the process proceeds to the award ball number data transmission processing of S18.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the prize ball number data transmission processing (S18). In the award ball number data transmission process, first, it is checked whether or not the value of the award ball pointer 33c is “0” (S41). If the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is “0” (S41: Yes), there is no prize ball number data to be transmitted, and thus the prize ball number data transmission process ends.

  On the other hand, in the process of S41, if the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is not “0” (S41: No), the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is transmitted to the payout control board H (S42), and the 0th The value of the prize ball buffer 33b is added to the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d (S43), and the values of the first and subsequent prize ball buffers 33b are shifted one byte at a time to the smaller address side (S44). The value of the buffer 33b is updated, and the value of the 0th winning ball buffer 33b is deleted. Thereafter, the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is decremented by "1" (S45), and this prize ball number data transmission processing is terminated. After the end of the award ball number data transmission processing (S18), the process returns to the main processing of FIG. 6 to execute the processing of S19.

  In the processing of S19, it is determined whether or not the payout count switch 66 is turned on (S19). If the turn-off of the payout count switch 66 is detected (S19: Yes), it means that one ball has been paid out. Next, it is checked whether or not the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d is "0" (S20), and if the value is not "0" (S20: No), it corresponds to the paid prize ball. Then, "1" is subtracted from the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33d (S21), and the process proceeds to S22.

  In the processing of S19, when the turn-on of the payout count switch 66 is not detected (S19: No), the processing of S20 and S21 is skipped and the processing proceeds to S22 because no ball is detected. If the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13d is "0" (S19: Yes, S20: Yes) even when the payout count switch 66 is detected to be on, the operation is the payout operation of the lending ball, etc. The process skips and the process proceeds to S22 without subtracting the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d.

  In the processing of S22, each processing according to the state of the game is executed (S22). After execution of each process, it is checked whether a predetermined time (2 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed since the last execution of the process of S12 (S23). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the execution of the previous processing of S12 (S23: No), the process waits until the predetermined time has elapsed, while if the predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the previous processing of S12 (S23: Yes). , And the process proceeds to S12 to start the next main process. Therefore, the main processing from S12 to S22 is executed at predetermined time intervals.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 17, the payout operation of the prize ball and the lending ball performed by the payout control board H will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a data reception process executed when a control command transmitted from the main control board C is received.

  In the data reception process, the control command transmitted from the main control board C is written into the reception buffer 53b (S51), and the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S52). The prize ball command instructing the prize ball number data is received as a part of the control command by this data reception processing, and is written into the reception buffer 53b.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a main process executed in the payout control board H. In this processing, first, the above-described initialization processing is executed (S61). Thereafter, the prize ball operation process shown in FIG. 11 is executed (S62). Thereafter, a ball lending operation process shown in FIG. 12 is executed (S63), a payout process of paying out a prize ball or a loaned ball is performed (S64), and the ball paid out by the payout process is confirmed by the payout count switch 66. A payout switch detection process is performed (S65), a slit detection process is performed to confirm whether or not the payout motor 62 is normally driven by the payout process (S66), and other processes are performed (S67). ), The process proceeds to S68.

  In the processing of S68, in order to execute the main processing of the payout control board H at an interval of about 2 seconds, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time (about 2 ms in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the previous execution of the processing of S62. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the last execution of the processing of S62 (S68: No), the process waits until the predetermined time has elapsed, while if the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of the processing of S62. (S68: Yes), the process proceeds to S69.

  In the process of S69, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the timer counter 53i is "1000" (S69). If the value of the timer counter 53i is not "1000" (S69: No), "1" is added to the value of the timer counter 53i (S70), the process proceeds to S62, and the next main process is started. On the other hand, when the value of the timer counter 53i is "1000" (S69: Yes), the process of S69 is skipped, the process proceeds to S62, and the next main process is started. Therefore, the main processing from S62 to S68 is executed at predetermined time intervals.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the prize ball motion processing (S62) described above. The prize ball operation process (S62) is to write the prize ball number data received from the main control board C to the total prize ball number counter 53d once, and to execute the prize ball payout operation when the prize ball payout operation is executable. This is a process for writing the value of the winning ball counter 53d to the winning ball payout counter 53e.

  In the prize ball operation process (S62), first, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S71). If the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S71: Yes), the main control board C Since a new control command has been transmitted to the payout control board H, it is confirmed whether or not the control command is a prize ball command (S72). If the control command stored in the reception buffer 53b is a prize ball command, that is, a command of prize ball number data (S72: Yes), the prize ball number data is added to the total prize ball number counter 53d ( (S73), the command reception flag 53c is turned off (S74), and the process proceeds to S75. If the command reception flag 53c is not turned on in the processing of S71 (S71: No), or if the command in the reception buffer 53b is not the command of the winning ball number data in the processing of S72 (S72: No). , S73 and S74 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S75.

  In the process of S75, it is confirmed whether or not the lending ball payout flag 53g is turned on (S75). As a result of the confirmation, if the lending ball payout flag 53g is not turned on (S75: Yes), the lending ball payout operation is not in progress, so whether the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is "0" or not. It is confirmed whether or not it is (S76). If the value of the total prize ball counter 53d is not "0" (S76: No), the prize ball number data is stored in the total prize ball counter 53d. The value is added to the ball payout counter 53e (S77), the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is cleared to "0" (S78), and the prize ball operation process (S62) ends. In the process of S75, when the lending ball payout flag 53g is turned on (S75: Yes), the lending ball is being paid out, so that the lending ball payout operation is prioritized in S76 to S78. Is skipped, and the prize ball motion process (S62) ends. If the value of the total prize ball counter 53d is "0" in the process of S76 (S76: Yes), no new prize ball number data has been received from the main control board C. The process of S78 is skipped, and the prize ball motion process (S62) ends. After the end of the award ball operation process (S62), the process once returns to the main process of FIG. 10 and executes the ball lending operation process (S63) shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the ball lending operation process (S63) described above. The ball lending operation process (S63) is a process for setting the number of balls to be lent to the ball lending counter 53f in response to a ball lending request generated when the lending button 15 is pressed by the player.

  In the ball lending operation process (S63), first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending operation is being performed by checking whether or not the ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on (S81). If the lending ball payout flag 53g is turned off (S81: No), the ball lending operation is not being performed, and in this case, the lending button 15 is pressed to check whether there is a ball lending request (S82). ). If there is no ball lending request (S82: No), the ball lending operation process is terminated as it is, while if there is a ball lending request (S82: Yes), is the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e "0"? It is confirmed whether or not it is (S83). If the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is not "0" (S83: No), since the prize ball payout operation is being performed, this ball lending operation processing (S63) is performed in order to give priority to the prize ball payout operation. finish.

  If there is a ball lending request (S82: Yes) and the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is "0" (S83: Yes), the ball lending corresponding to the lending amount of 100 yen is added to the value of the ball lending counter 53f. Is set (S84), the ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on (S85), and the ball lending operation process (S63) ends.

  On the other hand, in the processing of S81, if the lending ball payout flag 53g is turned on (S81: Yes), the ball lending operation is in progress, so whether the value of the lending ball payout counter 53f is “0” next? It is confirmed whether or not it is (S86). If the value of the ball lending counter 53f is not “0” (S86: No), the ball lending operation process (S63) is terminated because the ball lending for the previous ball lending request has not been paid yet. If the value of the ball lending counter 53f is "0" (S86: Yes), the ball lending payout operation has been completed, so the ball lending payout flag 53g is turned off (S87), and the ball lending is performed. The operation processing (S63) ends. After the ball lending operation process (S63) is completed, the process once returns to the main process of FIG. 10, and according to the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball loan payout counter 53f set in FIG. 11 or FIG. A payout process for paying out a ball is executed (S64).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the payout process (S64) described above. By this payout process, the payout motor 62 is driven to rotate in accordance with the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending ball payout counter 53f, and a prize ball or lending ball payout operation is performed.

  In the payout process (S64), first, it is checked whether the motor error flag 53l or the count error flag 53k is turned on (S91). As a result of the confirmation, if the motor error flag 53l or the count error flag 53k is not turned on (S91: No), then it is checked whether the tank ball no flag 53o or the lower plate full flag 53p is turned on ( S92) If neither the tank ball no flag 53o or the lower plate full flag 53p is turned on (S92: No), it means that the payout operation can be executed normally, and then the prize ball payout counter 53e is operated. It is checked whether the value is "0" (S93). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is not “0” (S93: No), since the prize ball number data to be paid out is stored, the process is executed to execute the ball payout operation. Move to S95.

  On the other hand, if the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is “0” in the process of S93 (S93: Yes), it is next checked whether the value of the ball lending payout counter 53f is “0”. (S94). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the lending ball payout counter 53f is not “0” (S94: No), since the data of the lending ball to be paid out is stored, the process is executed to execute the ball payout operation. The process moves to S95.

  In the process of S92, if either the tank ball no flag 53o or the lower plate full flag 53p is turned on (S92: Yes), the payout operation cannot be performed normally. The driving of the payout motor 62 is stopped (S98), the value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to "0" (S99), and the value of the pulse counter 53j is cleared to "0" (S100). S64) ends. Therefore, when the payout operation cannot be executed normally, the above-described steps S98 to S100 are executed. Also, in the processing of S93 and S94, when both the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e and the value of the ball loan payout counter 53f are “0” (S93: Yes, S94: Yes), the prize ball to be paid or the ball rental ball. In this case, the driving of the payout motor 62 is also stopped (S98), the value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to "0" (S99), and the value of the pulse counter 53j is also stored. Is cleared to "0" (S100), and the payout process (S64) ends. Therefore, when there is no payout instruction, the above-described steps S98 to S100 are executed.

  In the process of S95, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S95). If the payout execution flag 53h is turned off (S95: No), the payout motor 62 is driven to pay out the balls of the value stored in the winning ball payout counter 53e or the ball loan payout counter 53f (S96). ). Therefore, the drive amount of the payout motor 62 is configured to change in accordance with the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending ball payout counter 53f. For example, when the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e is “1”, a signal of 30 pulses is output to the payout motor 62 and one prize ball is paid out. . If the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e is "15", a signal of 450 pulses, which is a value obtained by multiplying 30 pulses by 15, is output to the payout motor 62 and the prize of 15 balls is output. The ball is configured to be dispensed.

  After the processing of S96, the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S97) so that the processing of S96 is not passed until the balls of the value stored in the winning ball payout counter 53e or the ball rental payout counter 53f are paid out. Then, the payout process (S64) ends. After the end of the payout process, the process is once returned to the main process of FIG. 10, and then a payout switch detection process (S65) is executed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the payout switch detection processing (S65). This payout switch detection processing is based on the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball rental payout counter 53f when the prize ball or ball loan paid out by the payout motor 62 is detected by the payout count switch 66. Is subtracted from the dispensing motor 62, the ball is not detected by the dispensing count switch 66 even after about 2 seconds. This is a process for turning on the error flag 53k to limit (stop) the subsequent payout operation.

  In the payout switch detection process (S65), first, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S111). If the payout execution flag 53h has not been turned on (S111: No), the payout switch detection processing (S65) ends because no prize balls or loaned balls have been paid out. On the other hand, if the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S111: Yes), then, it is checked whether the motor error flag 53l is turned on to check whether the abnormal driving state has occurred. If the motor error flag 53l is turned on (S112: Yes), since the drive of the dispensing motor 62 is abnormal, first, the dispensing is performed to eliminate the abnormal driving. The switch detection processing (S65) ends.

  On the other hand, if the motor error flag 53l is not on in the process of S112 (S112: No), it is next checked whether the value of the timer counter 53i is "1000" (S113). If the value of the timer counter 53i is "1000" (S113: Yes), since about two seconds have elapsed since the prize ball or the lending ball was paid out without being detected by the payout count switch 66, By adding "1" to the value of the abnormal number counter 53m (S114), the motor normal / reverse rotation processing is performed in order to eliminate ball biting and the like, and the passage vibration vibrator 47 is driven to vibrate the outlet passage 26. The ball biting or the like is eliminated (S115), and it is confirmed whether or not the value of the abnormal number counter 53m is "3" (S116). As a result of the check, if the value of the abnormal frequency counter 53m is not “3” (S116: No), the processing proceeds to S117 because six seconds have not elapsed since the payout was delayed. If the value of the abnormal number counter 53m is "3" (S116: Yes), since about six seconds have elapsed since the delivery was delayed, the count error flag 53k is turned on (S125) and the abnormal state is detected. The value of the number-of-times counter 53m is cleared to "0" (S126), and the payout switch detection processing (S65) ends. In the process of S113, if the value of the timer counter 53i is not “1000” (S113: No), the processes of S114 to S116 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S117.

  In the processing of S117, it is confirmed whether or not the payout count switch 66 has detected a ball (S117). As a result of the confirmation, if the payout count switch 66 has not detected a ball (S117: No), the payout switch detection process (S65) ends, while if the payout count switch 66 has detected a ball (S117: Yes), in order to confirm whether the detected ball is a winning ball or a lending ball, it is confirmed whether the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is "1" or more (S118). If the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is equal to or greater than "1" (S118: Yes), the detected ball is a ball that has been paid out as a prize ball, and thus "1" is subtracted from the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e. (S119), and the process proceeds to S121. On the other hand, if the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is not equal to or greater than "1" (S118: Yes), the detected ball is a ball that has been paid out as a rental ball, and the value of the rental ball count switch 53f indicates " "1" is subtracted (S120), and the process proceeds to S121.

  In the processing of S121, since the payout count switch 66 has normally detected the ball, the value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to "0" (S121), the count error flag 53k is turned off (S122), and then the prize ball It is confirmed whether or not the values of the payout counter 53e and the lending ball payout counter 53f are “0” (S123). If the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending ball payout counter 53f is not “0” (S123: No), there are prize balls or lending balls to be paid out, so that the payout execution flag 53h is not turned off. The payout switch detection process ends. On the other hand, if the value of the award ball payout counter 53e or the lending ball payout counter 53f is “0” (S123: Yes), it means that the payout operation of the award ball or the lending ball to be paid out has been completed normally, and the payout is executed. The flag 53h is turned off (S124), and the payout switch detection processing (S65) ends. After the end of the payout switch detection process, the process once returns to the main process of FIG. 10, and then executes the slit detection process shown in FIG. 15 (S66).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the slit detection process (S66). The slit detection process is a process for confirming whether or not the ball receiving member 63 is operating normally by the payout motor 62. By the slit detection processing and the above-described payout switch detection processing, it is possible to recognize whether the payout is abnormal due to the occurrence of a ball bite or the payout is abnormal due to the abnormal detection of the payout count switch 66.

  In the slit detection process (S66), first, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S131). As a result of the confirmation, if the payout execution flag 53h is not turned on (S131: No), the payout operation of the prize ball or the lending ball is not performed, and thus the slit detection processing is ended. On the other hand, when the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S131: Yes), the payout operation of the prize ball or the lending ball is being executed, and it is next determined whether or not the count error flag 53k is turned on. Confirmation (S132). If the count error flag 53k is turned on (S132: Yes), it is a state in which an abnormal payout state has occurred, and thus the slit detection processing is ended to eliminate the abnormal payout state.

  On the other hand, if the count error flag 53k is not turned on (S132: No), next, it is checked whether or not the slit sensor 63e detects one slit 63d (S133). As a result of the confirmation, if one slit 63d is not detected by the slit sensor 63e (S133: No), then it is confirmed whether or not the value of the pulse counter 53j is "45" or more (S134). It is confirmed whether or not a 45-pulse signal is output to the payout motor 62 after the drive instruction of the payout motor 62 is issued. When the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is equal to or greater than "45" (S134: Yes), one ball is paid out even with a signal of 45 pulses, although one ball is originally paid out with a signal of 30 pulses. Since it is not output, the motor error flag 53l is turned on (S135) to indicate that the ball receiving member 63 is not driven normally due to the occurrence of ball biting or the like (S135). Then, the motor forward / reverse rotation processing is executed and the passage vibration vibrator 47 is driven to vibrate the lead-out passage 26 to eliminate the ball biting or the like (S136), and the slit detection processing (S66) is ended.

  In the process of S133, if the slit sensor 63e detects one slit 63d (S133: Yes), it means that the ball receiving member 63 is operating normally, and the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is determined. It is cleared to "0" (S137), the motor error flag 531 is turned off (S138), and this slit detection processing ends. If the value of the pulse counter 53j is not equal to or greater than "45" in the process of S134 (S134: No), a state in which a signal of 45 pulses has not yet been output since the drive instruction of the payout motor 62 was issued. Therefore, the processing of S135 and S136 is skipped, and the slit detection processing ends. After the end of the slit detection process, the process returns to the main process of FIG. 10 and proceeds to S67.

  Here, when the motor error flag 53l or the count error flag 53k is turned on in S91 of the payout process in FIG. 13 (S91: Yes), that is, in the payout switch detection process (S65), a payout instruction is generated. In the case where an abnormal payout state in which no ball is detected within about 6 seconds by the payout count switch occurs, or in the slit detection processing (S66), the slit sensor 63e is set to 1 after the payout instruction is issued. Before detecting the slit 63d, if the value of the pulse count counter 53j becomes “45” or more and the drive of the payout motor 62 is abnormal, the drive of the payout motor 62 is regulated (stopped). Therefore, the process proceeds to S101.

  In the process of S101, “1” is added to the value of the emergency timer counter 53n (S101). Next, whether or not the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is “5000”, that is, whether the dispensing abnormal state is normal or not. It is confirmed whether or not it has continued for approximately 10 seconds (S102). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is not "5000" (S102: No), the abnormal payout state does not continue for about 10 seconds, and then the error return button is pressed by the employee of the game hall. It is determined whether or not the button 44 has been pressed (S103). If the error return button 44 has not been pressed by an employee of the game arcade (S103: No), the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted (stopped). In order to maintain the state, the process proceeds to S98. On the other hand, when the error return button 44 is pressed by the employee of the game arcade (S103: Yes), the return payout process of paying out the ball is performed to check whether the abnormal payout state has been resolved. Execute (S104).

  In the process of S102, if the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is “5000” (S102: Yes), the abnormal delivery state is continued for about 10 seconds, and the abnormal delivery state is resolved. In order to confirm whether or not the payment has been made, the process proceeds to the return payout process in S104. That is, even if the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner during the drive regulation of the payout motor 62 due to the occurrence of the abnormal delivery state, the drive regulation time continues for about 10 seconds, thereby executing the return payout process. By doing so, the game can be resumed. With such a configuration, even if the game is stopped due to a trivial payout abnormal state, the game can be restarted without delaying the progress of the game, so that the player can smoothly play the game without disadvantage. Can be.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the payout process at return (S104). The return payout process is a process for driving the payout motor 62 to pay out one ball after the lead-out passage 26 is vibrated by the passage vibration vibrator 47 to eliminate the ball bite.

  In the return payout process (S104), the passage vibration vibrator 47 is driven (S141) to vibrate the lead-out passage 26, and the retry operation is performed again approximately 10 seconds after this retry operation (return payout process). Then, the value of the emergency timer counter 53n is cleared to "0" (S142), the payout motor 62 is driven to pay out one ball (S143), and the payout process at return (S104) ends. After the end of the return payout process, the payout process (S65) in FIG. 13 ends. When one ball paid out in the return payout process is detected by the payout count switch 66, or when the drive of the payout motor 62 driven by the return payout process is detected by the slit sensor 63e. Is set in such a manner that the payout state is recognized to be normal, the count error flag 53k or the motor error flag 53l is turned off, and the payout operation can be executed normally.

  In the return payout process, the vibration of the lead-out passage 26 by the passage vibration vibrator 47 and the discharging operation of one ball by the discharge motor 62 are not performed at the same time. It is set such that one ball is paid out by the payout motor 62 after a predetermined time (for example, approximately one second) has elapsed after the vibration of. Therefore, it is possible to easily resolve a trivial dispensing abnormal state such as a ball biting in the lead-out passage 26, and it is possible to reduce the labor of the clerk at the game hall.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of each process (S65) in the main process of the payout control board H. In each of the processes, every time one pulse signal for driving the payout motor 62 is output, the value of the pulse count counter 53j that monitors the abnormal driving of the payout motor 62 is incremented by "1", and The tank ball no flag 53o or the lower plate full flag 53p is turned on / off according to the stored state of the ball in the ball storage tank 25 or the lower plate 13.

  In each process (S67), first, it is confirmed whether or not a one-pulse signal has been output to the payout motor 62 in order to drive the payout motor 62 by one step (S151). As a result of the confirmation, if a one-pulse signal has been output to the payout motor 62 to drive the payout motor 62 (S151: Yes), the value of the pulse counter 53j is incremented by "1" (S152). Then, the process proceeds to S153. On the other hand, if a one-pulse signal has not been output to the payout motor 62 to drive the payout motor 62 (S151: No), the process of S152 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S153.

  In the process of S153, it is confirmed whether or not the tank ball absence switch 42 detects a ball (S153). As a result of the confirmation, if the tank ball absence switch 42 detects a ball (S153: Yes), since the ball is stored in the ball storage tank 25, the tank ball no flag 53o is turned off (S154), and the processing is performed. Is shifted to S156. On the other hand, if the tank ball absence switch 42 has not detected a ball (S153: No), no balls are stored in the ball storage tank 25 and the payout operation cannot be executed normally, so the tank ball absence flag 53o is turned on. (S155), and the process proceeds to S156.

  In the process of S156, it is confirmed whether or not the lower plate full switch 43 detects a ball (S156). As a result of the confirmation, if the lower plate full switch 43 has detected a ball (S156: Yes), the lower plate 13 is in a state where the balls are fully stored and the dispensing operation cannot be performed normally, so the lower plate full flag 53p Is turned on (S157), and the process proceeds to S159. On the other hand, if the lower plate full switch 43 does not detect a ball (S157: No), the payout operation can be executed normally, so the lower plate full flag 53p is turned off (S158), and the process proceeds to S159. . In the process of S159, other processes are performed (S159), and each process (S67) ends.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the drive timing of the passage vibration vibrator 47 and the dispensing motor 62 in the abnormal dispensing state will be described. FIG. 18 is a chart showing the timing at which the retry operation and the error cancellation are executed.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when an abnormal payout state occurs due to some error occurrence factor (line A) (line B), the time of the abnormal payout state is measured, and the measurement result reaches 10,000 ms. Each time (between the BC lines or between the EF lines), a retry operation (return-time payout process) is performed, and first, the lead-out passage 26 is vibrated by the passage vibration vibrator 47 (the C line or the F line). After a lapse of 1000 ms, one ball is paid out by the payout motor 62 (D line or G line). When a ball is detected by the payout count switch 66 by the retry operation (H line), the abnormal payout state is released. (H line), the game is restarted.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the driving of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to the occurrence of the abnormal payment state, even if the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner, the driving restriction is substantially 10 A retry operation (payout process at return, see FIG. 16) is performed every second. When the ball paid out in the retry operation is detected by the payout count switch 66, or the ball is driven by the retry operation. When the driving of the paid-out motor 62 is confirmed, the game can be restarted. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the payout device such as the payout motor 62, and even if the game is restricted by a trivial abnormal payout state, the game can proceed without delaying the progress of the game. As a result, a smooth game can be played without incurring disadvantage to the player. In addition, by facilitating the elimination of a trivial dispensing abnormal state such as a ball biting in the lead-out passage 26, the trivial dispensing abnormal state can be eliminated, so that the labor of the clerk at the game hall can be reduced. it can.

  Further, in the abnormal payout state, the drive of the payout motor 62 and the vibration vibrator 47 is restricted until a predetermined period has elapsed since the drive of the payout motor 62 and the passage vibration vibrator 47. Therefore, the non-driving period of the payout motor 62 and the passage vibration vibrator 47 can be maintained for a certain period, and therefore, the illegal payout of the ball due to excessively driving the payout motor 62 and the passage vibration vibrator 47 is prevented. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent a failure such as burnout of the payout motor 62 and the passage vibration vibrator 47 due to long-term driving.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be inferred.

  The present invention may be implemented in a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiment. For example, once a jackpot has been hit, a pachinko machine (commonly known as a twice-rights item or a three-times right item) can increase the jackpot expectation value until a jackpot condition occurs a plurality of times (for example, two or three times). ). Also, the pachinko machine may be put into a special game state on condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area after the big hit symbol is displayed. Furthermore, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as areaches, sparrow balls, slot machines, so-called game machines in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are combined.

  In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating an operation lever in a state where a coin is inserted and a symbol valid line is determined, and the symbol is stopped and determined by operating a stop button. Things. Therefore, the basic concept of the slot machine is as follows: "variable display means for variably displaying a symbol row composed of a plurality of symbols and then displaying the symbols in a fixed manner is provided. Is started, and the change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is the specific symbol. And a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player "as a necessary condition. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of game media.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine and a modified example of the present invention will be described. Control means for controlling the game using the game medium, payout means driven by the control means to pay out the game medium, drive detection means for detecting the driving state of the payout means, and drive detection means Drive determining means for determining whether the detection result is normal, payout detecting means for detecting a payout state of the game medium paid out from the payout means, and determining whether the detection result of the payout detection means is normal. A game comprising payout determining means, and game regulating means for regulating the progress of the game when the payout state of the game medium or the drive state of the payout means is determined to be abnormal by the payout determining means or the drive determining means. In the machine, the control means includes a regulation time determining means for determining whether or not the game is regulated by the game regulating means, and a time information for storing time information that changes with time. Storage means, time information determination means for determining whether the time information stored in the time information storage means is predetermined information, determination results based on the time information determination means, and determination results based on the regulation time determination means In response to this, the regulated driving means for driving the payout means in a predetermined manner, and the driving state or the payout state of the payout means driven in a predetermined manner by the regulated driving means is normal by the drive determining means or the payout determining means. A gaming machine 1 comprising: a regulation release means for releasing the game regulation by the game regulation means when it is determined that there is a game regulation. Note that the time of game regulation is exemplified by, for example, a state in which control of the entire gaming machine is stopped, a state in which only devices and controls related to payout operations are regulated, and devices and controls related to display devices and the like are normally executed. Is done.

  In the gaming machine 1, the storage device for storing the game medium, a lead-out path for leading out the game medium from the storage part to the payout means, and a vibration means for vibrating the lead-out path, the driving means during regulation The gaming machine 2 wherein the payout means is driven in a predetermined manner, and the outgoing path is vibrated by the vibration means. Conventionally, when the payout state of the payout means is abnormal, there have been many trivial abnormal payout states in which the game medium stays on the lead-out path for leading the game medium from the storage unit to the payout means. In such a case, if the derivation path is vibrated by the vibrating means, the stay can be eliminated, but even if the stay of the game medium is eliminated, the abnormal payout state continues, so the player must An employee of the amusement arcade was called on and the gaming machine was operated in a prescribed manner, and the payout abnormal state was resolved. Therefore, once the abnormal payout state occurs, the progress of the game is slow, and time is wasted. In addition, there is a problem that the player may be disadvantaged. Therefore, when the progress of the game is regulated by the game regulation means, the payout means is driven by the regulation time drive means in accordance with the judgment result based on the time information judgment means and the judgment result based on the regulation time judgment means, and The payout path is vibrated by the vibrating means, and when the game medium paid out by the predetermined drive of the payout means by the regulation-time driving means is determined by the payout monitoring means to be normally paid out, the release is canceled. The game restriction is released by means. Therefore, when the payout state becomes abnormal due to a trivial cause and the game regulation occurs, the game regulation can be canceled without significantly delaying the progress of the game, and the player is disadvantaged. A smooth game can be played without letting them go. Further, even when the payout state of the payout means becomes abnormal, the game regulation can be released without calling the game room clerk, so that the labor of the game room clerk can be reduced.

  In the gaming machine 2, the regulation-time driving unit causes the vibrating unit to vibrate the lead-out path before driving the payout unit in a predetermined manner. The regulation-time driving means is configured to vibrate the lead-out path by the vibration means and then drive the payout means in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the trivial dispensing abnormal state such as game media staying on the derivation path can be easily resolved, and the trivial dispensing abnormal state can be resolved, thereby reducing the labor of the game clerk. Can be.

  In the gaming machine 2 or 3, the regulation-time driving unit is configured to limit the driving of the payout unit until a predetermined period has elapsed since the predetermined driving of the payout unit. Machine 4. The regulation-time driving unit is configured to restrict the driving of the payout unit until a predetermined period has elapsed since the predetermined time of the payout unit has been driven. Therefore, the non-driving period of the payout means can be maintained for a certain period of time, so that it is possible to prevent the payout means from being unduly paid out due to excessively driving the payout means, and to prevent the payout means from malfunctioning due to long-term drive. Etc. can be prevented.

  In any one of the gaming machines 1 to 4, the regulation-time driving unit is configured to limit the driving of the vibration unit until a predetermined period elapses after the outflow path is vibrated by the vibration unit. A gaming machine 5 characterized in that: The regulation-time driving means is configured to limit the driving of the vibration means until a certain period elapses after the vibration means vibrates the lead-out path. Therefore, the non-driving period of the vibration means can be maintained for a certain period, so that failure of the vibration means due to long-term driving can be prevented.

  The gaming machine 6 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 5, further comprising an operation driving unit for performing a predetermined operation of the payout unit by performing a predetermined operation when the game is regulated by the game regulating unit. An operation drive unit is provided for driving the payout unit to a predetermined operation by performing a predetermined operation at the time of game regulation. Therefore, when the game regulation occurs, the game regulation can be released in a timely manner in addition to the release of the game regulation by the regulation release means. Therefore, when the payout state becomes abnormal due to a trivial cause and game regulation occurs, the game regulation can be canceled without significantly delaying the progress of the game, and the player is disadvantaged. A smooth game can be played without letting them go.

  In the gaming machine 6, the first predetermined drive of the payout unit by the first operation drive unit and the second predetermined drive of the payout unit by the regulation drive unit are the same drive amount. 7. By setting the drive amount of the first predetermined drive of the dispensing unit by the operation driving unit and the drive amount of the second predetermined drive of the dispensing unit by the regulation-time driving unit to be the same drive amount, processing and regulation in the operation drive unit are controlled. The processing in the time driving means can be performed by the same processing. Therefore, since the information amount of the control program can be reduced, the control can be stabilized and the processing can be speeded up.

  The gaming machine 8 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine. Among them, as a basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine, an operation handle is provided, and a ball is fired to a predetermined game area in accordance with the operation of the operation handle, and the ball is provided in an operation port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning (or passing through the operating port), there is a case where identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is fixedly stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special game state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined mode to enable the ball to win, and a value corresponding to the winning number is obtained. A value (including data written on a magnetic card as well as a prize ball) is given.

  A pachinko gaming machine is different from a gaming machine such as a slot machine in that a time limit is set for a game in a special gaming state. Therefore, during the special gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine, the player must always be participating in the game, for example, standing in the middle of the game by standing, or being unable to participate in the game because the ball runs out. In such a case, the game value corresponding to the special game state cannot be obtained. In such a pachinko gaming machine, for example, if a payout abnormal state occurs during the special game state, even if a ball is won in the winning opening, a prize ball is not paid out, and further, the ball runs out, In some cases, you may not be able to participate in the game. In such a case, the employee is called, the payout abnormal condition is resolved, and the player participates in the game again.However, the special game state progresses while the employee cancels the payout abnormal condition. Therefore, even if the player participates in the game after the abnormal payout state is resolved, there is a problem that the game value corresponding to the special game state cannot be obtained. Therefore, at the time of the occurrence of the abnormal payout state, the game was stopped by the trivial payout abnormal state during the special game state, by dissolving the payout abnormal state substantially periodically and by being able to pay out the ball again. Even in this case, the game can be advanced (performing the payout operation) without delaying the progress of the game, so that the player can play the game smoothly without disadvantage.

  The gaming machine 9 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, as a basic configuration of the slot machine, "a dynamic display of an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information is provided, followed by a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information, and is used for operating a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. And a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on condition that the confirmed identification information is the specific identification information. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.

  The gaming machine 10 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the integrated gaming machine is as follows: "variable display means for dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information, and starting operation means (for example, an operation lever) The change of the identification information is started due to the operation of, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. A special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on condition that the fixed identification information at the time of stop is specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium, , A predetermined number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display, and a large number of balls are paid out when a special game state occurs.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine of the present invention. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. It is sectional drawing of a ball payout apparatus. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process performed in the main control board and the payout control board. 5 is a flowchart of a main process executed by a main control board. It is a flowchart of the initialization process performed in a main control board and a payout control board. 9 is a flowchart of award ball number data transmission processing executed by the main control board. It is a flowchart of the data reception process performed in a payout control board. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by a payout control board. It is a flowchart of the prize ball operation processing executed in the main processing of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the ball lending operation process performed in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the payout process performed in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the payout switch detection processing performed in the main processing of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the slit detection processing performed in the main processing of a payout control board. It is a flow chart of return payment processing performed during payment processing. It is a flowchart of each process in the main process of a payout control board. 9 is a chart showing timings at which a retry operation and an error release are executed.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 Pachinko machines (game machines)
53h Payout execution flag (part of payout determination means, part of drive determination means)
53i timer counter (part of payout determination means)
53j pulse counting counter (part of drive judging means)
53k count error flag (part of game regulation means)
53l Motor error flag (part of game control means)
53m Emergency counter (part of payout judgment means, part of drive judgment means)
53n Emergency timer counter (part of time information storage means)
60 ball payout device (part of payout means)
62 Dispensing motor (part of dispensing means)
63e slit sensor (part of drive detection means)
66 Payout count switch (part of payout detection means)
C Main control board (part of control means)
H Dispensing control board (part of control means)
P ball (game media)
S91 (part of the control means)
S102 (part of time information determination means)
S104 (part of regulation driving means)
S122 (part of regulation release means)
S138 (part of regulation release means)

Claims (4)

Control means for controlling a game using a game medium; payout means driven by the control means for paying out the game medium; drive detection means for detecting a driving state of the payout means; and drive detection means. Drive determining means for determining whether the detection result is normal, payout detecting means for detecting a payout state of the game medium paid out from the payout means, and determining whether the detection result of the payout detection means is normal. A game comprising payout determination means and game regulation means for regulating the progress of the game when the payout state of the game medium or the drive state of the payout means is determined to be abnormal by the payout determination means or the drive determination means. On the machine,
The control means is a regulation time determination means for determining whether or not the game is regulated by the game regulation means,
Time information storage means for storing time information that changes according to time;
Time information determining means for determining whether the time information stored in the time information storage means is predetermined information,
A regulation-time driving unit that drives the payout unit in a predetermined manner according to a judgment result based on the time information judgment unit and a judgment result based on the regulation-time judgment unit;
When the drive state or the payout state of the payout means, which has been driven by the regulation-time driving means, is determined to be normal by the drive determination means or the payout determination means, the game restriction by the game restriction means is released. A gaming machine comprising a regulation release means. A storage unit for storing the game medium,
A derivation route for deriving the game medium from the storage unit to the payout means,
Vibrating means for vibrating the outlet path,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the regulation-time driving means drives the payout means in a predetermined manner and vibrates the lead-out path by the vibration means.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the regulation-time driving means causes the vibrating means to vibrate the lead-out path before driving the payout means in a predetermined manner.   4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the regulation-time driving unit is configured to limit the driving of the payout unit until a predetermined period elapses after the predetermined driving of the payout unit. 5. Gaming machine.

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