JP2005118494A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the unified management of the processing of checking the number of the game media put out while accomplishing the reduction in the burden pertaining to the reception of the signals by the put-out control means. <P>SOLUTION: A card unit 50 and the main board 31 installed adjoining the game machine are connected so as to enable the communication thereof through an interface board 66. The CPU 56 of the main board 31 causes the EXS signal to rise to the card unit 50 and when detecting the falling of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, it transmits the command signal to a put-out control board 37 for the driving of a put-out motor 289, thereby making it putout the prescribed number of dispensing balls. Upon the completion of the put-out operation, the CPU 56 causes the EXS signal to fall to the card unit 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a pachinko gaming machine, a slot machine or the like that allows a player to play a predetermined game using a game medium and pays out a prize game medium as a prize based on the fact that a payout condition is established by the game. Related to the gaming machine.

  A gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine returns a gaming medium as a gaming value as a prize to the player in accordance with a prize or the like. Accordingly, a payout means for paying out game media as a prize is provided. In addition, the player borrows a game medium to play a game, but the card unit sends a rental request signal to the game machine in response to the player's operation on the card unit installed adjacent to the game machine. There is a gaming machine configured to rent out game media to a player by paying out a predetermined amount of game media from the above-mentioned payout means in accordance with a payout request signal.

  Such gaming machines are generally provided with game control means that is means for controlling the overall progress of the game and payout control means for controlling the payout means. Since the occurrence of a prize or the like relates to the overall progress of the game, it is detected by the game control means. Then, a signal instructing the payout control means to pay out the game medium as a prize is transmitted from the game control means. Further, since the lending request signal relates to the payout of the game medium, it is input to the payout control means (for example, see Patent Document 1).

          Japanese Patent No. 3086611 (FIG. 1)

  In the conventional gaming machine, since a signal relating to the payout of the game medium is input from the game control means and the card unit to the payout control means for controlling the payout means, the payout control means needs to handle two different signals. This complicates the configuration of the payout control means. In addition, as a gaming machine, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the number of game media corresponding to a prize and the number of game media corresponding to a loan request has been paid out. Since the number of game media confirmed by the control means and according to the lending request is confirmed by the payout control means, the game machine payout number confirmation processing is not centrally managed in the gaming machine.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the burden on signal reception of the payout control means, and can centrally manage the check processing of the number of game media payouts, thereby reducing the load on the payout number check processing as a whole gaming machine. An object is to provide a gaming machine.

  In the gaming machine according to the present invention, a player can play a predetermined game using a game medium (for example, a game ball), and a payout condition (for example, winning of a game ball to a winning opening) is established by the game. A game machine that pays out game media as a prize based on the game control board (main board 31) equipped with game control means for controlling the progress of the game (for example, a game control microcomputer: basic circuit 53); Controls a payout means (for example, a ball payout device 97) for paying out game media, a payout detection means (for example, a payout count switch 301) for detecting payout of game media by the payout means and outputting a payout detection signal, and a payout means A payout control board (payout control board 37) on which payout control means (for example, a payout control microcomputer) is mounted, and the game control means includes a recording medium ( For example, a value (for example, amount) specified by information recorded in a prepaid card) is converted into a game use value (for example, a lending unit: 25 lending as one unit) that can be used for gaming on a gaming machine. Communicating with an external device (for example, card unit 50) that performs processing for external device communication means for specifying the number of game media payout corresponding to the game use value (for example, steps S204 and S205 of the game control means are executed) And a payout command signal (for example, a payout number designation command) for designating the number of game media payouts corresponding to the game use value, as well as designating the number of game media payouts based on satisfaction of the payout conditions A payout command signal transmission means to be transmitted to the control means (for example, a part of the game control means for executing steps S205, S211, S214, S217 Based on the payout detection signal from the payout detection means, payout confirmation means for confirming whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out (for example, step S219 of the game control means is executed). Game medium payout control means (for example, payout control means) that executes a payout process in which the payout control means controls the payout means to pay out the number of game media designated by the payout command signal. A signal block that prevents a signal from the payout control means to the game control means from being input to the signal line for transmitting the payout command signal to the payout control board. Means (for example, output circuit 67) is mounted.

  It is preferable that a relay board (for example, interface board 66) for relaying a signal between the game control board and the external device is provided.

  The relay board is preferably connected only to the game control board and the external device.

  The communication between the game control board and the external device is, for example, bidirectional communication in which a signal is transmitted from the game control board to the external device and a signal is transmitted from the external device to the game control board (see FIG. 6). .

  When the game control means confirms that the number of game media specified by the payout confirmation signal has been paid out by the payout confirmation means, a payout completion signal (for example, a payout control command of F201 (H)) to the payout control means. It may be configured to include a payout completion signal transmitting means for transmitting.

  When the game control means inputs a payout detection signal from the payout detection means, a payout confirmation signal (for example, a payout control command of F101 (H)) indicating that the game medium has been paid out is sent to the payout control means. Including a confirmation signal transmitting means, wherein the payout control means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out based on the receipt of the payout confirmation signal. May be.

  The payout detection signal from the payout detection means is also input to the payout control means, and the payout control means pays out the number of game media specified by the payout command signal based on the payout detection signal from the payout detection means. It may be configured to include confirmation means for confirming whether or not.

  When the game control means confirms that the payout confirmation means has not paid out the number of game media specified by the payout command signal, a payout abnormality detection means (for example, a game) that an abnormality related to the game media payout has occurred. The control means may include a portion that executes steps S201 and S202).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden related to signal reception of the payout control means and to centrally manage the process for confirming the number of payouts of game media. In addition, it is unlikely that an illegal signal (a signal for illegally paying out game media) is input from the payout control board to the game control board.

  According to invention of Claim 2, the connection between a game control board and an external device is easy.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the possibility that an illegal signal is input to the game control means via other components in the gaming machine is reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 4, information can be smoothly transmitted and received between the game control board and the external device.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the payout control means can surely recognize that the payout has been completed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the payout control means can surely recognize that the payout has been made.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the payout control means can surely recognize that the payout has been made.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the gaming machine can surely recognize the occurrence of abnormality relating to payout.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and can be applied to other gaming machines such as a slot machine.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be opened and closed. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape that is provided in the game frame so as to be opened and closed. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanism parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding game boards described later). Is a structure including

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray (upper plate) 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the game balls. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 2. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-like body constituting the game board 6 and various components attached to the plate-like body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device (special symbol display device) 9 including a plurality of variable display portions each variably displaying a symbol as identification information. The variable display device 9 has, for example, three variable display portions (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. In addition, the variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol start memory display areas (start memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14, that is, the start memory number. Each time there is a valid start prize, the display color changes (for example, changes from blue display to red display), and the start storage display area is increased by one. Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory number display area where the display color is changed is reduced by 1 (that is, the display color is returned to the original). In this example, the symbol display area and the start memory display area are provided separately, so that the start memory number can be displayed even during variable display. The start memory display area may be provided in a part of the symbol display area. Further, the display of the starting memory number may be interrupted during variable display. In this example, the start memory display area is provided in the variable display device 9, but a display (special symbol start memory display) for displaying the start memory number may be provided separately from the variable display device 9. Good.

  Below the variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device 15 is provided as a start winning port 14. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 14a. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An opening / closing plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. The opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing a large winning opening (variable winning ball apparatus). Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V winning area: special area) is detected by the V count switch 22, and the winning ball from the opening / closing board 20 is counted. 23. On the back of the game board 6, a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided. Note that the winning ball that has entered the V winning area may be configured to pass through the count switch 23 after being detected by the V winning sensor.

  When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, variable display of the normal symbol display 10 is started. In this embodiment, variable display is performed by alternately lighting the left and right lamps (the symbols can be visually recognized when the lamp is lit). When the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, a normal symbol start memory display 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of winning balls entered into the gate 32 is provided. Each time there is a prize at the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increments the LED to be turned on by one. Then, every time variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be lit is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39, and winning of game balls to the winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39 is performed by winning hole switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, respectively. Detected. Each winning opening 29, 30, 33, 39 constitutes a winning area provided in the game board 6 as an area for accepting game media and allowing winning. The start winning opening 14 and the big winning opening also constitute a winning area that accepts game media and allows winning. Decorative lamps 25 blinking and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a game ball that has not won a prize is provided at the bottom. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided. Further, a decoration LED is installed around each structure (such as a big prize opening) in the game area 7. The top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decorative LED are examples of a decorative light emitter provided in the gaming machine.

  In this example, a prize ball LED 51 that is lit during award ball payout is provided in the vicinity of the left frame lamp 28b, and a ball break LED 52 that is lit when the supply ball is cut is provided in the vicinity of the top frame lamp 28a. It has been. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with lamps and LEDs as light emitters in various places. Further, a prepaid card unit (hereinafter referred to as a card unit) that enables lending of a ball by inserting a prepaid card is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 (not shown).

  The card unit includes, for example, a use indicator lamp that indicates whether or not the card unit is in a usable state, a connection table direction indicator that indicates which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit, When checking the card insertion indicator lamp that indicates that a card has been inserted, the card insertion slot into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and the card reader / writer mechanism provided on the back of the card insertion slot A card unit lock is provided to release the unit.

  The game balls launched from the hit ball launching device enter the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descend the game area 7. When the game ball enters the start winning port 14 and is detected by the start port switch 14a, the special symbol starts variable display (variation) on the variable display device 9 if the variable display of the symbol can be started. If the variable display of the symbol cannot be started, the start memory number is increased by one.

  The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of special symbols at the time of stoppage is a jackpot symbol (specific display result), the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. When a game ball wins the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of jackpot symbols (probability variation symbols) with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in the probability variation state.

  When the game ball wins the gate 32, the normal symbol display unit 10 is in a state where the normal symbol is variably displayed. Further, when the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. That is, the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased when the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a winning symbol, or when the stop symbol of the special symbol is a probabilistic symbol. It changes to an advantageous state. Note that increasing the number of times of opening is a concept including changing from a closed state to an open state.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine as seen from the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the gaming machine, a game in which a variable display control unit 49 including an effect control board 80 on which an effect control means for controlling the variable display device 9 is mounted, a game control microcomputer, and the like are mounted. A control board (main board) 31 is installed. In addition, a payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer that performs ball payout control is mounted is installed. The production control means includes a variable display device 9 provided on the game board 6, various decoration LEDs, a normal symbol start memory display 41, a decoration lamp 25, a top frame lamp 28a provided on the frame side, and a left frame. The lamp 28b and the right frame lamp 28c are controlled to be turned on, and sound generation from the speaker 27 is controlled.

  The effect control means is realized by one effect control microcomputer mounted on the effect control board 80, but various decoration LEDs, normal symbol start memory display 41, and decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board 6. The drive circuit for driving the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b and the right frame lamp 28c provided on the frame side is mounted on a lamp driver board electrically connected to the effect control board 80. Yes. The drive circuit for driving the speaker 27 is mounted on a sound control board that is electrically connected to the effect control board 80.

  Further, a power supply substrate 910 and a touch sensor substrate 91 on which a power supply circuit for generating DC30V, DC21V, DC12V, and DC5V is mounted are provided. Most of the power supply substrate 910 overlaps with the main substrate 31, but there is an exposed portion that is exposed so as not to overlap with the main substrate 31. In the exposed portion, power supply to the main board 31 and each electric component control board (the effect control board 80 and the payout control board 37) in the gaming machine 1 and each electric component provided in the gaming machine is executed or cut off. Data stored in a power switch as a power supply permitting unit and a storage content holding unit included in the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 (for example, a backup RAM capable of holding the contents even when power supply is stopped) And a clear switch as an operation means for clearing. Furthermore, a replaceable fuse is provided inside the power switch at the exposed portion (inside the substrate).

  An electrical component control means including an electrical component control microcomputer is mounted on the electrical component control board. The electric component control means is an electric component (game device: ball payout device 97, variable display device 9, light emitter such as a lamp or LED) provided in the gaming machine in accordance with a command signal (control signal) from the game control means. ) To control. Hereinafter, description may be made by including the main board 31 in the electric component control board. In that case, the electric component control means mounted on the electric component control board indicates each of the game control means and the means for controlling the electric components provided in the gaming machine in accordance with a command signal from the game control means. . A substrate on which a microcomputer other than the main substrate 31 is mounted may be referred to as a sub-substrate.

  On the back side of the gaming machine, a terminal board 160 provided with terminals for outputting various information to the outside of the gaming machine is installed above. The terminal board 160 includes at least a ball break terminal for introducing the output of the ball break detection switch 167 and outputting it externally, a prize ball terminal for outputting prize ball information (prize ball number signal) and a ball. A ball lending terminal for externally outputting lending information (ball lending number signal) is provided. Near the center, an information terminal board (information output board) 34 having terminals for outputting various information from the main board 31 to the outside of the gaming machine is installed.

  The game balls stored in the storage tank 38 pass through the guide rail 39 and reach the ball payout device covered with the payout case 40A through the curve rod. Above the ball payout device, a ball break switch 187 is provided as a game medium break detection means. When the ball break switch 187 detects a ball break, the payout operation of the ball payout device stops. The ball break switch 187 is a switch that detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage. In the vicinity of the head). When the ball break detection switch 167 detects a shortage of game balls, the game machine is replenished to the game machine from the supply mechanism provided on the gaming machine installation island.

  When a large number of game balls as prizes based on winning a prize and game balls based on a ball lending request are paid out and the hitting ball supply tray 3 is full, the game balls are guided to the surplus ball receiving tray 4 through the surplus ball passage. When the game ball is further paid out, a sensing lever (not shown) presses a full tank switch (not shown) as a storage state detection means, and the full tank switch as a storage state detection means is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the payout motor in the ball payout device stops, the operation of the ball payout device stops, and the driving of the hitting ball launching device also stops.

  FIG. 3 is a front view (FIG. 3 (A)) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 3 (B)) showing the ball dispensing device 97 covered with the dispensing case 40A. The ball payout device 97 is fixed to the lower part of the passage body installed between the ball break switch 187 and the ball payout device 97. The passage body has a ball passage for flowing down two rows of game balls whose flow-down direction is converted into the left-right direction by a curve saddle. A ball break switch 187 is installed on the upstream side of the ball passage. In practice, a ball break switch is installed in each ball passage. The ball break switch 187 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball passage. When the ball break switch 187 stops detecting a game ball, the ball discharge device 97 has a payout motor (not shown in FIG. 3). The rotation is stopped and the payout of the game ball is immobilized.

  The ball break switch 187 is locked by a locking piece at a position where it can be detected that 27 to 28 game balls are present in the ball path.

  In the ball payout device 97, a payout motor (not shown) using a stepping motor rotates, for example, a cam, thereby paying out one winning ball or one game ball based on a ball lending request. Also, below the ball payout device 97, for example, a payout number count switch 301 using a proximity switch is provided. Each time one game ball falls from the ball payout device 97, the payout number count switch 301 is turned on. That is, the payout number count switch 301 detects a game ball actually paid out from the ball payout device 97. The game control means can count the number of game balls actually paid out by the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301. In this example, the payout number count switch 301 detects both the paid-out prize balls and the rental balls. That is, the payout of prize balls and the payout of lending balls are detected by the same detection means. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced. However, the payout of prize balls and the payout of rental balls may be detected by separate detection means.

  In this embodiment, the ball payout device 97 is configured to perform both prize ball payout and ball lending. However, a ball payout device for paying out a prize ball and a ball payout device for lending a ball may be provided separately. When separately provided, the payout means is composed of a ball payout device for paying out a prize ball and a ball payout device for lending a ball. Further, for example, the configuration may be such that the winning ball payout and the ball lending are separated by changing the rotation direction of the cam or the sprocket, or the ball paying device 97 exemplified in the present embodiment (the cam is rotated by the motor). The present invention can be applied to any structure other than the structure).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. FIG. 4 also shows a payout control board 37, an effect control board 80, and the like. The main board 31 includes a basic circuit (corresponding to a game control microcomputer: game control means) 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 32a, a start port switch 14a, a V count switch 22, and a count switch 23. The input driver circuit 58 for supplying signals from the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a and the clear switch 921 to the basic circuit 53, the solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15, and the solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20. And a solenoid circuit 59 for driving a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53.

  The input driver circuit 58 also receives detection signals from the payout count switch 301, the full switch 48, and the ball break switch 187.

  The gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, and other switches may be referred to as sensors. That is, the name of the game medium detection means (game ball detection means in this example) that can detect a game ball is not limited. Each of the start port switch 14a, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a for performing the winning detection is also a winning detection means. Note that the winning detection means may be configured to collectively detect the respective game balls that have been won separately at the plurality of winning openings. In addition, even if a passing gate such as the gate switch 32a is used, if a prize ball is to be paid out, a game ball entering the passing gate becomes a win, and a switch ( For example, the gate switch 32a) becomes a winning detection means. Further, in this embodiment, since the game balls won in the V winning area are detected only by the V count switch 22, the number of game balls won in the big winning opening is the number detected by the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23. It becomes the sum with the detection number by. However, the game ball that has won the V winning area may be detected by the V count switch 22 and also by the count switch 23. In this case, the number of game balls won in the big winning opening corresponds to the number detected by the count switch 23.

  A switch common voltage (for example, + 12V) is supplied to each of the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a. A switch common monitoring circuit 71 for monitoring the voltage is mounted. When the switch common monitoring circuit 71 detects that the switch common voltage has dropped to a predetermined value, the switch common monitoring signal input to the basic circuit 53 is turned off.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the variable display of the symbols in the variable display device 9, the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 for outputting an information output signal such as probability variation information indicating the above to an external device such as a hall computer is mounted.

  A basic circuit 53 realized by a game control microcomputer includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control (game progress control) program and the like, and storage means used as a work memory (variable data storage means for storing variable data). RAM 55, CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with programs, and I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to have at least the RAM 55 built in, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built in. Since the CPU 56 executes control according to the program stored in the ROM 54, the CPU 56 executes (or performs processing) hereinafter, specifically, the CPU 56 executes control according to the program. is there. The same applies to CPUs mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 31. The game control means is realized by a basic circuit 53 realized by a game control microcomputer, but is mainly realized by a CPU 56 that executes control according to a program in the game control microcomputer.

  The RAM 55 is a backup RAM as a non-volatile storage means that is partially or entirely backed up by a backup power source created on the power supply substrate 910. In other words, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, a part or all of the contents of the RAM 55 is stored for a predetermined period (until the power supply of the backup power supply is disabled). In particular, at least data (special symbol process flag or the like) corresponding to the game state, that is, the control state of the game control means, and data indicating the number of unpaid winning balls are stored in the backup RAM. Note that the data according to the control state of the game control means is data necessary for restoring the control state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like based on the data when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the like. . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the entire RAM 55 is backed up.

  The reset signal from the power supply board 910 is input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56, but the reset signal from the power supply board 910 is delayed by the delay circuit 69 in the main board 31. Further, a power-off signal output from the power supply substrate 910 is input to the basic circuit 53 (specifically, an input port).

  The hitting ball launching device for hitting and launching the game ball includes a launch motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the payout control board 37, and the game ball is launched toward the game area 7 by the rotation of the launch motor 94. A drive signal for driving the firing motor 94 is transmitted to the firing motor 94 via the touch sensor substrate 91. The touch sensor detects that the player is touching the operation knob (hitting ball handle) 5 and a signal from the touch sensor is mounted on the touch sensor substrate 91 (the player touches the operation knob 5). Is transmitted to the payout control board 37 via a circuit including a detection circuit for detecting whether or not it is touched. The circuit on the payout control board 37 stops the driving of the firing motor 94 when the signal from the touch sensor circuit indicates an off state. Note that the operation knob 5 is provided with a touch ring that adjusts the resilience and is a part that the player contacts. In the gaming machine, the touch sensor substrate 91 is disposed between the touch ring and the payout control substrate 37, and is disposed in the vicinity of the touch ring.

  In this embodiment, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 80 performs display control of the normal symbol start memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board 6, and the frame side Display control of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, and the right frame lamp 28c. The effect control means mounted on the effect control board 80 also performs display control of the variable display device 9 that variably displays special symbols and the normal symbol display 10 that variably displays normal symbols.

  A card unit control microcomputer is mounted on the card unit 50 installed adjacent to the gaming machine. The main board 31 and the card unit 50 are communicably connected via an interface board (relay board) 66. The interface board 66 is electrically connected only to the main board 31 and the card unit 50.

  A card lending switch signal indicating that the ball lending switch 62 has been operated and a return switch signal indicating that the return switch 63 has been operated are given to the card unit 50 from the interface board 66 in accordance with the player's operation. . Further, a card balance display signal indicating a prepaid card balance and a ball lending display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the interface board 66. Between the card unit 50 and the main board 31, a connection signal (VL signal), a unit operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), a ball lending completion signal (EXS signal), and a pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY) Signal) is transmitted / received via the I / O port 57.

  When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the CPU 56 of the main board 31 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. The card unit control microcomputer outputs a VL signal when the power is turned on. The CPU 56 determines the connected / unconnected state of the card unit 50 based on the input state of the VL signal. When the card is received in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated and a ball lending switch signal is input, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRDY signal to the main board 31. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRQ signal to the main board 31.

  Then, when the CPU 56 of the main board 31 raises the EXS signal to the card unit 50 and detects the fall of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, a command signal is sent to the payout control board 37 to drive the payout motor 289. And let the player pay out a predetermined number of rental balls. When the payout is completed, the CPU 56 causes the EXS signal to the card unit 50 to fall. The power supply voltage AC24V used in the card unit 50 is supplied from the pachinko machine 1.

  Power is supplied from the power supply board 910 to the card unit 50 through the interface board 66. A fuse for protecting the card unit 50 is provided in the AC 24V power supply line for the card unit 50 arranged in the interface board 66, so that a voltage higher than a predetermined voltage is prevented from being supplied to the card unit 50. The

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 97. As shown in FIG. 5, a payout control microcomputer including a payout control CPU 371 is mounted on the payout control board 37. In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer is a one-chip microcomputer and has at least a built-in RAM. Further, the RAM may be backed up as in the RAM 55 on the main board 31. The payout control CPU 371, the RAM, the ROM (not shown) storing the payout control program, the I / O port, etc. constitute payout control means. Accordingly, the payout control means is realized by a payout control CPU 371, a payout control microcomputer including a RAM, a ROM, and an I / O port, but is mainly realized by a payout control CPU 371 that executes control according to a program.

  A detection signal from the dispensing motor position sensor 295 is input to the I / O port 372 e of the dispensing control board 37 via the relay board 72. The payout motor position sensor 295 is a sensor composed of a light emitting element (LED) and a light receiving element for detecting the rotational position of the payout motor 289, and is used for detecting that the game ball is clogged, that is, so-called ball biting. . When the CPU 371 for payout control on the payout control board 37 is notified that the detection signal from the ball shortage switch 187 indicates a ball full state or the detection signal from the full switch 48 indicates a full tank state. The ball payout process is stopped. Further, when it is notified that the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 indicates a full tank state, the ball launching from the ball striking device is stopped.

  When there is a win, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls to be paid out is transmitted from the CPU 56 of the main board 31 through the I / O port 57 and the output circuit 67 as a payout command signal. The payout control command is input to the I / O port 372e via the input circuit 373A. When a payout control command is input via the I / O port 372e, the payout control CPU 371 controls to drive the ball payout device 97 to pay out the number of game balls indicated by the payout control command.

  Further, the payout control CPU 371 outputs an error signal to the error display LED 374 using a 7-segment LED via the output port 372c. Further, a signal for instructing lighting / extinguishing is output to the winning ball LED 51 and the ball running out LED 52 via the output port 372b. A detection signal from an error release switch 375 for releasing the error state is input to the input port 372f of the payout control board 37. The error cancel switch 375 is used to cancel the error state by software reset. Further, the error display LED 374 may be installed in a part other than the payout control board 37 in the gaming machine, or may be controlled by a control means (for example, a game control means) other than the payout control means. In addition, here, an example is shown in which the prize ball LED 51 and the ball break LED 52 are controlled by the payout control means, but these light emitters may be controlled by a game control means or an effect control means.

  Further, a drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the payout motor 289 is transmitted to the payout motor 289 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 97 via the output port 372a and the relay board 72. A driver circuit (motor drive circuit) is installed outside the output port 372a, but is not shown in FIG. A drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the firing motor 94 is transmitted to the firing motor 94 via the output port 372 a and the touch sensor board 91.

  In the main board 31, an output circuit 67 is provided outside an I / O port (in this case, an output port) 57 for transmitting a payout control command. As the output circuit 67, for example, general-purpose CMOS-ICs 74HC250 and 74HC14 are used. According to such a configuration, a signal input from the payout control board 37 or the like into the main board 31 through the signal line for sending the payout control command is blocked, so that a signal is sent from the payout control board 37 to the main board 31. It is possible to reliably eliminate signal lines that may be provided. Note that a noise filter may be provided on the output side of the output circuit 67.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the card unit 50 together with components related to ball lending in the pachinko gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the frequency display LED 60 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is display-controlled by the card unit control unit 160 mounted on the card unit 50. On the frequency display LED (balance indicator) 60, a quotient when the amount recorded on the card is divided by a unit charge (for example, 100 yen), that is, the frequency as a balance is displayed in two digits.

  The card unit controller 160 includes a card unit control microcomputer. The card unit control microcomputer includes a CPU 161, a ROM 162 storing a card unit control program and data, and a RAM 163. Further, although including an I / O port, the description is omitted in FIG.

  Further, signals from the ball lending switch 62 and the return switch 63 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are input to the card unit controller 160 of the card unit 50. The card unit controller 160 is connected to a card reader / writer 166 that reads information recorded on the card and records information on the card. In addition, an available lamp 151, a connection direction indicator 153, and a card insertion indicator lamp 154 are connected.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing main processing executed by the game control means on the main board 31. FIG. When the gaming machine is turned on and the input level of the reset terminal to which a reset signal is input becomes high, the CPU 56 performs a security check process that is a process for confirming whether the contents of the program are valid. After execution, the main processing after step S1 is started. In the main process, the CPU 56 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4). After initialization (step S5) of CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits), the RAM 55 is set in an accessible state (step S6).

  Next, the CPU 56 confirms the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input via the input port 1 only once (step S7). When the on-state is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes a normal initialization process (steps S10 to S15). When the clear switch 921 is on (when pressed), a low-level clear switch signal is output. In the input port 1, the clear switch signal is on at a high level. Further, for example, the game store clerk can easily execute the initialization process by starting the power supply to the gaming machine (for example, turning on the power switch 914) while the clear switch 921 is turned on. That is, RAM clear or the like can be performed.

  If the clear switch 921 is not in the on state, whether or not data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, power supply stop processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped Confirm (step S8). In this embodiment, when power supply is stopped, a process for protecting data in the backup RAM area is performed. If it is confirmed that such protection processing has been performed, the CPU 56 determines that there is a backup. When it is confirmed that such protection processing is not performed, the CPU 56 executes initialization processing.

  Whether or not the protection process has been performed depends on the value of the backup monitoring timer stored in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process described later according to the execution of the data protection process in the backup RAM area (for example, It is confirmed by whether or not 2). Note that such a confirmation method is merely an example. For example, a flag indicating that the data protection process has been executed is set in the backup flag area in the power supply stop process, and the flag is set in step S8. If it is confirmed that there is a backup, it may be determined that there is backup.

  If it is determined that there is a backup, the CPU 56 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (step S9). When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power outage or the like, the data in the backup RAM area should be saved, so the check result (comparison result) is normal (matched). That the check result is not normal means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state when the power supply is stopped, the initialization process (the processes of steps S10 to S15) executed when the power is turned on, not when the power supply is stopped. Execute.

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the display control means to the state when the power supply is stopped. Specifically, the start address of the backup setting table stored in the ROM 54 is set as a pointer (step S91), and the contents of the backup setting table are sequentially set in the work area (area in the RAM 55) (step S92). ). The work area is backed up by a backup power source. In the backup setting table, initialization data for an area that may be initialized in the work area is set. As a result of the processing in steps S91 and S92, the saved contents of the work area that should not be initialized remain. The portion that should not be initialized is, for example, a portion in which data (such as a special symbol process flag) indicating a gaming state before stopping power supply or data indicating the number of unpaid prize balls is set.

  Further, the CPU 56 sets the head address of the backup command transmission table stored in the ROM 54 as a pointer (step S93), and power is supplied to the sub-boards (the payout control board 37 and the effect control board 80) according to the contents. Control is performed so that a control command indicating the recovery is transmitted (step S94). Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first performs a RAM clear process (step S10). The entire area of the RAM 55 may not be initialized, and predetermined data (for example, count value data of a counter for generating a big hit determination random number) may be left as it is.

  In addition, the CPU 56 sets the initial address of the initialization command transmission table stored in the ROM 54 as a pointer (step S13), and issues an initialization command for initializing the sub board according to the contents of the sub board. The process to transmit to is executed (step S14). Examples of the initialization command include a command indicating an initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9.

  In step S15, the CPU 56 sets a register built in the CPU 56 so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every predetermined time (for example, 4 ms). That is, a value corresponding to, for example, 4 ms is set as an initial value in a predetermined register (time constant register). In this embodiment, it is assumed that a timer interrupt is periodically taken every 4 ms.

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S10 to S15) is completed, the CPU 56 repeatedly executes the display random number update process (step S17) and the initial value random number update process (step S18). The CPU 56 disables the interrupt when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed (step S16), and interrupts when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are finished. The permitted state is set (step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number. It is. The initial value random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number. The initial value random number is a random number for determining an initial value of a count value such as a counter for generating a random number for determining whether or not to make a big hit (a big hit determination random number generation counter).

  Next, the game control process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. When a timer interrupt occurs during execution of the main process, specifically, during the execution of the loop process of steps S16 to S19, the CPU 56 performs a timer interrupt process that is activated in response to the occurrence of the timer interrupt. A game control process is executed. In the timer interrupt process, the CPU 56 first executes a power-off process (power-off detection process) for detecting whether or not a power-off signal is output (whether the power-off signal is turned on) (step S20). Next, detection signals of switches such as the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a are input via the switch circuit 58, and the state of these is determined (switches) Process: Step S21). Specifically, if the state of the input port for inputting the detection signal of each switch is ON, the value of the switch timer provided corresponding to each switch is incremented by one. Moreover, the short circuit alerting | reporting process which performs a predetermined alerting | reporting process based on a switch common monitoring signal is performed (step S22).

  Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S23). The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number and the initial value random number (steps S24 and S25).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S26). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S27). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a process of setting a symbol control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the symbol control command (special symbol command control process: step S28). Further, the symbol control command related to the normal symbol is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 55, and the symbol control command is transmitted (normal symbol command control processing: step S29).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, starting information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S30).

  In addition, the CPU 56 sets the number of prize balls to be paid out based on detection signals from the prize opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, etc., and sets the number of balls to be lent out based on a request from the card unit 50. A ball lending process is executed (step S31). In setting the number of prize balls to be paid out, a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out is transmitted to the payout control board 37 in response to winning detection based on the fact that the prize opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, etc. are turned on. . In setting the number of balls to be paid out, the number of balls to be rented is specified based on a request from the card unit 50, and a payout control command indicating the specified number is transmitted. The payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 so as to pay out the number of game balls specified by the payout control command in response to receiving the payout control command indicating the payout number. To do.

  And CPU56 performs the memory | storage process which checks the increase / decrease in the number-of-start winning memory | storage number (step S32). In addition, a test terminal process, which is a process for outputting a test signal for enabling the control state of the gaming machine to be confirmed outside the gaming machine, is executed (step S33). In this embodiment, a RAM area (output port buffer) corresponding to the output state of the output port is provided, but the CPU 56 outputs the contents related to the solenoid in the RAM area of the output port 3 to the output port. (Step S34: Solenoid output processing). Thereafter, the interrupt permission state is set (step S35), and the process is terminated.

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started periodically (for example, every 4 ms). In this embodiment, the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process. However, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is performed by the main process. May be executed. Further, the processing of steps S21 to S34 (except for steps S30 and S33) corresponds to a game control process for controlling the progress of the game.

  FIG. 10 is a timing diagram for explaining communication between the game control means of the gaming machine and the card unit 50. The game control means turns on the PRDY signal when power supply to the gaming machine is started and a payout operation is possible. When the power supply is started, the card unit 50 turns on the VL signal as a connection signal. When a card is received in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated and a ball lending switch signal is input, the card unit 50 outputs a BRDY signal to the game control means. That is, the BRDY signal is turned on. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit 50 outputs a BRQ signal to the game control means. That is, the BRQ signal is turned on.

  Then, the game control means turns on the EXS signal for the card unit 50 and detects the falling (off) of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, so that the payout control means drives the payout motor 289 by the payout control command. And a predetermined number (for example, 25) of rental balls are paid out to the player. When the payout is completed, the game control means causes the EXS signal to the card unit 50 to fall. That is, the EXS signal is turned off. Note that all signals communicated between the game control means and the card unit 50 are transmitted and received via the interface board 66.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a command form of a control command (including a payout control command) transmitted from the main board 31 to another electrical component control board. In this embodiment, the command data of the control command has a 2-byte structure, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. The command form shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and other command forms may be used. For example, a control command composed of 1 byte or 3 bytes or more may be used.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a relationship between 8-bit control signals CD0 to CD7 (command data) and an INT signal (capture signal) that constitute a control command for each electric component control means. As shown in FIG. 12, when a predetermined period elapses after MODE or EXT data is output to the output port, the CPU 56 sets the INT signal, which is a signal indicating data output, to a high level (on data). Further, when a certain period elapses, the INT signal is set to a low level (off data). Furthermore, when there is data to be transmitted next, that is, after the MODE data is transmitted, the second byte of data is output to the output port after a certain period. An acquisition signal is output for each of the MODE and EXT data.

  Each electrical component control means detects that the INT signal has risen, and starts a 1-byte data fetch process, for example, by an interrupt process. Note that the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the payout control command. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the command FF00 (H) with MODE = FF (H) and EXT = 00 (H) is a payout control command (payout permission state designation command) for instructing that payout is possible. is there. A command FF01 (H) with MODE = FF (H) and EXT = 01 (H) is a payout control command (payout prohibition state designation command) for instructing that payout should be stopped. A command F0XX (H) with MODE = F0 (H) is a payout control command (payout number designation command) for designating a payout number. “XX”, which is EXT, indicates the number of payouts.

  When the payout control means receives the payout control command of FF01 (H) from the game control means of the main board 31, the payout control means stops paying out the game ball, and when the payout control command of FF00 (H) is received, the payout control means becomes ready for payout. Become. Also, when a payout control command specifying the payout number is received, payout control is performed according to the number specified by the received command.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the winning ball lending process shown in FIG. In the winning ball lending process, the CPU 56 performs a payout abnormality check process (step S201). For example, whether or not the full switch 48 is on (it is abnormal if it is on), whether or not the ball break switch 187 is on (it is abnormal if it is on), and a prize ball described later In the number subtraction process, whether or not the value of the lending ball total counter or the winning ball total counter has become negative (excessive payout has occurred) (if it is negative, it is considered abnormal), the lending ball total counter or the winning ball Before the total counter value becomes 0 (before the payout is completed), the payout number counter 301 is not turned on for a predetermined period or longer (no detection signal is output: that is, the payout is stopped before the payout is completed). Confirm that it is abnormal because it has closed. When any abnormality occurs, it is determined that an abnormality relating to the payout process has occurred, and a payout prohibition state designation command is transmitted to the payout control board 37 (steps S202 and S203). Accordingly, the game control means is configured such that when it is confirmed that the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has not been paid out, an abnormality relating to the game media payout has occurred.

  When sending out the payout prohibition state designation command, the payout abnormality flag is set in the RAM, and when the payout abnormality flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not all the above abnormalities have been resolved, and all of them are resolved. If so, a payout permission designation command is transmitted to the payout control board 37.

  If no abnormality has occurred, the CPU 56 determines that if the BRDY signal from the card unit 50 is on and the BRQ signal that is a ball lending request signal is on (step S204), 25 A payout number designation command for designating the payout of the game balls is sent to the payout control board 37. And then. The value of the lending ball total counter formed in the RAM is increased by 25 (step S206). Further, a ball lending flag is set (step S207). If there is no ball lending request, the ball lending flag is reset (step S208). Specifically, when the BRQ signal is on, the CPU 56 raises the EXS signal to the card unit 50 and, when detecting the fall of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, issues a payout number designation command. Transmit to the control board 37. When the payout is completed (when 25 payouts are confirmed by the detection signal from the payout number count switch 301), the CPU 56 also performs control to lower the EXS signal for the card unit 50.

  When the ball lending flag is reset, the CPU 56 detects the winning ball by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 (when the V winning sensor is provided, the count switch 23 detects the winning ball). , A payout number specifying command for specifying payout of 15 game balls is transmitted to the payout control board 37 (steps S210 and S211). Also, the value of the prize ball total counter is increased by 15 (step S212). When any of the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a detects a winning ball, a payout number specifying command for specifying payout of 10 game balls is transmitted to the payout control board 37 (steps S213, S214). In addition, the value of the prize ball total counter is increased by 10 (step S215). When the start opening switch 14a detects a winning ball, a payout number designation command designating the payout of six game balls is transmitted to the payout control board 37 (steps S216 and S217). Further, the value of the total number of prize balls is increased by 6 (step S218).

  Thereafter, the CPU 56 executes a payout number subtraction process (step S219). In the payout number subtraction process, when the ball lending flag is set, the value of the lending ball total counter is decremented by 1 when the detection signal is output from the payout number counter. When the ball lending flag is not set, the value of the award ball total counter is decremented by 1 when a detection signal is output from the payout counter.

  Next, the operation of the payout control means will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the payout control means. In the main process, the payout control CPU 371 first performs necessary initial settings. That is, the payout control CPU 371 first sets the interruption prohibition (step S701). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S702), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S703). The payout control CPU 371 initializes the built-in device register (step S704), initializes the CTC and PIO (step S705), and then sets the RAM in an accessible state (step S706). The interrupt mode 2 means that the CPU is internally set to use an interrupt process based on counting up the built-in CTC.

  Next, the payout control CPU 371 performs a RAM clear process (step S711). Further, for example, the CTC register provided in the payout control CPU 371 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 4 ms (step S712). Since interrupt is prohibited in step S701, interrupt permission is set (step S713).

  In this embodiment, the built-in CTC of the payout control CPU 371 is set to repeatedly generate a timer interrupt. In this embodiment, the repetition period is set to 4 ms, for example. When a timer interrupt occurs, a timer interrupt flag indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred in the timer interrupt process is set. In the main process, when it is detected that the timer interrupt flag is set (step S714), the timer interrupt flag is reset (step S751), the firing motor control process (step S752), and the payout control process (step S751). S753 to S760) are executed. In the firing motor control process in step S752, the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 given to the firing motor 94, which is a stepping motor, are stored in the excitation pattern buffer. When the firing motor 94 should be disabled, the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 that do not rotate the firing motor 94 are stored in the excitation pattern buffer. The contents of the excitation pattern buffer are supplied to the firing motor 94 in the output process (step S760).

  In the payout control process, the payout control CPU 371 first sets the payout stop state when the payout prohibition state designation command is received from the main board 31, and cancels the payout stop state when the payout permission state designation command is received. Perform (payout stop state setting process: step S753). Note that the payout control command from the game control means is received, for example, in an interrupt process activated by an interrupt generated based on the INT signal.

  For example, in an interruption process for receiving a payout control command, when a payout control CPU 371 receives a payout number designation command, it performs a process of adding the designated payout number to a payout number total counter. If the payout motor 289 is not currently being driven and a non-zero value is set in the payout total counter, the larger value of the payout total counter and a predetermined value (for example, 15) is set. A driving signal is output to the payout motor 289 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 97 via the output port 372c and the relay board 72 so that the payout motor 289 is rotated only for the time required to pay out the game balls of A payout motor control process for rotating the payout motor 289 by the number of rotations is performed (step S758). In the payout motor control process, when the payout motor 289 is rotated for paying out one game ball based on the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295, the value of the payout number total counter is decremented by -1. . Next, error detection processing (for example, determination of whether or not a payout prohibition state designation command has been received) is performed, and predetermined display is performed on the error display LED 374 according to the result (error processing: step S759). Moreover, the process etc. which output the pattern of firing motor (phi) 1-phi4 are performed (output process: step S760).

  In this embodiment, the payout number counter 301 is decremented by 1 when the payout motor 289 is rotated for paying out one game ball. The detection signal may be input to the payout control means. In the case of such a configuration, the value of the payout number total counter is decremented by −1 based on the detection signal of the payout number counter 301. That is, the payout control means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the game balls of the payout number specified by the payout number command as the payout command signal have been paid out based on the detection signal from the payout number counter 301. It may be configured as follows.

  Further, when the game control means inputs a detection signal of the payout number count switch 301, a payout control command (for example, F101 (H)) as a payout confirmation signal indicating that is transmitted to the payout control means. May be. In the case of such a configuration, the value of the total number of payout counter is decremented by 1 when such a payout control command is received. In other words, the payout control means may be configured to confirm whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out based on the payout detection signal from the payout number count switch 301. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the game control means transmits the payout number designation command based on the next winning even if the payout corresponding to the certain winning is not completed, but the payout corresponding to the certain winning is completed. On the condition that this is done, a payout number designation command based on the next winning may be transmitted. In such a case, when the game control means confirms that all the game balls corresponding to a winning are paid out based on the payout detection signal from the payout number count switch 301, the payout control command indicating the payout completion. (For example, F201 (H)) may be transmitted to the payout control means. In such a configuration, even if the payout detection signal from the payout number count switch 301 is not input to the payout control means, the payout control means detects the payout from the payout number count switch 301. Based on the signal, it can be recognized that the payout has been completed.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the game control means prioritizes the lending request from the card unit 50 over the winning (processing before the simultaneous occurrence) (see FIG. 14), but the winning is prioritized. You may let them. Further, although the same payout number designation command is used regardless of whether it is due to a lending request or due to winning, a different command may be used for a lending request and for winning.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the game control means communicates with the card unit 50, and the game control means commands the number of prize balls in response to a rental request from the card unit 50. Since the number of balls lending is instructed using the signal line, it is possible to centrally manage the process of confirming the number of game media payouts, and to reduce the burden on signal reception of the payout control means. In particular, the circuit configuration of the payout control board 37 is simplified. Furthermore, there is a low possibility that an illegal signal (a signal for illegally paying out game media) is input from the payout control board to the game control board.

  The present invention also has the following applications. That is, a launching unit (for example, a hitting ball launching device) that launches a game medium toward a game area and an electric drive source (for example, a launching motor 94) that drives the launching unit are provided, and the electrical drive source is a payout control unit Therefore, the payout control means includes a payout stop means for stopping the operation of the ball payout device 97 when the payout prohibition designation command is received, and when the payout prohibition designation command is received, There may be included firing control means for controlling a drive signal supplied to the electrical drive source to stop the operation. Specifically, in the firing motor control process of step S752, if the payout is stopped, the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 that do not rotate the firing motor 94 are stored in the excitation pattern buffer. In such a configuration, if the game medium cannot be paid out, the launch is stopped to ensure that the game is continued even though the normal prize ball cannot be paid out. Can be prevented.

  After the game control means transmits the payout number designation command, even if a period of time during which the number of game balls specified by the payout number designation command should be paid out, a payout detection signal corresponding to the payout number is displayed. When it is detected that the payout number count switch 301 is not output (that is, when payout shortage is detected), the payout control means includes a payout control command (for example, F301 (H)) that sends a payout control command to the payout control means. You may go out. The correction instructing unit instructs the corrected payout when the period during which the payout detection signal is not output from the payout count switch 301 continues for a predetermined period (for example, a time slightly longer than the time required for paying out one game ball). A payout control command may be transmitted. Then, the payout control means is configured to include a corrected payout means for performing a control for paying out a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls upon receiving a payout control command for instructing the correct payout. In such a configuration, when the payout of the game ball is temporarily stopped (for example, when the game ball is caught by the mechanism part), the payout control is automatically restored. Can be made.

  Even if a payout control command for instructing a payout is transmitted, if a period during which no payout detection signal is output from the payout number count switch 301 continues for a predetermined period, the payout control command for the corrective payout means to instruct the correct payout again. You may send it. The game control means includes an abnormality determining means for determining that an abnormality has occurred when a payout detection signal is not output from the payout number count switch 301 even if a payout control command for instructing a correct payout is transmitted a predetermined number of times. You may go out. In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the repeated execution of the control for automatically recovering when the payout of the game ball is temporarily stopped.

  In the above embodiment, the recording medium used in the card unit 50 (recording medium processing apparatus) as an external apparatus is a magnetic card (prepaid card). However, the recording medium is not limited to a magnetic card. It may be a contact type IC card. In addition, when the recording medium processing device is configured to be able to identify the recording information based on the identification code, the recording medium can be read at least by the recording medium processing device such as an identification code that can identify the recording information It may be something that can be recorded on. Further, the recording medium may be a medium on which a predetermined information recording symbol such as a barcode is printed so as to be readable. The shape of the recording medium is not limited to a card shape, and may be any shape such as a disk shape, a spherical shape, or a chip shape.

  The present invention is applied to a gaming machine that pays out a prize game medium as a prize based on the fact that a payout condition is established by a game, and pays out a game medium in response to an external lending request.

  It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front.   It is the rear view which looked at the gaming machine from the back.   It is the front view and sectional drawing which show a ball dispensing apparatus.   It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure in a main board | substrate.   It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout.   It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a card unit.   It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the game control means in a main board | substrate performs.   It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the game control means in a main board | substrate performs.   It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process.   FIG. 11 is a timing diagram for explaining communication between the game control means of the gaming machine and the card unit 50.   It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command form of the control command transmitted from a main board | substrate to another electrical component control board.   It is a timing diagram which shows the relationship between command data and an acquisition signal.   It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of the payout control command.   It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a prize ball lending process.   It is a flowchart which shows the main process which a payout control means performs.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 31 Game control board (main board)
37 Payment control board 50 Prepaid card unit (card unit)
56 CPU
66 Interface board (relay board)
97 ball payout device 160 card unit control unit 301 payout number count switch 371 payout control CPU
374 LED for error display

Claims (8)

A gaming machine in which a player can play a predetermined game using a game medium and pays out the game medium as a prize based on the fact that a payout condition is established by the game,
A game control board equipped with a game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
A payout means for paying out the game medium;
A payout detecting means for detecting payout of the game medium by the payout means and outputting a payout detection signal;
A payout control board equipped with a payout control means for controlling the payout means,
The game control means includes
Communication with an external device that performs processing for converting the value specified by the information recorded in the recording medium into a game use value that can be used for a game in a gaming machine, and a game medium corresponding to the game use value An external device communication means for specifying the number of payouts;
A payout command signal that designates the number of payouts of a predetermined number of game media based on the establishment of the payout condition and sends a payout command signal that designates the number of payouts of game media corresponding to the game use value to the payout control means A transmission means;
Based on a payout detection signal from the payout detection means, a payout confirmation means for confirming whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out,
The payout control means includes
Game medium payout control means for executing payout processing for controlling the payout means to pay out the game media of the number of payouts specified by the payout command signal;
The game control board is equipped with a signal blocking means for blocking the signal input from the payout control means to the game control means through a signal line for transmitting the payout command signal to the payout control board. A gaming machine characterized by The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a relay board that relays a signal between the game control board and the external device. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the relay board is connected only to the game control board and the external device. The communication between the game control board and the external device is bidirectional communication in which a signal is transmitted from the game control board to the external device and a signal is transmitted from the external device to the game control board. The gaming machine according to claim 3. The game control means
2. A payout completion signal transmitting means for sending a payout completion signal to the payout control means when the payout confirmation means confirms that the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out. 4. The gaming machine according to any one of four. The game control means
When a payout detection signal is input from the payout detection means, the payout control means includes a payout confirmation signal transmission means for transmitting a payout confirmation signal indicating that the game medium has been paid out,
Withdrawal control means
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a confirming unit configured to confirm whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out based on the reception of the payout confirmation signal. Game machines. The payout detection signal from the payout detection means is also input to the payout control means,
The payout control means includes a confirmation means for confirming whether or not the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has been paid out based on a payout detection signal from the payout detection means. Item 5. A gaming machine according to any one of Items 4 to 4. The game control means
The payout abnormality detecting means includes a payout abnormality detecting means that an abnormality relating to the payout of the game medium occurs when the payout confirmation means confirms that the number of game media specified by the payout command signal has not been paid out. 8. The gaming machine according to any one of 7.

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