JP2006239081A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of more securely controlling the pay-out of game media while immediately putting out game media. <P>SOLUTION: Whenever a microcomputer for the pay-out control receives a pay-out control command while winning balls are put out by a ball pay-out device 154, the value in a pay-out operation counter is added and updated by adding a number of winning balls to be put out according to the number of winning balls to be put out specified in the command. Then, a pay-out mode is driven based on the data in the pay-out operation counter, and when the data in the pay-out operation counter, from which the quantity of the driving is subtracted, reaches a value corresponding to the termination of pay-out, the pay-out motor is stopped. Then, connection signals from a card unit device are transmitted from a pay-out control board to a main board, and based on the presence of inputted connection signals, whether shooting should be permitted or prohibited is determined by a microcomputer for the game control. If the connection signals are inputted, shooting signals are transmitted to a shooting board, and the shooting by a hit ball shooting device is permitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine in which a player plays a predetermined game and pays out a predetermined number of game media according to the game as a prize.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. The game medium is paid out by a payout device. The payout device is generally controlled by a payout control microcomputer mounted on the payout control board. Since the progress of the game is controlled by a game control microcomputer mounted on the main board, information that can specify the number of winning balls based on the winning of the game medium in the winning area is used for payout control from the game control microcomputer. Sent to the microcomputer.

  The number of winning balls according to winning is determined to be, for example, 10 or 15 according to each of a plurality of winning areas provided. There are some gaming machines that pay out the ball for each win when a win occurs, but in order to shorten the total payout time, if consecutive wins are generated, There are also gaming machines that pay out in a lump without division. For example, when winnings corresponding to 10 winning balls are generated three times in succession, 30 winning balls are continuously paid out in a lump.

Furthermore, when the payout control microcomputer is performing prize ball payout control, if information regarding a new prize ball payout is received from the game control microcomputer, the payout control microcomputer will There is a gaming machine that controls to add a new number of winning balls to the number of paying-out prize balls and to pay out in a lump including award balls based on newly generated winnings (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-212321 (paragraphs 0039-0048, FIGS. 4 and 5)

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the payout sensor that detects the game ball after the payout device that has been paid out from the payout device driven by the payout motor has detected the last game ball (the payout by detecting the game ball). On the condition that the value stored in the number storage area has become 0), the driving of the payout motor is stopped assuming that the payout of the game ball has ended. Then, when the payout sensor detects the last game ball, there is a possibility that a new game ball is paid out by driving the payout motor. That is, there is a problem that the accuracy of the continuous payout control that is not divided for each prize ball executed in order to realize quick prize ball payout is low.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing more reliable payout control while realizing quick payout of game media.

Specific examples of means for solving the problems and their effects

(1) A player plays a predetermined game, and pays out a predetermined number of game media (game balls) as a prize according to the establishment of a predetermined payout condition (for example, winning a game ball at a winning opening) A gaming machine (pachinko machine 1),
The number-of-payout signal transmission means (for example, S31 in FIG. 13) that controls the progress of the game and transmits a number-of-payout signal (for example, a payout control command for a prize ball number command) that indicates the number of game media to be paid out when predetermined payout conditions are satisfied A game control microcomputer (for example, a game control microcomputer 99 including a CPU 112) including a prize ball process shown in FIG.
A payout means (for example, a ball payout device 154) for paying out game media;
Payout driving means (for example, payout motor 115) for driving the payout means to pay out the game medium;
A lending request signal (for example, a card) indicating a lending request for a game medium output from an external device (for example, card unit device 731), while controlling the payout driving means in accordance with a payout number signal received from the game control microcomputer. A payout control board (for example, a payout control board) on which a payout control microcomputer (for example, a payout control microcomputer 660 including a payout control CPU 659) for controlling the payout driving means based on the BRQ signal from the unit device 731 is mounted. 98)
A payout operation detecting means (for example, a payout motor position sensor 295 provided on the payout sensor board 114a) for detecting a payout operation in the payout means;
A payout game medium detection means (for example, a payout number count switch 116) for detecting a game medium paid out from the payout means;
The lending request signal output from the external device and a connection signal (for example, a VL signal) output from the external device in response to the start of power supply to the external device are relayed and output to the payout control board. An interface board (eg, interface board 103);
A launch substrate (for example, launch substrate 107) that outputs a drive signal for driving the launch means to the launch means;
The interface board is not mounted with any capacitors (FIG. 9),
The payout control board is:
A photocoupler (for example, photocoupler PC1) provided on a signal line of a connection signal inputted through the interface board;
A capacitor (for example, a capacitor C1) provided on a signal line of a connection signal between the interface board and the photocoupler for stabilizing the connection signal;
A connection signal state specifying signal for outputting a connection signal state specifying signal (VL non-signal) capable of specifying whether or not the connection signal is input (for example, the VL signal is in an ON state) to the game control microcomputer. Output means (I / O port 661b in FIG. 6, S825, S826a, S827a in FIG. 42, output circuit 663B in FIG. 56, I / O port 661b in FIG. 58),
The game control microcomputer is:
A firing signal output means for monitoring the connection signal state specifying signal and outputting a firing signal (launching signal) for permitting firing by the launching means to the launching board in response to the input of the connection signal state specifying signal (FIG. 13 S34a, S901 of FIG. 14, S905-S908),
The launch substrate is
Firing permission means (AND circuit 95b in FIG. 7) that permits firing by the firing means when the firing signal is input to the launch substrate (when the launch signal is in an on state);
Firing prohibiting means (AND circuit 95b in FIG. 7) for prohibiting launching by the launching means when the launch signal is not input to the launch substrate (when the launch signal is in an off state),
The dispensing control microcomputer is:
The connection signal input via the interface board is monitored to monitor the connection state between the payout control board and the external device, and the connection signal is not input (the connection signal is in an off state) ) Is a connection state determination means (for example, a part that executes the processing of S825 in the payout control microcomputer 660),
When it is determined by the connection state determination means that it is in the unconnected state, non-connection state notification means (for example, S759 in the payout control microcomputer 660) that executes control for notifying that the unconnected state has occurred. To execute the process)
A payout number signal receiving means for receiving the payout number signal transmitted by the payout number signal transmitting means (for example, a part for executing command reception interrupt processing in the payout control microcomputer 660, see FIG. 30);
The total prize payout number data storage means (for example, the RAM in the payout control microcomputer 660) stores total prize payout number data indicating the total sum of the number of payouts of the game media designated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means. The total number of prize ball payout scheduled counters)
A payout drive amount data storage means (for example, a RAM in the payout control microcomputer 660) stores payout drive amount data (the number of revolutions of the payout motor 115) of the payout drive means based on the number of game media payouts by the payout means. Payout operation counter), and
A payout driving amount data setting means (for example, a payout control microcomputer 660) that sets the total prize payout number data stored in the total prize payout data storage means as the payout drive amount data in the payout drive amount data storage means. Part for executing S632 in FIG.
When the payout drive amount data is set by the payout drive amount data setting means, the payout drive means is controlled to start payout operation start control means (for example, payout control). Part for executing S631 to S635 in the microcomputer 660 for use)
A payout drive amount data subtracting means (for example, a payout control microcomputer 660) that subtracts the value of the payout drive amount data stored in the payout drive amount data storage means in response to detection of a payout operation by the payout operation detecting means. Part for executing the processing of S513 in FIG.
The payout drive amount data determining means for determining whether or not the value of the payout drive amount data subtracted by the payout drive amount data subtracting means matches a predetermined end value (for example, payout in S525 in the payout control microcomputer 660) A part for determining whether or not the value of the payout operation counter has become 0 in the motor brake process);
When the payout drive amount data determining means determines that the value of the payout drive amount data matches the predetermined end value (for example, 0), the payout drive means is controlled so that the payout means pays out game media. Dispensing operation stop control means for stopping the operation (for example, processing for stopping the driving of the dispensing motor 115 in response to the value of the dispensing operation counter being 0 in the dispensing motor brake processing of S525 in the dispensing control microcomputer 660). Part to execute)
In response to the payout number signal receiving means receiving the payout number signal between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means, the payout number signal is A reception flag setting means (for example, a part for executing the processing of S506 in the payout control microcomputer 660) for setting a reception flag (received payout flag) indicating that it has been received;
Receiving determination means for determining whether or not the payout number signal is received during the game medium payout operation by the payout means by determining whether or not the reception flag is set to ON by the reception flag setting means. (For example, a portion for executing the processing of S694 in the payout control microcomputer 660);
When it is determined by the reception determining means that the payout number signal receiving means has received a payout number signal (for example, when it is determined that the payout number signal is received in S694), the payout number signal is in accordance with the payout number indicated by the payout number signal. A payout drive amount data update means for updating the value of the payout drive amount data stored in the payout drive amount data storage means (for example, a part for executing the processing of S695 in the payout control microcomputer 660);
After the driving of the payout driving means is started by the payout starting means, before the payout operation stop control means stops driving of the payout driving means (for example, the payout operation is not completed in S641, and in S644 When it is determined that a prize ball is being paid out), when the lending request signal is received from the external device (for example, when it is confirmed that there is a ball lending request in S645), the premium game medium is paid out. A prize game medium payout interrupting means for interrupting (for example, a part for executing the processing of S645 to S647 in the payout control microcomputer 660);
Lending game medium payout start means (for example, in the payout control microcomputer 660) starts payout of the gaming medium based on the lending request signal when the prize game medium payout is interrupted by the prize game medium payout interrupting means. A portion for executing the processing of S648 to S650), and
The prize game medium interrupted by the prize game medium payout interruption means when the rental game medium payout based on the loan request signal is finished after the rental game medium payout start means is started. A prize game medium payout restarting means (for example, a part for executing the processing of S636 to S638 in the payout control microcomputer 660),
The payout drive amount by the payout drive amount data update means after the prize game medium payout interrupting means interrupts the payout of the prize game medium until the prize game medium payout restarting means restarts payout of the prize game medium. Dispensing drive amount data updating prohibiting means for prohibiting updating of the data value (for example, a portion for executing the processing of S692 in the dispensing control microcomputer 660, particularly when the payout operation storage counter is not 0, that is, a prize ball payout is lent By the process of S692 executed in a state of being interrupted by

  According to such a configuration, in the payout control microcomputer, the total prize payout number data indicating the total number of payouts of the game media designated by the received payout number signal is set as the payout drive amount data, and the payout drive Since the payout driving means is controlled in accordance with the setting of the quantity data and the payout means is operated, the game medium payout operation is performed without dividing the payout number instructed by the received payout number signal. When the payout number signal is further received between the start and stop of the payout operation, the value of the payout drive amount data is updated according to the payout number specified by the received payout number signal. Since the payout operation of the game medium is performed without dividing the payout number indicated by the payout number signal received during the operation, the prize game medium can be quickly paid out. Further, the value of the payout driving amount data is subtracted in response to the detection of the payout operation by the payout means, and when it is determined that it matches the predetermined end value, the payout means performs the game medium payout operation. Since it is stopped, the prize game medium can be paid out more accurately than in the case where the payout operation is stopped based on the detected ball game medium. The payout drive amount data by the payout drive amount data update means after the prize game medium payout interrupting means stops the payout of the prize game medium until the prize game medium payout restarting means restarts the payout of the prize game medium. The payout drive amount data update prohibiting means for prohibiting the update of the value of the payout drive amount data is provided in a situation where the ball lending process is being executed and the prize game medium is not paid out. By not performing the update, unnecessary processing can be prevented from being performed. Further, in the payout control board, since the connection signal from the external device through the interface board is input to the payout control microcomputer via the photocoupler, an abnormal level signal is not input to the payout control microcomputer as the connection signal. Can be. Furthermore, since no capacitor is mounted on the interface board and a capacitor for stabilizing the connection signal is provided on the payout control board, an illegal signal is output outside the payout control board such as the interface board. It is possible to easily find fraudulent acts performed by providing a capacitor used to input to the signal path to the payout control board, and to make it difficult to perform such fraudulent acts. The connection signal input from the external device via the interface board via the photocoupler is monitored, and when it is determined that the connection signal is not input, the connection state is not connected. Since it is notified that it has occurred, it is possible to easily grasp the unconnected state with respect to such an external device. Further, in the game control microcomputer, the connection signal state specifying signal is monitored, and a firing signal for permitting the launching by the launching means is output to the launch board in response to the input of the connection signal state specifying signal. It is possible to perform control for permitting or prohibiting the launching by the launching means in accordance with the presence or absence of a connection signal input to the substrate. As a result, when the connection signal from the external device is not inputted, it is possible to reliably stop the launching by the launching means, and the payout control micro when such a stop is performed. The control burden on the computer can be reduced.

(2) storage means (the lower plate 27 in FIG. 1) for storing the game medium paid out from the payout means;
A storage detection means (full tank switch 158 in FIG. 6 and the like) for outputting a storage detection signal (full tank signal) to the payout control means when a predetermined number of game media are stored by the storage means; Prepared,
The payout control board is:
Instead of the connection signal state specifying signal output means, a first condition that the connection signal is not input (in FIG. 53, a VL no signal is input to the OR circuit 701, and in FIG. 57, a VL no signal is input to the OR circuit 702). 59, and the second condition that the storage detection signal is input (the full signal is input to the OR circuit 701 in FIG. 53, and the full signal is input in FIG. 57). Is input to the OR circuit 702, and the full signal is input to the OR circuit 705 in FIG. 59). The game control is an input state specifying signal (state confirmation signal) that can specify whether or not one of the conditions is satisfied. Input specific signal output means (OR circuit 701 in FIG. 53, OR circuit 702 in FIG. 57, OR circuit 705 in FIG. 59) to be output to the microcomputer for use,
The firing signal output means monitors the connection signal state specifying signal, and instead of outputting a firing signal for permitting firing by the launching means to the launch board in response to the input of the connection signal state specifying signal. Then, the input state specifying signal is monitored, and in response to the input of the input state specifying signal, a firing signal (launching signal) for permitting firing by the launching means is output to the launch board (S900 in FIG. 55, S905 to S908).

  According to such a configuration, in the game control microcomputer, at least one of the first condition that the connection signal is not input and the second condition that the storage detection signal is input is satisfied. The input state specifying signal that can specify whether or not the input state is monitored, and the firing signal for permitting the launching by the launching means is output to the launch board in accordance with the input of the input state specifying signal, so the input state specifying Since it is possible to perform control for permitting and prohibiting the firing by the launching means in accordance with the presence / absence of a signal input, the control burden on the dispensing control microcomputer can be further reduced. Further, when managing the launching state by the launching means in accordance with the input of the connection signal to the payout control board and the storage detection signal in the game control microcomputer, the state of a plurality of signals is collected using a common signal line. Can be managed.

(3) It further includes notifying means (the effect control board 90, the voice frame lamp board 92, and the game effect lamps 13a to 13c of FIG.
The game control microcomputer is:
When the firing signal is not output, a notification control signal (a card unit non-connection notification command, a full tank notification command, a firing stop notification command) is used to notify the notification unit that the emission by the emission unit has been stopped. Notification control signal output means for outputting (I / O port unit 114 in FIG. 5, S902, S904 in FIG. 14, S900a in FIG. 55),
Production control microcomputer of notification control means (production control microcomputer 118 in FIG. 5, S412 and S413 in FIG. 52) for controlling the notification means based on the notification control signal output from the notification control signal output means. 118)),
A notification control signal relay board for relaying the notification control signal in one direction from the notification control signal output means to the notification control means between the notification control signal output means and the notification control means (relay command relay in FIG. 5) A substrate 57) is further included.

  According to such a configuration, when the firing signal is not output, the notification means notifies that the firing by the launching means is stopped based on the output of the notification control signal. It becomes possible to easily grasp that the firing by the means has been stopped. Further, the notification control signal relay board relays the notification control signal in one direction to the notification control signal output means and the notification control means between the notification control signal output means and the notification control means. It is possible to prevent an illegal act of executing an illegal control operation by inputting an illegal signal to the game control microcomputer via the route.

(4) The payout control microcomputer is:
Prize number data indicating the number of payouts indicated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means Including a payout premium number data storage means for storing (for example, a payout received number counter),
The payout drive amount data update means adds the value of the prize number data stored in the payout premium number data storage means to the value of the payout drive quantity data stored in the payout drive amount data storage means. As a result, the value of the payout drive amount data is updated (for example, the part of S505 in the payout control microcomputer 660).

  According to such a configuration, the payout control microcomputer temporarily stores the number of game media specified by the payout control command received by the payout control command receiving means in the payout premium number data storage means during the payout operation. Thereafter, the payout operation amount data is updated by adding the value in the payout premium number data storage means to the value of the payout operation amount data. Thus, when the payout control microcomputer updates the payout operation amount data, it is not necessary to perform an operation for specifying the number of game media from the payout control command, so that the processing load can be reduced.

(5) The payout control microcomputer includes:
When the payout number signal receiving means receives the payout number signal again between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means (for example, a microcomputer for payout control) The number of payouts received when the process of S853 and S855 is executed again after the process of S635 after the process of S635 is executed and the process of S502 and S504 is determined YES. The value of the prize number data is obtained by adding the number of payouts indicated by the signal to the value of the prize number data stored in the payout prize quantity data storage means and using the added value as the prize number data. Payout premium data update means (for example, the processing of S505 in the payout control microcomputer 660 is executed) Including that part).

  According to such a configuration, each time the payout control microcomputer receives the payout control command during the payout operation, the number of game media specified by the received payout control command is cumulatively added to the value of the prize number data. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of payout-in-place prize number data storage means. For this reason, the payout control microcomputer can reduce the data storage area to be secured.

(6) A payout stop condition establishment detection means for detecting whether or not a payout stop condition (for example, an error state such as a full tank state or a ball out state) that should stop the game medium payout operation by the payout means is satisfied. A full switch 158, a detection switch such as a ball break switch 157, etc.)
The payout control microcomputer controls the payout driving means when the payout stop condition establishment detecting means detects the establishment of the payout stop condition (for example, when YES is determined in S691), A payout stop condition satisfaction stop control means for stopping the payout operation of the game medium by the payout means (for example, a portion set as YES in the processing of S691 in the payout control microcomputer 660);
The reception flag setting means is also in a state where the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means (for example, when the payout control microcomputer 660 determines YES in the process of S691 after executing the process of S635). The payout number signal is received in response to the fact that the payout number signal receiving means has received the payout number signal (for example, when the payout control microcomputer 660 determines YES in the processing of S502 and S504). Including a condition-satisfied reception flag setting means (for example, a part for executing the processing of S506 in the payout control microcomputer 660).
The payout premium number data storage means indicates the number of game media indicated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means. Including a condition fulfilling payout premium data storing means for storing data (for example, a payout received number counter);
When the payout number signal receiving means receives the payout number signal again even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means (for example, a payout control microcomputer) 660 executes the process of S635, and when YES is determined in the process of S691, S853 and S855 are executed again, and YES is determined in the processes of S512 and S514), the received payout number signal The value of the prize number data is updated by adding the designated number of payouts to the value of the prize number data stored in the payout prize quantity data storage means, and using the added value as the prize number data. The condition fulfilled payout premium number data update means (for example, the process of S505 in the payout control microcomputer 660) It includes a portion) to the execution.

  According to such a configuration, the payout control microcomputer determines the number of game media specified by the payout control command received by the payout control command receiving means even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means. It is cumulatively added to the value of the prize number data. Therefore, when the stop of the payout operation by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means is released and the payout operation is restarted, the payout operation amount data update means performs the payout operation based on the premium number data accumulated during the stoppage. Update the value of quantity data. For this reason, the payout control microcomputer can quickly pay out the game medium after releasing the payout operation stop.

(7) The payout control microcomputer is:
When the value of the prize number data is added to the value of the payout drive amount data by the payout drive amount data updating means (for example, when the payout control microcomputer 660 executes the process of S695), the payout drive is performed. A prize number subtracting means for subtracting the value of the prize number data added to the value of the quantity data from the payout prize quantity data storage means (for example, a part for executing the processing of S697 in the payout control microcomputer 660) is included.

  According to such a configuration, the payout control microcomputer adds the value of the premium number data to the value of the payout operation amount data, and then adds the value of the premium number data stored in the payout premium number data storage means. By subtracting the value of the prize number data, it is possible to realize an accurate payout of game media.

(8) The payout control microcomputer includes:
When the value of the prize number data is added to the value of the payout drive amount data by the payout drive amount data update means, a reception flag off means for turning off the reception flag (for example, S698 in the payout control microcomputer 660). Process execution part).

  According to such a configuration, the payout control microcomputer can realize accurate payout of the game medium by turning off the reception flag after adding the value of the prize number data to the value of the payout operation amount data. it can.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be other gaming machines such as a coin gaming machine. The game machine can be applied to any game machine that pays a predetermined number of game media as prizes according to the establishment of a predetermined payout condition. In the following description, the player side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is represented by the front, front, front, and front, and the opposite side of the player across the pachinko gaming machine 1 is back, back, rear, rear, back, Shown on the back. First, an overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 that is formed into a vertically long rectangular frame, and is pivotally supported on one side of the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable. A front frame 3 in which almost all of the main components are gathered, a front door frame (glass frame) 4 that can be opened and closed on the front upper portion of the front frame 3, and a front lower portion of the front frame 3 that can be opened and closed. The upper plate opening / closing frame 11 is provided. The main components provided in the front frame 3 include the front door frame 4, the game board 40, the lower plate 27, the ashtray unit 29, the operation handle 30, the mechanism plate 140, and the ball hitting device 130. A card unit device 731 which is an external device for lending a game ball as a game medium to a player (also referred to as lending or ball lending) is attached to the side of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  In this pachinko gaming machine 1, based on the use of the remaining amount (also referred to as the balance) owned by the player specified by the recorded information of the prepaid card (game card) as the recording medium owned by the player received by the card unit device 731. As a result, the game balls are rented (lent) to the player. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a game ball that is a game medium stored in the upper plate 19 serving as a hitting ball supply tray is ejected and a game area formed on a game board 40 described later with reference to FIG. The game is played by hitting 41. Then, if a prize is generated by the game, a payout condition is established, and a prize ball as a prize game medium is paid out as a prize based on the establishment of the payout condition.

  The front door frame 4 is provided with a circular see-through window 5 as a game opening through which a game area 41 of a game board 40 described later with reference to FIG. 3 can be seen substantially. Is to be installed. Along the opening for the circular see-through window 5, an upper decorative unit 22 as a decorative member is provided at the upper part, a left decorative unit 23a as a covering member is provided on the left side, and a right decorative unit 24a as a covering member is provided on the right side. A lower decorative cover member 31 is mounted as a decorative cover member. It is provided on the front side of the front door frame 4 so that game effect lamps 13a, 13b, 13c as light emitting members face inside the upper decorative unit 22, and light is emitted inside the left decorative unit 23a and the right decorative unit 24a, respectively. It is provided in the front side of the front door frame 4 so that the game effect lamp 16a and the game effect lamp 17a as a member may face. The game effect lamps 13a, 13b, 13c, 16a, and 17a are lit or flashed in accordance with the game state, and notify the player when the special game state is generated or when it continues, and the game atmosphere. It is something that excites.

  Note that the upper plate opening / closing frame 11 located below the see-through window 5 of the front door frame 4 has a lower portion continuous with the left decorative unit 23a when the front frame door 4 and the upper plate opening / closing frame 11 are closed. A left decorative unit 23b is provided at a position, and a right decorative unit 24b is provided at a lower position continuous with the right decorative unit 24a. The left decoration unit 23b and the right decoration unit 24b are provided on the front side of the upper plate opening / closing frame 11 so that the game effect lamp 16b and the game effect lamp 17b as light emitting members face each other. By flashing, it is possible to notify the player of the occurrence or continuation of a special gaming state and to increase the gaming atmosphere.

  In addition, speakers 12 a and 12 b that generate sound effects (including sound and the like) according to the progress of the game are provided on the front door frame 4 on the left and right of the upper decoration unit 22. Note that the speakers 12a and 12b also generate a notification sound to notify that when a ball lending abnormality occurs or when a ball lends (for example, every time a ball worth 100 yen is paid out). May be. In addition, a prize ball LED 10 as a game-related information light emitting member for notifying that a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out based on the occurrence of a winning ball on the upper right side of the left decorative unit 23a (note that the prize ball has not been paid out) In particular, it is turned on when there is no unpaid prize ball, and is turned off when there is no unpaid prize ball) so that it can be seen from the front of the front door frame 4. On the upper left side of the right decoration unit 24a, a ball break LED 9 serving as a game-related information light emitting member for notifying that there are not enough prize balls to be paid out (when a ball break switch 157 described later is detected). It is provided so as to be visible from the front surface of the front door frame 4.

  The award ball LED 10 and the ball break LED 9 are game-related information light-emitting members that emit light in association with information related to the game separately from the game effects performed in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and are provided separately from the game effect lamp. The front frame 3 is provided on the front side. In addition, on the right side of the lower decorative cover member 31 provided along the lower outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5, a see-through window 18 for visually confirming the stamp attached to the game board 40 is provided.

  The above-mentioned game effect lamps 13a, 13b, 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b are attached to the front door frame 4. The ball cut LED 9 and the prize ball LED 10 are attached to the front side of the front frame 3.

  Next, the structure of the upper plate 19 formed in the upper plate opening / closing frame 11 will be described. The upper plate 19 is configured by fixing a plate member in which a plurality of synthetic resin members are combined. Above the open side of the upper plate 19, a ball removal operation lever 21 is provided. The ball removal operation lever 21 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and moves in one direction against the urging force of the spring, so that the ball stored in the upper plate 19 is formed on the back side. The extraction path and the ball extraction hole (not shown) are caused to flow down and guided to the lower plate 27.

  The above-described upper plate 19 will be described in more detail. The upper plate 19 stores the prize balls paid out from the prize ball payout opening 20 formed on the upstream side thereof, and supplies the balls to the launch position. is there. The upper plate 19 includes an operation unit that is operated when borrowing a ball through a card unit device 731 provided adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an operation button 19a that can be operated by the player while the game is in progress. And are provided.

  The operation unit includes a ball lending switch 36, a return switch 37, and a balance display board (see balance display board 104 in FIG. 5) on which each display LED is mounted, and the balance display board is on the upper surface of the upper plate 19. It is provided to face.

  Further, the operation button 19a is composed of a push-type detection switch. When the operation button 19a is operated (pressed), a movable provided on the left side of the decorative symbol display device 44b as will be described later with reference to FIG. The hammer 951 as a member operates. In this embodiment, a push-type detection switch will be described as an operation means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation from a player, such as a cross key that can be designated in the left-right and up-down directions, is accepted. Any signal may be used as long as it outputs a signal according to the above. Note that the operation button 19a is configured to input a detection signal to the effect control board 90 when pressed. Further, on the right side of the upper plate 19, a cylinder lock 26 for operating a locking device 128 that locks the front door frame 4 to the front frame 3 and locks the front frame 3 to the outer frame 2 is faced. It is out.

  The lower plate 27 attached to the lower portion of the front frame 3 is a prize ball overflowing from the upper plate 19 and is discharged through an excess ball passage formed in the lower portion of the back surface of the mechanism plate 140, a connecting rod, and the like. This is a surplus sphere storage tray (surplus sphere receiving tray) for storing surplus spheres, and a ball removal operation lever 28 is slidably mounted below the lower tray 27. By operating the ball removal operation lever 28, the balls (prize balls) stored in the lower plate 27 can be removed and transferred to a portable ball box.

  Further, an ashtray unit 29 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 27, and an operation handle 30 is provided on the right side. The operation handle 30 is a hitting operation handle that is operated to launch game balls stored in the upper plate 19. The operation handle 30 is assembled with a single firing switch (stop switch) for stopping the driving of the firing motor and a touch wiring (not shown) connected to a touch ring (touch sensor). The resilience can be adjusted. On the back side of the operation handle 30 (see FIG. 2), a hitting ball launching device 130 that hits and launches a game ball with a launching arm is provided. The hit ball launching device 130 includes a launch motor (see FIGS. 5 to 7) that operates the launch arm, and drives the launch motor in accordance with the operation of the operation handle 30 to operate the launch arm to play the game ball in the game area. Fire towards 41. The touch wiring is bundled together with the wiring from the single firing switch 109.

  The card unit device 731 installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated by operating the operation units such as the above-described ball lending switch 36 and the return switch 37 provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 19. is there. Therefore, on the front side of the card unit device 731, an available indicator (not shown) for displaying whether or not the card unit device 731 is usable, the card unit device 731 corresponds to the pachinko gaming machine 1 on either side. There are provided a connecting direction indicator (not shown) for displaying whether or not the card is inserted, a card insertion slot (not shown) for inserting a prepaid card made of a magnetic card, and the like.

  The card unit device 731 accepts the above-mentioned prepaid card and lends a rental ball to the player based on the use (withdrawal) of the remaining card amount owned by the player specified by the recorded information of the accepted prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as lending) Or card lending device). With the rental balls lent in this way, a game using the game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 becomes possible. The card unit device 731 is equipped with a card unit control microcomputer for performing various controls such as control related to prepaid card processing and control related to lending of lending balls.

  The card unit device 731 configured as described above is controlled by a unique control circuit, and is connected to an interface board 103 (to be described later) via a card unit wiring, and the interface board 103 is connected from the card unit wiring. To the payout control board 98. The function of the card unit device 731 may be built in the pachinko gaming machine 1 or may be a pachinko gaming machine that does not have the card unit device 731 and does not have a card lending function. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the card unit apparatus was illustrated as a unit apparatus for lending a ball (lending a ball | bowl) to a player, the unit apparatus which can insert a banknote etc. may be sufficient, for example.

  On the other hand, on the back of the pachinko gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a mechanism plate 140 equipped with various mechanisms for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the occurrence of prize balls is provided. A ball hitting device 130 is fixed to the back surface corresponding to the operation handle 30.

  The hitting board launcher 130 is provided with a launch board 107. The hitting board launcher 130 is driven and controlled by the launch board 107. The launch substrate 107 is accommodated in the substrate box 640.

  The overall schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described above, but the detailed configuration of the game board 40 and the mechanism board 140 among the components constituting the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be sequentially described below. First, the game board 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the game board 40.

  The game board 40 is formed of a substantially square plywood so as to be housed and fixed in a game board housing frame portion (not shown) integrally formed on the back side of the front frame 3. A game area 41 is formed on the surface of the game board 40, and guide rails 42a and 42b in which a stainless steel plate is formed in an arc shape are attached. A metal ball (game ball) launched from the hitting ball launcher 130 is guided into a circular game area 41 formed by each of the guide rails 42a and 42b.

  In the case of the game area 41, a special symbol display device 44a, a decorative symbol display device 44b, a special variable winning ball device 48, a normal variable winning ball device 58, a normal symbol display device 63, etc. are provided in the game area 41. A winning hole, a windmill flow direction, a windmill that changes the speed, or a number of obstacle nails are provided, and the game area 41 is placed at the bottom of the game area 41. A mouth 69 is provided.

  The configuration of the game area 41 will be described in more detail. A passing gate 61 having a built-in gate switch 62 is provided on the left side of the decorative symbol display device 44b. When the gate switch 62 detects a hit ball passing through the gate switch 62, the normal symbol display device 63 provided on the right side of the special variable winning ball device 48 based on the detection signal displays the normal symbol in a variable manner ( Specifically, “◯” and “x” are alternately turned on at two upper and lower positions) to derive a display result (one of “O” and “x” is turned on at two upper and lower positions). That is, when “x” is lit on the normal symbol display device 63, the normal symbol display device 63 has derived the display result of the loss. On the other hand, when “◯” is lit on the normal symbol display device 63, the normal symbol display device 63 has derived the winning display result, and the normal variable winning ball device 58 is opened for a predetermined time. The variation time of the normal symbol display device 63 is relatively short (for example, 3 to 5 seconds) in the probability variation mode in which the appearance probability of the jackpot symbol in the special symbol display device 44a is high, and in the probability variation mode. Is set relatively long (for example, 30 seconds) in the normal probability mode in which the appearance probability of the jackpot symbol in the special symbol display device 44a is low. Further, on the left side of the special variable winning ball device 48, a normal symbol start storage LED 68 for storing and displaying the number of hit balls passed through the gate switch 62 during the variable display of the normal symbol display device 63 (stores and displays up to four). Is provided.

  The special symbol start memory LED 67 stores and displays the number of balls detected by a start port switch 60 (to be described later) during the special symbol changing operation (stores and displays up to four balls). In addition, in the special symbol start memory LED 67, the upper limit value of the start memory number is fixed to four, but this is not limited to this, and the upper limit value of the start memory number can be changed when a predetermined condition is established ( For example, in the case of a probable big hit, the number may be increased to 20).

  The normal variable winning ball device 58 is disposed between the decorative symbol display device 44 b disposed substantially at the center of the game area 41 and the special variable winning ball device 48 disposed above the out port 69. It is an electric tulip type variable winning ball apparatus that is driven to open and close. The ordinary variable winning ball device 58 has a built-in start port switch 60 for detecting a winning ball received during opening or closing. Thus, when the hit ball is detected by the start opening switch 60, the special symbol on the special symbol display device 44a and the decorative symbol on the decorative symbol display device 44b start to fluctuate. The opening time of the normally variable winning ball device 58 is set to be relatively short (for example, 0.5 seconds) in the normal probability mode and relatively long (for example, 2 seconds) in the probability variation mode. ing. Further, even when the ordinary variable winning ball device 58 is not opened, the hit ball is received from the start port 58a provided at the upper portion of the ordinary variable winning ball device 58.

  The special symbol display device 44a is a display device including a 7-segment LED that variably displays special symbols “0” to “9”. Then, when the special symbol at the time of the fluctuation stop of the special symbol display device 44a is a predetermined jackpot symbol (for example, “3” or “7”), a specific gaming state (bonus gaming state) is given as a predetermined game value. ) To open and close the special variable winning ball device 48 in a predetermined display manner described below. However, a part of the jackpot symbol (for example, “7”) is set as a probability variation symbol, and when the probability variation symbol enters the specific gaming state, the normal symbol display device 63 after the specific gaming state ends. Is set to be a probability variation mode in which the normal symbol variation time is shortened, the probability of hitting (hit the hit), and the probability of appearance of the big hit symbol in the special symbol display device 44a are increased. Such probability variation is called probability variation. A jackpot symbol composed of probability variation symbols is called a probability variation jackpot symbol, and a jackpot symbol composed of symbols other than the probability variation symbol is called a non-probability variation jackpot symbol. In addition, symbols that do not become jackpot symbols are called outlier symbols.

  The decorative symbol display device 44b is a liquid crystal type display in which a display region 80 having a variable display region for individually displaying the decorative symbols of “0” to “9” on the left, middle, and right is formed. On the left side of the decorative symbol display device 44b, a hammer 951 is provided as a movable member used for game effects. The hammer 951 is driven by a motor (motor 950 in FIG. 5). When the operation button 19 a provided on the upper plate 19 is operated, the hammer 951 falls rightward with the movable portion 951 a as a fulcrum, and strikes the leftmost decorative symbol among the decorative symbols displayed in the display area 80. Such an effect can be performed.

  The decorative symbols variably displayed on the decorative symbol display device 44b are variably displayed with a predetermined relationship with the special symbol variability display in order to enhance the decoration effect of the special symbol variability display on the special symbol display device 44a. A design with a decorative meaning. The predetermined relationship includes, for example, a relationship in which the decorative symbol variation display is started when the special symbol variation display is started, or the special symbol variation display is ended and the display result is displayed. This includes a relationship in which the variable display is terminated and the display result is displayed. When the display result of the special symbol display device 44a is a big hit symbol, the display result of the decorative symbol display device 44b is also a combination of predetermined big hit symbols that generate a big hit (for example, the same symbol is aligned on any of the hit lines) And the display result is controlled so that the consistency of both display results is maintained. In the present embodiment, a decorative member 66 is provided on the outer periphery including the special symbol start memory LED 67, the special symbol display device 44a, and the decorative symbol display device 44b.

  In addition, a restriction flange portion 75 that prevents the ball from entering the decorative symbol display device 44b is extended from the upper end to the right end of the decoration member 66, and the restriction flange portion 75 and the game area 41 are extended. A guide passage 76 is formed between the upper right end and the guide rail 42b that defines the right end. In addition, a buffer member 70 (for example, rubber or the like) is provided in the upper right portion of the game area 41 so as to weaken the momentum of the ball passing through the guide passage 76 due to the collision of the ball with the buffer member 70. It has become.

  The special variable winning ball device 48 that is driven and controlled when a specific gaming state is reached has an opening / closing plate 49 that is opened and closed by a solenoid 65, and a count switch 52 that detects a hit ball received in the opening / closing plate 49. Is provided. In addition, a special ball detector 51 is provided in the special variable winning ball device 48 (inside the opening and closing plate 49) to establish the right to continue the specific gaming state with the detection of the hit ball (V winning detection). Above the specific ball detector 51, a V shutter (not shown) is provided to prevent the hit ball from passing through the specific ball detector 51 until the opening / closing plate 49 is opened next once the V winning is detected. ing. This V shutter is driven to open and close by a solenoid 50. When the specific gaming state is reached, the opening / closing plate 49 is held until a predetermined time (for example, 28 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number of (for example, 10) winning balls are won within the predetermined time. Opening (hereinafter, this opening is referred to as an opening cycle), and when the hit ball received during the opening cycle is detected by the specific ball detector 51, a continuation right is established, and the above opening cycle is executed again. A maximum of 16 open cycles can be repeated on condition that the continuation right is established in each open cycle.

  In addition, the specific game state of the present invention is not limited to the above, and may be a state in which any one of the following controls (1) to (5) or a combination of controls is executed.

(1) For a predetermined time continuously or intermittently with respect to a variable winning ball apparatus that can be changed between a first state that facilitates winning of a hit ball and a second state in which the hit ball cannot win or is difficult to win. (2) A first state that makes it easy to win a hit ball by intervening detection of a hit ball in a specific winning or passing area, and a second state in which the hit ball cannot win or is difficult to win. (3) Control to directly discharge a predetermined number of prize balls regardless of the winning of the hit ball (4) Valuable Control for adding a valuable number to a valuable storage medium (card, receipt, etc.) (5) Control for giving a score to a pachinko gaming machine 1 that can be played based on having a score. On the left and right of the ball device 48, a winning ball detector 56 is provided. a, 56b are provided with normal winning ports 54a, 54b, and normal winning ports 53a, 53b are provided above the outer sides of the normal winning ports 54a, 54b, respectively. ing.

  As described above, all winning ports and winning devices for winning hit balls are provided with respective switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, 60 as winning ball detectors for detecting winning balls. However, this is used for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on these detection signals. A gate switch 62 that detects a winning ball but does not pay out the winning ball is also provided. These switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, and 56b are connected to the main board 120 via a switch relay board 95 described below, as shown in FIG. A payout control command as a prize ball control signal corresponding to the detection signal from is issued to the payout control board 98. The payout control board 98 adds the number corresponding to the prize ball control signal as an unpaid number, and drives and controls a ball payout device 154 to be described later so as to sequentially pay out the prize balls. The specific ball detector 51 also has a function of detecting the establishment of the continuation right, and the winning ball detector 52 also has a counting function for restricting the opening of the opening / closing plate 49.

  Further, the start port switch 60 is directly connected to the main board 120 as shown in FIG. (However, the payout control commands derived by the other switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, and 56b are relatively large, for example, 7 while the payout control based on the start port switch 60 is used. The command is a relatively small number, for example, four. This is because the wiring from the start port switch 60 is directly connected to the main board 120, and the wiring incorporating the illegal circuit board in the middle (hanging). This is for facilitating the discovery of whether or not the board is connected. Then, as in the case of the switch described above, control for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls is performed. The start port switch 60 also serves as a start function for causing the special symbol display device 44a and the decorative symbol display device 44b to perform variable display. Further, the game board 40 is provided with a plurality of decorative lamps 32a and 32b for enhancing the decorative effect.

  As described above, the game board 40 is provided with a large number of switches, solenoids, decorative lamps, and the like. These are connected to the main board 120 via the voice frame lamp board 92 and the effect control board 90 or the switch relay board 95. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, each switch 51, 52, 55 a, 55 b, 56 a, 56 b, 62 and each solenoid 50, 59, 65 provided on the game board 40 is connected to the main board 120 via the switch relay board 95. Decorative lamps 32 a and 32 b provided on the game board 40 are connected to the main board 120 via a lamp driver board 93, an audio frame lamp board 92 and an effect control board 90.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a back pack 81 a is attached to the center of the back side of the game board 40 on the back side of the game board 40. In the center of the back pack 81a, an opening (not shown) facing the decorative symbol display device 44b is formed. The decorative symbol display device 44b and the decorative symbol display device 44b are accommodated in the back pack 81a. A liquid crystal box 81b is attached.

  The effect control board box 125 is directly attached to the rear surface of the liquid crystal box 81b. In this effect control board box 125, a lamp driver board 93, an audio frame lamp board 92, and an effect control board 90 are accommodated and attached.

  The voice frame lamp board 92 includes decoration lamps 32a, 32b provided on the game board 40, game effect lamps 13a, 13b, 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b provided on the front frame 3, the front door frame 4 and the like, a speaker. 12a, 12b, etc. are collectively controlled in accordance with the information signal (effect control command) received by the effect control board 90 from the main board 120. The voice frame lamp board 92 is provided with a volume switch 127 for switching the volume. The voice frame lamp board 92 outputs a control signal to the lamp driver board 93 that drives the decoration lamps 32a and 32b provided on the game board 40, so that the lighting state of the decoration lamps 32a and 32b is controlled by the lamp driver board 93. .

  The effect control board 90 controls the display state of the decorative symbol display device 44b according to the type of information signal (effect control command) for instructing the effect control from the main board 120. Further, the effect control board 90 exchanges information signals with the voice frame lamp board 92.

  Also, below the back pack 81a, a special symbol and special symbol memory board 85, a normal symbol board 86, a normal symbol memory board 87, a symbol relay board 84, a lamp relay board 89, and a switch relay board 95 shown in FIG. A symbol board box (not shown) in which is stored is attached.

  The special symbol and the special symbol memory board control the display state of the special symbol display device 44a and the special symbol start memory LED 67 according to the information signal from the main board 120. The normal symbol board controls the display state of the normal symbol display device 63 according to the information signal from the main board 120. The normal symbol memory board controls the normal symbol start memory LED 68 according to the information signal from the main board 120. The symbol relay board relays signals transmitted from the main board 120 to the special symbol and special symbol storage board 85, the normal symbol board 86, and the normal symbol storage board 87. The lamp relay board relays signals transmitted from the lamp driver board 93 to the decorative lamps 32a and 32b. As described above, the switch relay board relays the connection between the main board 120 and the switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, 62 and the solenoids 50, 59, 65 provided on the game board 40.

  On the rear surface of the pattern board box 126, a main board mounting base 135 is provided so as to be hinged on the left side and to be freely opened and closed. A main board box 136 is attached to the main board mounting base 135. Since it comprised in this way, the main board | substrate box 136 can be opened and closed, and it can make it easy to perform maintenance of the special variable winning ball apparatus 48 etc. which are provided in the winning ball guiding cover body. A main board 120 is accommodated and attached in the main board box 136. In the present embodiment, since the main board 120 is attached to the game board 40, the main board 120 can be replaced at the same time by replacing the game board itself when it is replaced with a new game board.

  Here, the structure of the main board box 136 will be described. The main board box 136 covers the main board box cover on the main board box base, inserts the caulking screws into the caulking parts provided on the left and right, and screws them together, and seals them with caulking caps to cut the caulking parts. Unless otherwise configured, it cannot be opened. Thereby, it can be easily determined whether or not the main board box 136 is opened based on whether or not the crimped portion is cut.

  A relay board mounting box 383 is mounted on the upper right side of the back pack 81a. In the relay board mounting box 383, a frame lamp relay board 99a described later is accommodated and mounted. A board external terminal board 96 is attached to the rear surface of the relay board mounting box 383. This external terminal board 96 for board is game information necessary for business management of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, jackpot 1 information for notifying that the jackpot gaming state is in effect, a jackpot gaming state with a probability variation symbol, and the jackpot state. 2 jackpot information to notify that the probability change due to the middle and its jackpot (a signal that continues to be output during the jackpot and the probability fluctuation), the probability to notify that the probability change after the jackpot state end by the probability variation pattern Fluctuation information, starting port information for informing the number of hit balls with the starting ball detector turned on, symbol confirmation number 1 information for informing the number of variation operations of the special variation display device, symbol confirmation for informing the number of variation operations of the normal variation display device External connection terminal for outputting the number of times 2 information and the number of times of opening and closing of the normally variable winning ball apparatus to the management computer installed in the game hall Shows no) has, these information are provided from the main board 120. Further, information such as which symbol has been a big hit and which symbol has been stopped may be output.

  Next, the configuration of the mechanism plate 140 provided on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the mechanism plate 140 aligns the prize ball tank 147 mainly storing prize balls and the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 147 in a plurality of rows (in this embodiment, two rows) on the downstream side. An upper component portion provided with a ball alignment rail member 148 that guides the ball while aligning with the ball, a ball passage cover member 156 that has a curve rail portion and guides a ball from the curve rail portion, and a ball that pays out a winning ball based on a winning prize An intermediate component provided with a payout device 154 (in this embodiment, paying out a rental ball, but paying out only a winning ball) and a hit ball including a winning ball mainly driven into the game board 40 are processed. And a lower component provided with a configuration for guiding the prize ball to the upper plate 19 and the lower plate 27 are integrally formed on the mechanism plate main body 141 so as to form an opening window.

  The mechanism plate main body 141 constitutes an upper part and a right side part (viewed from the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1), a left side part (viewed from the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1), and a lower part of the mechanism plate main body 141, respectively. The upper plate 142, the left side plate 143, and the lower plate 144 are connected by mounting screws. The upper plate 142, the left side plate 143, and the lower plate 144 in the present embodiment are formed of a green transparent polycarbonate resin into which a green pigment is encapsulated in order to improve wear resistance. The transparent color is green and transparent, but if it is not colored, it becomes a yellowish transparent color and the beauty is impaired (it feels dirty with cigarette dust). That has been solved.

  Next, the configuration of the mechanism plate 140 will be described for each component. First, in the upper component part, a prize ball tank 147 for storing a large amount of prize balls and award balls supplied from the prize ball tank 147 are arranged in a plurality of rows (in this embodiment, two rows) by a partition wall. The ball alignment rail member 148 that is caused to flow down and the curved rail portion that changes the prize ball guided by the ball alignment rail member 148 from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction toward the ball dispensing device 154 described later. The frame external terminal plates 102 are provided at predetermined positions on the upper plate 142, respectively.

  A ball leveling member 149 is swingably suspended from the upper part on the downstream side of the ball alignment rail member 148, and the ball flowing down in two upper and lower stages on the ball alignment rail member 148 becomes a ball leveling member 149. One stage is formed by the action of a buried weight (no symbol).

  A frame external terminal plate 102 having an external connection terminal to which a signal line with the outside is connected is attached to the upper part on the downstream side of the ball alignment rail member 148 described above. The mounting portion of the frame external terminal plate 102 is recessed so that the protruding portion of the solder surface does not contact. As an external connection terminal provided on the external terminal board for frame 102, as a connector for connecting a signal line between the outside (for example, a management computer) and the pachinko gaming machine 1, a connector for outputting the number of prize balls, Connectors for outputting signals from the first and second door opening switches 111a and 112a are provided.

  A first door opening switch 111a and a second door opening switch 112a are provided on the back surface of the mechanism plate 140 at the upper left part of the prize ball tank 147 and the upper right part of the frame external terminal board 102, respectively. . The first door opening switch 111a in the present embodiment detects that the front door frame 4 and the front frame 3 are opened, and that the mechanism plate 140 and the front frame 3 are opened. The second door opening switch 112a detects that the front frame 3 and the outer frame 2 are opened. The first door opening switch 111 a and the second door opening switch 112 a are connected to the frame external terminal plate 102. Thus, since the 1st door opening switch 111a and the 2nd door opening switch 112a are provided, the open state of the outer frame 2, the front frame 3, and the front door frame 4 can be confirmed by an external device or the like. The wirings of the first door opening switch 111a and the second door opening switch 112a are connected to a frame lamp relay board 99a, which will be described later, and then connected to a voice frame lamp board 92, which will be described later, via the effect control board 90. Then, the outer frame 2, the front frame 3 and the front door frame are controlled by lighting control of the game effect lamp and the like by the voice frame lamp substrate 92 based on the information signal from the main substrate 120. You may make it alert | report the open state of 4. FIG.

  Next, the structure of the intermediate structure part located in the upper board 142 is demonstrated. A ball passage (not shown) through which a sphere passes is formed on the surface side of the intermediate component. This ball removal passage communicates with the downstream portion of the ball removal passage, which will be described later, and guides the balls waiting on the ball alignment rail member 148 and the prize ball tank 147 to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed). This will lead to the recovery of islands. The ball is guided to the ball passage by releasing a ball removal stopper (not shown) provided on the ball passage cover member 156.

  In addition, a ball passage cover member 156 having a curve rail portion and a ball passage portion connected to the downstream side of the above-described ball alignment rail member 148 is attached to the upper portion of the intermediate component portion. The curved rail portion of the ball passage cover member 156 branches the sphere flowing down from the ball alignment rail member 148 to either the above-described ball removal passage or a ball passage (not shown) that guides the ball to the ball dispensing device 154. is there. A ball dispensing device 154 is disposed on the downstream side of the curved rail portion.

  On the downstream side of the ball passage cover member 156, the ball break switch 157 is detachable by a locking piece at a position where it can be detected that 27 to 28 game balls are present between the ball payout device 154 and the ball discharge device 154. It is installed. The ball break switch 157 is connected to a sunpack relay board 101 described later. When the ball break switch 157 no longer detects a ball, the ball breaker switch 157 inputs a signal to the payout control board 98 and the main board 120 via the sunpack relay board 101, and the payout of the ball payout device 154 described later will be described later. The operation of the motor 115 is stopped to disable the prize ball payout.

  Below the ball passage cover member 156, a ball payout device 154 for paying out the winning balls and the rental balls is attached.

  Next, the lower component (lower plate 144) of the mechanism plate 140 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower component is attached with a payout control board box 123 for receiving the payout control board 98 on the right side when viewed from the back, and holds the power supply board 910 on the left side when viewed from the back. A power supply board box 122 is attached. The payout control board box 123 is also configured similarly to the structure of the main board box 136 described above. That is, the payout control board box 123 is formed by covering the payout control board box base with the payout control board box cover, inserting and screwing caulking screws into the caulking portions provided on the left and right sides, and sealing with caulking caps from above. It is configured so that it cannot be opened unless the crimped portion is cut (none is shown). Thereby, it can be easily determined whether or not the payout control board box 123 has been opened based on whether or not the crimping portion is cut.

  A winning ball guiding path (not shown) for guiding a winning ball and an out ball are guided to the front side (the inner side facing the game board 40 of the mechanism plate main body 141) of the lower component portion to which the payout control board box 123 is attached. An out ball passage (not shown) is formed, and on the back side of the lower component (outside of the mechanism plate main body 141), a prize ball passage, a communication passage, an excess ball passage are formed, and a downstream portion of the ball removal passage is also formed. Is formed.

  Next, the configuration of the right side portion (hereinafter referred to as the right side lower component) as viewed from the back of the lower component of the mechanism plate 140 will be described. Although illustration is omitted, a prize ball passage is formed on one side upper part of the lower right component part of the mechanism plate 140, and an upper plate communication port is formed at the lower end of the prize ball passage. The upper plate communication port guides the prize ball to the upper plate 19 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A communication passage is formed at one side of the upper plate communication port, and an excess ball passage is connected downstream of the communication passage.

  Thus, when a lot of prize balls are paid out based on the winning prize, the upper plate 19 is filled with the prize balls, and finally when the player reaches the upper plate communication port and the prize balls continue to be paid out, the prize ball passes through the communication passage. To the surplus ball passage, and then discharged to the lower plate 27 through the connecting rod 392. When the award ball continues to be paid out, the lower plate 27 is also full, but when it reaches the full tank detection lever portion provided on one side wall of the surplus ball passage, the full tank detection lever is pressed. The full tank switch 158 (see FIG. 5) is turned ON, and the driving of the payout motor 115 of the ball payout device 154 is stopped to disable the payout operation of the winning ball and the rental ball. At this time, driving of a launch motor 601 described later of the hitting ball launcher 130 is not stopped, but may be stopped. The full tank switch 158 is a storage detection means for outputting a full tank signal (ON state) as a full tank detection signal when the number of game balls stored in the lower plate 27 reaches a predetermined number (a number that becomes full). It has the function of.

  The power supply board box 122 accommodates a power supply board 910 that generates a plurality of power supplies having different voltages. On the power supply board 910, a power switch 914 for turning the power of the entire pachinko gaming machine 1 ON / OFF, and various boards (main board 120, payout control board 98) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are used for backup. A clear switch 921 (see also FIG. 10), a tube fuse, and the like are mounted to clear the data stored in the RAM in the backup. The power supply board 910 is mounted with a power connector to which the power cord 117 is connected. The voltage supplied by the power cord 117 is a voltage of AC24V, and the plurality of voltages generated by the power supply board 910 are four types of DC30V, DC24V, DC12V, and DC5V. (However, AC 24V is also supplied to other boards.) Further, the power supply board 910 has RAMs of the boards 120 and 98 while the drive power is not supplied to the CPUs of the main board 120 and the payout control board 98. In order to back up (hold) the stored contents, backup power is supplied to each of the boards 120 and 98. The main board 120 is configured to perform a backup process by outputting a power-off signal from the power board 910. The payout control board 98 is similarly backed up. The backup processing on the main board 120 and the payout control board 98 will be described in detail later.

  On the front side of the mechanism plate main body 141 of the lower right component part (the side in contact with the game board 40), a winning ball guiding passage (not shown) for guiding a winning ball and an out ball passage (not shown) for guiding an out ball. And are formed. Above the winning ball guiding passage is a winning ball drop entrance (not shown), which receives a winning ball released from the winning ball guiding cover body 82, and the received winning ball is a winning ball. The guide passage guides to one side, leads from a communication port (not shown) formed in the mechanism plate main body 141 to the back side of the mechanism plate main body 141, and further from the communication port to the downstream portion of the ball extraction passage ( (Not shown). The ball removal passage downstream portion 712 is bent in an inverted L shape along the outer peripheral edge of the lower right portion constituting portion, and is formed on the right side of the surplus ball passage formed on the substantially rear side of the lower constituting portion. It finally joins the merged discharge passage. Accordingly, the winning ball received from the winning ball dropping entrance is guided to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the winning ball guiding passage, the communication port, the downstream portion of the ball discharging passage, and the confluence discharging passage. .

  The out ball taken in from the out port 69 of the game board 40 is guided to an out ball discharge passage (not shown) engraved on the back surface of the game board 40, and is further formed in a plate shape below the game board storage frame 393. The ball is led to the above-described out ball passage through an out ball communication port (not shown) formed in the portion, and is led to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the communication port and the junction discharge passage. In other words, the above-described merged discharge passage is configured to join all of the ball from the downstream portion of the ball removal passage, the out ball from the out ball passage, and the winning ball from the winning ball guide passage to guide the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the outside. It is.

  Next, the structure of the ball dispensing device 154 will be described. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2 for explaining a state before the ball dispensing device 154 is attached to the ball dispensing device attachment portion 154a and a state after the ball dispensing device 154 is attached. Note that the schematic cross-sectional view in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ball dispensing device mounting portion from the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  Ball supply passage members 77 a and 77 b that guide the ball guided by the ball passage cover member 156 to the ball discharge member 74 are provided on the inner side of the case 155 of the ball discharge device 154. A ball supply passage for guiding the balls to the ball dispensing member 74 is formed by the inner walls of the ball supply passage members 77a and 77b and the cases 155a and 155b. In addition, a partition plate 72 is provided in the ball supply passage, and two passages are formed corresponding to each of the left and right rows of ball passages 188 and 189. The partition plate 72 is provided with a protruding portion 72a so that when the divided case 155 is assembled, a protruding portion is formed on the upper portion of the case 155. The ball dispensing member 74 is rotationally driven by a dispensing motor 115 made of a stepping motor, and dispenses the balls supplied from the ball supply passage one by one. The ball dispensing member 74 is formed with a disk portion, and a plurality of (three) projecting portions are formed on both side surfaces of the disk portion so as to protrude with a space for receiving balls. Between the protrusions, it is formed as a recess for receiving and guiding balls.

  Further, ball guide passage members 84 a and 84 b for guiding the balls discharged by the ball discharge member 74 to the ball discharge port 84 are provided on the inner side of the case 155. The ball guide passage members 84 a and 84 b and the inner wall of the case 155 form a ball discharge passage that guides the ball to the ball discharge port 84. The ball payout passage is not provided with the partition plate 72, and the ball passages having a width corresponding to two rows on the left and right sides are inclined to the center to be a width corresponding to one row (a width where one ball flows down).

  The payout number counting switch 116 is provided in the ball discharge port 84 and detects a ball paid out by the ball payout member 74. Thereby, the number of balls actually discharged from the ball payout device 154 can be counted based on the detection signal from the payout number count switch 116. The ball outlet 84 in the present embodiment is composed of one outlet, and includes a ball outlet that discharges the balls discharged from the ball dispensing device 154 as a rental ball and a prize ball outlet that discharges as a prize ball. It is configured in a combined form.

  A ball stopper member 159 attached downstream of the ball passage cover member 156 is inserted into an insertion hole 156e formed in the ball passage cover member 156 corresponding to each of the two ball passages to stop the flow of the ball 2 One stopper piece and a stopper member 159b integrally formed with a contact portion that comes into contact with the case 155 of the ball dispensing device 154, and the stopper member 159b are biased so that the stopper piece is inserted into the insertion hole 156e. And a mounting member 159c for mounting the stopper member 159b to the ball path cover member 156.

  4A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B for explaining a state before the ball dispensing device 154 is attached to the ball dispensing device attachment portion 154a. When the ball dispensing device 154 is not attached to the ball dispensing device mounting portion 154a, the stopper piece of the stopper member 159b is inserted into the insertion hole 156e by the elastic force of the spring as shown in FIG. It will be in a state to let you. That is, the ball is not supplied to the ball supply passage of the ball dispensing device 154.

  4B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B for explaining a state when the ball dispensing device 154 is attached to the ball dispensing device attachment portion 154a. When the ball dispensing device 154 is attached to the ball dispensing device mounting portion 154a, the ball stopper member 159b comes into contact with the protrusion 72a provided on the partition plate 72 of the ball dispensing device 154 as shown in FIG. When the parts come into contact with each other and are pushed up against the elastic force of the spring, the stopper piece of the integrally formed ball stopper member 159b is retracted from the insertion hole, and the ball can flow down the ball passage. That is, the ball can be supplied to the ball supply passage of the ball dispensing device 154.

  By mounting such a ball stopper member 159 downstream of the ball passage cover member 156, even when the ball dispensing device 154 is removed from the ball dispensing device mounting portion 154a, the ball located upstream from the insertion hole 156e. Will not spill out. For this reason, for example, when exchanging the ball dispensing device 154, it is possible to save the trouble of performing the ball removal operation and extracting all the balls stored in the prize ball tank 147 and the ball alignment rail member 148. On the other hand, when the ball dispensing device 154 is attached to the ball dispensing device mounting portion, the stopper piece of the ball stopper member 159b is retracted from the insertion hole so that the balls can flow down the ball passages 188 and 189.

  The payout sensor board 114 has a payout motor position for detecting a stop position of the payout motor 115 (more precisely, a stop position of the ball payout member 74 as a rotating member) in the case 155 in order to surely perform the ball payout operation. A sensor 295 is provided. The payout motor position sensor 295 is an optical sensor provided on a payout sensor board (not shown), and a plurality of protrusions are detected on one side of a gear for transmitting the power of the payout motor 115 to the ball payout member 74. The rotational position of the ball dispensing member 74 is detected based on detecting that the projecting piece crosses according to the rotation of the gear. As a configuration for detecting the stop position of the payout motor 115, a plurality of detection pieces are provided on the ball payout member 74, and the rotation position of the ball payout member 74 is directly detected by detecting the detection pieces with the payout motor position sensor 295. A configuration for detection may be employed.

  The configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has been described above. Next, a circuit configuration that is wire-connected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the main board 120, various control boards, and electrical components.

  A game control microcomputer 99 that controls the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program is mounted on the main board 120. The game control microcomputer 99 (also referred to as game control means) includes a ROM 100 for storing a game control program, a RAM 111 as a storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 112 for controlling game signals in accordance with the program, and An I / O port unit 114 that transmits a control signal (command) to the effect control board 90 and the like is included. In this embodiment, the ROM 100 and the RAM 111 are built in the CPU 112. That is, the CPU 112 is a one-chip microcomputer. In addition, the CPU 112 used in this embodiment includes a non-maskable interrupt terminal (NMI terminal) used for generating a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) that cannot be set to interrupt prohibition by software, And an interrupt terminal (INT terminal) used to generate an external interrupt (external interrupt; maskable interrupt that can be disabled by software). However, this embodiment does not use non-maskable interrupts and external interrupts. Therefore, the NMI terminal and the INT terminal are pulled up to VCC (+5 V) through resistors. Therefore, the input level of the NMI terminal and the INT terminal is always high, and the input level of the NMI terminal and the INT terminal falls from the high level to the low level due to noise or the like as compared with the case of the terminal open state, and an interrupt is generated. The possibility of entering a state is reduced. Since CPU 112 executes control according to a program stored in ROM 100, hereinafter, CPU 112 executes (or performs processing) means that CPU 112 executes control according to the program. It is to be. The same applies to CPUs mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 120. The game control microcomputer 99 used in this embodiment is a peripheral circuit such as the CPU 112, the ROM 100, the RAM 111, and the I / O port unit 114 mounted on the main board 120.

  The RAM 111 is a backup RAM as a storage unit that is partially or wholly backed up by a backup power source created on the power supply substrate 910. In other words, even if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped, a part or all of the contents of the RAM 111 are stored for a predetermined period (until the capacitor as the backup power supply is discharged and the backup power supply cannot be supplied). The At least data (a special symbol process flag or the like) according to the game state, that is, the control state of the game control microcomputer 99 is stored in the backup RAM. Note that the data corresponding to the control state of the game control microcomputer 99 is necessary for restoring the control state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like based on the data when the power is restored after a power failure or the like. It is data. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the entire RAM 111 is backed up.

  The main board 120 has a clear signal indicating that the clear switch 921 for instructing to clear the contents of the RAM has been operated from the power supply board 910, and a power-off indicating that the power supply voltage has dropped below a predetermined value. A signal and a system reset signal (hereinafter also simply referred to as a reset signal) used as a game control permission signal (a signal for making the CPU operable) are input to the game control microcomputer 99.

  Signals from the switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, 62 provided on the game board 40 are input to the main board 120 via the switch relay board 95, and the full switch 158 and the ball break switch A signal from 157 is input via the payout control board 98. It should be noted that the signal from the ball break switch 157 may be configured not to be input to the main board 120. Similarly, the signal from the full tank switch 158 may be configured not to be input to the main board 120. Further, a signal from a payout number count switch (not shown) mounted on the ball payout device 154 is input to the main board 120 via the payout control board 98.

  A signal from the start port switch 60 is also input to the main board 120. Further, the main board 120 is configured with a random counter for determining a big hit for generating a random value used to randomly determine in advance whether or not to generate a big hit for the variable display of the special symbol display device 44a. A random number generation circuit 60a is connected. When the signal from the start port switch 60 is input, the random number generation circuit 60a inputs the count value at that time to the main board 120. The main board 120 latches the count value input from the random number generation circuit 60a in a storage buffer provided in the RAM 111, and reads the latched count value when it is determined that the start winning is actually made. Perform processing.

  Based on the input signals from the switches 51, 52, 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, 62 provided on the game board 40 among the input signals described above, the main board 120 is connected to the solenoids 50, 59 provided on the game board 40. , 65 are information signals for driving and controlling the decorative symbol display device 44b, the speakers 12a, 12b, the game effect lamps 13a-13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, and the decorative lamps 32a, 32b. A certain effect control command is output to the effect control board 90. The main board 120 outputs various game information to the board external terminal board 96. In addition to the control commands for instructing display control on the decorative symbol display device 44b, the effect control commands include speakers 12a, 12b, game effect lamps 13a-13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, and decorative lamps 32a, A control command for instructing the drive control of 32b is also included. The effect control board 90 controls the display of the decorative symbols by the decorative symbol display device 44b in accordance with the effect control command from the main board 120, and various lamps in an effect manner determined corresponding to the display state of the decorative symbols. The light emission control using the light emitting means such as the above and the sound control using the speakers 12a and 12b are performed.

  The voice frame lamp board 92 controls lighting of various lamps according to the gaming state (a variation pattern, a normal gaming state, a probability variation state, a gaming state such as whether a variation is being displayed), and the speaker 12a. , 12b to control the game sound output. Specifically, the voice frame lamp board 92 is driven by the game effect lamps 13a to 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, and 17b attached to the front door frame 4 based on the lamp control command input from the effect control board 90. A signal is output and lighting control of the game effect lamps 13a to 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a and 17b is performed. The voice frame lamp board 92 outputs a driving signal to the speakers 12a and 12b based on the voice control command inputted from the effect control board 90, and controls the game sound outputted from the speakers 12a and 12b. Furthermore, the voice frame lamp board 92 outputs a drive signal to the lamp driver board 93 for driving the decorative lamps 32 a and 32 b based on the lamp control command input from the effect control board 90, The lighting control of the decorative lamps 32a and 32b attached to the game board 40 is performed.

  The main board 120 inputs a display control signal (drive signal) via the symbol relay board 84 to the special symbol and special symbol memory board 85 on which the special symbol display device 44a and the special symbol start memory LED 67 are mounted. While performing display control of the special symbol in the display device 44a, lighting control of the special symbol start memory LED 67 is performed. Thereby, a control board for a special symbol display device equipped with a driver circuit and a microcomputer is provided between the main substrate 120 and the special symbol display device 44a, and based on a display control signal (drive signal) from the main substrate 120. Compared with the case where the display control of the special symbol display device 44a is performed by the control board or the like, the result of the big hit determination can be surely displayed.

  Further, the main board 120 inputs a display control signal (drive signal) to the normal symbol board 86 on which the normal symbol display device 63 is mounted via the symbol relay board 84, and displays the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device 63. Take control. Further, the main board 120 inputs a display control signal (drive signal) via the symbol relay board 84 to the normal symbol memory board 87 on which the normal symbol start memory LED 68 is mounted, and controls the lighting of the normal symbol start memory LED 68. Do.

  The effect control board 90 includes a CPU (effect control CPU 118a shown in FIG. 8), a RAM (not shown), a ROM (not shown), an I / O port unit (input ports 668 and 669, input / output ports shown in FIG. 8). 671, etc.) are mounted on the main board 120, and are mounted with a production control microcomputer 118 (an example of an electrical component control microcomputer, also referred to as production control means). In accordance with the type of effect control command to be displayed, the decorative symbol display device 44b performs display control of the decorative symbol.

  The effect control microcomputer 118 operates according to the program stored in the ROM, and when receiving the effect control command from the main board 120, the display of the decorative design display device 44b according to the received command according to the received effect control command. Take control. Specifically, the display control of the variable display unit is performed by a VDP 119 (see FIG. 8) having a display control function for displaying an image and a high-speed drawing function. The effect control microcomputer 118 reads necessary data from a character ROM (not shown) in accordance with the received effect control command. The character ROM is for storing character image data frequently used among images displayed on the decorative symbol display device 44b, specifically, a person, a monster, a character, a figure, a symbol, or the like in advance. .

  Then, the production control microcomputer 118 outputs the data read from the character ROM to the VDP 119. The VDP 119 operates based on the data input from the effect control microcomputer 118. In this embodiment, a VDP 119 that performs display control of the decorative symbol display device 44 b is mounted on the effect control board 90. Each of the VDPs 119 has a two-dimensional address space independent from the effect control microcomputer 118 and maps to the space.

  The VDP 119 generates image data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 44b according to the received command according to the character image data, and the VDP 119 is expanded in the VRAM. The RAM is a frame buffer memory for expanding image data generated by the VDP 119.

  The effect control board 90 further includes an operation button 19a, a motor 950 for operating a hammer 951 as a movable member provided on the left side of the decorative symbol display device 44b, and an operating position of the hammer 951. Sensors 954 and 955 are connected. The effect control microcomputer 118 reads data stored in the ROM mounted on the effect control microcomputer 118 based on the signal input from the operation button 19a, and controls the motor 950 in accordance with the read data. Drive control. Thereby, the hammer 951 can be operated by operating the operation button 19a. Further, the effect control microcomputer 118 can determine the position of the hammer 951 and drive-control the motor 950. For example, when the detection signal from the sensor 954 is input, the production control microcomputer 118 determines that the hammer 951 is in the upward position (the position swung up), and the detection signal from the sensor 955 is input. It is determined that the hammer 951 is in the horizontal position (the position where it is swung down), and control for reversing or stopping the motor 950 is performed.

  Further, the effect control microcomputer 118 inputs an information signal corresponding to the voice frame lamp board 92 based on the data read based on the signal input from the operation button 19a. The voice frame lamp board 92 drives and controls a decoration lamp, a game effect lamp, a speaker, and the like based on the input information signal.

  Next, the payout control board 98 outputs a payout stop signal to the ball payout device 154 based on the full tank signal from the full tank switch 158 to stop driving of the payout motor 115. The full tank signal from the full tank switch 158 is input to the main board 120 via the payout control board 98. When a full tank signal from the full switch 158 is input to the main board 120, an effect control command is sent from the main board 120 to the effect control board 90, and a lamp control command is sent from the effect control board 90 to the voice frame lamp board 92. To display and drive a predetermined lamp or LED to notify that. Further, since the full tank signal from the full switch 158 is output to the payout control board 98, for example, an error indicator on the payout control board 98 or the like may be notified.

  The main board 120 outputs a payout control command to the payout control board 98 based on input signals from the switches 51, 52, 55 a, 55 b, 60, 56 a and 56 b except for the gate switch 62 provided on the game board 40. To do. The payout control board 98 adds the number of award balls based on the payout control command to the number of unpaid, and drives the ball payout device 154 to pay out the award balls for the number of unpaid. Further, based on the input signal from the payout number count switch 116, the payout control board 98 subtracts the payout number from the unpaid number. Further, the payout control board 98 displays and drives the prize ball LED 10 based on the input of the payout control command and notifies the fact.

  Furthermore, the payout control board 98 outputs a payout stop signal to the ball payout device 154 based on the ball break switch signal from the ball break switch 157 to stop the driving of the payout motor 115. At that time, the payout control board 98 drives the bulb-cut LED 9 in a predetermined manner.

  When either the full tank switch 158 or the ball break switch 157 is turned ON, a payout stop signal (payout stop command) is output from the payout control board 98 so that the payout of a prize ball or the like is not performed. If both switches 158 and 157 are OFF, a payout enable signal (payout stop release command) may be output. In addition, when there is an unpaid out in place of the prize ball LED 10, an unpaid out notification lamp or the like that lights up may be provided.

  Only the switch input for controlling the game operation and the switch input for controlling the payout operation of the prize ball are input to the main board 120, and the relationship between the main board 120 and other control boards excluding the payout control board 98 In FIG. 2, the communication relationship is one-way from the main board 120 to another control board. For this reason, there is an advantage that an illegal processing program is incorporated into another control board and cannot be executed even if an illegal process is performed on the main board 120, and a part of the control of the main board 120 is transferred to another control board. Since the control board is in charge, the burden on the main board 120 can be reduced and the inspection of the main board 120 can be facilitated.

  Further, the payout control board 98 includes signals from the payout sensor board 114a, the payout motor 115, and the payout number count switch 116 mounted on the ball payout device 154, and the full tank signal from the full tank switch 158 as described above. Or, a ball break signal from the ball break switch 157 is input. The payout sensor board 114a is a board provided with a payout motor position sensor 295, which is a sensor composed of a light emitting element (LED) and a light receiving element for detecting the rotational position of the payout motor 115. In order to perform the payout operation of the machine reliably, the rotational position of the payout motor 115 (more precisely, the stop position of the ball payout member 74 as a rotating member) can be detected. A detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 is output from the payout sensor board 114a.

  Further, the payout control board 98 is connected to an interface board 103 that relays signals from the card unit device 731 and the balance display board 104, and a ball rental switch 36 and a return switch 37 mounted on the balance display board 104. And various types of information are input from the card unit device 731. Further, as described above, a payout control command is input from the main board 120 to the payout control board 98. Based on the input signal from the payout sensor board 114a (the payout motor position sensor 295) among the input signals described above, the payout control board 98 stops the payout motor 115 in the ball lending and prize ball payout operations, that is, the ball payout. It is possible to accurately control the stop position of the ball dispensing member of the device 154 and detect whether or not the ball dispensing member 74 is operating. Further, based on an input signal from the payout number count switch 116, the payout control board 98 drives and controls the payout motor 115 so as to pay out the correct payout number of the rented and winning balls, and the frame external terminal plate 102. The number of rented balls information (1 pulse for 25 balls for 100 yen) is output. Note that lending is performed by transmitting and receiving various signals between the payout control board 98 and the card unit device 731 via the interface board 103 and driving the ball payout device 154. Various signals transmitted and received between the payout control board 98 and the card unit device 731 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9.

  Further, based on a payout control command from the main board 120, a ball-out signal and a full-tank signal directly inputted from the switch, the payout control board 98 executes a prize ball payout operation or a prize ball payout operation. Or stop. Note that the input signals from the ball break switch 157 and the full tank switch 158 connected to the frame external terminal board 102 are output to the external hall management computer or the like as ball break information or full tank information.

  In the hit ball launching device 130 described above, the launch board 107 on which a circuit for driving the launch motor 601 is mounted is provided. Signals from the touch sensor and the single firing switch described above are transmitted from the operation handle 30 to the firing substrate 107, respectively. Then, in response to the operation of the operation handle 30 by the player, a drive signal for driving the firing motor 601 is output from the firing substrate 107 to the firing motor 601. The firing motor 601 is driven in accordance with a drive signal from the firing substrate 107. In the firing substrate 107, when the signal from the touch sensor circuit indicates an off state, the driving of the firing motor 601 is stopped.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154. As shown in FIG. 6, a payout control board 98 includes a payout control microcomputer 660 including a payout control CPU 659 (an example of an electrical component control microcomputer, also referred to as payout control means). In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer 660 is a one-chip microcomputer and has a built-in RAM for storing at least the number of payouts. The I / O port may be built in the payout control microcomputer 660. At least a part of the RAM in the payout control microcomputer 660 is backed up by a backup power source mounted on the power supply board 910. In this embodiment, it is assumed that all RAM areas are backed up. Therefore, even when power is not supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the stored contents of the RAM are preserved for a predetermined period (until the capacitor as the backup power supply is discharged and the backup power supply cannot be supplied). The

  Detection signals from the ball break switch 157 and the full tank switch 158 are input to the I / O port 661d of the payout control board 98 via the sunpack relay board 101. Further, the sunpack relay board 101 is connected to the frame external terminal board 102 by a connector. The frame external terminal plate 102 includes a connector for outputting the number of prize balls as a connector for connecting a signal line between the outside (for example, a management computer) and the pachinko gaming machine 1, and first and second doors. Connectors for outputting signals from the open switches 111a and 112 are provided as external connection terminals.

  Detection signals from the dispensing number count switch 116 and the dispensing sensor substrate 114a (dispensing motor position sensor 295) mounted on the ball dispensing device 154 are input to the I / O port 661c of the dispensing control substrate 98 via the dispensing relay substrate 113. Is done. The payout control microcomputer 660 performs a process of subtracting the unpaid number value (value of a prize ball unpaid number counter described later) stored in the RAM based on the detection signal from the payout number count switch 116. The payout control microcomputer 660 outputs a signal for driving the payout motor 115 via the payout relay board 113 when there is an unpaid number. Further, the payout control microcomputer 660 performs a process of subtracting the number of payout operations (a value of a payout operation counter described later) stored in the RAM based on the detection signal from the payout motor position sensor 295. In addition, the payout control microcomputer 660 outputs a payout stop signal from the I / O port 661c to the payout relay board 113 when a signal indicating that the ball is full or full is input to the I / O port 661d. The payout relay board 113 stops the drive of the payout motor 115 when receiving the payout stop signal.

  Detection signals from the single firing switch 109 and the touch ring 110 mounted on the operation handle 30 are input to the firing substrate 107. The firing substrate 107 outputs a signal for driving the firing motor 601 based on detection signals from the single firing switch 109 and the touch ring 110. The payout control microcomputer 660 outputs a ball break signal to the plastic frame relay board 108 via the I / O port 661b when a signal indicating ball break is input to the I / O port 661d. The plastic frame relay board 108 performs control to turn on the ball break LED 9 based on the ball break signal. Further, the payout control microcomputer 660 outputs a prize ball signal to the plastic frame relay board 108 via the I / O port 661b based on the detection signal from the payout number count switch 116. The plastic frame relay board 108 performs control to turn on the prize ball LED 10 based on the prize ball signal. The payout control microcomputer 660 outputs a firing stop signal to the plastic frame relay board 108 via the I / O port 661b when a signal indicating that the ball is full or full is input to the I / O port 661d. You may make it do. In this case, the plastic frame relay board 108 may output a firing motor disabling signal to the launch board 107 so that the launch motor 601 cannot be driven.

  Further, when a game ball is won at the winning opening, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls to be paid out is output (turned on) from the output circuit 662 of the main board 120, and the payout control command A prize ball REQ signal (prize ball request signal) for instructing the take-in is output (turns on). Further, when the game control microcomputer 99 is started up (when the operation is started), a payout start command (payout start command) is output and a prize ball REQ for instructing to take in the payout start command A signal is output (turns on).

  In this embodiment, the payout control command and the payout start command are transmitted through the same signal line. The payout control command and the payout start command are composed of 5-bit data (binary 5-digit data) and are output via five signal lines. Note that the ON state, that is, the output state of the signal that constitutes the command is a state in which the signal is significant, and turning ON means that the signal receiving side is instructed to start some processing based on the signal. It means to do. For example, when the payout control command indicating the number of winning balls and the prize ball REQ signal are turned on, the payout control microcomputer 660 is instructed to recognize the payout number indicated by the payout control command. means.

  The payout control command and the payout start command are input to the I / O port 661g via the input circuit 663A. The prize ball REQ signal is input to a maskable interrupt terminal (hereinafter also simply referred to as an interrupt terminal) of the payout control CPU 659. The payout control CPU 659 receives a payout control command via the I / O port 661g in an interrupt process based on the input of the prize ball REQ signal to the interrupt terminal, and the number of games indicated by the prize ball control signal. Control is performed to drive the ball dispensing device 154 to dispense the ball. A connection confirmation signal indicating that the main board 120 is connected is also output from the output circuit 662 of the main board 120.

  When the payout control microcomputer 660 accepts a payout control command, it sends a command acceptance signal to the main board 120. The command acceptance signal is transmitted to the main board 120 via the output port 662h of the payout control board 98 and the output circuit 663B. Then, in the main board 120, the data is input to the game control microcomputer 99 via the input circuit 666 and the I / O port 114. In this embodiment, the command acceptance signal is transmitted when the prize ball BUSY signal is turned on.

  The payout control board 98 also includes a power-off signal indicating that the power supply voltage has dropped below a predetermined value from the power supply board 910, a clear signal indicating that a clear switch for clearing the contents of the RAM has been operated, A system reset signal (a reset signal in the figure) used as a payout control permission signal (a signal for making the CPU operable) to the payout control microcomputer 660 is input to the input port 661a.

  Further, the payout control microcomputer 660 outputs an error signal to the error display LED 664 using a 7-segment LED via the output port 661f. A detection signal from the error release switch 665 for releasing the error state is input to the input port 661e of the payout control board 98. The error cancel switch 665 is used to cancel the error state by software reset.

  A card unit control microcomputer is mounted on the card unit device 731 installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1. In addition, the card unit device 731 is provided with a usable display lamp, a connecting table direction indicator, a card insertion display lamp, and a card insertion slot. A frequency display LED 105, a ball lending display LED 106, a ball lending switch 36 and a return switch 37 provided in the vicinity of the upper plate 19 are connected to the interface board 103.

  A card lending switch signal indicating that the ball lending switch 36 has been operated and a return switch signal indicating that the return switch 37 has been operated are given from the interface board 103 to the card unit device 731 according to the player's operation. It is done. The card unit device 731 receives a card balance display signal and a ball lending display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card from the card unit device 731. Between the card unit device 731 and the payout control board 98, 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 input port 661i and the output port 661j. An interface board 103 is interposed between the card unit device 731 and the payout control board 98. Therefore, a signal such as a connection signal (VL signal) is transmitted and received between the card unit device 731 and the payout control board 98 via the interface board 103 as shown in FIG.

  The VL signal, which is a connection signal, is used by the payout control microcomputer 660 to determine (monitor) the connected / unconnected state of the card unit device 731 according to the signal input state to the payout control board 98. For example, the VL signal is in an input state (ON state) to the payout control board 98 when the card unit device 731 is in a connected state, and is not connected to the payout control board 98 when the card unit device 731 is in an unconnected state. Input state (off state). In this example, the VL signal is on when the VL signal is at a high level, and the VL signal is off when the VL signal is at a low level. Further, the VL signal is generated in the game control microcomputer 99 by a launch permission state for permitting the launch of the game ball by the hit ball launching device 130 and a launch prohibition state for prohibiting the launch of the game ball by the hit ball launching device 130. In order to select one of the states, the signal is processed into a VL non-signal indicating whether or not a VL signal is input. Here, the non-VL signal is a signal that is turned off when the VL signal is input to the payout control board 98, and is turned on when the VL signal is not input to the payout control board 98. It is a signal indicating whether or not it is input to the payout control board 98. On the payout control board 98, the VL signal is transmitted to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the input port 661i. Then, the payout control microcomputer 660 changes the signal level of the VL non-signal according to the presence or absence of the input of the VL signal. The VL no signal is output from the output port 661b toward the launch substrate 107. In this example, when the VL no signal is at a high level, the VL no signal is in an on state (output state), and when the VL no signal is at a low level, the VL no signal is in an off state (non-output state). It is. The VL non-signal output from the output port 661b is input to the launch board 107 via the plastic frame relay board 108.

  Further, in the dispensing control microcomputer 660, when the full tank signal from the full tank switch 158 is input to the dispensing control board 98, in addition to performing the drive stop control of the dispensing motor 115 described above, Control to output from the output port 661b toward the launch board 107 is performed. The full tank signal is, for example, an input state to the payout control board 98 (on state) and an output state to the launch board 107 (on state) when the above-described full tank is detected, and the full tank is detected. When there is not, a non-input state (off state) to the payout control board 98 and a non-output state (off state) to the launch board 107 are obtained. In this example, when the full tank signal is at a high level, the full tank signal is in an on state, and when the full tank signal is at a low level, the full tank signal is in an off state. The full signal output from the output port 661b is input to the launch board 107 via the plastic frame relay board 108.

  Each of the VL no signal and the full signal output toward the launch board 107 is relayed by the launch board 107 and output to the main board 120. Each of the VL no signal and the full signal transmitted to the main board 120 is input to the game control microcomputer 99 via the input circuit 666. The non-VL signal is in an input state (on state) to the main board 120 when the VL signal is in a non-input state (off state) to the payout control board 98, and the VL signal is input to the payout control board 98. When it is in a state (on state), it is in a non-input state (off state) to the main board 120. The full-tank signal is in an input state (on state) to the main board 120 when full-tank is detected, and is not input to the main board 120 (off state) when no full-tank is detected. It becomes. In the game control microcomputer 99, the VL no signal and the full signal indicate that the game ball is fired by the hitting ball launching device 130. Used to select one of the prohibited states.

  When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the payout control microcomputer 660 mounted on the payout control board 98 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit device 731. The card unit control microcomputer outputs a VL signal when the power is turned on. The payout control microcomputer 660 determines whether the card unit device 731 is connected or not based on the input state of the VL signal. When a card is received by the card unit device 731, 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 payout control board 98. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control board 98.

  Then, the payout control microcomputer 660 raises the EXS signal for the card unit device 731 and, when detecting the fall of the BRQ signal from the card unit device 731, drives the payout motor 115 to play a predetermined number of rental balls. Pay to the person. When the payout is completed, the payout control microcomputer 660 causes the EXS signal to the card unit device 731 to fall. Thereafter, when a payout command signal is received from the game control microcomputer 99 on condition that the BRDY signal from the card unit device 731 is not in the ON state, the prize ball payout control is executed.

  The power supply voltage AC24V used in the card unit device 731 is supplied from the payout control board 98. That is, the power supply from the power supply board 910 to the card unit device 731 is performed via the payout control board 98 and the interface board 103. In this example, a fuse for protecting the card unit device 731 is provided in the AC 24V power supply line for the card unit device 731 arranged in the interface board 103, and a voltage higher than a predetermined voltage is applied to the card unit device 731. It is prevented from being supplied.

  The payout control CPU 659 used in this embodiment generates a non-maskable interrupt terminal (NMI terminal) used for generating a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) and a maskable interrupt. And an interrupt terminal (INT terminal) used for the purpose. However, this embodiment does not use non-maskable interrupts and external interrupts. Therefore, the NMI terminal and the INT terminal are pulled up to VCC (+5 V) through resistors. The maskable interrupt is an interrupt that can be controlled so that no interrupt is generated by software. An interrupt based on a signal input to the interrupt terminal is also referred to as an external interrupt.

  In the launch board 107, in addition to the aforementioned VL no signal and full signal, a detection signal from the touch ring 110 (hereinafter referred to as a touch sensor detection signal) and a detection signal from the single firing switch 109 (hereinafter referred to as single firing). A switch detection signal) and a firing signal from the game control microcomputer 99 are input. Here, the firing signal is an on-state (high level) when the game ball is fired by the hitting ball launcher 130 in a launch-permitted state in which launching is permitted. It is a signal that is turned off (low level) in the prohibited state, and is a signal that indicates whether or not to allow the game ball to be launched. On the launch board 107, a launch motor drive circuit that outputs a drive signal for driving the launch motor 601 is mounted. The configuration of the firing motor drive circuit will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a firing motor drive circuit 95 provided on the launch board 107. In the launch board 107, various signals are input via an input terminal portion 107a including a plurality of input terminals, and various signals are output via an output terminal portion 107b including a plurality of output terminals. Firing motor drive circuit 95 includes drive signal generation circuit 95a and AND circuit 95b. The drive signal generation circuit 95a is a circuit that receives a touch sensor detection signal and a single firing switch detection signal and generates a driving signal for driving the firing motor 601 in accordance with the input signal. The drive signal generation circuit 95a generates a drive signal when the touch sensor detection signal indicates an on state in response to the operation handle 30 being operated, and on the other hand when the touch sensor detection signal indicates an off state. Stop generating the drive signal. Further, the drive signal generation circuit 95a stops the generation of the drive signal even when the touch sensor detection signal indicates the on state when the single firing switch detection signal indicates the on state.

  The AND circuit 95b is a logical product circuit that enters one of the above-described launch-permitted state and launch-prohibited state based on the launch signal from the game control microcomputer 99. That is, the AND circuit 95b is in a firing permission state in which the drive signal input from the drive signal generation circuit 95a can be output when the fire signal is on (high level). On the other hand, when the firing signal is in an off state (low level), the AND circuit 95b enters a firing prohibited state in which the drive signal input from the drive signal generation circuit 95a cannot be output. By using such an AND circuit 95b, the firing motor drive circuit 95 monitors the firing signal from the game control microcomputer 99, and permits or prohibits the firing depending on whether or not the firing signal is input.

  Further, in the launch board 107, as described above, the full tank signal and the VL no signal outputted from the payout control board 98 are inputted via the input terminal portion 107a. Then, each of the input full signal and no VL signal is output toward the main board 120 via the output terminal portion 107b. As a result, the full tank signal and the non-VL signal from the payout control board 98 are relayed by the launch board 107 and transmitted to the main board 120.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the effect control board 90 and the voice frame lamp board 92. In the effect control board 90, the effect control CPU 118a in the effect control microcomputer 118 operates in accordance with a program stored in a ROM (not shown) and is transmitted from the main board 120 via the peripheral command relay board 57. An effect control command is received via the peripheral command relay board 57, the input driver 667, and the input port 668 in response to the capture signal (effect control INT signal). Further, the effect control microcomputer 118 causes the VDP (video display processor) 119 to perform display control of the decorative symbol display device 44b using the LCD based on the effect control command. The VDP 119 is sometimes called a GCL (graphic controller LSI).

The peripheral command relay board 57 allows signals (effect control signal and effect control INT signal constituting the effect control command) input from the main board 120 to pass only in the direction toward the effect control board 90 (effect control board). A unidirectional circuit 57a is mounted as signal input blocking means (which does not allow signals to pass in the direction from 90 to the main board 120). For example, a diode or a transistor is used as the unidirectional circuit 57a. FIG. 8 illustrates a diode. Further, the unidirectional circuit 57 a is provided for each signal line passing through the peripheral command relay board 57. A signal from the effect control board 90, a signal input to the effect control board 90 (an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operation button 19a and a detection signal of the sensors 954, 955), and a voice frame lamp connected to the effect control board 90 A signal from the board 92 (a board not connected to the main board 120 is also referred to as a peripheral board) is not transmitted to the game control microcomputer 99 of the main board 120 due to the presence of the peripheral command relay board 57. Therefore, the signal input path from the outside to the game control microcomputer 99 is limited, and the possibility of an illegal act of sending an illegal signal to the game control microcomputer 99 can be reduced. Furthermore, when the peripheral command relay board 57 is mounted in such a manner that the back surface thereof can be visually recognized, the back surface of the peripheral command relay board 57 can be easily visually recognized. It is possible to easily find out that an illegal act of illegally inputting a signal to the microcomputer 99 has been performed.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the unidirectional circuit 57a is provided on the peripheral command relay board 57 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the unidirectional circuit 57a may be provided on the main board 120. Further, the effect control board 90 may be provided. That is, the unidirectional circuit 57a may be configured to be provided at a place where an illegal signal can be prevented from being input to the game control microcomputer 99.

  An operation signal from the operation button 19a operated by the player and detection signals from the sensors 954 and 955 are input to the effect control microcomputer 118 via the input port 669. The effect control microcomputer 118 gives a drive signal to the motor 950 that drives the hammer 951 via the output port 670.

  Further, the effect control board 90 exchanges information signals with the voice frame lamp board 92 in order to perform light emission control and sound control corresponding to the effect indicated by the received effect control command. For example, the effect control board 90 outputs a lamp control command to the voice frame lamp board 92 to drive various lamps, and sends a voice control command to the voice frame lamp board 92 to control game sounds from the speakers 12a and 12b. Output to. Specifically, the production control microcomputer 118 and the sound effect command 13 for controlling the sound emitted from the speakers 12a and 12b to the sound frame lamp board 92 via the input / output port 671, and the game effect lamp 13a. To 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, and lamp control commands for controlling lighting states of the decoration lamps 32a, 32b.

  In the voice frame lamp board 92, the voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92a including the CPU, ROM and RAM is connected to the speaker 12a via the voice driver circuit 673 based on the control data stored in the ROM corresponding to the voice control command. , 12b are controlled. The voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92a is connected to the game effect lamps 13a to 13c, 16a, 16b, 17a, and the like via the frame lamp driver circuit 672 based on the control data stored in the ROM corresponding to the lamp control command. 17b is controlled. Further, the voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92a outputs a drive signal for controlling the decoration lamps 32a and 32b via the bus driver 674 based on the control data stored in the ROM corresponding to the lamp control command. Output to the driver board 93.

  In the lamp driver board 93, the decoration lamps 32 a and 32 b are controlled via the output port 676 and the decoration lamp driver circuit 677 based on the drive signal output from the audio frame lamp board 92 and input from the bus driver 675. The lamp driver board 93 is further provided with an expansion port 678 so that other effect devices can be driven.

  The lamp control command and the voice control command in the present embodiment are two-way communication (a response signal is transmitted from the command receiving side to the transmitting side) between the effect control microcomputer 118 and the voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92a. Communication).

  A system reset signal (reset signal in the figure) from the power supply monitoring circuit 920 is input to the voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92 a mounted on the voice frame lamp board 92. The system reset signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 920 is input to the effect control microcomputer 118 via the audio frame lamp board 92 and further via the input / output port 671 mounted on the effect control board 90.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal transmission path between the interface board 103 and the payout control board 98.

  In the interface board 103, the VL signal, the BRDY signal, and the BRQ signal from the card unit device 731 are input from the input / output terminal 103a and output to the payout control board 98 from the input / output terminal 103b. In the payout control board 98, the VL signal, the BRDY signal, and the BRQ signal are input from the input / output terminal 980 and transmitted to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the I / O port 661i.

  In the payout control board 98, the EXS signal and the PRDY signal are output from the payout control microcomputer 660 to the interface board 103 via the I / O port 661j and the input / output terminal 980. In the interface board 103, the EXS signal and the PRDY signal from the card unit device 731 are input from the input / output terminal 103b and output from the input / output terminal 103a to the card unit device 731.

  Photocouplers PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5 are provided on the transmission paths of the VL signal, the BRDY signal, the BRQ signal, the EXS signal, and the PRDY signal, respectively. Photocouplers PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5 are photoelectric conversion elements that convert electrical signals into light and then convert them back into electrical signals. That is, each of these signals is transmitted between the card unit device 731 and the payout control board 98 via the photocoupler. Photocouplers PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5 corresponding to the BRDY signal, the BRQ signal, the EXS signal, and the PRDY signal are provided on (mounted on) the interface board 103. On the other hand, the photocoupler PC1 corresponding to the VL signal is provided (mounted) on the payout control board 98. The VL signal transmission line has a function as a power line (also used as a power source for a photocoupler in another signal transmission line) compared to other signal transmission lines having a function as a mere signal line. Therefore, it is necessary to stabilize the power supply, and in addition to the photocoupler PC1, a capacitor C1 for power supply stabilization is provided on the payout control board 98. The capacitor C1 is provided on the signal transmission path on the input side (light emission side) of the photocoupler PC1.

  As described above, when the signal is transmitted through the photocouplers PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5, when one of the card unit device 371 and the payout control board 98 fails, an abnormal level is obtained. Can be prevented from being transmitted.

  As for the transmission path of the VL signal, the above-described photocoupler PC1 and capacitor C1 are mounted not on the interface board 103 but on the payout control board 98. On the interface board 103, the photocouplers PC2 to PC5 are mounted. It is installed, but no capacitor is installed. Generally, a capacitor is often provided on a legitimate board or an illegal board as an illegal electronic component when various illegal acts are performed. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, since no capacitor is provided on the interface board 103, unauthorized attachment of electronic components on the interface board 103, and the interface board 103 as an unauthorized board. When a fraudulent action such as replacement is performed, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the fraudulent action has been performed by visually checking whether or not there is a capacitor on the substrate.

  Next, the configuration of the power supply substrate 910 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power supply substrate 910. The power supply board 910 is provided with a power switch 914 for executing or shutting off power supply to each electrical component control board and mechanism component in the gaming machine. Note that the power switch 914 may be provided outside the power supply board 910 in the gaming machine. When the power switch 914 is in a closed state (on state), AC power (AC 24 V) is applied to the input side (primary side) of the transformer 911. The transformer 911 is for electrically insulating the AC power supply (AC24V) and the inside of the power supply board 910, and its output voltage is also AC24V. A varistor 918 as an overvoltage protection circuit is installed on the input side of the transformer 911.

  The power supply board 910 is installed independently of the electrical component control board (the main board 120, the payout control board 98, the effect control board 90, etc.), and generates a voltage used by each board and the mechanical parts in the gaming machine. In this example, AC24V, VSL (DC + 30V), VLP (DC + 24V), VDD (DC + 12V) and VCC (DC + 5V) are generated. Further, a capacitor 916 serving as a storage holding means for holding the stored contents in the backup power supply (VBB), that is, the backup RAM, is charged from DC + 5V (VCC), that is, a power supply line for driving an IC or the like on each substrate. Further, a backflow prevention diode 917 is inserted between the +5 V line and the backup +5 V (VBB) line. Note that VSL is generated by rectifying and boosting AC 24 V with a rectifying element in the rectifying and smoothing circuit 915. VSL is a solenoid driving power source. VLP is a lamp lighting voltage, and is generated by rectifying AC24V with a rectifier element in the rectifier circuit 912.

  The DC-DC converter 913 serving as a power supply voltage generation unit has one or a plurality of regulator ICs (two regulator ICs 924A and 924B are shown in FIG. 10), and generates VDD and VCC based on VSL. Relatively large capacitors 923A and 923B are connected to the input sides of the regulator ICs (switching regulators) 924A and 924B. Accordingly, when the power supply to the gaming machine from the outside is stopped, the DC voltages such as VSL, VDD, VCC, etc., decrease relatively slowly.

  As shown in FIG. 10, AC24V output from the transformer 911 is supplied to the connector 922B as it is. The VLP is supplied to the connector 922C. VCC, VDD and VSL are supplied to connectors 922A, 922B and 922C.

  The cable connected to the connector 922A is connected to the main board 120. The cable connected to the connector 922B is connected to the payout control board 98. Therefore, VBB is also supplied to the connectors 922A and 922B. For example, a cable connected to the connector 922C is connected to the audio frame lamp board 92. Each voltage is supplied to the effect control board 90 and the lamp driver board 93 via the audio frame lamp board 92.

  In addition, a clear switch 921 having a push button structure is mounted on the power supply board 910. When the clear switch 921 is pressed, a low level (ON state) clear signal is output and transmitted to the main board 120 and the payout control board 98 via the connector 922A and the connector 922B. If the clear switch 921 is not pressed, a high level (off state) signal is output. The clear switch 921 may have a configuration other than the push button structure. Moreover, the clear switch 921 may be provided in a board other than the power supply board 910 such as the payout control board 98 or other places in the gaming machine.

  Further, the power supply board 910 generates a system reset signal (reset signal in the figure) for the microcomputer mounted on the electric component control board, and outputs a power-off signal, and a power supply monitor circuit 920. And an output driver circuit 925 that amplifies the power reset signal and outputs it to the connectors 922A and 922B. The system reset signal is used as an operation stop signal that stops (inhibits) the operation of the microcomputer at the reset level, and is used as an operation enable signal that enables the operation of the microcomputer at the non-reset level. In the present embodiment, a reset signal via the audio frame lamp board 92 is input to the effect control microcomputer 118. However, the input pattern of the system reset signal to the production control microcomputer 118 is not limited to this. For example, an input pattern in which a system reset signal is input via the main board 120 or the payout control board 98 may be used.

  The power monitoring circuit 920 is a circuit that realizes a voltage drop monitoring unit that outputs a power-off signal and a reset signal generation unit that generates a system reset signal. Note that the voltage drop monitoring unit and the reset signal generation unit may be configured by separate circuits. A commercially available power failure monitoring reset module IC can be used as the power monitoring circuit 920. The power supply monitoring circuit 920 outputs a power-off signal when a period during which a predetermined voltage (for example, + 24V) used in the gaming machine becomes a predetermined value (for example, + 5V) or less continues for a predetermined time (for example, 56 ms). . Specifically, the power-off signal is turned on (low level). The power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the system reset signal to a low level when, for example, VCC becomes +4.5 V or less.

  The power supply monitoring circuit 920 is not limited to determining whether or not the voltage has become a predetermined value or less by determining whether or not the period during which the voltage has become the predetermined value or less has continued for a predetermined time or more. For example, it may be determined whether or not the voltage has become a predetermined value or less by detecting a pulse obtained using a general full-wave rectifier circuit including a diode circuit. For example, among pulses obtained by full-wave rectification of an AC wave by a full-wave rectifier circuit, a pulse whose amplitude is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is counted, and when the voltage is not counted for a predetermined period, You may judge that it became.

  When the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the system reset signal to a low level on condition that a predetermined period has elapsed since the power-off signal was output (set to a low level). The predetermined period is a time sufficient for the game control microcomputer 99 mounted on the main board 120 and the payout control microcomputer 660 mounted on the payout control board 98 to execute power-off processing described later. is there. That is, after the power supply monitoring circuit 920 outputs the power-off signal as the voltage drop signal, the game control microcomputer 99 and the payout control microcomputer 660 complete the execution of the power-off process, and then the operation stop signal (system Reset signal low level). In addition, when power supply to the gaming machine is started and VCC exceeds +4.5 V, for example, the system reset signal is set to high level. In this case, after the power-off signal is not output (set to high level). From the condition that the predetermined period has elapsed, the system reset signal is set to the high level. Therefore, when the microcomputer mounted on each electrical component control board (including the main board 120) starts control according to the program in response to the system reset signal becoming high level, the power-off signal is always turned off. It is in a state.

  The power-off signal from the power monitoring circuit 920 is input to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the input port 661a on the payout control board 98 (see FIG. 6). That is, the payout control microcomputer 660 can confirm the occurrence of the stop of the power supply to the gaming machine by monitoring the input signal of the input port 661a. In the main board 120, the power-off signal from the power monitoring circuit 920 is input to the game control microcomputer 99 via the input / output port 114 (see FIG. 5). That is, the gaming control microcomputer 99 can confirm the occurrence of the stop of the power supply to the gaming machine by monitoring the input signal of the input / output port 114.

  On the other hand, the system reset signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 920 is input to the reset terminal of the payout control microcomputer 660 (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, the payout control microcomputer 660 can confirm the timing for setting the payout control operation execution state and the payout control operation stop state by monitoring the input state of the reset terminal. The system reset signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 920 is input to the reset terminal of the game control microcomputer 99 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the game control microcomputer 99 can confirm the timing for setting the execution state of the game control operation and the timing for stopping the game control operation by monitoring the input state of the reset terminal.

  In this embodiment, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 monitors the output of a power supply having a predetermined potential, and detects a voltage from the outside of the gaming machine (this is a detection condition for stopping the supply of power supplied to the gaming machine from the outside). In the embodiment, it is used that the predetermined DC voltage created from AC 24 V) is equal to or lower than the predetermined value. However, the detection condition is not limited to this, and it is possible to detect that the power from the outside is interrupted. Other conditions may be used. For example, the AC wave itself can be monitored to detect that the AC wave has been interrupted, or the AC wave can be detected by monitoring the digitized AC signal and the digital signal has become flat. May be used as a detection condition.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing main processing executed by the game control microcomputer 99 on the main board 120. When the power to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on and the input level of the reset terminal to which the system reset signal is input becomes high level, the CPU 112 is a process for confirming whether or not the contents of the program are valid. After executing the check process, the main process after step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1 is started. In the main process, the CPU 112 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 112 first sets the interrupt prohibition (S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (S4). In interrupt mode 2, the address synthesized from the value of the specific register (I register) (1 byte) of the CPU 112 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output from the built-in device is the interrupt address. This mode indicates

  Next, a software delay process for delaying the start timing of the game device control process (game control process) for controlling the progress of the game by software is executed. Specifically, first, the initialization wait number specification value 1 is set in the wait counter 1 (S81). Further, the initialization wait number designation value 2 is set in the wait counter 2 (S82). Note that general-purpose registers built in the CPU 112 are used as the wait counters 1 and 2. Then, the value of the wait counter 2 is decremented by 1 until the value of the wait counter 2 becomes 0 (S83, S84). When the value of the wait counter 2 becomes 0, the value of the wait counter 1 is decremented by 1 (S85). When the value of the wait counter 1 is not 0 (S86), the process returns to S82. If the value of the wait counter 1 is 0, the software delay process is terminated. In the software delay process, the timing at which the game control microcomputer 99 starts the game control process is determined according to other electrical component control means (game control microcomputer 99, payout control microcomputer 660, voice frame lamp control microcomputer 92a. And means for controlling an electrical component such as a production control microcomputer) to be delayed from the timing of starting the electrical component control.

  When the software delay processing is completed, the internal device (internal peripheral circuit) CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) are initialized (S5), and then the RAM 111 is set to an accessible state ( S6). The CPU 112 used in this embodiment also includes an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC).

  Next, the CPU 112 checks the state of the clear switch signal from the clear switch 921 input through the input port only once (S7). When the on-state is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 112 executes normal initialization processing (S10 to S15). At the input port, the clear switch signal is on at a high level.

  For example, the game store clerk can turn on the clear switch signal by starting the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 while turning the clear switch 921 on (for example, turning on the power switch 914). Initialization processing can be executed. That is, the RAM can be cleared.

  If the clear switch signal is not in the on state, was the data protection process for the backup RAM area (for example, when the power supply stopped such as adding parity data) performed when the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 was stopped? It is confirmed whether or not (S8). In this embodiment, when power supply stops, processing for protecting data in the backup RAM area is performed. If it is confirmed that such protection processing has been performed, the CPU 112 determines that there is a backup. When it is confirmed that such a protection process is not performed, the CPU 112 executes an initialization process.

  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 an example. For example, a flag indicating that data protection processing has been executed is set in the backup flag area in the power supply stop processing, and the flag is set in S8. If it is confirmed, it may be determined that there is a backup.

  If it is determined that there is a backup, the CPU 112 performs data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (S9). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area, and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer. Also, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of data to be checksum is set. Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the pointer value is incremented by 1, and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1. The above processing is repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes zero. When the value of the checksum calculation count reaches 0, the CPU 112 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area, and uses the inverted data as the checksum.

  In the power supply stop process, a checksum is calculated by the same process as described above, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power failure 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 S10 to S15) that is executed when the power is turned on is not performed when the power supply is stopped. To do.

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 112 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control microcomputer 99 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 100 is set as a pointer (S91), and the contents of the backup setting table are sequentially set in the work area (area in the RAM 111) (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 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 is set.

  Further, the CPU 112 sets the head address of the backup command transmission table stored in the ROM 100 as a pointer (S93), and power is supplied to the sub-boards (the payout control board 98 and the effect control board 90) according to the contents. Control is performed so that a control command (recovery command) indicating the recovery is transmitted (S94). Then, the process proceeds to S15.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 112 first performs a RAM clear process (S10). Also, the initial address of the initialization setting table stored in the ROM 100 is set as a pointer (S11), and the contents of the initialization setting table are sequentially set in the work area (S12). By the processing of S11 and S12, for example, normal symbol determination buffer, special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, total prize ball number storage buffer, special symbol process flag, award ball flag, out of ball flag, payout stop flag, etc. An initial value is set in a flag for selectively performing processing according to the above.

  Further, the CPU 112 sets the start address of the initialization command transmission table stored in the ROM 100 as a pointer (S13), and transmits an initialization command for initializing the sub board according to the contents to the sub board. Processing is executed (S14). Examples of the initialization command include a command indicating an initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9.

  In S15, the CPU 112 sets a CTC register built in the CPU 112 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 (S10 to S15) is completed, the CPU 112 repeatedly executes the display random number update process (S17) and the initial value random number update process (S18). The CPU 112 disables the interrupt when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed (S16). When the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are finished, the interrupt is permitted. The state is set (S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 44a and the normal symbol display device 63. The display random number update process is a counter for generating a display random number. This is a process for updating the count value. 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 of a predetermined counter such as a counter for generating a random number for determining whether or not to win a normal symbol. Game control processing to be described later (the game control microcomputer controls the game devices such as the special symbol display device 44a, the normal symbol display device 63, and the ball payout device 154 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 by itself. In a process, or a process of sending a command signal to cause another microcomputer to control, or a game device control process), when the count value of a predetermined counter makes one round, an initial value is set in the counter.

  Next, the game control process will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a program for timer interrupt processing. When a timer interrupt occurs during execution of the main process, specifically, during a period in which the interrupt is permitted during the execution of the loop process of S16 to S19, the game control microcomputer 99 sets the timer interrupt. The game control process is executed in the timer interrupt process activated in response to the occurrence of the game. In the timer interrupt process, the game control microcomputer 99 first performs a power-off process in S21. In the power-off process, a power-off process (power-off detection process) for detecting whether or not a power-off signal is output (whether or not an on-state is turned on) is executed.

  In S22, a switch process is performed. In the switch processing, the states of the switches such as the gate switch 62, the start port switch 60, the count switch 52, the winning ball detectors 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, and the specific ball detector 51 are input, and the detection states thereof are determined. Processing is performed. 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.

  In S22a, a display control process is performed. In the display control process, a drive signal for controlling the display state of the special symbol display device 44a and the normal symbol display device 63 and a drive signal for controlling the lighting state of the special symbol start memory LED 67 and the special symbol start memory LED 68 are displayed. Output processing is performed.

  In S22b, an abnormal winning notification process is performed. In the abnormal winning notification process, when the special variable winning ball device 48 is not opened, the abnormal winning game is performed when the count switch 52 provided in the special variable winning ball device 48 is set to the ON state. A process of setting an abnormal winning notification command for notifying that the player is performing is performed.

  In S23, a random number update process is performed. In the random number update process, for example, a process for updating a count value of a counter for generating a random number for determination other than the random number for determining big hits used for game control, for example, a random number for normal symbol determination, is performed.

  In S24 and S25, processing for updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number and the display random number is performed.

  In S26, a special symbol process is performed. In the special symbol process, a process for selecting and executing the corresponding process is performed according to the value of the special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. Whether or not the display result of the variable display of the special symbol display device 44a is a combination of jackpot symbols, the jackpot determination is performed in this special symbol process. In the big hit determination, the count value (random number value) is read from the random number generation circuit 60a latched in the storage buffer of the RAM 111 as described above, and when this count value matches a predetermined big hit determination value, Judgment that it is a big hit. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. In this special symbol process, data for transmitting an effect control command for instructing execution of various effects, such as controlling the display state of the decorative symbol display device 44b, is set. In the special symbol process in the present embodiment, when a gaming machine error state signal is input from the payout control microcomputer 660, a payout prohibiting command is set to indicate that the payout is prohibited due to the occurrence of an error. Processing is performed.

  In S27, normal symbol process processing is performed. In the normal symbol process, a process for selecting and executing the corresponding process is performed according to the value of the normal symbol process flag for controlling the lighting of the normal symbol display device 63 in a predetermined manner. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  In S28, effect symbol command control processing is performed. In the effect symbol command control process, an effect control command (including a payout prohibition command) set in S26 or the like is output to the effect control microcomputer 118.

  In S30, an information output process is performed. In the information output process, the game information necessary for business management of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (for example, one jackpot information for informing that the jackpot gaming state is in effect, a jackpot gaming state with a probability variation pattern, and during the jackpot state and its jackpot 2 jackpot information to notify that the probability is changing due to (a signal that continues to be output during the jackpot and the probability change), probability change information to notify that the probability change after the jackpot state is finished by the probability change symbol, start Starting port information for notifying the number of hit balls with the mouth switch 60 turned on, symbol determination number 1 information for notifying the number of times of variation of the special symbol display device 44a, symbol determination for notifying the number of times of variation of the normal symbol display device 63 The number 2 information, and the number 2 information for the number of times of opening / closing the ordinary variable winning ball apparatus 58 are output to the hall management computer installed in the game hall. Processing of the order is carried out.

  In S31, a prize ball process is performed. In the prize ball processing, the number of prize balls is set based on a detection signal from a switch for detecting a prize at each prize opening. For example, a payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is output to the payout control board 98 in response to winning detection. The payout control microcomputer 660 mounted on the payout control board 98 drives the ball payout device 154 in response to receiving a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls.

  In S31a, a test terminal process is performed. In test terminal processing, special symbol variation setting, special symbol per unit, special variable winning ball device 48 operation setting, normal variable winning ball device 58 operation setting, probability variation state setting, normal symbol variation setting The process of outputting each signal such as is executed.

  In S31b, an output process is performed. In the output process, an output process for outputting a drive signal for driving the corresponding solenoid when a predetermined condition is satisfied is performed. Based on the drive signal output in the output process, the solenoid is driven, and the corresponding device is controlled to an open state or a closed state.

  In S32, a storage process is performed. In the storage process, a process for setting a drive signal for controlling the lighting state of the special symbol start storage LED 67 and the normal symbol start storage LED 68 is performed.

  In S33, a special symbol display control process is performed. In the special symbol display control process, a process for setting a drive signal for controlling the display state of the special symbol display device 44a is performed. In S34, a normal symbol display control process is performed. In the normal symbol display control process, a process for setting a drive signal for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display device 63 is performed. In S34a, a firing control process is performed. In the launch control process, a process for controlling the launch state of the hit ball by the hit ball launching apparatus 130 is performed.

  In S35, processing for setting the interrupt permitted state is performed. As a result, the interrupt is not enabled until all timer interrupt processing is executed, so no other interrupts or next timer interrupts are generated, and all timer interrupt processing is in progress. Each process can be reliably completed.

  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. Moreover, the process of S1-S34a is corresponded to the game control process which controls progress of a game.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the launch control process in S34a described above. First, it is determined whether or not the VL no signal is in an ON state (S901). When the no VL signal is not on, it is determined whether or not the full signal is on (S903). When the full signal is not on in S903, the card unit device 731 is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the lower plate 27 is not full. At this time, the firing signal is off. It is determined whether or not there is (S905). When the firing signal is off, the firing signal is turned on (S906) and the process returns. On the other hand, when the firing signal is not in the off state, that is, when the firing signal is in the on state, the process returns as it is. As a result, when the card unit device 731 is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the lower plate 27 is not full, the firing signal is turned on, and the launch of the game ball by the hitting ball launching device 130 is permitted to be launched. Controlled.

  On the other hand, when the VL no signal is on in S901, data for transmitting a card unit non-connection notification command as an effect control command is set (S902), and the process proceeds to S907. The card unit non-connection notification command set here is output to the effect control microcomputer 118. Here, the card unit non-connection notification command means that the card unit device 731 is not connected when the VL no signal is on, that is, the VL signal is off, and the ball hitting device. An effect control command for notification sent to the effect control microcomputer 118 in order to cause a card unit non-connection notification to notify that the firing by 130 is stopped using a predetermined lamp or the like. In the effect control microcomputer 118, when the card unit non-connection notification command is received, the game effect lamps 13a to 13c are blinked in a predetermined first notification mode to be in a card unit non-connection state. And control which alert | reports that the launch by the hit ball | bowl launcher 130 was stopped is performed. As a result, it is possible to easily know that the card unit is not connected and that the firing by the hit ball launching device 130 has been stopped. The card unit non-connection notification is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 44b, for example, by displaying a message indicating that the card unit is not connected and that the firing by the hitting ball launching device 130 has been stopped. You may make it carry out by the image display with the apparatus 44b.

  If the full signal is on in S903, data for transmitting a full notification command as an effect control command is set (S904), and the process proceeds to S907. The full tank notification command set here is output to the production control microcomputer 118. Here, the full tank notification command is a full tank notification for notifying that the lower tray 27 is full and that the firing by the hitting ball launcher 130 is stopped when the full signal is on. Is an effect control command for notification sent to the effect control microcomputer 118 in order to perform the operation using a predetermined lamp or the like. When the effect control microcomputer 118 receives a full tank notification command, the game effect lamps 13a to 13c are blinked and displayed in a predetermined second notification mode, thereby indicating that the state is full, and hitting a ball. Control for notifying that the firing by the device 130 has been stopped is performed. As a result, it becomes possible to easily know that the tank is full and that the firing by the ball striking device 130 has been stopped. Note that the full symbol notification is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 44b, such as displaying a message that the tank is full and that the firing by the hitting ball launcher 130 has been stopped. You may make it perform by image display.

  In S907, it is determined whether or not the firing signal is on. When the firing signal is on, the firing signal is turned off (S908), and the process returns. On the other hand, when the firing signal is not on, that is, when the firing signal is off, the process returns as it is. As a result, when the card unit device 731 is not connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 or when the lower plate 27 is full, the firing signal is turned off, and the game ball is fired by the hitting ball launcher 130. Controlled to prohibited state.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a command form of a payout control command sent from the main board 120 to the payout control board 98. In this embodiment, the payout 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. 15 is an example, and other command forms may be used. For example, a 1-byte command or a command having 3 or more bytes may be used. Further, the effect control command is also configured as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal (for example, a payout control command) and an INT signal (for example, a payout control signal INT) that constitute a control command for the electrical component control means. As shown in FIG. 16, the gaming control microcomputer 99 turns the INT signal on after the MODE or EXT data is output to the output port. Further, the INT signal is turned off when a sufficient period of time has elapsed for interrupting the electric component control microcomputer. Further, after the second byte data is set as an output port, the INT signal is turned on, and then the NT signal is turned off.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the payout control command. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the command F0XX (H) of MODE = F0 (H) is used as the payout control command corresponding to the prize ball number command (payout number command). The number of payouts corresponding to the number of game balls to be paid out by “XX” being EXT is shown. FIG. 17 also shows a connection confirmation signal transmitted through a single signal line. The connection confirmation signal is output when the main board 120 rises (when the game control microcomputer 99 starts the game control process) to notify the payout control board 98 that the main board 120 has risen. (A connection confirmation signal for the main board 120). The connection confirmation signal is also a signal indicating that a prize ball can be paid out. In this embodiment, in the payout control microcomputer 660, the connection confirmation signal is generated when the cable including the signal line between the main board 120 and the payout control board is disconnected or the connector that connects the cable and the board is disconnected. Although it is observed as an off state when it occurs, the game control microcomputer 99 mounted on the main board 120 may be set to an off state when any error is detected while the game is in progress.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of bit assignment of input ports in the game control microcomputer 99. As shown in FIG. 18, the specific ball detector 51, the count switch 52, the gate switch 62, the winning ball detectors 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, and the start port switch 60 are respectively set in bits 0 to 7 of the input port 0. The detection signal is input. In addition, bits 0 to 5 of the input port 1 respectively include a power-off signal from the power supply board 910, a detection signal of the clear switch 921 from the power supply board 910, a reset signal from the power supply board 910, and a discharge control board 98 A VL no signal and a full signal from the payout control board 98 are input. The random number count value signals RD0 to RD8 indicating the random number count value from the random number generation circuit 60a are input to bits 0 to 7 of the input port 2 and bit 0 of the input port 3. The random number count value signals RD0 to RD8 indicate the count value in the random number generation circuit 60a by a 9-bit signal.

  Next, the switch process (S22) in the main process will be described. In this embodiment, when the ON state of the detection signal of each switch related to winning detection or gate passage continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the switch is surely turned on, and processing corresponding to the switch on is started. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing each 1-byte buffer formed in the RAM 111 used in the switching process. The previous port buffer is a buffer in which the previous switch-on / off determination result (for example, 4 ms before) is stored. The port buffer is a buffer in which the contents of port 0 inputted this time are stored. The switch-on buffer is a buffer in which the corresponding bit is set to 1 when switch on is detected and the corresponding bit is set to 0 when switch off is detected.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the switch processing of S22 in the game control processing. In the switch process, the CPU 112 first inputs data input to the input port 0 (see FIG. 18) (S101), and sets the input data in the port buffer (S102). Next, the initial value of the weight counter formed in the RAM 111 is set (S103), and the value of the weight counter is decremented by 1 until the value of the weight counter becomes 0 (S104, S105).

  When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, the data of the input port 0 is input again (S106), and a logical product is obtained for each bit between the input data and the data set in the port buffer (S107). . Then, the operation result of the logical product is set in the port buffer (S108). Of the two input data input from the input port 0 with a time interval of approximately [initial value of wait counter × (processing time of S104, S105)] by the processing of S103 to S108, both are “1”. Only those bits that are marked "1" in the port buffer. That is, when the switch detection signal is kept on for the predetermined period [initial value of wait counter × (processing time of S104, S105)], the corresponding bit in the port buffer becomes “1”.

  Further, the CPU 112 performs exclusive OR for each bit between the data previously set in the port buffer and the data set in the port buffer (S109). In the exclusive OR operation result, the bit corresponding to the switch for which the previous switch on / off determination result (for example, 4 ms before) differs from the switch on / off determination result determined to be on this time is “ 1 ”. Further, the CPU 112 performs a logical product for each bit between the operation result of the exclusive OR and the data set in the port buffer (S110). As a result, of the bits corresponding to the switches for which the previous switch on / off determination result and the switch on / off determination result determined to be on this time are different (according to the exclusive OR operation result), the current on Only the bit corresponding to the switch determined as (by the logical product operation) remains as “1”.

  The CPU 112 sets the logical product operation result in S110 in the switch-on buffer (S111), and sets the contents of the port buffer in which the operation result in S108 is set in the previous port buffer (S112).

  Through the above processing, among the switches that have been on for a predetermined period of time, the switch on / off determination result of the previous time (for example, 4 ms ago) was off, that is, the switch changed from off to on. The bit corresponding to the switch is “1” in the switch-on buffer.

  Then, the CPU 112 executes a winning switch check process (S113). FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a winning switch check process. In the winning switch check processing, if the bit corresponding to the count switch 52 in the switch-on buffer is “1”, the CPU 112 increments the value of 15 counters (S131, S132), and the normal winning opening switch ( If each bit corresponding to the winning opening switch 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b) is “1”, the counter is incremented by 10 (S133, S134), and the bit corresponding to the start port switch 60 in the switch buffer. If “1” is “1”, 4 counters are incremented by one (S135, S136). When it is detected in S133 that there are a plurality of “1” bits, the value of the 10 counter is increased by a value corresponding to the number of bits. The 15 counter, 10 counter, and 4 counter are 1-byte counters formed in the RAM 111, respectively.

  In this embodiment, 15 winning balls are paid out for winning through the big winning opening, 4 winning balls are paid out for winning through the starting winning opening 58a, and winning through other ordinary winning openings. Suppose that 10 prize balls are paid out.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the prize ball process of S31 in the timer interrupt process. In the prize ball processing, the CPU 112 performs control (for example, setting in a register) for setting a command transmission table in which a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls according to the winning is stored, and performs control for transmitting the payout control command. . First, the value of the 15 counter is checked (S211). The 15 counter is counted up when a game ball wins a big winning opening and the count switch 52 is turned on. If the value of the 15 counter is not 0, the command transmission table storing 15 prize ball number commands is set (S212), and the command control process is executed (S213). Further, the value of the 15 counter is decremented by 1 (S214).

  If the value of the 15 counter is 0, the value of the 10 counter is checked (S215). The 10 counter is counted up when a game ball wins a normal winning opening and the winning opening switches 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b are turned on. If the value of the 10 counter is not 0, the command transmission table in which 10 winning ball number commands are stored is set (S216), and command control processing is executed (S217). The value of the 10 counter is decremented by 1 (S218).

  If the value of the 10 counter is 0, the value of the 4 counter is checked (S221). The four counter is counted up when the game ball wins the start winning opening and the start opening switch 60 is turned on. If the value of the four counter is not 0, the command transmission table for the four winning ball number instructions is set (S222), and the command control process is executed (S223). Also, the value of the four counter is decremented by 1 (S224).

  As described above, when the game control microcomputer 99 tries to output a payout control command to the payout control board 98, the command transmission table is set. Then, a payout control command is transmitted based on the contents of the command transmission table. The command transmission table is stored in the ROM 100. FIG. 23A is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of 3 bytes with consecutive addresses, and INT data is set in the first byte. Further, MODE data of the first byte of the payout control command is set in the command data 1 of the second byte. In the command data 2 of the third byte, EXT data of the second byte of the payout control command is set.

  In the process shown in FIG. 22, only a command transmission table setting process for one payout control command is performed per process, but a plurality of command transmission table setting processes may be performed. For example, when a plurality of winnings are stored in the 15 counter, 10 counter, and 4 counters, a plurality of command transmission table setting processes may be performed in one winning ball signal process.

  In the prize ball process, the processes of S212, S213, S216, S217, S222, and S223 are executed immediately when the 15 counter, 10 counter, or 4 counter reaches a non-zero value. Further, the 15 counter, the 10 counter, or the 4 counter is detected when the corresponding switches 60 and 52 and winning port switches 55a, 55b, 56a, and 56b are turned on. Although there is a detection delay of several ms, it is immediately incremented by one. Accordingly, the game control microcomputer 99 immediately transmits a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command to the payout control microcomputer 660 in response to an input of a win detection signal from a win detection means provided for each win area. can do.

  Although the payout control command is described here, INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 are set in the command transmission table as shown in FIG. ing.

  FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of INT data. Bit 0 in the INT data indicates whether or not a payout control command should be transmitted to the payout control board 98. In this example, if bit 0 is “1”, it indicates that a payout control command should be sent. Therefore, “01 (H)” is set in the INT data in the command transmission table for the payout control command. It should be noted that bit 1 of the INT data is a bit indicating whether or not an effect control command should be sent. Therefore, in the command transmission table for the effect control command, “01 (H)” is set in the INT data.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of command control processing. The command control process is a process including a command transmission process. In the command control process, the CPU 112 first sets the address of the command transmission table (set in a register or the like) as a read pointer (S231). Then, the data pointed to by the read pointer (in this case, INT data of the command transmission table) is loaded into the argument 1 (S232). The argument 1 is formed in the RAM 111, for example, and becomes input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Also, the read pointer is incremented by 1 (S233). Therefore, the value pointed to by the read pointer matches the address of command data 1 in the command transmission table.

  Therefore, the CPU 112 reads the command data 1 and sets it to the argument 2 (S234). The argument 2 is also formed in the RAM 111, for example, and becomes input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Then, the command transmission processing routine is called (S235).

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a command transmission routine. In the command transmission routine, the CPU 112 first sets the data set as the argument 1, that is, the INT data, in the work area determined as the comparison value (S251). Next, the number of transmissions = 2 is set in the work area determined as the number of processes (S252). Then, the address of the port for outputting the payout control command is set to the IO address (S253).

  Next, the CPU 112 shifts the comparison value to the right by 1 bit (S254). As a result of the shift process, it is confirmed whether or not the carry bit has become 1 (S255). When the carry bit becomes 1, it means that the rightmost bit in the INT data is “1”. In this embodiment, two shift processes are performed. For example, when it is specified that a payout control command should be sent, the carry bit is set to 1 in the first shift process.

  When the carry bit becomes 1, the data set in the argument 2, in this case, the command data 1 (that is, MODE data) is output to the address set as the IO address (S 256). Since the port address for outputting the payout control command is set in the IO address when the first shift processing is performed, the MODE data of the payout control command is eventually output to port 1.

  Next, the CPU 112 adds 1 to the IO address (S257) and subtracts 1 from the number of processes (S258). It is assumed that the address of the port for outputting the effect control command is set in the IO address by the addition process for the IO address. Then, the CPU 112 checks the value of the number of processes (S259), and if the value is not 0, returns to S254. Shift processing is performed again in S254.

  In the second shift process, the value of bit 1 in the INT data is pushed out, and the carry flag is set to “1” or “0” depending on the value of bit 1. Therefore, it is checked whether or not it is specified that an effect control command should be sent. As described above, when each shift process is performed, an IO address corresponding to a command (payout control command, effect control command) checked by the shift process is set as the IO address. Therefore, when the carry flag becomes “1”, the control command is sent to the output port corresponding to the payout control command or the effect control command. That is, a single common module can perform control command transmission processing for each electric component control means.

  Next, the CPU 112 reads the content of the argument 1 storing the INT data before the start of the shift process (S260), and outputs the read data to the output port for outputting the INT signal (S261). In the INT data, the bit corresponding to the output bit of the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, effect control command) output in the processing of S251 to S259 is “1”. Therefore, the INT signal corresponding to the payout control command or the effect control command is turned on.

  Next, the CPU 112 sets a predetermined value in the wait counter (S262), and subtracts one by one until the value becomes 0 (S263, S264). This process is a process for setting the ON period of the INT signal. When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, clear data (00) is set (S265), and the data is output to the output port for outputting the INT signal (S266). Therefore, the INT signal is turned off. Then, a predetermined value is set in the wait counter (S262), and one is subtracted until the value becomes 0 (S268, S269). This process is a process for setting a period until the start of output of EXT data.

  As described above, the MODE data of the first byte of the control command is transmitted. Therefore, the CPU 112 increments the read pointer by 1 in S236 shown in FIG. Therefore, the command data 2 area of the third byte is designated by the read pointer. The CPU 112 loads the contents of the indicated command data 2 into the argument 2 (S237).

  Next, the CPU 112 calls a command transmission processing routine (S238). Therefore, the EXT data is transmitted at the same timing as the transmission of MODE data.

  As described above, the 2-byte control command (payout control command, effect control command) is transmitted to the corresponding electrical component control means. When the electrical component control means detects the falling edge of the INT signal, it starts the control command fetch process. In addition, each electric component control means may start taking in the control command at the rising edge of the INT signal. Further, the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the payout control microcomputer 660 will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the payout control microcomputer 660. In the main process, the payout control CPU 659 first performs necessary initial settings. That is, the payout control CPU 659 first sets the interrupt prohibition (S701). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (S702), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (S703). The payout control CPU 659 initializes the built-in device register (S704), initializes the CTC and PIO (S705), and then sets the RAM in an accessible state (S706). Further, 0000 (H) is set in a predetermined register as each counter initial value used in the payout control process (S707).

  In this embodiment, one channel of the built-in CTC is used in the timer mode. Therefore, in the setting processing of the built-in device register in S704 and the processing in S705, register setting for setting the channel to be used to timer mode, register setting for permitting interrupt generation, and register for setting an interrupt vector Settings are made. The interrupt by the channel is used as a timer interrupt. For example, when it is desired to generate a timer interrupt every 2 ms, a value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value.

  The interrupt vector set for the channel set to the timer mode corresponds to the start address of the timer interrupt process. Specifically, the start address of the timer interrupt process is specified by the value set in the I register and the interrupt vector. The timer interruption process includes a payout control process for controlling the payout means (including a process of driving the ball payout device 154 in response to a command signal related to award ball payout, such as at least a payout control command from the main board 120). Accordingly, a process of driving the ball dispensing device 154 may be included.

  Next, the state of the clear switch signal from the clear switch 921 input through the input port is confirmed only once (S708). When ON is detected in the confirmation (Y in S708), the payout control CPU 659 executes an initialization process (S712 to S715). That is, when the clear switch 921 is turned on, initialization processing is executed.

  If the clear switch signal from the clear switch 921 is not in the ON state, the data protection process of the backup RAM area (eg, the process when the power supply is stopped such as addition of parity data) when the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped It is confirmed whether or not has been performed (S709). 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 10). 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 S709. If it is confirmed, it may be determined that there is a backup.

  If it is determined that there is a backup, the payout control CPU 659 performs data check (parity check in this example) in the backup RAM area (S710). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area, and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer. Also, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of data to be checksum is set. Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the pointer value is incremented by 1, and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1. The above processing is repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes zero. When the value of the checksum calculation count reaches 0, the CPU 112 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area, and uses the inverted data as the checksum.

  In the power supply stop process, a checksum is calculated by the same process as described above, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In S710, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power failure 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 at the time of power supply stop, the payout control state recovery process is not executed, and the initialization process (the process of S712 to S715) is executed.

  If the check result is normal, the payout control CPU 659 performs payout control state recovery processing. Specifically, the value of each counter formed in the backup RAM is set in a predetermined register as an initial value of a counter (such as a prize ball unpaid number counter) used in the payout control process (S711). And the process after S712 is performed.

  In the initialization process, the payout control CPU 659 first performs a RAM clear process (S712). In addition, initial values are set in the flags and counters of the RAM area (S713). The processing in S713 includes processing for setting an initial value of the counter (for example, set in a predetermined register) to a counter (formed in the RAM) used in the payout control processing. Therefore, when the payout control state recovery process (S711) is executed, the counter value stored in the backup RAM is set again in the counter. In other words, the counter value stored in the backup RAM is used as it is. That is, when the processing of S712 and S713 is executed without executing the processing of S711, the payout control processing is started from the initial state. In addition, when the process of S711 is executed and the processes of S712 and S713 are executed, the execution state of the payout control process is returned to the state before the stop of the power supply.

  Then, a CTC register provided in the payout control CPU 659 is set so that a timer interruption is periodically performed (S714). That is, a value corresponding to the timer interrupt generation interval is set as an initial value in a predetermined register (time constant register). Since the interruption is prohibited in S701 of the initial setting process, the interruption is permitted before the initialization process is completed (S715). Thereafter, a loop process for monitoring the occurrence of a timer interrupt is entered. When a timer interrupt occurs, the payout control CPU 659 executes a timer interrupt process.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed by the payout control microcomputer 660. The payout control CPU 659 first detects whether or not a power-off signal is output (whether or not it is turned on), and executes a power-off process when the power-off signal is output. (Power-off detection processing) is executed (S748). Then, the payout control process after S749 is executed. In the payout control process, the payout control CPU 659 first confirms whether or not a payout control command has been received, and executes a command analysis process for analyzing the content of the payout control command if received (S749). .

  Next, the payout control CPU 659 performs input determination processing (S751). The input determination process includes a process of checking the state of detection signals of the payout number count switch 116 and the error release switch 665. Specifically, switch timers (payout number count switch timer, error release switch timer) corresponding to each of them are formed in the RAM, and when it is detected in the switch check process that they are on, the corresponding switch timer The value of the switch timer is incremented by one, and when it is detected that the switch is off, the corresponding switch timer value is cleared.

  Next, the payout control CPU 659 executes a payout motor control process (S753). In the payout motor control process, when the payout motor 115 is to be driven, a process for outputting the patterns of the payout motors φ1 to φ4 to the output port 0 is performed.

  Also, the payout control CPU 659 executes a prepaid card unit control process for communicating with the card unit device 731 (S754). Next, a control for paying out a ball in response to a ball rental request from the card unit device 731 and a control for paying out the number of prize balls indicated by the payout control command from the main board 120 are performed. The process is executed (S756).

  Then, the payout control CPU 659 executes error processing for detecting various errors (S757). Also, an information output process for outputting prize ball information and ball rental information output to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is executed (S758). Further, a predetermined display is performed on the error display LED 374 according to the result of the error processing, and a display control process for lighting the prize ball LED 10 and the ball out LED 9 is executed (S759). In the display control process, the payout control CPU 659 performs control for turning on the prize ball LED 10 when the prize ball REQ signal is on. Further, when the prize ball REQ signal is turned off, control for turning off the prize ball LED 10 is performed.

  In this embodiment, a RAM area corresponding to the output state of the output port is provided, but the payout control CPU 659 outputs the contents to the output port (S760: output processing).

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a counter used by the payout control microcomputer 660 in the payout control process. In this embodiment, a prize ball payout total counter for storing a total prize ball payout total, which is a cumulative addition of the numbers specified in the payout control command of the received prize ball number command, and a prize ball payout A received number counter during payout in which the number of prize balls paid out indicated by the payout control command of the prize ball number command received during the operation is stored, and the number of revolutions as payout drive amount data of the payout motor 115 at the time of prize ball payout ( A payout operation counter serving as a payout driving amount data storage unit in which a value corresponding to the rotation amount) is set, and a prize in which the number of remaining winning balls (the number of unpaid prize balls) at the time of one consecutive paying out of winning balls is set. A ball unpaid number counter, a lending ball unpaid number counter in which the remaining number of lending balls (the number of unpaid lending balls) at the time of lending ball lending is set, and a prize ball payout is interrupted by a ball lending request Payout action A payout operation storage counter to store the value of the pointer is used. These counters are formed in the RAM.

  The payout operation counter is used to determine the number of revolutions of the payout motor 115 corresponding to the number of payouts, and every time one payout operation is detected when the payout motor position sensor 295 is turned on, −1. Is done. The values of the award ball unpaid number counter and the lending ball unpaid number counter are decremented by 1 when the payout number count switch 116 is turned on (the game ball passes the switch). Therefore, the award ball unpaid number counter and the lending ball unpaid number counter detect that the game ball finally paid out by the payout motor 115 passes through the payout number count switch 116 (the count value becomes 0). ), Used to determine that the prize ball payout and ball lending have been completed.

  In order to determine the rotation speed of the payout motor 115, a payout operation timer that determines a rotation time according to the payout number may be used instead of the payout operation counter. When the payout operation timer is used, the data held in the drive amount data storage means (in this case, the timer value of the payout operation timer) corresponds to the drive amount of the payout drive means (the payout motor 115 in this example). Subtract minutes. The driving amount data subtracting means corresponds to executing a process of reducing the timer value of the payout operation timer as time elapses.

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a reception buffer for storing a payout control command received from the main board 120. In this example, a ring buffer type reception buffer capable of storing six 2-byte payout control commands is used. The reception buffer is configured by a 12-byte area of command reception buffers 1 to 12. A command reception number counter indicating in which area the received command is stored is used. The command reception number counter takes a value from 0 to 11.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing command reception interrupt processing. An INT signal for payout control from the main board 120 is input to an interrupt terminal of the payout control CPU 659. Therefore, when the INT signal from the main board 120 is turned on, the payout control CPU 659 is interrupted, and the payout control command receiving process shown in FIG. 30 is started. That is, the payout control microcomputer 660 receives a payout control command by an interrupt process that is activated based on an input signal input to the interrupt terminal.

  In the payout control command reception process, the payout control CPU 659 first saves each register in the stack (S850). Next, the data is read from the input port assigned to the input of the payout control command data (S851). Then, it is confirmed whether or not it is the first byte of the 2-byte payout control command (S852). Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is “1”. The first bit being “1” should be the MODE byte (first byte) in the payout control command having a 2-byte configuration. Therefore, if the first bit is “1”, the payout control CPU 659 determines that the valid first byte has been received, and stores the received command in the confirmed command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area (S853). ).

  If it is not the first byte of the payout control command, it is confirmed whether the first byte has already been received (S854). Whether or not it has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (deterministic command buffer).

  If the first byte has already been received, it is confirmed whether or not the first bit of the received 1 byte is “0”. If the first bit is “0”, it is determined that a valid second byte has been received, and the received command is stored in the confirmed command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (S855). The leading bit “0” is supposed to be the EXT byte (second byte) of the payout control command having a 2-byte configuration. If the confirmation result in S854 indicates that the first byte has already been received, the process ends if the first bit of the data received as the second byte is not “0”.

  When the second byte of command data is stored in S855, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (S856). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (S857), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (S858). Thereafter, the saved register is restored (S859), and interrupt permission is set (S859).

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the command analysis processing in S749. The payout control microcomputer 660 executes the following command analysis processing. In the command analysis process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the received payout control command (reception command) is in the reception buffer (S501). If there is no received command, return. On the other hand, if there is a received command, it is confirmed whether or not the received payout control command is a command for a winning ball number command (S502). If there are a plurality of reception commands in the reception buffer, the confirmation of S502 is performed for the reception command received most recently. If the received command is not a prize ball number command, the process returns. On the other hand, if the received command is a command for a prize ball number command, the number designated by the prize ball number command by the payout control command is added to the prize ball payout scheduled total counter (S503).

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball operating flag is set (S504). Here, the prize ball operating flag is a flag indicating that the prize ball is being paid out, and is set in S635 described later when the prize ball is being paid out. If the winning ball operating flag is not set, the process returns. On the other hand, if the prize ball operating flag is set, the number instructed by the prize ball number command by the payout control command is added to the received quantity counter during payout operation (S505). Thus, when a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command is received during the award ball payout operation, the payout number specified by the command is added to the received number counter during payout operation and temporarily stored. Will be. Then, a payout receipt flag is set (S506), and the process returns. Here, the payout receiving flag is a flag indicating whether or not a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command is received during the payout operation of the winning ball, and is set in S506 when such a command is received. And reset by S698 described later.

  Here, the ball lending command from the card unit device 731 will be described. FIG. 32 is a timing chart for explaining communication between the payout control microcomputer 660 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit device 731. The payout control microcomputer 660 turns on the PRDY signal when power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started and a payout operation is possible. When the power supply is started, the card unit device 731 turns on the VL signal as a connection signal. When a card is received in the card unit device 731, the ball lending switch is operated and a ball lending switch signal is input, the card unit device 731 outputs a BRDY signal to the payout control microcomputer 660. That is, the BRDY signal is turned on. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit device 731 outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control microcomputer 660. That is, the BRQ signal is turned on.

  Then, the payout control microcomputer 660 turns on the EXS signal for the card unit device 731 and detects the falling (off) of the BRQ signal from the card unit device 731 to drive the payout motor 115 to generate a predetermined number ( For example, 25 balls) are paid out to the player. When the payout is completed, the payout control microcomputer 660 causes the EXS signal to the card unit device 731 to fall. That is, the EXS signal is turned off.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the payout motor control process in S753. In the payout motor control process, if the payout motor 115 is rotating (S511), the payout control CPU 659 confirms the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 from the payout sensor board 114a, and the detection signal is the payout motor. When the position sensor 295 is turned on (the rotational position is detected), the value of the payout operation counter is decremented by 1 (S512, S513). Thereafter, one of S521 to S526 is executed according to the value of the payout motor control code.

  For example, when the payout control CPU 659 detects that the value of the payout operation counter has reached a predetermined value (for example, 1) in the payout motor constant speed process at S524, the payout motor brake at S525 is used to stop the payout motor 115. Start processing. In the payout motor brake process, a process of stopping driving of the payout motor 115 is executed in response to the value of the payout operation counter becoming zero. In this embodiment, when the payout motor 115 is rotated 1/2, one game ball is paid out, and the payout motor position sensor 295 is turned on twice during one rotation. Take an example. Accordingly, when paying out n game balls, the payout motor position sensor 295 is turned on n times. Therefore, in this embodiment, the value “1” of the payout operation counter is the number of rotations (the amount of rotation) of the payout motor 115 at which one game ball is paid out by driving the payout motor 115. The rotation speed of 1/2 rotation is shown. Note that in a payout motor in which one game ball is paid out when the payout motor 115 rotates once, the value “1” of the payout operation counter indicates the number of rotations (the amount of rotation) of the payout motor 115 in one rotation. It will be.

  In the payout motor normal process (S521) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 0, the payout control CPU 659 sets the pointer to the head address of the table stored in the ROM. The payout motor normal processing setting table stores a payout motor excitation pattern table in which data of excitation patterns (payout motors φ1 to φ4) of each step for rotating the payout motor 115 at the time of ball payout is sequentially set. Yes.

  In the payout motor start preparation process (S522) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 1, the payout control CPU 659 stores the output port buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port that outputs the payout motors φ1 to φ4. Processing such as setting the initial value of the excitation pattern is performed. Then, the value of the dispensing motor control code is changed to 2.

  In the payout motor slow-up process (S523) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 2, the payout control CPU 659 is longer than the constant speed process in order to start the payout motor 115 smoothly rotating. Corresponding to the output state of the output port that outputs the payout motors φ1 to φ4 by reading the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table at intervals and at a time interval that gradually approaches the time interval for constant speed processing Set to output port buffer. At the time of reading, the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table at the address pointed to by the pointer are read and the pointer value is incremented by one. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the value of the payout motor control code becomes 2, the value of the payout motor control code is changed to 3.

  In the payout motor constant speed process (S524) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 3, the payout control CPU 659 periodically reads the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table and sets the payout motors φ1 to φ4. Set the output port buffer corresponding to the output status of the output port to be output. When a predetermined time has passed before the time at which the payout motor 115 should be stopped (the time at which payout of the game ball is finished), the value of the payout motor control code is changed to 4. Whether or not a predetermined time has passed is confirmed, for example, by the value of the payout operation counter having reached a predetermined value (for example, 1).

  In the payout motor brake process (S525) executed when the payout motor control code value is 4, the payout control CPU 659 has a longer interval than in the case of the constant speed process in order to smoothly stop the payout motor 115. And the output port corresponding to the output state of the output port that reads out the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table and outputs the payout motors φ1 to φ4 at a time interval gradually moving away from the time interval in the case of constant speed processing Set to buffer. When the payout motor 115 is finally stopped, the value of the payout motor control code is changed to zero. The payout control CPU 659 finally stops the payout motor 115 by stopping driving of the payout motor 115 when the value of the payout operation counter reaches a value corresponding to the end of payout of the game ball (for example, 0). Stop.

  In the ball biting payout motor brake process (S526) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 5, the payout control CPU 659 smoothes the payout motor 115 in the case of rotation for releasing the ball biting. In order to stop, the payout motor excitation pattern table has a longer interval than the rotation of the payout motor 115 for releasing the ball bite and at a time interval gradually moving away from the time interval in the case of the constant speed process. Is set in the output port buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port that outputs the payout motors φ1 to φ4. The contents of the output port buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port that outputs the payout motors φ1 to φ4 are output to the output port in the output processing of S760. Note that the payout control CPU 659 changes the value of the payout motor control code to 5 when the ball biting is detected in the processing of S523 to S525.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the prize ball lending control processing in S756. In the winning ball lending control process, the payout control CPU 659 first executes a winning ball payout amount addition control (S600). The prize ball payout number addition control is a process for adding the number of newly received payout control commands according to the prize ball number command to the number of prize balls to be paid out.

  Next, when the payout control CPU 659 confirms that the detection signal of the payout number count switch 116 is turned on (S601), the payout control CPU 659 determines whether or not the ball is lending based on the ball lending operation in progress flag (S602). ). If the ball is being lent, the value of the unpaid ball rental counter is decremented by 1 (S603), and if not, the value of the prize ball unpaid counter is decremented by 1 (S604). Thereafter, any one of S610 to S612 is executed according to the value of the payout control code.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the award ball payout addition control in S600. The payout control microcomputer 660 executes the following process for adding a prize ball payout amount. In the prize ball payout addition control, first, it is determined whether or not there is a bit indicating an error state in an error flag set by reflecting various error states as shown in FIG. 40 (S691). ). If there is a bit indicating an error state, the process returns. On the other hand, if there is no bit indicating an error state, it is determined whether or not the ball lending operation flag is set (S692). Thereby, it is determined whether or not the ball lending operation is being performed. If the ball lending operation flag is set, the process returns. On the other hand, when the ball lending operation flag is not set, it is determined whether or not the prize ball operation flag is set (S693). Thereby, it is determined whether or not a prize ball is being operated. If the prize ball operating flag is not set, the process returns. On the other hand, if the prize ball operating flag is set, whether or not a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command is received is determined based on determining whether or not the payout receiving flag is set. Determination is made (S694). If a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command has not been received, the process returns. On the other hand, when the payout control command indicating the prize ball number command is received, the payout control command indicating the prize ball payout command is received during the payout operation of the prize ball with no error. In order to add and update the ball payout number, an addition process after S695, which is a process of updating the value of the payout operation counter as the payout drive amount data, is executed.

  Since the prize ball lending control process of FIG. 34 is executed every 2 ms, the prize ball payout amount addition control is also executed every 2 ms. However, in the error state by the process of S691, the processes after S695 are executed. Not. Further, during the ball lending process based on the ball lending request from the prepaid card unit device 731, the addition process after S695 is not executed. In particular, in a state where the value of the payout operation storage counter, which will be described later, is not 0 (a state in which award ball payout is interrupted by ball lending), S645 to S647 (premium game medium payout interrupting means) described later are awarded according to the processing of S692. After suspending the payout of the ball, until the later-described S636 to S638 (premium game medium payout resuming means) resumes the payout of the prize ball, an addition for prohibiting the update operation of the payout operation counter value in S695 described later The prohibition process is being executed.

  Next, the addition process after S695 will be described. In S695, the value of the payout reception number counter is added to the payout operation counter. As described above, the payout driving amount of the payout motor 115 is updated by adding the payout amount of the prize ball instructed by the payout control command received during the prize ball operation to the payout operation counter, and the number of payout balls is paid out. Is added. Then, the value of the received number counter during payout is added to the award ball non-payout number counter (S696). In this way, the prize ball payout number specified by the payout control command received during the prize ball operation is added to the prize ball unpaid number counter, whereby data for managing the number of prize balls paid out is paid out. It is updated so as to correspond to the value of the operation counter.

  As described above, since the addition of the payout operation counter using the value of the payout received number counter and the awarded ball payout number counter is completed, the payout received number counter is cleared (initialized to “0”). (S697), the payout receiving flag is reset (S697), and the process returns. Note that clearing the payout reception number counter in S697 includes a process of reducing the counter value directly to “0” and a process of subtracting the same value from the counter value to “0”. Either process may be adopted. That is, the clearing of the payout reception number counter in S697 may adopt any process as long as it is a process in which the payout reception number counter is subtracted from a certain value to “0” as a result.

  In this embodiment, the game ball payout based on the prize ball number command of the payout control command and the game ball payout based on the loan request are made by one ball payout device 154, so that the ball lending process is executed. When it is, the prize ball payout process cannot be executed. Therefore, even if the number of prize balls to be paid out is added during the ball lending process, the prize ball payout process is not executed, so that a meaningless process is performed. However, when the ball lending process is being performed, since the execution of S695 and S696 is prohibited by returning at S692, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the extra process by preventing the meaningless process from being executed.

  Similarly, the prize ball payout process cannot be executed in an error state. Therefore, even if the number of prize balls to be paid out is added in the error state, the prize ball is not paid out, and meaningless processing is performed. However, since the execution of S695 and S696 is prohibited by returning in S691 in an error state, the processing for increasing the number of award balls to be paid out is prevented so as not to execute a meaningless process. Can do. It should be noted that the process for adding the number of prize balls to be paid out is collectively executed when the error state is released based on the operation signal from the error release switch 665 (all payout controls received in the error state). The number of paid-out balls based on the commanded number-of-balls command is added).

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the payout start waiting process (S610) executed when the payout control code is 0. The payout control microcomputer 660 executes the following payout start waiting process. In the payout start waiting process, if the error bit is set, the subsequent process is not executed (S621).

  If the BRDY signal is not on (S622), the process proceeds to S636. If the BRDY signal is on and the BRQ signal, which is a ball lending request signal, is on, a ball lending operation flag is set (S623, S624). Then, “25” is set in the unpaid ball lending number counter (S625), and “25” is set in the payout operation counter (S626).

  In S636, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the payout operation storage counter is zero. If it is 0, the process proceeds to a process for paying out a new prize ball after S631. If it is not 0, the value of the payout operation storage counter is set in the payout operation counter (S637), and the value of the payout operation storage counter is set. Is set to 0 (S638). The value of the payout operation counter at that time is set in the payout operation storage counter when the award ball payout operation is interrupted to shift to the ball lending operation (see S646). Accordingly, the suspended prize ball payout operation is resumed by the processing of S637 and the subsequent processing of S635 and S627.

  After S638, the following processing is performed in S639. It is determined whether or not a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command has been received (the same process as the process of S694). If a payout control command indicating a prize ball number command has been received, an extra process (the same process as that of S695 to S698) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds from S639 to S635. On the other hand, if the payout control command indicating the prize ball number command is not received, the addition process (the same process as the process of S695 to S698) is not executed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the prize ball payout operation is resumed, the same processing as S694 to S698 in FIG. 35 is executed.

  The payout operation counter is referred to in the payout motor control process (S753) of FIG. That is, in the payout motor control process, control is performed to rotate the payout motor 115 by the number of rotations corresponding to the value set in the payout operation counter.

  Thereafter, a value (specifically “1”) corresponding to the payout motor start preparation process (S522) of FIG. 33 is set in the payout motor control code for selecting the process executed in the payout motor control process (S627). ), The value of the payout control code is set to 1 (S628), and the process is terminated.

  In S631, it is confirmed whether or not the content of the winning ball payout scheduled total counter is 0 (S631). If 0, the process ends. The prize ball payout scheduled total counter has a non-zero value (the number indicated by the prize ball number command) when receiving a prize ball number command by a payout control command from the game control microcomputer 99 of the main board 120 in the command analysis process. ) Is added. If the winning ball payout total counter is not 0, the winning ball payout total counter is set in the payout operation counter (S632), and the winning ball payout payout counter is set in the winning ball payout counter. Setting is made (S633). Then, a winning ball operating flag is set (S635), and the process proceeds to S627.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a payout motor stop waiting process (S611) executed when the payout control code is 1. In the payout motor stop waiting process, it is confirmed whether or not the payout operation of the payout motor 115 is completed (S641). In S641, for example, when the payout motor brake process (S525) in the payout motor control process ends, a flag to that effect is set, and whether the payout operation of the payout motor 115 is completed by checking the flag in S641. You can check whether or not.

  When the payout operation of the payout motor 115 is completed, the payout passing monitoring time is set in the payout control monitoring timer (S642). The payout passing monitoring time is a time that has a margin in the time from when the last payout ball is paid out by the payout motor 115 until it passes through the payout number count switch 116. Then, the value of the payout control code is set to 2 (S643), and the process ends.

  If the payout operation of the payout motor 115 is not completed and the winning ball is being paid out (S644), the state of the ball lending request signal is confirmed to check whether there is a ball lending request (S645). If the BRQ signal, which is a ball lending request signal, is on, the prize ball operating flag is reset (S646), and the value of the payout operation counter at that time is set in the payout operation storage counter (S647). Further, a ball lending operation flag is set (S648). Then, “25” is set in the unpaid ball lending number counter (S649), and “25” is set in the payout operation counter (S650). With this process, the payout operation of the payout motor 115 shifts from the process for paying out a prize ball to the process for lending a ball. That is, when a ball lending request is generated during a prize ball payout operation, the prize ball payout operation is interrupted and ball lending is started.

  FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 are flowcharts showing the payout passing waiting process (S612) executed when the value of the payout control code is 2.

  First, an outline of the payout passing waiting process will be described. In the payout passing waiting process, when a prize ball is being paid out, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally if the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter is zero. At the start of the payout process, the value set in the payout operation counter for determining the amount of rotation of the payout motor 115 corresponds to the value set in the award ball non-payout number counter. When executed, the value of the payout operation counter is 0 corresponding to the stop of the payout motor 115 (the payout completion as the payout motor 115). As a result, when the value of the unpaid prize ball counter is not 0, a predetermined number of payouts should have been made by the payout motor 115, but the ball payout device 154 is provided below. This means that the payout number count switch 116 can detect only payouts less than a predetermined number. That is, in such a case, the payout has not been completed normally.

  When the value of the award ball unpaid-out counter is not 0, if the error ball is not in an error state, a game ball re-payout operation is attempted. If it is detected in the re-payout operation that the game ball is actually paid out by the payout number count switch 116, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally.

  Further, when the ball lending is being paid out, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally if the value of the ball lending unpaid-out counter is 0. If the value of the ball lending unpaid number counter is not 0, if it is not an error state, a re-payout operation of the game ball or the remaining number of ball lending (corresponding to the value of the ball lending unpaid number counter) is attempted.

  Specific processing of the above description will be described below. In the payout passage waiting process, the payout control CPU 659 decrements the payout control timer value by -1 if the payout control timer value is not 0 (S651). If the value of the payout control timer is not 0 (S652), that is, if the payout control timer has not timed out, the process is terminated.

  If the payout control timer has timed out (S652), it is determined whether or not a ball lending payout process (ball lending operation) has been executed (S653). Whether or not the ball lending operation has been executed is confirmed by whether or not the ball lending operation in progress flag in the payout control state flag formed in the RAM is set. When the ball lending operation is not executed, that is, when the prize ball payout process (prize ball operation) is executed, the payout control CPU 659 checks the value of the award ball unpaid number counter (S654). .

  If the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter is 0 in S654, the following process is performed on the assumption that the prize ball payout process has been completed normally. That is, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is cleared to 0 (S654a). Then, the payout ball detection bit, the re-payout operation bit, the winning ball operation flag and the ball lending operation bit in the payout control state flag are reset (S655), the payout control code is set to 0 (S656), and the process is terminated. The re-payout operation bit is a control bit used when the re-payout process is executed.

  On the other hand, if the value of the unsold prize ball counter is not 0 in S654, an error flag (specifically, one of the payout switch error error 1 bit, the payout switch error error 2 bit, and the payout case error bit) On the condition that any one or a plurality of bits) is not set (S659), the re-payout operation is executed. If the error flag is set, the re-payout operation is not executed.

  In order to execute the re-payout process, the pay-out control CPU 659 first checks whether or not the re-payout operation bit is set (S661). If not set, a re-payout operation in-progress bit is set (S662), and a value corresponding to the value of the award ball unpaid number counter or the ball lending unpaid number counter is set in the payout operation counter (S663). Thereafter, the payout control code is set to 1 (S667), and the process is terminated.

  In S661, when it is confirmed that the re-payout operation in-progress bit is set, the payout control CPU 659 does not pay out the game ball even if the re-payout process is executed (the payout number count switch 116 detects the game ball). The payout case error bit in the error flag is set (S666). At that time, the re-payout operation in-progress bit is reset (S665). Then, the process ends.

  As described above, if the game ball is not paid out correctly even after performing the re-payout operation in the re-payout process (corrected payout process), the payout number count switch non-passing error bit (payout case) Error bit) is set.

  Upon confirming that the ball lending / dispensing process (ball lending operation) has been executed in S653, the payout control CPU 659 confirms whether or not the value of the ball lending unpaid-out counter is 0 (S657). If it is 0, it is determined that the ball lending / dispensing process has been completed normally, and the process proceeds to S655.

  If the value of the ball lending unpaid number counter is not 0, an error flag (specifically, any one bit of a payout switch error error 1 bit, a payout switch error error 2 bit, and a payout case error bit) On the condition that (multiple bits) is not set (S658), re-payout processing is executed. If the error flag is set, the re-payout process is not executed.

  Next, error processing will be described. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the type of error and the display of the LED 664 for error display. In the error flag (for example, 1 byte) formed in the RAM, there are bits corresponding to the errors shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 40, when the connection confirmation signal from the main board 120 is turned off, the payout control CPU 659 displays “1” on the error display LED 664 as a main control non-connection error. To do.

  When disconnection of the payout number count switch 116 or ball clogging occurs at the payout number count switch 116, the error display LED 664 is controlled to display “2” as the payout switch abnormality detection error 1. The disconnection of the payout number count switch 116 or the occurrence of clogging in the payout number count switch 116 is determined by the detection signal of the payout number count switch 116 not being turned off.

  When the detection signal of the payout number count switch 116 is turned on even though the game ball is not paying out, control is performed to display “3” on the error display LED 664 as a payout switch abnormality detection error 2. Do. If the detection signal of the payout count switch 116 does not turn on despite the rotation abnormality of the payout motor 115 or the game ball being paid out, “4” is displayed on the error display LED 664 as a payout case error. Take control. The specific method for detecting that the detection signal of the payout number count switch 116 is not turned on is as described above.

  In addition, when the lower pan is full, that is, when the full switch 158 is turned on, control is performed to display “6” on the error display LED 664 as a full error. When the supply ball is insufficient, that is, when the ball break switch 157 is turned on, control is performed to display “7” on the error display LED 664 as a ball break error.

  Further, when the VL signal from the card unit device 731 is turned off, control is performed to display “8” on the error display LED 664 as a prepaid card unit unconnected error. When communication is performed with the card unit device 731 at an incorrect timing, control is performed to display “9” on the error display LED 664 as a prepaid card unit communication error. The prepaid card unit communication error is detected in the prepaid card unit control process (S754).

  Among the above errors, after the occurrence of a payout switch abnormality detection error 2, a payout case error or a prize ball REQ signal error, the error release switch 665 is operated and an operation signal is output from the error release switch 665 (turns on) The payout control microcomputer 660 returns to the state before the error occurred.

  41 and 42 are flowcharts showing the error processing in S757. In the error processing, the payout control CPU 659 checks the error flag, and the set bits are only payout switch abnormality detection error 2, payout case error and prize ball REQ signal error (any one of the three). It is confirmed whether it is only a bit, or only two of the three bits (or only those three bits) (S801). If these are the only bits that are set, it is confirmed whether or not the operation signal is turned on from the error release switch 665 (S802). When the operation signal is turned on, the bits of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error, and the winning ball REQ signal error in the error flag are reset (S807), and the process proceeds to S808.

  When the processing of S807 is executed, there may be an error bit that is not in the set state among the bits of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error, and the prize ball REQ signal error. There is no problem even if an error bit that is not present is reset. As described above, in this embodiment, when an error (see FIG. 40) that causes the setting of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error, or the prize ball REQ signal error bit occurs, an error occurs. The error is released when the release switch 665 is pressed.

  In S808, the payout control CPU 659 confirms the detection signal of the full tank switch 158. If the detection signal of the full tank switch 158 is output (if it is in the ON state), the full tank error bit in the error flag is set (S809). Then, the full tank signal to be output to the main board 120 is turned on (S809a: when the state at the time of execution of S809a is the on state of the full tank signal, the on state is continued), and the process proceeds to S811 described later. move on. Thereby, when the detection signal of the full switch 158 is in the on state, the full signal that is output toward the main board 120 is turned on. On the other hand, if the detection signal of the full tank switch 158 is OFF, the full error bit is reset (S810). Then, the full tank signal output to the main board 120 is turned off (S810a: When the state at the time of execution of S810a is the full state signal off state, the off state is continued), and the process proceeds to S811 described later. Thus, when the detection signal of the full tank switch 158 is in the off state, the full tank signal output toward the main board 120 is turned off.

  In S811, the payout control CPU 659 confirms the detection signal of the ball break switch 157. If the detection signal of the ball break switch 157 is output (if it is on), the ball break error bit in the error flag is set (S812). If the detection signal of the ball break switch 157 is OFF, the ball break error bit is reset (S813). When the ball break error bit is set, in the display control process of S759, the bit corresponding to the ball break LED 9 in the output port 1 buffer is set to a value corresponding to the lighting state.

  Further, the payout control CPU 659 confirms the state of the connection confirmation signal from the main board 120 (S815), and if the connection confirmation signal is not output (if it is in the off state), sets the main control unconnected error bit. (S816). If the connection confirmation signal is output (if it is on), the main control unconnected error bit is reset (S817).

  Further, the payout control CPU 659 checks the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 116 among the switch timers for which the state of the detection signal of each switch is set, and the value is the switch on maximum time (for example, “ 240 ") (S818), the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 1 is set in the error flag (S819). If the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout count switch 116 is equal to or shorter than the switch-on maximum time, the payout switch abnormality detection error 1 bit is reset (S820). It should be noted that the value of each switch timer is incremented by 1 when the state of the input port to which the detection signal of each switch is input is switched on in the input determination process of S751, and is cleared by 0 when it is off. Accordingly, the fact that the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 116 has exceeded the maximum switch-on time means that the payout number count switch 116 has been turned on beyond the maximum switch-on time. It is determined that the game ball is clogged at the disconnection of the payout number count switch 116 or at the portion of the payout number count switch 116.

  Further, when the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 116 becomes a switch-on determination value (for example, “2”) (S821), the payout control CPU 659 performs the ball lending operation flag and the winning ball operation. If both flags are in the reset state, it is determined that the game ball has passed through the payout number count switch 116 even though the payout operation is not in progress, and the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2 in the error flag is set (S822, S823). If the ball lending operation flag or the winning ball operation flag is set, the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2 is reset (S824).

  Furthermore, the payout control CPU 659 confirms (monitors) the input state of the VL signal from the card unit device 731 (S825). If the VL signal is not input (if it is in the off state), the prepaid error flag is prepaid. The card unit unconnected error bit is set (S826). Then, the VL no signal output to the main board 120 is turned on (S826a: When the state at the time of execution of S826a is the VL no signal on state, the on state is continued), and the process returns. Thereby, when the VL signal from the card unit device 731 is in the off state, the VL non-signal output to the main board 120 is turned on. If the VL signal is input (if it is on), the prepaid card unit unconnected error bit is reset (S827). Then, the VL no signal output to the main board 120 is turned off (S827a: When the state at the time of executing S827a is the VL no signal off state, the off state is continued), and the process returns. . Thereby, when the VL signal from the card unit device 731 is in the on state, the no VL signal output toward the main board 120 is turned off.

  In the display control process of S759 of FIG. 27, the error flag set by the error process of FIGS. 41 and 42 based on the relationship between the error type and the display of the error display LED 664 as shown in FIG. Notification by display (numerical value display) corresponding to the error bit in the inside is performed by the error display LED 664. As a result, for example, when the prepaid card unit unconnected error bit is set, “8” is displayed on the error display LED 664, so that the VL signal is not input (is in an OFF state). It is notified that it is in a connected state.

  FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of changes in the contents of the counter used in the prize ball payout control. The prize ball payout scheduled total counter, the payout received number counter, the payout operation counter, and the prize ball non-payout number counter are cleared to 0 in the initialization process (specifically, the process of S712). After that, for example, when 15 prize ball number commands by the payout control command are received, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter becomes 15 in the command analysis process (S503). When the prize ball payout process is started, 15 is set in each of the payout operation counter and the prize ball unpaid number counter by the payout start waiting process (see S632 and S633). Thereafter, each time the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 from the payout sensor board 114a is turned on, the value of the payout operation counter is decremented by one, and every time the payout number count switch 116 is turned on, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is changed. 1 is subtracted. When, for example, 10 prize ball number commands are received by the payout control command during the prize ball payout operation, 10 is added to the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter in the command analysis process. The value of the payout scheduled total counter becomes 25, and 10 is added to the value of the payout received number counter, so that the value of the payout received number counter becomes 10 (S503, S505).

  Then, when the error ball state is not generated and the ball lending operation is not being performed, the value of the received number counter during payout is added to the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball unpaid number counter. After adding (S695, S696), the value of the payout reception number counter is cleared to 0 (S697). Thus, for example, when the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball unpaid number counter are 5, for example, the payout operation counter and the prize ball are added by adding 10 as the value of the received number counter during payout. Each value of the unpaid-out number counter becomes 15.

  Then, game balls are continuously paid out without being divided for each prize ball number command, and when the value of the payout operation counter becomes 0, the payout motor 115 is stopped. Thereafter, when the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter becomes 0 and the prize ball payout ends, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is cleared to 0 by the payout passing waiting process (S654a). As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the payout control microcomputer 660 continuously dispenses game balls according to a plurality of prize ball number commands by a plurality of payout control commands without dividing each prize ball number command. Each time a payout control command is received for the award ball number command by the payout control command received during the payout operation, the award ball payout payout number indicated by the received command is displayed as a prize ball payout total counter, It is added to each of the payout operation counter and the prize ball non-payout number counter.

  FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of changes in the contents of the counter used in the prize ball payout control. The value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is 15, the value of each of the payout operation counter and the prize ball unpaid number counter is 5, and during the prize ball payout operation, ten payout control commands are used. Assume that a prize ball number command is received. Then, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 43, in the command analysis process, 10 is added to the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter becomes 25, and the received number counter during payout 10 is added to the value of, and the value of the payout received number counter becomes 10. Then, when the error ball state is not generated and the ball lending operation is not being performed, the value of the received number counter during payout is added to the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball unpaid number counter. After addition, the value of the payout received number counter is cleared to zero. Thus, for example, by adding 10 as the value of the received number counter during payout, the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball non-payout number counter become 15.

  Then, it is assumed that the prohibition condition for the extra process is satisfied when the prize ball payout process is continued (S691, S692). Therefore, it is assumed that the extra process is not executed until the prohibition of the extra process is canceled, but in the meantime, 15 prize ball number commands and 10 prize ball number commands by the payout control command are received. Then, in the command analysis process, 15 and 10 are added to the value of the planned total payout ball counter, and the value of the planned total payout ball counter is 50, and 15 and 10 are added to the value of the received number counter during payout. As a result, the value of the receiving number counter during payout becomes 25 (S503, S505).

  When the prohibition condition for the extra process is no longer satisfied and the prohibition of the extra process is released, the value of the received number counter during payout is the value of the payout operation counter and the unpaid-out number counter of the prize ball by the extra control for the number of prize balls paid out. (S695, S696), the value of the payout received number counter is cleared to 0 (S697). Thus, for example, when the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball unpaid number counter are 5, for example, the payout operation counter and the prize ball are added by adding the value 25 of the received number counter during payout. Each value of the unpaid number counter is 30.

  If the condition established as the prohibition condition for the add-on process is that the ball lending operation is in progress, the award ball payout operation itself is interrupted and the ball lending operation is executed, and the award is given by the end of the ball lending operation. When the ball payout operation is resumed, the addition process is executed (see S639). Therefore, when one or a plurality of prize ball number commands by one or a plurality of payout control commands are received from the game control microcomputer 99 during the ball lending operation, the number of payouts based on the prize ball number commands. When the prize ball payout operation is resumed, the minutes are collectively added to the payout action counter and the prize ball non-payout number counter. In this embodiment, a prize ball cannot be paid out while lending a ball, but an extra process is not executed in a state where a prize ball cannot be paid out, so that an unnecessary process is not executed (the extra process is executed). However, since the prize ball payout is suspended, the processing result is not used). Therefore, game ball payout processing efficiency can be increased.

  Then, as in the case of FIG. 43, the game balls are continuously paid out without being divided for each prize ball number command, and when the value of the payout operation counter becomes 0, the payout motor 115 is stopped. Thereafter, when the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter becomes 0 and the prize ball payout ends, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is cleared to 0 by the payout passing waiting process (S654a).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number based on the award ball number command based on the payout control command received from the game control microcomputer 99 is calculated at that time, unless the prohibition condition for the extra process is satisfied. Is immediately added (added) to a counter (for example, a payout operation counter) used for the control during the payout of the winning ball.

  Further, in this embodiment, the winning ball payout total number counter and the winning ball unpaid number counter are used together, but either one of the counters may be used. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of changes in the contents of the counter used in the prize ball payout control when the prize ball unpaid number counter is not used. In this case, when the payout number count switch 116 is turned on, 1 is subtracted from the value of the prize ball payout total number counter.

  The winning ball payout scheduled total counter and the payout operation counter are cleared to 0 in the initialization process in the main process. Thereafter, for example, when 15 prize ball number commands are received by the payout control command, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter becomes 15 in the command analysis process. When the prize ball payout process is started, 15 is set in the payout operation counter. Thereafter, every time the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 from the payout sensor board 114a is turned on, the value of the payout operation counter is decremented by one, and every time the payout number count switch 116 is turned on, the value of the expected total payout ball counter is changed. 1 is subtracted.

  For example, if the value of the payout operation counter is 5 and 10 winning ball number commands are received by the payout control command during the payout operation of the winning ball, the winning ball payout schedule is set in the command analysis process. 10 is added to the total counter, and the value of the award ball payout scheduled total counter becomes 15, and 10 is added to the value of the payout received number counter, so that the value of the payout received number counter becomes 10. When no error condition has occurred and the ball lending operation is not being performed by the award ball payout number addition control, the value of the receiving number counter during payout is added (added) to the value of the payout operation counter, and then received during payout. The value of the number counter is cleared to zero. Thus, for example, the value of the payout operation counter becomes 15 by adding 10 of the value of the payout received number counter.

  Then, game balls are continuously paid out without being divided for each prize ball number command, and when the value of the payout operation counter becomes 0, the payout motor 115 is stopped. Thereafter, when the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter becomes 0 and the prize ball payout ends, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is cleared to 0 by the payout passing waiting process. As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the payout control microcomputer 660 continuously dispenses game balls according to a plurality of prize ball number commands by a plurality of payout control commands without dividing each prize ball number command. Each time a payout control command is received for the award ball number command by the payout control command received during the payout operation, the award ball payout number indicated by the received command is displayed as the award ball payout scheduled total counter and Add to each payout operation counter.

  FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of changes in the contents of the counter used in the prize ball payout control. Assume that the prize ball payout total counter value is 5, the payout operation counter value is 5, and ten prize ball number commands by the payout control command are received during the prize ball payout operation. . Then, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 43, in the command analysis process, 10 is added to the value of the total number of prize balls to be paid out and the value of the number of total prize balls to be paid out becomes 15. 10 is added to this value, and the value of the payout received number counter becomes 10. When no error condition has occurred and the ball lending operation is not being performed by the award ball payout number addition control, the value of the receiving number counter during payout is added (added) to the value of the payout operation counter, and then received during payout. The value of the number counter is cleared to zero. Thus, for example, the value of the payout operation counter becomes 15 by adding 10 of the value of the payout received number counter.

  Then, it is assumed that the prohibition condition for the extra process is satisfied when the prize ball payout process is continued (S691, S692). Therefore, it is assumed that the extra process is not executed until the prohibition of the extra process is canceled, but in the meantime, 15 prize ball number commands and 10 prize ball number commands by the payout control command are received. Then, in the command analysis process, 15 and 10 are added to the value of the planned total number of paid-out ball counters, and the value of the planned total number of paid-out ball counters is 35, and 15 and 10 are added to the value of the received number counter during payout. Thus, the value of the receiving number counter during payout becomes 25 (S503, S505).

  When the prohibition condition for the extra process is no longer satisfied and the prohibition of the extra process is released, the value of the received number counter during payout is the value of the payout operation counter and the unpaid-out number counter of the prize ball by the extra control for the number of prize balls paid out. (S695, S696), the value of the payout received number counter is cleared to 0 (S697). Thus, for example, when the respective values of the payout operation counter and the award ball unpaid number counter are 5, for example, the payout operation counter and the prize ball are added by adding the value 25 of the received number counter during payout. Each value of the unpaid number counter is 30.

  If the condition established as the prohibition condition for the add-on process is that the ball lending operation is in progress, the award ball payout operation itself is interrupted and the ball lending operation is executed, and the award is given by the end of the ball lending operation. When the ball payout operation is resumed, the addition process is executed (see S639). Therefore, when one or a plurality of prize ball number commands by one or a plurality of payout control commands are received from the game control microcomputer 99 during the ball lending operation, the number of payouts based on the prize ball number commands. When the prize ball payout operation is resumed, the minutes are collectively added to the payout action counter and the prize ball non-payout number counter. In this embodiment, a prize ball cannot be paid out while lending a ball, but an extra process is not executed in a state where a prize ball cannot be paid out, so that an unnecessary process is not executed (the extra process is executed). However, since the prize ball payout is suspended, the processing result is not used). Therefore, game ball payout processing efficiency can be increased.

  Similarly to the case of FIG. 45, the game balls are continuously paid out without being divided for each prize ball number command. When the value of the payout operation counter becomes 0, the payout motor 115 is stopped. Thereafter, when the value of the total number of prize balls to be paid out becomes 0 and the prize ball has been paid out, the value of the total number of prize balls to be paid out is cleared to 0 by the payout passing waiting process (S654a).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number based on the award ball number command based on the payout control command received from the game control microcomputer 99 is calculated at that time, unless the prohibition condition for the extra process is satisfied. Is immediately added (added) to a counter (for example, a payout operation counter) used for the control during the payout of the winning ball.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a prize ball lending control process in an embodiment in which no prize ball unpaid number counter is used. In this embodiment, if the prize ball payout process is performed when the payout number count switch 116 is turned on, the value of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is decremented by 1 (S604A). In addition, in the prize ball payout addition control (S600), the setting of the prize ball unpaid number counter (S696 in FIG. 35) is not executed.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a payout start waiting process in an embodiment in which no prize ball payout counter is used. In this embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, at the start of the winning ball payout process, the process of setting the content of the award ball payout scheduled total counter in the winning ball payout number counter is not executed (S633).

  FIG. 49 and FIG. 50 are flowcharts showing the payout passing waiting process in the embodiment not using the prize ball unpaid number counter. In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer 660 continuously executes the payout of game balls according to a plurality of prize ball number commands by a plurality of payout control commands without dividing each prize ball number command. The completion of the winning ball payout process is determined based on the value of the expected winning ball payout total counter being 0 (S6540). Further, when the re-payout operation is started, the content of the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is set in the payout operation counter (S663A).

  Note that the processes in the payout control process other than the processes described here are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, in the command analysis processing, the number based on the prize ball number command by the payout control command received from the game control microcomputer 99 is set to the control during the prize ball payout at that time. Is immediately added (added) to a counter (for example, a payout operation counter).

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing effect control main processing and timer interrupt processing executed by the effect control microcomputer 118. In FIG. 51, (a) shows the effect control main process, and (b) shows the timer interrupt process.

  In the effect control main process shown in (a), first, an initialization process is performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, initializing a 33 ms timer for determining the start interval of the effect control process, and the like. (S401). Thereafter, the process proceeds to a loop process for checking the timer interrupt flag (S402). When a timer interrupt occurs, a timer interrupt flag is set in the timer interrupt process shown in (b) (S408), and interrupt permission is performed (S409). In the effect control main process, if the timer interrupt flag is set, the flag is cleared (S403), and the following effect control process is executed.

  In this embodiment, the timer interrupt takes every 33 ms. That is, the effect control main process is started every 33 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interruption process, and specific presentation control is executed in the presentation control main process, but even if the presentation control main process is executed in the timer interruption process, Good.

  In the effect control process, first, a command analysis process for analyzing the received effect control command is performed (S404). Next, display control process processing for performing display control of the decorative symbol display device 44b is performed based on an effect control command relating to display control of the decorative symbol display device 44b such as a variation pattern command transmitted from the main board 120 (S405). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. Thereby, the variable display in the decorative symbol display device 44b is executed.

  A random number for updating a predetermined random counter such as a random counter used for determining a combination of decorative display variation display results derived and displayed corresponding to the special symbol based on the effect control command transmitted from the main board 120 Update processing is executed (S406). Then, a sound lamp control process for outputting a sound control command and a lamp control command is performed in order to output a sound and emit a lamp based on the received effect control command (S407). Thereafter, the process returns to S402.

  In the sound lamp control process of S407, for example, when the received effect control command is an effect control command related to display control of the decorative symbol display device 44b, control executed in synchronization with the display control according to the type of command. A voice control command and a lamp control command for designating contents are selected and output to the voice frame lamp board 92. As a result, it is possible to produce an effect in which the display on the decorative symbol display device 44b is synchronized with the sound output and the light emission of the lamp. The received effect control command is an effect control command for designating control contents that are not executed in synchronization with the display control of the decorative symbol display device 44b, such as the full tank notification command and the card unit non-connection notification command as described above. In some cases, a voice control command and a lamp control command for specifying such control contents are selected and output according to the type of command. Depending on the type of effect control command, only one of the voice control command and the lamp control command may be output.

  Next, in the effect control microcomputer 118, control for executing notification by lamp emission, sound output, or the like in response to the effect control commands for notification such as the full tank notification command and the card unit non-connection notification command described above. A notification control process for performing the above will be described. This notification control process is one subroutine program among a plurality of subroutine programs executed in S407 of FIG.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the notification control process. In the notification control process, it is determined whether notification control commands for notification such as a full tank notification command and a card unit non-connection notification command have been received (S411). If not received, return. On the other hand, when it is received, a notification pattern (for example, a lighting pattern of lamps such as game effect lamps 13a to 13c, an output pattern of sound output from the speakers 12a and 12b, etc.) according to the received effect control command for notification is received. Notification pattern) is selected from predetermined notification patterns (S412). And the process which transmits the control command for alerting | reporting with the selected alerting | reporting pattern to the audio | voice frame lamp board | substrate 92 is performed (S413), and it returns. Specifically, in S413, a control command such as a lamp control command and a voice control command for giving notification in the selected notification pattern is transmitted to the voice frame lamp board 92, and the control command is sent by the voice frame lamp board 92. Accordingly, the notification means such as the game effect lamps 13a to 13c and the speakers 12a and 12b are driven, so that the notification with the selected notification pattern is executed. As a result, notification according to the effect control commands for notification such as the full notification command and the card unit non-connection notification command as described above is performed. Here, the example in which the notification means as described above is driven from the effect control board 90 via the voice frame lamp board 92 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification means as described above is directly connected to the effect control board 90, and the effect control board 90 sends a drive signal directly to the notification means, thereby providing the notification. You may employ | adopt the structure which drives a means directly.

  The pachinko gaming machine of the above embodiment mainly gives a player a predetermined game value when a special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit based on the start winning combination is a combination of a predetermined symbol. Although it was a pachinko machine that became possible, if there is a prize in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start prize, a predetermined game value can be given to the player, or a start prize Even if it is a pachinko gaming machine in which a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when the stop symbol of the symbol that is variably displayed based on a combination of the predetermined symbol Applicable.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the VL no signal and the full signal described above are transmitted using a common signal line. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154 according to the second embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 53 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 described above in that a VL no signal and a full signal are used by using a common signal line LB1 (one signal line for transmitting a status confirmation signal). It is the structure which transmits as a state confirmation signal. The VL no signal and the full signal output from the I / O port 661b are input to an OR circuit (logical sum circuit) 701. The OR circuit (logical sum circuit) 701 outputs a signal indicating the logical sum of the VL non-signal and the full signal as a state confirmation signal.

  An output signal of the OR circuit (OR circuit) 701 is input to the main board 120 via the plastic frame relay board 108 and the launch board 107 using one signal line LB1. The state confirmation signal is at least one of the non-connected state of the card unit device 731 and the full state of the lower plate 27 when at least one of the VL no signal and the full signal is turned on (high level). When it is in one state, it is on (high level), and when it is not in either state, it is off (low level). Accordingly, it is indicated that when the state confirmation signal is turned on, at least one of the VL non-signal and the full signal is turned on, and it is necessary to control the emission prohibited state. On the other hand, when the state confirmation signal is turned off, both the VL no signal and the full signal are turned off, indicating that it is necessary to control the firing permission state. The state confirmation signal becomes, for example, an output state from the dispensing control board 98 and an input state (on state) to the main board 120 when at least one of the VL non-signal and the full signal is on, and the VL When both the no signal and the full signal are in the off state, the non-output state from the payout control board 98 and the non-input state to the main board 120 (off state) are entered. Thus, the state confirmation signal indicates whether at least one of the first condition that the VL signal is not input and the second condition that the full signal is input is satisfied. It is used as a signal that can be specified (confirmed) (input state specifying signal).

  FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a firing motor drive circuit 95 provided on the launch board 107 according to the second embodiment. The circuit shown in FIG. 54 is different from the circuit shown in FIG. 7 in that the above-described full signal and VL non-signal are not relayed in parallel using two signal lines, but are common as a status confirmation signal. It is relayed using one signal line LB1.

  In the case of the second embodiment, since a state confirmation signal is input to the game control microcomputer 99 instead of the full signal and the no VL signal, part of the content of the launch control process is the same as that of the first embodiment. Different.

  FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing a firing control process according to the second embodiment. The launch control process in FIG. 55 differs from the launch control process in FIG. 14 in that S900 and S900a are executed instead of S901 to S904 in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the state confirmation signal is on (S900). When the state confirmation signal is not on, the card unit device 731 is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the lower plate 27 is not full. At this time, whether or not the firing signal is off. Is determined (S905). When the firing signal is off, the firing signal is turned on (S906) and the process returns. On the other hand, when the firing signal is not in the off state, that is, when the firing signal is in the on state, the process returns as it is. As a result, when the card unit device 731 is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the lower plate 27 is not full, the firing signal is turned on, and the launch of the game ball by the hitting ball launching device 130 is permitted to be launched. Controlled.

  On the other hand, when the state confirmation signal is in the on state in S900, data for transmitting a firing stop notification command as an effect control command is set (S900a), and the process proceeds to S907. The firing stop notification command set here is a command used in place of the card unit non-connection notification command and the full tank notification command shown in the first embodiment. When the state confirmation signal is on, that is, the firing stop notification command, that is, the card unit device 731 is not connected (the VL no signal is on), and the lower plate 27 is full (the full signal is on). ), An effect control command sent to the effect control microcomputer 118 in order to notify the use of a predetermined lamp or the like that the firing by the ball striking device 130 is stopped. Say. When the production control microcomputer 118 receives the launch stop notification command, the game effect lamps 13a to 13c are set in a predetermined third notification mode (the first notification mode or the second notification shown in the first embodiment). By performing blinking display in the same notification mode as that of the mode), the effect control for notifying that the game ball is in a stopped state (launch prohibited state) is performed. Specifically, when the production control microcomputer 118 receives a firing stop notification command, which is a notification control command for notification, the notification control process shown in FIG. Notification in the third notification mode is performed. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily know that the game ball is in a stopped state. The firing stop notification may be performed on the decorative symbol display device 44b by displaying an image on the decorative symbol display device 44b, for example, displaying a message indicating that the firing is stopped.

  In S907, it is determined whether or not the firing signal is on. When the firing signal is on, the firing signal is turned off (S908), and the process returns. On the other hand, when the firing signal is not on, that is, when the firing signal is off, the process returns as it is. As a result, when the card unit device 731 is not connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 or when the lower plate 27 is full, the firing signal is turned off, and the game ball is fired by the hitting ball launcher 130. Controlled to prohibited state.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the VL no signal and the full signal described above are transmitted to the main board 120 without using the launch board 107 using different signal lines. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154 according to the third embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 56 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 described above in that a VL no signal and a full signal are transmitted using individual signal lines without passing through the launch board 107. In this example, each of the VL no signal and the full signal is output from the payout control board 98 via the I / O port 661h and the output circuit 663B, and is input via the input circuit 666 on the main board 120. In the case of the third embodiment, a launch control process similar to the launch control process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which the VL no signal and the full signal described above are transmitted to the main board 120 without using the launch board 107 as a state confirmation signal using a common signal line. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154 according to the fourth embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 57 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 53 described above in that a VL no signal and a full signal are transmitted using the common signal line LB2 without passing through the launch board 107. In this example, each of the VL no signal and the full signal is input to the OR circuit 702 via the I / O port 661h. The OR circuit 702 outputs a signal indicating the logical sum of the VL no signal and the full signal as a state confirmation signal. The output signal of the OR circuit 702 is output through the output circuit 663B using the single signal line LB2, and is input through the input circuit 666 in the main board 120. In the case of the fourth embodiment, a launch control process similar to the launch control process shown in FIG. 55 is executed.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, in the example in which the VL no signal and the full signal are transmitted to the main board 120 via the launch board 107 using different signal lines, the VL no signal is sent without going through the payout control microcomputer 660. An example in which a signal and a full signal are output from the payout control board 98 will be described. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154 according to the fifth embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 58 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 described above in that each of the VL no signal and the full tank signal is output from the payout control board 98 without passing through the payout control microcomputer 660. .

  On the payout control board 98, the signal path (signal line, signal line) of the VL signal has a first signal path L1 for transmitting the VL signal to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the I / O port 661i, and an output port. It is branched to a second signal path L2 that is input to an inverting circuit (inverter circuit) 704 via 661b. The signal level of the VL signal input to the inverting circuit 704 from the second signal path L2 is inverted (for example, inverted between the high level and the low level), and output to the launch substrate 107 as a VL non-signal. And input to the main board 120 via the launch board 107. In other words, the VL non-signal is a signal that becomes low level when the VL signal is high level and becomes high level when the VL signal is low level. Therefore, the VL signal is inverted by the hardware circuit by inverting the signal level of the VL signal. Can be generated.

  On the payout control board 98, the signal path (signal line, signal line) of the full tank signal from the full tank switch 158 transmits a full tank signal to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the I / O port 661d. The first signal path LA1 and the second signal path LA2 output from the payout control board 98 through the full output signal via the output port 661b. The full signal from the second signal path LA2 is output toward the launch board 107 and is input to the main board 120 via the launch board 107. In the case of the fifth embodiment, a launch control process similar to the launch control process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is an example in which a VL no signal and a full signal are transmitted from the payout control board 98 to the main board 120 via the launch board 107 without using the payout control microcomputer 660. An example in which the signal and the full signal are output from the dispensing control board 98 as a state confirmation signal using a common signal will be described. In the sixth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as the payout control board 98 and the ball payout device 154 according to the sixth embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 59 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 58 in that a state check is performed using a common signal line LB3 (one signal line for transmitting a state check signal) for a VL no signal and a full signal. It is the structure which transmits as a signal. The VL no signal output from the transformation circuit 704 and the full signal output from the I / O port 661 b are input to an OR circuit (logical sum circuit) 705. The OR circuit 705 outputs a signal indicating the logical sum of the VL no signal and the full signal as a state confirmation signal.

  An output signal of the OR circuit (OR circuit) 705 is input to the main board 120 via the plastic frame relay board 108 and the launch board 107 using one signal line LB3. In the case of the sixth embodiment, a launch control process similar to the launch control process shown in FIG. 55 is executed.

  Next, main effects obtained by the embodiment described above will be described.

  (1) As shown in FIG. 43 and the like, the payout control microcomputer 660 continuously executes payout of game balls corresponding to a plurality of prize ball number commands without dividing each prize ball number command. More specifically, the data of the total number of award ball payouts indicating the total number of award ball payouts indicated by the payout control command received by the payout control microcomputer 660 is sent to the payout operation counter in S632 of FIG. (Rotational speed) data is set, and the payout motor 115 is controlled in accordance with the setting of the payout drive amount data to operate the ball payout device 154. Therefore, for each number of winning ball payouts specified by the received payout control command The prize ball payout operation is performed without being divided into two. When a payout control command is received during the period from the start to the stop of the prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device 154, according to S695 in FIG. 35, the number of prize balls paid out is instructed by the received payout control command. Thus, the value of the payout driving amount data of the payout motor 115 in the payout operation counter is added and updated to add the number of prize balls to be paid out. Therefore, the prize indicated by the payout control command received during the payout operation of the prize ball Since the game medium payout operation is performed without dividing the number of ball payouts, award balls can be quickly paid out. Furthermore, when the value of the payout operation counter that defines the drive amount (rotation speed) of the payout motor 115 becomes a value corresponding to the end of payout of the winning ball (ie, “0”), the payout motor brake in S525 of FIG. Since the driving of the payout motor 115 is stopped in response to the value of the payout operation counter being 0 in the processing, it is possible to prevent the payout balls from being excessively paid out, and the payout balls are picked up by the payout sensor. As compared with the case where the payout motor 115 is stopped based on the detection, the prize ball can be paid out accurately. Further, when there is a ball lending request during execution of the award ball payout operation, the award ball payout operation is interrupted in S645 to S647 in FIG. 37, and the lending ball payout operation is started in S648 to S650. . Then, after the payout operation of the prize ball is interrupted, the value of the payout operation counter is returned in S692 in FIG. Update (S695) and update of the value of the prize ball payout total counter (S696) are prohibited. As a result, in a situation where the ball lending process is being executed and the prize ball is not paid out, the value of the payout operation counter is updated in S695 in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent processing unnecessary for ball lending from being performed. Also, as shown in S691 to S695 in FIG. 35, when a payout control command for a prize ball number command is received during the prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device 154, an error state or a lending ball payout operation state The payout operation counter is incremented and updated every time a payout control command is received except when the payout control command is received. For this reason, for example, when a lot of prize ball number command payout control commands are received during the prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device 154, the prize ball number commands are collectively collected at a predetermined timing based on the received prize ball number command. Compared with the case where the payout operation counter is added and updated, the payout operation counter addition update process can be executed in a distributed manner, so that the payout control microcomputer 660 is executed when the payout operation counter is added and updated per time. The control burden can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a connection signal (VL signal) from the card unit device 731 through the interface board 103 in the payout control board 98 is input to the payout control microcomputer 660 via the photocoupler PC1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an abnormal level signal from being input to the payout control microcomputer 660 as the connection signal. Further, since no capacitor is mounted on the interface board 103 and a capacitor C1 for stabilizing the VL signal is provided on the payout control board 98, the payout control board is provided outside the payout control board such as the interface board 103. There is no need to provide a connection signal capacitor outside of 98 (more specifically, the interface board 103). Therefore, outside the payout control board 98 (more specifically, the interface board 103), a capacitor used for inputting an illegal signal to the payout control board 98 is provided in the signal path of the connection signal (VL signal). Fraudulent acts can be easily discovered, and it is also possible to make it difficult to perform such fraudulent activities.

  Further, the VL signal (connection signal) input from the card unit device 731 to the payout control microcomputer 370 through the photocoupler PC1 through the interface board 103 is monitored, and as shown in S825 to S827 in FIG. When no VL signal is input, it is determined that the prepaid card unit non-connection error (FIG. 40) is in an abnormal state (unconnected state), and an abnormal state (unconnected state) has occurred in S759 of FIG. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp such an abnormal state (unconnected state). Further, as shown in S901 to S908 of FIG. 14, in the game control microcomputer, a VL non-signal capable of specifying whether or not a VL signal is input is monitored, and the VL signal is detected by the VL non-signal. When it is determined that the signal is input, the emission signal for permitting the emission is turned on and output to the emission board. Therefore, depending on whether or not the VL signal is input to the payout control board 98 It is possible to perform control for permitting and prohibiting the launching by the hitting ball launching device 130. Thus, when the VL signal is not input, the firing by the ball striking device 130 can be stopped reliably, and the payout control microcomputer 66 when such a stop is performed. The control burden can be reduced.

  (2) Further, as shown in FIG. 55, in the game control microcomputer 99, a first condition that the VL signal is not inputted and a second condition that the full signal is inputted. A state confirmation signal that can specify whether or not at least one of the conditions is satisfied is monitored, and a firing signal for permitting firing by the ball striking device 130 in response to the state confirmation signal being in an off state. Is output to the launch board 107, so that it is possible to perform control for permitting and prohibiting the launch by the hitting ball launcher 130 in accordance with the input of the state confirmation signal, and thus the control burden of the payout control microcomputer 660 is further increased. This can be further reduced. Further, when the game control microcomputer 99 manages the firing state by the ball striking device 130 in accordance with the input of the VL signal and the full tank signal to the payout control board 98, common signal lines LB1 to LB3 are used. The state of a plurality of signals can be managed collectively using a signal line.

  (3) Based on the fact that the game control microcomputer 99 outputs an effect control command for notification, such as a card unit non-connection notification command, a full tank notification command, and a firing stop notification command, when no firing signal is output. In addition, since control is performed so that the notification means such as the game effect lamps 13a to 13c notifies that the firing by the hitting ball launching device 130 has been stopped, it is easy to grasp that the launching by the hitting ball launching device 130 has been stopped. become able to. Further, by the peripheral command relay board 57 on which the unidirectional circuit 57a is mounted, an effect control command for notification is sent in one direction from the main board 120 to the effect control board 90 between the main board 120 and the effect control board 90. Since it is relayed, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized act of executing an unauthorized control operation by inputting an unauthorized signal to the game control board 98 via the signal path of the effect control command for notification.

  (4) With respect to the payout control command received by the payout control command receiving means during the payout operation, the payout control microcomputer 660 receives the number of winning ball payouts indicated by the payout control command in S505 of FIG. Once stored in the counter. Then, by S695 in FIG. 35, the payout drive amount data by the payout operation counter is updated by adding the value of the payout received number counter to the value of the payout operation counter. Thus, the payout control microcomputer 660 does not need to perform an operation for specifying the number of prize balls from the payout control command when updating the payout drive amount data by the payout operation counter, thereby reducing the processing load. can do.

  (5) For example, the payout control microcomputer 660 re-executes the processing of S853 and S855 of FIG. 30 from the execution of the processing of S635 of FIG. 36 to the execution of the processing of S655 of FIG. Each time it is determined YES in the processing of S502 and S504 in FIG. 31, that is, every time a payout control command is received during the payout operation of the prize ball, the payout amount indicated by the received payout control command is paid out. Since it is cumulatively added to the value of the medium reception number counter, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of payout reception number counters. Therefore, the payout control microcomputer 660 can reduce the data storage area to be secured.

  (6) The payout control microcomputer 660, for example, when the payout control microcomputer 660 executes the process of S635 of FIG. 36 and then determines YES in the process of S691 of FIG. When S855 is executed again and it is determined YES in the processing of S502 and S504, that is, when a payout control command is received while the payout operation is stopped due to an error state, the winning ball payout instructed by the received payout control command is also received. The number is cumulatively added to the value of the receiving number counter during payout. Therefore, when the stop of the payout operation due to the error state is canceled and the payout operation is restarted, the payout operation counter stores the value based on the value of the received reception number counter accumulated during the payout operation stop due to the error state. The value of the payout drive amount data is updated. For this reason, the payout control microcomputer 660 can quickly pay out a prize ball after releasing the payout operation stop.

  (7) For example, as shown in FIG. 35, the payout control microcomputer 660 adds the value of the received number counter during payout operation to the payout operation counter in S695 and then sets the value of the received number counter during payout operation in S697. By clearing, the value added to the payout operation counter in this way is subtracted from the payout operation reception number counter. As a result, it is possible to realize an accurate payout of game media.

  (8) For example, as shown in FIG. 35, the payout control microcomputer 660 adds the value of the received number counter during payout operation to the payout operation counter in S695, and then turns off the payout reception flag in S697. Thus, in response to the addition of the value of the received number counter during payout operation to the payout operation counter, the payout receiving flag receives the payout control command indicating the prize ball number command during the payout operation of the prize ball. Since the state is clearly switched to the state of not receiving, it is possible to realize an accurate payout of the game medium.

  (9) As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the signal path of the VL signal (connection signal) input from the card unit device 731 and output from the photocoupler CP1 is the VL signal output from the photocoupler CP1. The first signal path L1 for transmitting to the payout control microcomputer 660 and the second signal path L2 for transmitting the VL signal output from the photocoupler CP1 to the I / O port 661b are branched. For this reason, even if a malfunction occurs in the payout control microcomputer 660, if the game control microcomputer 99 is normal, the launching device 130 can permit and prohibit firing reliably. Further, since it is not necessary to execute a process of outputting the VL signal from the card unit device 731 from the payout control microcomputer 660 to the game control microcomputer 99, the control burden on the payout control microcomputer 660 is reduced. be able to.

  (10) When it is determined that the detection signal of the payout number count switch 116 is a detection signal of a prize ball paid out based on the payout control command, as shown in S6040 of FIG. 47, based on the detection signal Since the prize ball number data stored in the prize ball payout scheduled total counter is subtracted, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

  (11) As shown in FIG. 8, the power monitoring circuit 920 does not go through an effect control board on which a specific effect control microcomputer such as the effect control board 90 is mounted, for example, an audio frame lamp board 92. Since the system reset signal that is the operation stop signal is output to the effect control board on which the other effect control microcomputer is mounted, the specific effect control microcomputer is used for game control. In a configuration in which a control signal transmitted from the microcomputer 99 is received and a control signal is transmitted to another production control microcomputer, an abnormality occurs on a board on which the specific production control microcomputer is mounted. Even so, make sure to stop the operation of other production control microcomputers. It can be.

  Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.

  (1) The reception determination means (for example, the part that executes the process of S694 in the payout control microcomputer 660) performs the prize game medium payout resumption means (for example, the processes of S636 to S638 in the payout control microcomputer 660). The part to be executed always operates when the payout of the premium game medium is resumed (see, for example, S639).

  (2) A predetermined payout condition is established by winning a game medium in each of a plurality of winning areas provided in the gaming area, and the winning game medium is detected according to each of the plurality of winning areas. A game medium detection means (for example, a prize opening switch 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b, a count switch 52 and a start opening switch 60) for outputting a detection signal to the game control microcomputer is provided, and the payout number signal transmission means (for example, The portion for executing the prize ball processing shown in FIG. 22 may be configured to transmit a payout number signal immediately (allowing a delay of several ms for control) in response to the input of the winning detection signal. According to such a configuration, the payout number signal transmitting means in the game control microcomputer is configured to immediately transmit the payout number signal in response to the input of the winning detection signal. It can be transmitted to the payout control microcomputer.

  (3) The payout number signal transmitting means, together with a payout number signal indicating the payout number of game media (for example, a payout control command for a prize ball number command), takes-in signal (for example, payout INT signal) ) And the take-in signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the payout control microcomputer (see FIG. 6), and the payout number signal receiving means is activated based on the input of the take-in signal to the interrupt terminal. The payout number signal is received by the interrupt process (command reception interrupt process of FIG. 30) (for example, the process of S853 and S855). According to such a configuration, the payout number signal receiving means in the payout control microcomputer is configured to receive the payout number signal by the interrupt process activated when the take-in signal is input to the interrupt terminal. Thus, the payout control microcomputer can quickly receive the payout number signal.

  (4) In the embodiment described above, the recording medium used in the recording medium processing apparatus (card unit apparatus 731) is a magnetic card (prepaid card). It may be a type of IC card. In addition, when the recording medium processing apparatus is configured to be able to identify the recording information based on the identification code, the recording medium can at least read the information such as the identification code that can identify the recording information. It may be something that can be recorded on. Further, the recording medium may be one in 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 the card shape, and may be any shape such as a disk shape, a spherical shape, or a chip shape.

  (5) The pachinko gaming machine 1 in the above-described embodiment mainly has a predetermined game value when the stop symbol of the special symbol variably displayed on the special symbol display device 44a based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbols. Although it was a pachinko gaming machine that can be given to a player, a pachinko gaming machine that can be given a predetermined gaming value to a player when there is a winning in a predetermined area of an electric accessory to be released based on a start winning Even if it is a pachinko gaming machine in which a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric accessory that is released when the stop symbol of the symbol variably displayed based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbol Good.

  (6) In the embodiment described above, different expressions such as transmission / reception and output / input are used for the exchange of various signals, but transmission and output or reception and input are used in substantially the same meaning. Needless to say, these expressions are interchangeable. In addition, the transmission / reception of signals having many meanings such as control commands is made transmission / reception, and the transmission / reception and output / input are made of transmission / reception of signals for transmitting information by switching on / off. There are also cases where they are used properly. Even in this case, these expressions are interchangeable.

  (7) In the embodiment described above, the on / off state of the signal may be a high level state / low level state, and conversely may be a low level state / high level state. Further, the ON / OFF state of the output signal may be a signal output state / signal output stop state, or conversely, may be a signal output stop state / signal output state. Similarly, the ON / OFF state of the input signal may be a signal input state / signal input stop state, or conversely, may be a signal input stop state / signal input state.

  (8) In the above-described embodiment, the interface for the payout control board (payout control board 98) to monitor the connection state between the payout control board and the external device (card unit device 731). A photocoupler (photocoupler PC1) that photoelectrically converts a connection signal (VL signal) from the board (interface board 103) and inputs it to the payout control microcomputer, and a connection signal between the interface board and the photocoupler. The example provided with the capacitor | condenser (capacitor C1) for stabilizing the said connection signal provided in the input path of was shown. Such a configuration has been conceived based on the following problems in the prior art. In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-347054), a power stabilization capacitor such as the photocoupler PC1 of the above-described embodiment is mounted on an interface substrate such as the interface substrate 103 of the above-described embodiment. (FIG. 11). For this reason, for example, a fraudster forges an interface board that consists of an illegal board (a circuit including a capacitor) that inputs an illegal signal to the payout control microcomputer, and the illegal board is authorized. There is a problem that it is difficult to find such an illegal act when an illegal act of replacing the interface board is performed.

  A specific example of such an illegal act is as follows. For example, an illegal signal such as that described above that causes a game ball payout operation to be executed even though there is no winning or a rental ball request is not actually made to the illegal board as described above. An illegal circuit to be input to the microcomputer is installed. Such an illegal circuit requires a capacitor for stabilizing the circuit operation. Then, using an operation signal (operation signal by wired or wireless communication) from an unauthorized operation means (for example, an operation button) outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 as a trigger signal, the unauthorized signal is controlled to be dispensed from the aforementioned unauthorized circuit. Is input to the microcomputer. As a result, the payout control microcomputer executes payout control in response to an illegal signal, and game media (balls, medals) are illegally paid out, and the fraudster illegally acquires the game media.

  Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the capacitor C <b> 1 that is conventionally mounted on the regular interface board is not mounted on the regular interface board 103 but is mounted on the dispensing control board 98. is there. In other words, if no capacitors are mounted on a legitimate interface board, it will be easy to find an unauthorized circuit. Thereby, only by checking whether or not the capacitor is mounted on the interface board, it becomes possible for the staff to easily check whether or not the checked interface board is an unauthorized interface board. In addition, the photocoupler PC1 is provided in the signal path of the connection signal (VL signal) for the reason described above. However, since the capacitor C1 is provided on the input side of the photocoupler PC1, only the capacitor C1 is provided. The signal path of the confirmation signal (VL signal) is connected to the capacitor on the payout control board from the interface board, the signal path connected from the capacitor C1 to the photocoupler on the interface board, and A signal path connecting from the photocoupler to the payout control microcomputer of the payout control board is required. This unnecessarily requires a large number of signal paths, increasing the number of wires and increasing the arrangement space of the apparatus. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, since the photocoupler CP1 is mounted on the payout control board 98, the number of wirings can be reduced and the arrangement space of the apparatus can be reduced (space saving).

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, the card unit device 731 has been described as an external device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the external device is a device other than the card unit device as long as it is a device that outputs at least a lending request signal (for example, a BRQ signal) and a connection signal (for example, a VL signal) indicating a gaming medium lending request. It may be.

  (10) In the above-described embodiment, each of the VL no signal, the full signal, and the state confirmation signal is transmitted from the payout control board 98 to the main board 120 via the launch board 107, and the payout control. An example in which the signal is transmitted from the substrate 98 to the main substrate 120 without passing through the launch substrate 107 has been described. These signals may be transmitted to the main board 120 via the launch board 107, or may be sent to the main board 120 without going through the launch board 107.

  (11) In the above-described embodiment, the VL non-signal has been described as a signal (connection signal state specifying signal) indicating whether or not the connection signal (VL signal) is input to the payout control board 98. However, not limited to this, when a connection signal (VL signal) is input as a signal (connection signal state specifying signal) indicating whether or not a connection signal (VL signal) is input to the payout control board 98. Alternatively, a signal with VL that is turned off when no connection signal (VL signal) is input may be used. That is, the connection signal state specifying signal may be any signal as long as it can specify whether or not the connection signal (VL signal) is input to the payout control board 98.

  (12) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine. It is an enlarged front view of a game board. It is a schematic sectional drawing in BB in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout, such as a payout control board and a ball payout apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the launch motor drive circuit provided in the launch board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an effect control board and an audio | voice frame lamp board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the transmission path of the signal in an interface board | substrate and a payout control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a power supply board. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the microcomputer for game control in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which the microcomputer for game control in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a discharge control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows one structural example of the payout control command. It is a timing diagram which shows the relationship between a control signal and an INT signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of the payout control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bit allocation example of the input port in the microcomputer 99 for game control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the buffer used by switch processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a switch process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a winning switch check process. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a command transmission table. It is a flowchart which shows a command control process. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which CPU for payout control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the counter used in payout control processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of a reception buffer. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a command reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a command analysis process. It is a timing diagram for explaining communication between the payout control microcomputer of the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit device. It is a flowchart which shows a payout motor control process. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball lending control process. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball payout number addition control. It is a flowchart which shows the payout start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows a payout motor stop waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows payout passage waiting processing. It is a flowchart which shows payout passage waiting processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the kind of error, and the display of LED for an error display. It is a flowchart which shows an error process. It is a flowchart which shows an error process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the change of the content of the counter used in prize ball payout control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the change of the content of the counter used in prize ball payout control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the change of the content of the counter used in prize ball payout control. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the change of the content of the counter used in prize ball payout control. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of a prize ball lending control process. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the payout start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of payout passage waiting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of payout passage waiting processing. It is a flowchart which shows production control main processing and timer interruption processing. It is a flowchart which shows alerting | reporting control processing. It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payouts, such as a payout control board and ball payout apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the launch motor drive circuit provided in the launch board by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge control process by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout, such as the payout control board and ball payout apparatus by 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout, such as a payout control board and ball payout apparatus by 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout, such as a payout control board and ball payout apparatus by 5th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component relevant to payout, such as the payout control board and ball payout apparatus by 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Pachinko machine, 112 CPU, 99 game control microcomputer, 154 ball payout device, 115 payout motor, 731 card unit device, 659 payout control CPU, 660 payout control microcomputer, 98 payout control board, 114 payout sensor Substrate, 116 payout count switch, 103 interface board, 601 launch motor, 130 ball launcher, PC1 photocoupler, C1 capacitor, 661b I / O port, 95b AND circuit, L1 first signal path, L2 second signal path, 27 Lower plate, 158 full switch, LB1 to LB3 signal line, 13a to 13c game effect lamp, 57 peripheral command relay board, 44b decorative symbol display device, 12a speaker, 118 production control microcomputer 92a audio frame lamp control microcomputer 99 game control microcomputer, 120 main board, 910 power supply board, 920 power supply monitoring circuit, 90 the performance control board.

Claims (8)

A gaming machine in which a player plays a predetermined game and pays out a predetermined number of game media as prizes according to establishment of a predetermined payout condition,
A game control microcomputer including a payout number signal transmitting means for controlling the progress of the game and transmitting a payout number signal indicating the payout number of the game medium when a predetermined payout condition is satisfied;
A payout means for paying out game media;
Payout driving means for driving the payout means to pay out the game medium;
The payout drive means is controlled in accordance with the payout number signal received from the game control microcomputer, and the payout drive means is controlled based on a loan request signal indicating a game media loan request output from an external device. A payout control board on which a payout control microcomputer is mounted;
A payout operation detecting means for detecting a payout operation in the payout means;
A payout game medium detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out from the payout means;
An interface board that relays the lending request signal output from the external apparatus and a connection signal output from the external apparatus in response to the start of power supply to the external apparatus, and outputs the connection signal to the payout control board;
Launching means for launching the game medium;
A launch board for outputting a drive signal for driving the launch means to the launch means;
The interface board is not equipped with any capacitors,
The payout control board is:
A photocoupler provided on a signal line of a connection signal input via the interface board;
A capacitor provided on a signal line of a connection signal between the interface board and the photocoupler, and a capacitor for stabilizing the connection signal;
A connection signal state specifying signal output means for outputting a connection signal state specifying signal that can specify whether or not the connection signal is input to the game control microcomputer;
The game control microcomputer is:
Including a firing signal output means for monitoring the connection signal state specifying signal and outputting a firing signal for permitting the launching by the launching means in response to an input of the connection signal state specifying signal to the launch substrate;
The launch substrate is
Launch permission means for allowing launch by the launch means when the launch signal is input to the launch substrate;
Firing prohibiting means for prohibiting launching by the launching means when the launch signal is not input to the launch substrate;
The dispensing control microcomputer is:
The connection signal input via the interface board is monitored to monitor the connection state between the payout control board and the external device, and the connection signal is not input. Connection state determination means for determining whether or not there is,
An unconnected state notifying means for executing control for notifying that an unconnected state has occurred when it is determined by the connected state determining means to be in an unconnected state;
A payout number signal receiving means for receiving a payout number signal transmitted by the payout number signal transmitting means;
Total prize payout number data storage means for storing total prize payout number data indicating the total sum of the number of payouts of the game media indicated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means;
Payout drive amount data storage means for storing payout drive amount data of the payout drive means based on the number of game media payouts by the payout means;
A payout driving amount data setting means for setting the total prize payout number data stored in the total prize payout number data storage means in the payout driving amount data storage means as the payout driving amount data;
When the payout drive amount data is set by the payout drive amount data setting means, a payout operation start control means for controlling the payout drive means to start a game medium payout operation by the payout means;
A payout drive amount data subtracting means for subtracting a value of the payout drive amount data stored in the payout drive amount data storage means in response to detection of a payout operation by the payout operation detecting means;
Payout drive amount data determining means for determining whether or not the value of the payout drive amount data subtracted by the payout drive amount data subtracting means matches a predetermined end value;
When the payout drive amount data determining means determines that the value of the payout drive amount data matches the predetermined end value, the payout drive means is controlled to stop the game medium payout operation by the payout means. A payout operation stop control means;
In response to the payout number signal receiving means receiving the payout number signal between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means, the payout number signal is A reception flag setting means for setting a reception flag indicating that reception has been performed;
Receiving determination means for determining whether or not the payout number signal is received during the game medium payout operation by the payout means by determining whether or not the reception flag is set to ON by the reception flag setting means. When,
When the receiving determining means determines that the payout number signal receiving means has received the payout number signal, the payout drive amount data storage means stores the payout number signal instructed by the payout number signal. A payout drive amount data updating means for updating the value of the payout drive amount data being
When the lending request signal is received from the external device after the dispensing operation start control unit starts driving the dispensing drive unit and before the dispensing operation stop control unit stops driving the dispensing drive unit. A prize game medium payout interrupting means for interrupting the payout of the prize game medium;
Lending game medium payout start means for starting payout of the rental game medium based on the lending request signal when payout of the premium game medium is interrupted by the premium game medium payout interruption means;
The prize game medium interrupted by the prize game medium payout interruption means when the rental game medium payout based on the loan request signal is finished after the rental game medium payout start means is started. A prize game medium payout restarting means for restarting the payout of the game,
The payout drive amount by the payout drive amount data update means until the prize game medium payout restarting means restarts payout of the prize game medium after the prize game medium payout interruption means interrupts the payout of the prize game medium. A gaming machine comprising: payout drive amount data update prohibiting means for prohibiting update of a data value. Storage means for storing game media paid out from the payout means;
A storage detection means for outputting a storage detection signal to the payout control means when a predetermined number of game media are stored by the storage means;
The payout control board is:
Instead of the connection signal state specifying signal output means, at least one of the first condition that the connection signal is not input and the second condition that the storage detection signal is input is satisfied. An input specifying signal output means for outputting an input state specifying signal capable of specifying whether or not to a gaming control microcomputer;
The firing signal output means monitors the connection signal state specifying signal, and instead of outputting a firing signal for permitting firing by the launching means to the launch board in response to the input of the connection signal state specifying signal. The input state specifying signal is monitored, and a firing signal for permitting firing by the launching means is output to the launch substrate in response to the input of the input state specifying signal. The gaming machine described. A notification means for performing a predetermined notification operation;
The game control microcomputer is:
A notification control signal output means for outputting a notification control signal for causing the notification means to notify that the emission by the emission means is stopped when the emission signal is not output;
A notification control means for controlling the notification means based on the notification control signal output from the notification control signal output means;
It further includes a notification control signal relay board that relays the notification control signal in one direction from the notification control signal output unit to the notification control unit between the notification control signal output unit and the notification control unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2. The dispensing control microcomputer is:
Prize number data indicating the number of payouts indicated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means Including a payout amount data storage means for storing
The payout drive amount data update means adds the value of the prize number data stored in the payout premium number data storage means to the value of the payout drive quantity data stored in the payout drive amount data storage means. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the value of the payout driving amount data is updated. The dispensing control microcomputer is:
When the payout number signal receiving means receives the payout number signal again between the start of the payout operation by the payout operation start control means and the stop of the payout operation by the payout operation stop control means, the received payout number signal Is added to the value of the premium number data stored in the payout premium number data storage means, and the added value is used as the premium number data, thereby obtaining the value of the premium number data. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, further comprising a payout-priced item number data updating means for updating. A payout stop condition establishment detection means for detecting whether or not a payout stop condition for stopping the game medium payout operation by the payout means is satisfied;
The payout control microcomputer controls the payout driving means to stop the game medium payout operation by the payout means when the payout stop condition establishment detecting means detects the establishment of the payout stop condition. It further includes a withdrawal stop condition establishment stop control means,
The reception flag setting means indicates that the payout number signal has been received in response to the payout number signal receiving means receiving the payout number signal even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means. Including a condition-satisfied reception flag setting means for setting the reception flag shown to ON,
The payout premium number data storage means indicates the number of game media indicated by the payout number signal received by the payout number signal receiving means even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means. Including a condition fulfillment payout premium number data storage means for storing data,
The payout premium number data updating means is configured to use the received payout number signal when the payout number signal receiving means receives the payout number signal again even when the payout operation is stopped by the payout stop condition establishment stop control means. The value of the prize number data is updated by adding the designated number of payouts to the value of the prize number data stored in the payout prize quantity data storage means, and using the added value as the prize number data. The game machine according to claim 5, further comprising: a condition fulfillment payout premium number data update means. The dispensing control microcomputer is:
When the value of the premium number data is added to the value of the payout drive amount data by the payout drive amount data updating means, the value of the premium number data added to the value of the payout drive amount data is used as the payout middle prize. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 4, further comprising a prize number subtracting means for subtracting from the number data storage means. The dispensing control microcomputer is:
5. A reception flag off means for turning off the reception flag when the value of the prize number data is added to the value of the payout drive quantity data by the payout drive quantity data update means. 8. The gaming machine according to any one of 7.

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