JP2008006170A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a Pachinko machine capable of transmitting and receiving a control signal without being affected by noise which is produced when a game ball is paid out. <P>SOLUTION: When a main control board detects the ON of a large winning port SW and when a paying-out motor is ON, the main control board transmits a driving stop request signal which requests the stop of driving of the paying-out motor, to a paying-out control board. The paying-out control board stops the paying-out motor and transmits a non-driving period start signal to the main control board, which indicates the start of the period when the paying-out motor comes to be in a non-driving state. The main control board transmits a paying-out control command to the paying-out control board. Since the main control board transmits the paying-out control command in the period when the paying-out motor is not driven, the data of paying-out control command is prevented from being corrupted due to the influence of the noise which is produced when the game ball is paid out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko machine that causes an effect device to perform an effect and causes a payout device to pay out a game ball by transmitting a control signal from a main control device to the effect device and the payout device.

In general pachinko machines, a main control board on which a main control CPU that performs overall control of the entire game is mounted, and an effect control CPU that controls the entire display process by controlling the liquid crystal display device and decoration LEDs and speakers. And a payout control board on which a payout control CPU for controlling the payout apparatus incorporating the payout motor to control the payout process in general is provided.
The main control board and the effect control board are connected by a communication cable for transmitting an effect control signal for specifying the effect control contents. The main control board and the payout control board are payout controls for specifying the number of game balls to be paid out. They are connected by a communication cable for transmitting signals. The effect control signal and the payout control signal are each composed of 2-byte data, and are transmitted by the parallel communication method. For this reason, the communication cable is composed of a total of eight communication cables, one for signal transmission and one for transfer signal.
However, if one of the eight communication cables is affected by noise and the data of the control signal is garbled, there is a problem that the production control and the payout control are abnormal.

Therefore, conventionally, in order to solve the above problem, the following proposal has been made.
(1) The main control unit sets the non-transmission state identification data in the output port during the non-transmission state in which the control signal is not transmitted. By doing so, even when a control signal carrying noise is transmitted, the non-transmission state identification data is transmitted from the output port, and the side receiving it can determine that the main control unit is in the non-transmission state. Therefore, the received control signal is not processed as valid (Patent Document 1).
(2) When transmitting a control signal from the main control board to the sub control board, after transmitting a transfer signal from the main control board, the control signal is repeatedly transmitted three times or more, and the control is repeatedly received by the sub control board. Among the signals, the control signal that matches most often is adopted as the regular control signal, thereby discarding the control signal affected by noise (Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-149608 A (25th paragraph). JP 2001-353325 A (paragraphs 40 to 44).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the back side of the pachinko machine. In the upper part on the back side of the pachinko machine 500, a ball tank 4 for storing game balls supplied from the island facility and a payout device 62 for paying out game balls supplied from the ball tank 4 are arranged. The ball tank 4 and the payout device 62 are connected by a tank rail 8, and the payout device 62 and a game ball supply port (not shown) on the upper plate arranged on the front surface of the pachinko machine 500 are connected by a flow-down rod 9. It is connected.
When a winning occurs, the payout device 62 is driven, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate via the flow basket 9. At this time, the game balls stored in the ball tank 4 are supplied to the payout device 62 through the tank rail 8.
However, there is a possibility that electromagnetic noise generated from the payout motor when the payout motor provided in the payout device 62 enters the communication cable connecting the control boards, and the control signal transmitted by the communication cable changes. .
Further, since the tank rail 8 is made of synthetic resin, the control signal may change due to noise based on static electricity generated by friction between the inner wall and the game ball.
That is, in the conventional pachinko machine, there is a problem that the control signal changes to an environment that is easily affected by noise as the game ball is paid out.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the non-transmission state identification data is transmitted so that the receiving side does not process the received signal as valid, but the non-transmission state identification data itself has noise. In such a case, the received signal may be processed as valid.
Also, in Patent Document 2, the control signal that matches the most among control signals that are repeatedly received is adopted as a regular control signal, but most of the received control signals are affected by noise. May adopt a control signal affected by noise.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a pachinko machine capable of transmitting and receiving control signals without being affected by noise generated with the payout of game balls.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the invention described in claim 1, a winning opening (14, 22, 23, 27, 44) provided in the game area and a payout device (62) for paying out the game ball are provided. ), A payout control circuit (200) for driving and controlling the payout device based on a payout control command for instructing payout of a game ball, and an effect device (31, 32, 74, 75, 302, 304) for effecting , An effect control circuit (50) for driving and controlling the effect device based on an effect control command for instructing execution of a predetermined effect, and detecting that a game ball has won a winning opening, and the payout control command is A pachinko machine comprising a main control circuit (100) for executing a first transmission process (S5) for transmitting to the payout control circuit and a second transmission process (S4) for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control circuit. (1) The main control circuit and the payout control circuit have a parallel communication cable (L1) for transmitting the payout control command and a drive stop request signal for requesting a drive stop of the payout device. Is electrically connected to the drive stop communication cable (L2), and the main control circuit is driven by the payout device when executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes. In this case, the drive stop request signal is transmitted to the payout control circuit via the drive stop communication cable, the payout device is stopped, and at least one of the first and second transmission processes is executed ( In S1 to S19, the payout control circuit stops driving the payout device when the drive stop request signal is received while the payout device is driven (S39 to S46). Using the technical means of.

The main control circuit performs a first transmission process for transmitting a payout control command for instructing payout of a game ball to the payout control circuit and a second transmission process for transmitting an effect control command for instructing execution of a predetermined effect to the effect control circuit. When the payout device is driven when executing at least one of them, a drive stop request signal for requesting the drive stop of the payout device is transmitted to the payout control circuit via the drive stop communication cable to stop the payout device. Then, at least one of the first and second transmission processes can be executed.
In other words, the main control circuit transmits a control command in an environment in which there is no electromagnetic noise generated from the dispensing device when the dispensing device is driven or noise based on static electricity generated by friction between the inner wall of the tank rail and the game ball. Can do.
Therefore, it is possible to realize a pachinko machine capable of transmitting and receiving control commands without being affected by noise generated with the payout of game balls.
In addition, since there is only one drive stop communication cable for transmitting the drive stop request signal, the probability of noise entering the communication cable is minimized compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. Therefore, the drive stop request signal is less likely to be affected by noise, so that the payout device can be reliably stopped.
Furthermore, since the main control circuit can immediately stop driving the payout device and send the control command when the control command transmission timing comes, the payout device finishes paying out a predetermined number of game balls. The control command transmission timing can be made earlier than the control in which the control command is transmitted after waiting.
Therefore, there is no possibility that the production start timing is delayed due to the transmission delay of the control command.

In the invention described in claim 2, a winning opening (14, 22, 23, 27, 44) provided in the game area, a payout device (62) for paying out the game ball, and a payout for instructing payout of the game ball A payout control circuit (200) for driving and controlling the payout device based on a control command, an effect device (31, 32, 74, 75, 302, 304) for effecting, and effect control for instructing execution of a predetermined effect An effect control circuit (50) for driving and controlling the effect device based on a command, and a first transmission process for detecting that a game ball has won a prize opening and transmitting the payout control command to the payout control circuit ( In the pachinko machine (1) including a main control circuit (100) that executes S5) and a second transmission process (S4) for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control circuit, the payout control circuit includes: Drive Drive control of the payout device so as to sandwich a non-drive period, and when the payout device is driven when the main control circuit executes at least one of the first and second transmission processes, A technical means for executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes within a non-driving period is used.
The interval for the non-driving period can be set arbitrarily, and may be every time the payout device pays out one game ball or every time a plurality of payouts are paid out.

The main control circuit performs a first transmission process for transmitting a payout control command for instructing payout of a game ball to the payout control circuit and a second transmission process for transmitting an effect control command for instructing execution of a predetermined effect to the effect control circuit. When the payout device is driven when executing at least one, at least one of the first and second transmission processes can be executed within a non-driving period that is a period during which the payout device is not driven.
In other words, the main control circuit transmits a control command in an environment in which there is no electromagnetic noise generated from the dispensing device when the dispensing device is driven or noise based on static electricity generated by friction between the inner wall of the tank rail and the game ball. Can do.
Therefore, it is possible to realize a pachinko machine capable of transmitting and receiving control commands without being affected by noise generated with the payout of game balls.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to the second aspect, when the payout control circuit (200) starts the non-driving period, a non-driving period start signal indicating the start thereof Is transmitted to the main control circuit (100), and the main control circuit uses technical means to execute at least one of the first and second transmission processes when receiving the non-driving period start signal.

  When the main control circuit receives a non-drive period start signal indicating the start of the non-drive period from the payout control circuit, the main control circuit can execute at least one of the first and second transmission processes, so that the payout device is driven reliably. Control commands can be sent during no period.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to the second aspect, the payout control circuit (200) includes an elapsed time after the payout device (62) starts paying out a game ball. The main control circuit (100) measures an elapsed time after transmitting the payout control command to the payout control circuit when the predetermined time is reached, and the measurement time It is determined that the non-driving period is started when the predetermined time is reached, and technical means is used to execute at least one of the first and second transmission processes.

  Since the payout device starts the non-drive period when the elapsed time from the start of paying out the game ball reaches a predetermined time, the main control circuit transmits the payout control command to the payout control circuit. By measuring the elapsed time, the start time of the non-driving period can be known. Therefore, the main control circuit determines that the non-driving period has started when the measured time reaches the predetermined time, and executes at least one of the first and second transmission processes, thereby paying out the game ball. A control command can be transmitted without being affected by the accompanying noise.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to the second aspect, the game ball paid out from the payout device (62) is detected, and the detection signal is sent to the main control circuit (100). The payout control circuit (200) starts the non-driving period when the payout device pays out a predetermined number of game balls, and the main control circuit Counts the number of game balls paid out by the payout device based on the detection signal, determines that the non-driving period has started when the count value reaches the predetermined number, And a technical means for executing at least one of the second transmission processing.

  Since the payout device starts a non-driving period when the number of game balls paid out reaches a predetermined number, the main control circuit uses a detection signal transmitted from a detection device that detects a game ball paid out from the payout device. By counting based on this, the start time of the non-driving period can be known. Therefore, the main control circuit determines that the non-driving period has started when the count value reaches the predetermined number, and executes at least one of the first and second transmission processes to thereby pay out the game ball. A control command can be transmitted without being affected by the accompanying noise.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the main control circuit (100) and the payout control circuit (200) It is electrically connected by one stop signal transmission communication cable for transmitting a stop signal instructing to stop the start of the driving period, and the main control circuit transmits by the first and second transmission processes. It is determined before the start of the non-driving period whether or not the payout control command and the effect control command to be present exist, and when the negative determination is made, the stop signal is sent via the stop signal transmission communication cable. If the stop signal is received before the start of the non-drive period, the payout control circuit executes the payout of the game ball without starting the non-drive period. To be used technical means that are possible.

If the main control circuit determines that there is no payout control command and effect control command to be transmitted in the first and second transmission processes before starting the non-driving period, the payout device before starting the non-driving period On the other hand, since it can be controlled not to start the non-drive period, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the payout efficiency of the game ball due to the start of the non-drive period of the payout device.
In addition, since there is only one stop signal transmission communication cable for transmitting the stop signal, the probability of noise entering the communication cable is minimal compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. Therefore, the main control circuit can reliably cancel the non-driving period because the cancel signal is less likely to be affected by noise.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the main control circuit (100) and the payout control circuit (200) It is electrically connected by one interruption signal transmission communication cable for transmitting an interruption signal instructing interruption of the driving period, and the main control circuit performs the first and second transmission processes in the non-drive state. When the period ends before the period ends, the interruption signal is transmitted to the payout control circuit via the interruption signal transmission communication cable, and the payout control circuit receives the interruption signal within the non-driving period. In this case, a technical means is used that allows the payout device to execute payout of the game ball without waiting for the end of the non-driving period.

The main control circuit can control the dispensing device that has started the non-drive period to interrupt the non-drive period when the first and second transmission processes are completed before the non-drive period ends. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the payout efficiency of the game ball due to the payout device continuing the non-driving period.
In addition, since there is only one interrupt signal transmission communication cable for transmitting the interrupt signal, the probability of noise entering the communication cable is minimal compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. For this reason, since the interruption signal is less likely to be affected by noise, the main control circuit can reliably interrupt the non-driving period.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to any one of the second to seventh aspects, the payout control circuit (200) is configured so that the payout device (62) continuously pays out. In a case where the payout device executes payout of game balls exceeding the maximum continuous payout number, which is the number of possible game balls, a period for pausing the payout device for a predetermined period when payout of the maximum continuous payout number is completed A stop period in which the next payout is executed after a pause period, and the driving of the payout device is stopped while the payout device is continuously paying out game balls within the range of the maximum continuous payout number. The main control circuit (100) uses technical means for executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes within the stop period.

The motors and solenoids provided in the dispensing device may have reduced durability due to heat generated by continuous drive, so the maximum number of continuous dispensing is set as the number that can be dispensed continuously. If exceeds the maximum number of consecutive payouts, the game ball is paid out with a pause during the payout. Further, even when the number to be paid out does not exceed the maximum continuous payout number, the payout device pays out with a stop period during which driving is stopped.
Since the main control circuit executes at least one of the first and second transmission processes during the stop period, the main control circuit can transmit the control command without being affected by noise generated with the payout of the game ball. it can.
The stop period can be provided every time a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 1, 2, 5, etc.) are paid out within a range not exceeding the maximum continuous payout number.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to the eighth aspect, the main control circuit (100) performs the first and second transmission processes within the idle period as the non-driving period. The technical means of executing at least one of the above is used.

  Since the main control circuit executes at least one of the first and second transmission processes during the suspension period of the payout device, the main control circuit can transmit the control command without being affected by the noise generated with the payout of the game ball. it can.

  In addition, the code | symbol in said parenthesis respond | corresponds with the code | symbol used in embodiment mentioned later.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[Overall main configuration]
First, the main configuration of the pachinko machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the appearance of the pachinko machine as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an outer frame 2 constituting an outer shell, and a glass frame 3 is attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. A game board 5 is provided inside the glass frame 3, and a launch lever 17 for operating a launch device for launching a game ball to the game board 5 is rotatably attached to the lower right of the front surface of the outer frame 2. ing. Below the game board 5, there is provided an upper tray 6 that accommodates paid-out prize balls and rental balls. Below the upper tray 6, prize balls that have flowed beyond the capacity of the upper tray 6 can be accommodated. A lower tray 7 is provided for housing the container.

[Main components of the game board]
In the approximate center of the game board 5, there is provided an effect indicator 32 for displaying effect images such as moving images and still images. For example, the effect display 32 directs a symbol row in which a plurality of special symbols (for example, symbols representing numbers 0 to 9) are arranged in the vertical direction from the top to the bottom in the three display areas in the horizontal direction of the screen. To change (scroll).
Below the effect display 32, an ordinary electric accessory 28 having a start opening 27 is provided. When the game ball wins the start opening 27, the effect display 32 starts to display the variation of the special symbol. When a game ball wins the start opening 27, a predetermined number (for example, four) of prize balls are paid out. If the game ball wins the start opening 27 during the special symbol variation display, the special symbol variation display by the winning is suspended, and the suspended variation display is performed after the currently performed variation display ends. Done. The reserved number is displayed on the screen of the effect display 32 with numbers and symbols.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the special symbol variation display, the effect display device 32 stops the symbol sequences varying in the respective display areas in a predetermined order, and displays the determined symbols in the respective display regions. A big hit occurs when the combination of each confirmed symbol is a big hit symbol (for example, one consisting of the same number such as 777). When a big hit occurs, the variable winning device 40 provided below the ordinary electric accessory 28 is operated, the big winning opening / closing member 43 is opened, and the big winning opening is opened. Then, when a game ball wins a prize winning opening, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are paid out. If a predetermined time (for example, about 30 seconds) has elapsed since the opening of the grand prize opening, or if the number of winning prizes in the grand prize opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), the big prize is satisfied. The mouth closes. From the opening to closing of the big prize opening is called one round, and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) can be executed.

  In addition, the effect display device 32 displays a plurality of normal symbols in a predetermined order (hereinafter, the display is referred to as normal symbol variation display). In this embodiment, the normal symbol is composed of symbols such as ○ and X, and when the game ball passes through the gate 25 provided on the game board 5, the effect indicator 32 starts to display the normal symbol variation display. When the normal symbol (for example, ◯) is stopped, both wings of the ordinary electric accessory 28 are released, and winning at the start port 27 is facilitated. If the game ball passes through the gate 25 during the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol variation display due to the passage is suspended, and the suspended variation display is performed after the current variation display ends. Is called. The reserved number is displayed on the screen of the effect display 32 with numbers and symbols.

Further, the game board 5 is provided with winning holes 14, 22, 23, 44 (hereinafter, these winning holes are referred to as general winning holes). When winning a general winning opening, a predetermined number (for example, 5) of winning balls are paid out.
In addition, the game board 5 is provided with a windmill 24, a guide rail 16 for guiding the launched game balls to the game area, an out port 45 for collecting game balls that have not been won anywhere as out balls, and the like. Although not shown in the drawing, many game nails are driven into the surface of the game board 5, and the fired game balls change the flow direction by colliding with the game nails, so that the start opening 27 and the general winning opening Winning a prize or passing through the gate 25.

[Electric configuration of pachinko machine 1]
Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main control board 100, and an MPU 110 is mounted on the main control board 100. The MPU 110 includes a main CPU 112, a ROM 114, and a RAM 116. The main CPU 112 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 27 or the general winning opening (hereinafter referred to as winning determination), determines that the game ball has passed through the gate 25 (hereinafter referred to as gate pass determination), and the game ball. The main control necessary for the progress of the game is executed, such as determination of whether it is a big hit or a loss or a command transmission process performed when the player wins the start opening 27.

  The ROM 114 stores various control programs for the main CPU 112 to execute various controls, various tables to be referred to when executing the control programs, and the like. The RAM 116 backs up a storage area for temporarily storing various data generated during the game such as processing results of the main CPU 112 and a control program read from the ROM 114, and data indicating a game state immediately before a power failure when the power is shut off. And a backup area to be stored.

  The main control board 100 has a start opening switch (SW) 27a for detecting a game ball that has passed through the start opening 27, a large winning opening switch (SW) 41a for detecting a gaming ball that has won a big winning opening, and a general winning combination. Winning port switches (SW) 14a, 22a, 23a, 44a for detecting a game ball won in the mouth are electrically connected. The main control board 100 is electrically connected to the effect control board 50 via a communication cable L4, and is electrically connected to the payout control board 200 via communication cables L1 to L3.

  The effect control board 50 is equipped with an MPU 70 that performs image control, sound control, and LED control. Hereinafter, image control, audio control, and LED control are referred to as effect control. The MPU 70 includes a sub CPU 71 that performs effect control based on the effect control command received from the main CPU 112, a ROM 72 that stores an effect control program executed by the sub CPU 71, and an effect control program and sub read from the ROM 72. A RAM 73 for temporarily storing processing results of the CPU 71 and the like is mounted.

  On the effect control board 50, a drive circuit 74 that drives the speaker 75 by an audio control signal transmitted from the MPU 70, a drive circuit 31 that drives the effect display 32 by an image control signal transmitted from the MPU 70, and various LEDs 304 Is electrically connected to a drive circuit 302 that controls the lighting of.

  The payout control board 200 is equipped with an MPU 210 that receives a payout control command transmitted from the main control board 100, a lending request signal transmitted from a prepaid card unit (not shown), and the like. A sub CPU 212 that executes control such as payout of prize balls and rental balls, and a ROM 214 that stores various control programs for the sub CPU 212 to execute control such as payout of prize balls and rental balls. A RAM 216 that temporarily stores the total number of winning balls or rental balls and a control program read from the ROM 214 when the sub CPU 212 executes various control programs is mounted. The RAM 216 includes a backup area for backing up and storing data indicating the number of winnings, the total number of unpaid game balls, and the like when the power is turned off.

  The payout control board 200 is electrically connected to payout sensors 62a and 62b provided in the payout device 62 and a drive circuit 62d for driving the payout motor 62c. The payout device 62 is provided with two payout openings for game balls. A payout sensor 62a is disposed at one payout opening, and a payout sensor 62b is disposed at the other payout opening. When the payout motor 62c is driven, game balls are paid out alternately from the payout outlets, the payout sensor through which the game ball passes is turned ON, and the sub CPU 212 counts the number of payouts based on the ON.

[Control command transmission and reception timing]
Next, the transmission / reception timing of the control command will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. In the following description, the “drive stop request signal” is a signal transmitted from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 200 in order to place the payout motor 62 c in the drive stop state, and the “payout completion signal” is continuous. This is a signal transmitted from the payout control board 200 to the main control board 100 in order to notify that the driving payout motor 62c has stopped driving halfway and entered the resting time. It should be noted that the payout completion signal is kept ON while there is no unpaid game ball. The unpaid game balls include unpaid prize balls and rental balls.

A big hit occurs, the variable winning device 40 is activated at time t1, and the big winning opening is opened. At this time, the payout motor 62c is in a drive stop state, and the payout completion signal is ON. Also, at time t1, the initial big hit effect designation command is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the effect control board 50, and the effect indicator 32 displays an image celebrating the occurrence of the big hit.
Then, at time t2, the game ball wins the big prize opening, and the main control board 100 transmits a payout prize ball 15 designation command for designating the payout of 15 prize balls to the payout control board 200. A large winning opening winning designation command for designating an effect when winning in the mouth is transmitted to the effect control board 50.

When the payout control board 200 receives the 15 payout award ball designation command, the payout motor 62c is driven to pay out 15 game balls as prize balls. The payout motor 62c starts paying out a game ball after the elapse of 100 ms from the start time after receiving the payout prize ball 15 designation command, but this receives a drive command (15 payout prize ball designation command). This is because it takes 100 ms from the start of excitation to the start of rotation. In addition, the payout motor 62c stops rotating after 100 ms of the end time has elapsed after paying out 15 game balls, but this takes 100 ms from the time when the stop command is issued until the rotation stops after degaussing. Because.
In addition, when the effect control board 50 receives the prize winning designation command, the effect control board 50 displays on the effect display 32 an image for informing that the prize winning to the prize winning has occurred, and an LED for notifying the prize. Further, a sound effect for notifying the winning is output from the speaker 75.
When the payout motor 62c pays out 15 game balls in succession (t3), after that, at time t4, a win to the big prize opening has occurred, the payout motor 62c is driven, and 15 game balls are played. The payout has started.

  Then, when seven game balls are paid out, a winning in the big winning opening occurs (t5). Conventionally, the main control board 100 transmits a command for specifying 15 payout balls to the payout control board 200 at the same time as the winning occurs, and transmits a large winning opening prize specifying command to the effect control board 50. In the embodiment, the command is transmitted after the driving of the payout motor 62c in the middle of payout is stopped so as not to be affected by noise generated with payout of the game ball. For this reason, at time t5 when the winning occurs, the main control board 100 transmits a drive stop request signal to the payout control board 200 and stops driving the payout motor 62c. Further, the main control board 100 starts measuring the payout end monitoring time (200 ms in this embodiment) after transmitting the drive stop request signal, and is not driven from the payout control board 200 until the payout end monitoring time elapses. Wait for the period start signal to be sent.

  The payout control board 200 transmits a non-driving period start signal to the main control board 100 after a predetermined time (100 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed after receiving the drive stop request signal transmitted from the main control board 100, This indicates that the dispensing motor 62c has stopped. The predetermined time period from when the drive stop request signal is received to when the non-drive period start signal is transmitted is that the payout motor 62c receives a stop command (drive stop request signal) for a predetermined time period until it completely stops. This is to stop after the demagnetization period and wait for the demagnetization period to end because electromagnetic noise may be generated during the demagnetization period.

  The main control board 100 then issues a 15 payout prize ball designation command when a transmission waiting time (200 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed after receiving the non-driving period start signal transmitted from the payout control board 200. 200 is transmitted to the effect control board 50. The payout device 62 is placed for a predetermined time after the non-driving period start signal is received until the payout ball 15 designation command and the big prize opening prize designation command are transmitted even after the payout motor 62c is completely stopped. This is because the game ball for replenishing moves to the inside of the tank rail, and there is a risk of static noise due to friction between the inner wall of the tank rail and the game ball. .

The payout control board 200 that has received the payout prize ball 15 designation command has 23 game balls including 8 which are not paid when the payout motor 62c is stopped and 15 which are newly instructed this time. Are continuously paid out as prize balls.
Further, since the payout motor 62c may be deteriorated in durability due to overheating due to continuous driving, an upper limit payout number is set, and when the payout exceeds the upper limit payout number, In the middle of continuous payout, it is set to drive with a pause time in which the drive is stopped. In this embodiment, the upper limit of continuous payout is 25.

Therefore, when it is time to transmit a command, the main control board 100 transmits the command using the suspension time if the payout motor 62c is in the suspension time. During the rest period, the payout motor 62c is in a non-driving state, and noise accompanying the payout of the game ball is not generated. Therefore, if a command is transmitted during the rest period, there is no possibility of being affected by noise.
In addition, the payout control board 200 does not transmit a payout completion signal to the main control board 100 at the same time when the pause time starts, but as described above, the static noise due to the flow of the game ball in the tank rail immediately after the payout motor is stopped. In order to avoid the occurrence of this, it is desirable to wait for a predetermined time before transmitting. In this embodiment, the pause time is 350 ms, and a payout completion signal is transmitted to the main control board 100 when 250 ms has elapsed from the start of the pause time.

[Command transmission processing]
Next, the flow of command transmission processing executed by the main CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The main CPU 112 determines whether or not to transmit a command (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in FIG. 5). For example, it is determined whether or not a command to be transmitted is stored in a command transmission buffer. The command to be transmitted is, for example, a command to be transmitted to the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 when a winning occurs, and a payout control command for instructing the payout of a predetermined number of game balls. A command to be transmitted to the sub CPU 81 of the effect control board 50 when winning or when a big hit occurs, and an effect control command for causing the effect display 32 to display an image with a predetermined display content. For example, an effect control command for transmitting a predetermined sound effect to the speaker 75, which is a command transmitted to the sub CPU 81 of the effect control board 50, and an effect for lighting various LEDs 304, which are commands transmitted to the sub CPU 81. Control commands, etc.

  The payout control command includes a prize ball payout 3 designation command for instructing payout of 3 prize balls, a prize ball payout 4 designation command for instructing payout of 4 prize balls, and an award instructing payout of 10 prize balls. There are 10 ball payout designation commands and 15 prize ball payout designation commands for instructing the payout of 15 prize balls.

  If an affirmative determination is made here (S1: Yes), it is determined whether or not a payout completion signal transmitted from the payout control board 200 is ON (S2). The payout completion signal means that when the payout device 62 does not have an unpaid number of payouts and the payout motor 62c is in a non-driven state, the payout motor 62c is kept ON and there is an unpaid payout number. The signal 62c is a signal that maintains OFF during any period when the drive state is in effect. That is, in S2, it is determined whether or not the payout device 62 is paying out the game ball.

  If it is determined that the payout completion signal is ON, that is, the payout device 62 is not in a state of paying out a game ball (S2: Yes), whether or not the command to be transmitted is an effect control command, that is, effect control. It is determined whether it is a command or a payout control command (S3). If an affirmative determination is made here (S3: Yes), an effect control command is transmitted to the effect control board 50 via the communication cable L4 (S4). If a negative determination is made (S3: No), the payout control command is parallelized. It transmits to the payout control board 200 via the communication cable L1 (S5).

  If it is determined in S2 that the payout completion signal is not ON, that is, the payout device 62 is paying out the game ball (S2: No), it is determined whether or not the T1 flag is ON (S2: No). S7). The T1 flag is a flag indicating that a timer T1 for starting measurement of an elapsed time since the drive stop request signal transmitted to the payout control board 200 is turned on in S8 later is started. At this stage, since the timer T1 has not yet started, a negative determination is made (S7: No), and the drive stop request signal transmitted to the payout control board 200 via the communication cable L2 is turned ON (S8).

Subsequently, 100 is set as the initial value of the count value of the timer T1 (S9). In this embodiment, the command transmission process is executed at a cycle of 2 ms, and every time the command transmission process is executed, 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T1 in the subsequent S11. Means. That is, the timer T1 measures 200 ms. The initial value of the count value of the timer T1 is set to a sufficient time from when the dispensing motor 62c receives the drive stop command until it stops after the demagnetization period.
Subsequently, the T1 flag is turned on (S10), and 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T1 (S11). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T1 has become 0 (S12). If an affirmative determination is made (S12: Yes), the drive stop request signal is turned OFF (S13).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a non-driving period start signal transmitted from the dispensing control board 200 to the main control board 100 is ON (S14). The non-driving period start signal is a signal indicating that the sub-CPU 212 of the dispensing control board 200 has stopped driving the dispensing motor 62c and has started a non-driving period (non-driving period). Then, the non-driving period start signal is turned ON after 100 ms has elapsed since the driving of the dispensing motor 62c was stopped (S67 in FIG. 6).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the T2 flag is ON (S15). The T2 flag is a flag indicating that a timer T2 for measuring a standby period from when the non-driving period start signal is turned ON to when a command is transmitted is started. At this stage, since the timer T2 has not started yet, a negative determination is made (S15: No), 100 (200 ms) is set as the initial value of the count value of the timer T2 (S16), and the T2 flag is turned ON (S17). Then, 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T2 (S18). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T2 has become 0 (S19). If an affirmative determination is made (S19: Yes), the above-described S3 to S5 are executed, and the T1 and T2 flags are turned OFF. (S6).

[Payout control processing]
Next, the flow of the payout control process executed by the sub CPU 212 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
The sub CPU 212 determines whether or not a payout control command has been received from the main CPU 112 (S30 in FIG. 6). If the determination is affirmative (S30: Yes), the number of payouts indicated in the received payout control command is determined as a total unpaid amount. Add to the number M (S31). For example, if the number of payouts is 15 and the total unpaid number M is 150, the payout number 15 is added to 150 of the total unpaid number M, and the total unpaid number M is 165.

Subsequently, a payout number (hereinafter referred to as a continuous payout number) N that can be paid out continuously at the present time is set (S32). The number of consecutive payouts is set to be equal to or less than the upper limit value that allows continuous payout. For example, when the unpaid total number M is 165 as described above, the continuous payout number N is set to the upper limit of 25, and when the unpaid total number M is 15, the continuous payout number N is 15 Set to
Subsequently, the payout completion signal is turned off (S33), and the non-driving period start signal is turned off (S34). Here, since the payout motor 62c is being driven, both the payout completion signal and the non-drive period start signal are turned off.

  Subsequently, the payout motor 62c is driven to pay out the game ball (S35), and it is determined whether or not the payout sensor 62a or 62b is turned on (S36). If an affirmative determination is made here (S36: Yes), 1 is subtracted from the continuous payout number N (S37), and it is determined whether or not the continuous payout number N has become 0 (S38 in FIG. 7). If a negative determination is made here (S38: No), it is determined whether or not the drive stop request signal is ON (S39). If a negative determination is made (S39: No), the process returns to S35 and the payout motor 62c is turned on. Drive to pay out game balls. Until affirmative determination is made in S38, the payout of the game ball and the detection of the game ball that has been paid out are repeated (S35 to S39).

  If the drive stop request signal is turned ON while the game ball is being paid out (S39: Yes), it is necessary until the non-drive period start signal is turned ON in S45 after the drive stop request signal is turned ON. 50 (100 ms) is set as an initial value of the count value of the timer T3 for measuring a waiting time (S40). Subsequently, the T3 flag indicating that the timer T3 starts is turned ON (S41), and 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T3 (S42). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T3 has become 0, that is, whether or not it is time to turn on the non-driving period start signal (S43). If a negative determination is made (S43: No), the next Move on to processing.

  Then, at the next cycle of executing the payout control process, it is determined whether or not a payout control command is received (S30 in FIG. 6). At this stage, the non-driving period start signal is in an OFF state, The main CPU 112 sends a payout control command on the condition that the non-driving period start signal is turned on (S14: Yes → S19: Yes in FIG. 5), so a negative determination is made in S30, and the T3 flag is turned on. (S44: Yes), 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T3 (S42). That is, S42 → S43: No → S30: No → S44: Yes is repeatedly executed until it is determined in S43 that the count value of the timer T3 has become zero.

  When it is determined that the count value of the timer T3 has become 0 (S43: Yes), the non-driving period start signal output to the main control board 100 via the communication cable L3 is turned on (S45). Thereby, the main CPU 112 can determine that the non-driving period start signal has been turned ON in the previous S14 (FIG. 5), and can transmit a command. Subsequently, the sub CPU 212 stops driving the payout motor 62c (S46), and turns off the T3 flag (S47). Thus, since the drive of the payout motor 62c is stopped, no electromagnetic noise is generated from the payout motor 62c.

In addition, since the game balls are not paid out by the payout device 62 and the supply of the game balls to the payout device 62 does not occur, static noise due to friction between the inner wall of the tank rail and the game balls does not occur. That is, when a drive stop request signal is transmitted from the main CPU 112, driving of the payout motor 62c is stopped, and an environment in which noise is not generated can be created.
Therefore, there is no possibility that noise enters the communication cables L1 to L4, and the control command transmitted from the main CPU 112 to the effect control board 50 and the payout control board 200 is affected by the noise and is not garbled.

When the sub CPU 212 determines that the number N of continuous payouts has become 0 (S38: Yes), the sub CPU 212 stops driving the payout motor 62c (S48), and measures a timer T4 for measuring the pause time of the payout motor 62c. 175 (350 ms) is set as the initial value of the count value (S49).
Subsequently, the T4 flag indicating that the timer T4 starts counting is turned ON (S50), and 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T4 (S51). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T4 has reached 125, that is, whether or not 250 ms has elapsed since the pause time was started (S52). Here, if a negative determination is made (S52: No), the process proceeds to the next process.

  Then, at the next cycle for executing the payout control process, it is determined whether or not a payout control command is received (S30 in FIG. 6). At this stage, the payout completion signal is in an OFF state, and the main CPU 112 Since the payout control command is transmitted on condition that the payout completion signal is turned on (S2 in FIG. 5: Yes), a negative determination is made in S30, and it is determined that the T3 flag is not ON (S44: No), it is determined that the T4 flag is ON (S54: Yes), and 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T4 (S51). That is, S51 → S52: No → S30: No → S44: No → S54: Yes is repeatedly executed until it is determined in S52 that the count value of the timer T4 has reached 125.

  If it is determined that the count value of the timer T4 has reached 125 (S52: Yes), the payout completion signal transmitted from the payout control board 200 to the main control board 100 via the communication cable L3 is turned ON (S53). Thereby, the main CPU 112 can determine that the payout completion signal has been turned ON in the previous S2 (FIG. 5), and can transmit a command. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T4 has become 0 (S55). If an affirmative determination is made (S55: Yes), the T4 flag is turned OFF (S56).

  Subsequently, the consecutive payout number N is subtracted from the total unpaid number M (S57), and it is determined whether or not the total unpaid number M has become 0 (S58). Here, when a negative determination is made (S58: No), the process returns to S32, the continuous payout number N is set, and the game ball is paid out again. Until affirmative determination is made in S38, the payout of the game ball and the detection of the game ball that has been paid out are repeated (S35 to S39). When the total unpaid number M becomes 0 (S58: Yes), the process proceeds to the next process.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
(1) As described above, if the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is used, the main CPU 112 of the main control board 100 performs payout control of payout control commands within a non-drive period in which the payout motor 62c is not driven. At least one of the first transmission process (S5) for transmitting to the sub CPU 212 of the substrate 200 and the second transmission process (S4) for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control board 50 can be executed.
That is, the main CPU 112 of the main control board 100 is in an environment where there is no electromagnetic noise generated from the payout motor 62c when the payout motor 62c is driven, or noise based on static electricity generated by friction between the inner wall of the tank rail and the game ball. Control commands can be sent.
Therefore, it is possible to realize a pachinko machine capable of transmitting and receiving control commands without being affected by noise generated with the payout of game balls.

(2) Further, since the main CPU 112 of the main control board 100 can execute at least one of the first and second transmission processes within the pause time of the payout motor 62c, noise generated with payout of the game ball The control command can be transmitted without being affected by the above.

(3) Furthermore, the main CPU 112 of the main control board 100 stops driving the payout motor 62c by transmitting a drive stop request signal to the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 even when the payout motor 62c is being driven. Since at least one of the first transmission process and the second transmission process can be executed after this, the control signal can be transmitted without being affected by the noise generated with the payout of the game ball.
Further, since the main CPU 112 can transmit the control command when the control command transmission timing comes, the control command transmission timing is higher than the control of transmitting the control command after waiting for the driving motor 62c to stop driving. Can be made faster.

(4) Further, when the main CPU 112 receives a non-driving period start signal indicating the start of the non-driving period from the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200, the main CPU 112 may execute at least one of the first and second transmission processes. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the control signal without reliably receiving the influence of the noise generated when the game ball is paid out.

(5) Since there is only one drive stop communication cable for transmitting the drive stop request signal, there is a probability that noise will enter the communication cable as compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. Since it is minimum, the drive stop request signal is less likely to be affected by noise, and the drive of the dispensing device can be reliably stopped.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The pachinko machine of this embodiment is characterized in that the main control board detects the stop timing of the payout motor by measuring the drive time of the payout motor, and transmits a control command. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the relationship between the transmission timing of the control command and the winning ball payout pattern. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of command transmission processing 2 executed by the main CPU 112, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of payout control processing 2 executed by the sub CPU 212. The pachinko machine of this embodiment has the same functions and configuration as the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the command transmission process 2 executed by the main CPU 112 and the payout control process 2 executed by the sub CPU. The description of the same parts is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for the same functions and configurations.

[Control command transmission timing]
The transmission timing of the control command will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the payout pattern is a drive pattern of the payout motor 62c formed by combining the drive time and the stop period (non-drive period), and different payout patterns are set according to the number of prize balls. The designation of 3 prize balls, 4 designation of prize balls, 10 designation of prize balls, and 15 designation of prize balls are each a payout control command corresponding to the number of prize balls, and each of the payout patterns 1 to 4 corresponds. It is attached.

  The main CPU 112 of the main control board 100 transmits a payout control command corresponding to the number of winning balls to the payout control board 200, and the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 pays out the payout motor 62c according to the payout pattern corresponding to the received payout control command. Drive out the prize balls. Further, when the main CPU 112 transmits the payout control command, the main CPU 112 starts measuring the time during which the payout motor 62c is driven according to the payout pattern corresponding to the payout control command, and detects the timing at which the payout motor 62c starts the stop period. To do. Then, the main CPU 112 transmits a payout control command to the payout control board 200 at a timing when the payout motor 62c starts the stop period, or sends an effect control command to the effect control board 50.

  For example, if 10 winning balls are won, the main CPU 112 transmits a 10 winning ball payout designation command to the payout control board 200 and starts measuring the driving time of the payout motor 62c (t1). The sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 that has received the 10 winning ball payout designation commands pays out the winning balls according to the payout pattern 3. That is, the payout motor 62c is continuously driven for 450 ms to pay out five prize balls, stopped for 50 ms, and then continuously driven again for 450 ms to pay out the remaining five prize balls.

  Here, within the drive time during which the payout motor 62c is paying out the first five prize balls, the next winning is generated, and a prize ball paying designation command corresponding to the winning is transmitted to the payout control board 200. Assume that a request is generated (t2). If a prize ball payout designation command is transmitted at this stage, the prize ball payout designation command may be garbled under the influence of noise generated due to prize ball payout. Keep it.

When the main CPU 112 determines that the measurement time has passed 450 ms and the 50 ms stop period has started, the main CPU 112 generates a prize ball payout designation created in response to the transmission request generated at the previous time t2 and stored in the storage area. The command is read and transmitted to the payout control board 200 (t3).
Thereafter, a winning is generated within the driving time during which the payout motor 62c is paying out the remaining five prize balls, and a transmission request for transmitting a prize ball payout designation command corresponding to the winning is generated to the payout control board 200. If so (t4), a prize ball payout designation command to be sent in response to the transmission request is sent after the payout motor 62c has finished paying out the remaining five prize balls (t6).

  Further, when the main CPU 112 transmits a prize ball payout 15 designation command to the payout control board 200, the payout motor 62c pays out 15 payouts in 3 times in total, each of the payouts. Between the times, there is a stop period of 50 ms each. That is, when paying out 15 award balls, since there are two stop periods in the middle of payout, the main CPU 112 transmits two control commands using the two stop periods. be able to. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the control command corresponding to the transmission request (t2) generated during the first drive time (450 ms) is transmitted within the first stop period (50 ms) (t3), and the second drive time ( The control command corresponding to the transmission request (t4) generated at 450 ms) is transmitted within the second stop period (50 ms) (t5).

  In addition, since the payout pattern 1 corresponding to the prize ball payout 3 designation command and the payout pattern 2 corresponding to the prize ball payout 4 designation command have no stop period, a transmission request is generated during the driving time. In this case, a control command corresponding to the transmission request is transmitted after the drive time has elapsed.

  Furthermore, when a transmission request for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control board 50 is generated, the main CPU 112 similarly transmits the effect control command to the effect control board 50 within the stop period. When the transmission request and the transmission request for the payout control command occur during the same driving time and conflict, the effect control command is transmitted in preference to the payout control command. That is, if the payout control command is transmitted with priority, the effect control command may be garbled due to the influence of noise caused by the payout of the game ball. To send.

[Command transmission process 2]
Next, the flow of command transmission processing 2 executed by the main CPU 112 will be described with reference to FIG.
The main CPU 112 determines whether or not an effect control command to be transmitted has been determined (S70 in FIG. 9). If the determination is affirmative (S70: Yes), the payout motor 62c pays out a prize ball instructed from the main CPU 112 It is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T for measuring the time taken to complete the process (hereinafter referred to as the payout elapsed time) has become 0, that is, whether or not the prize ball is being paid out (S71). If a negative determination is made here (S71: No), it is determined whether or not it is a stop period, that is, whether or not it is time to transmit a control command (S72). (S72: Yes) Since the payout motor 62c is stopped and there is no possibility of being affected by noise due to payout of the game ball, the effect control command stored in the storage area is transmitted to the effect control board 50 ( S73).

  In S71, when it is determined that the count value of the timer T for measuring the payout elapsed time is 0 (S71: Yes), the payout motor 62c is stopped, and the influence of noise caused by payout of the game ball Therefore, the effect control command stored in the storage area is transmitted to the effect control board 50 (S73). In this way, in the command transmission process 2, since the effect control command is transmitted in preference to the transmission of the payout control command executed after the next S74, the effect control command is affected by the noise caused by the payout of the game ball. There is no risk of data corruption.

  Then, the main CPU 112 determines whether or not a payout control command to be transmitted has been determined (S74), and when an affirmative determination is made (S74: Yes), the determined payout control command specifies three prize ball payouts. It is determined whether it is a command (S75). If an affirmative determination is made here (S75: Yes), 175 (350 ms) is set as the initial value of the count value in the timer T that measures the payout elapsed time (S76). As shown in FIG. 8, the payout pattern 1 corresponding to the prize ball payout 3 designation command has no stop period and has no distinction between the first drive time and the second drive time. Since the whole is the payout elapsed time, the initial values of the count values of the timer T1 that measures the first drive time and the timer T2 that measures the second drive time remain 0.

  In addition, when a negative determination is made in S75 (S75: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command determined to be transmitted is a four-ball payout designation command (S77). S77: Yes), 200 (400 ms) is set as the initial value of the timer T (S78). In addition, when a negative determination is made in S77 (S77: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command determined to be transmitted is a 10-ball payout designation command (S79). S79: Yes), 475 (950 ms) is set as the initial value of the timer T, and 225 (450 ms) is set as the initial value of the timer T1 (S80).

  If a negative determination is made in S79 (S79: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command determined to be transmitted is a 15-ball payout designation command (S81). S81: Yes), 725 (1450 ms) is set as the initial value of timer T, 225 (450 ms) is set as the initial value of timer T1, and 475 (950 ms) is set as the initial value of timer T2 (S82).

  Then, it is determined whether or not it is within the stop period (S83). If a negative determination is made (S83: No), it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T for measuring the payout elapsed time is 0 ( If a negative determination is made (S84) (S84: No), timer update processing is executed. In the timer update process, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T is 0 (S86). If a negative determination is made (S86: No), the count value of the timers T, T1, and T2 that are counting is determined. 1 is subtracted from each other (S87).

  Then, every time this command transmission process 2 is executed, a timer update process is executed, 1 is subtracted from the count value of each timer, and when the count value of the timer T1 or T2 becomes 0, the stop period starts. An affirmative determination is made in S83 (S83: Yes), and a payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 200 (S85). When the payout control command to be transmitted is determined and the count value of the timer T becomes 0, an affirmative determination is made in S84 (S84: Yes), and the payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 200 (S85). ).

[Payout control process 2]
Next, the flow of the payout control process 2 executed by the sub CPU 212 will be described with reference to FIG.
The sub CPU 212 determines whether or not the payout control command transmitted from the main CPU 112 has been received (S100 in FIG. 10). If the determination is affirmative (S100: Yes), the number Q of unpaid game balls is 1 or more. It is determined whether or not to perform (S101). If the determination is affirmative (S101: Yes), the received payout control command is stored in the storage area for storing the received command (S102). Subsequently, the payout number P corresponding to the payout control command received this time is acquired (S103), and it is set as the unpaid number Q (S104).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the unpaid number Q is 1 or more (S105). If an affirmative determination is made (S105: Yes), it is determined that a payout pattern corresponding to the payout control command received this time is selected. It is determined whether or not the payout pattern flag shown is OFF (S109). If an affirmative determination is made here (S109: Yes), it is determined whether or not the payout control command received this time is a command for specifying three prize ball payouts (S110), and if an affirmative determination is made (S110: Yes). The payout pattern 1 is selected (S111).
If a negative determination is made in S110 (S110: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command received this time is a four-ball payout designation command (S112). If an affirmative determination is made (S112: Yes), the payout pattern 2 is selected (S113).

  If a negative determination is made in S112 (S112: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command received this time is a 10-ball payout designation command (S114). If an affirmative determination is made (S114: Yes), the payout pattern 3 is selected (S115). If a negative determination is made in S114 (S114: No), it is determined whether or not the payout control command received this time is a prize ball payout 15 designation command (S116). If an affirmative determination is made (S116: Yes), the payout pattern 4 is selected (S117). Then, the payout pattern flag is turned ON (S118). That is, in S110 to S117, a payout pattern corresponding to the received payout control command is selected.

  When the payout control process 2 is executed in the next cycle, it is determined in S109 that the payout pattern flag is not OFF (S109: No), and the payout motor 62c is driven according to the selected payout pattern (S119). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the payout sensor 62a or 62b is turned on (S120). If an affirmative determination is made (S120: Yes), 1 is subtracted from the unpaid number Q (S121). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the unpaid number Q has become 0 (S122), and if a negative determination is made (S122: No), the process proceeds to the next processing, and S109: No to S122: No until the determination in S122 is affirmative. Repeat the process to pay out game balls.

  When a new winning occurs while the game ball is being paid out, a payout control command is transmitted from the main CPU 112 using the time during which the payout motor 62c is stopped, and the sub CPU 212 receives the payout control command. (S100: Yes). When paying out based on the payout control command received at the time of reception is performed, the payout control command received this time is stored in the storage area (S102). At this stage, the payout number P specified by the payout control command received this time is not added to the current unpaid number Q.

  When the currently paid game balls are paid out and the unpaid number Q becomes 0, a negative determination is made in S105 (S105: No), and it is determined whether or not a payout control command is stored in the storage area (S106). ). If an affirmative determination is made here (S106: Yes), a payout number P corresponding to the stored payout control command is acquired (S107), and the payout number P is set to the unpaid number Q (S108). Then, as described above, the payout pattern is selected, and the payout motor 62c is driven according to the selected payout pattern to pay out the game ball.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
(1) As described above, when the pachinko machine 1 according to the second embodiment is used, the payout motor 62c sets the non-drive period when the elapsed time from the start of payout of the game ball reaches a predetermined time. In order to start, the main CPU 112 can know the start time of the non-driving period by measuring the elapsed time after transmitting the payout control command to the payout control board 200.
Therefore, the main CPU 112 considers that the non-driving period has started when the measurement time reaches the predetermined time, and executes at least one of the transmission process of the effect control command and the transmission process of the payout control command. The control command can be transmitted without being affected by the noise generated when the game ball is paid out.

(2) Also, in the command transmission process 2, since the effect control command is transmitted prior to the transmission of the payout control command, the effect control command may be garbled due to the influence of noise caused by the payout of the game ball. Absent.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The pachinko machine of this embodiment is characterized in that the main control board detects the stop timing of the payout motor by measuring the payout number of game balls by the payout device 62 and transmits a control command. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of command transmission processing 3 executed by the main CPU 112, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. The pachinko machine of this embodiment has the same functions and configuration as the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the command transmission process 3 executed by the main CPU 112 and the control process (not shown) executed by the sub CPU 212. Therefore, the description of the same part is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for the same function and configuration.

[Command transmission process 3]
The main CPU 112 determines whether or not an effect control command to be transmitted has been determined (S100 in FIG. 11). If the determination is affirmative (S100: Yes), the main CPU 112 determines whether or not the standby flag is ON (S101). ). Here, the standby flag is a flag indicating that the payout motor 62c is stopped and is waiting for reception of the next drive command. Here, when an affirmative determination is made (S101: Yes), an effect control command is transmitted to the effect control board 50 (S102).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a payout control command to be transmitted has been determined (S103). If an affirmative determination is made (S103: Yes), the determined payout control command specifies three prize ball payouts. It is determined whether it is a command (S104). If the determination is affirmative (S104: Yes), a count value 3 is set as the initial value of the payout counter C that counts the number of payouts by the payout device 62 (S105). If it is determined that the command is not a prize ball payout 3 designation command (S104: No), it is determined whether the command is a prize ball payout 4 designation command (S106), and if it is affirmed (S106: Yes). ), The count value 4 is set as the initial value of the payout counter C (S107).

  Further, when it is determined that the command is not a prize ball payout 4 designation command (S106: No), it is determined whether it is a command for paying 10 prize balls (S108), and when it is affirmed (S108: Yes). ), The count value 10 is set as the initial value of the payout counter C (S109). Further, if it is determined that the command is not for 10 winning ball payouts (S108: No), it is determined whether it is a command for specifying 15 winning ball payouts (S110), and if it is determined affirmative (S110: Yes). ), The count value 15 is set as the initial value of the payout counter C (S111).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the payout sensors 62a and 62b are turned on (S112 in FIG. 12). If an affirmative determination is made (S112: Yes), the count value of the payout counter C is decremented by 1 (S113). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the count value of the payout counter C is 10 (S114). If an affirmative determination is made (S114: Yes), the standby flag is turned on (S115), and a timer T for measuring the stop period In this embodiment, a count value 25 (50 ms) is set as an initial value (S116).
The case where an affirmative determination is made in S114 is a case where the undecided payout control command is a 15 prize ball payout designation command and 5 prize balls are paid out. In the case of a command other than the 15 winning ball payout designation commands, 1 is not subtracted from the payout counter C, so that a negative determination is made in S114 (S114: No).

If a negative determination is made in S114 (S114: No), it is determined whether or not the count value of the payout counter C is 5 (S117). If an affirmative determination is made (S117: Yes), the standby flag is turned on ( S118), the count value 25 is set as the initial value of the timer T (S119).
The case where an affirmative determination is made in S117 means that an undecided payout control command is a prize ball payout 15 designation command or a prize ball payout 10 designation command, and in the case of a prize ball payout 15 designation command, there are 10 prize balls. When the payout is made, and in the case of a command for paying out 10 prize balls, 5 prize balls are paid out. In the case of a command other than the 15 prize ball payout designation command and the 10 prize ball payout designation command, 1 is subtracted from the payout counter C so that it does not become 5. Therefore, a negative determination is made in S117 (S117: No). .

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when there are 10 or 15 prize balls to be paid out, the prize balls are paid out in units of 5, and there is always a stop period after the 5 balls are paid out. A payout control command is transmitted using the stop period.
If a negative determination is made in S117 (S117: No), it is determined whether or not the count value of the payout counter C is 0 (S120). If an affirmative determination is made (S120: Yes), the standby flag is turned ON ( S121), the count value 25 is set as the initial value of the timer T (S122). In other words, no matter how many award balls are specified by the payout control command, the payout counter is always 0 at the end by paying out the prize ball, and the stop period starts, so the payout counter becomes 0 When waiting, the standby flag is turned ON.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the standby flag is ON (S123). If an affirmative determination is made (S123: Yes), a payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 200 (S124). If the standby flag is not ON, that is, the payout motor 62c is being driven and it is not time to send the payout control command (S123: No), timer update processing is executed.
In the timer update process, it is determined whether or not the count value of the timer T is 0 (S125 in FIG. 11). When a negative determination is made (S125: No), 1 is subtracted from the count value of the timer T (S126). ). When it is determined that the count value of the timer T is 0, that is, the stop period has ended (S125: Yes), the standby flag is turned OFF (S127).

[Effect of the third embodiment]
(1) As described above, if the pachinko machine 1 according to the third embodiment is used, the payout motor 62c starts a stop period (non-drive period) when a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. If the number of payouts is counted based on the detection signals from the payout sensors 62a and 62b, the start time of the stop period can be known.
Therefore, the main CPU 112 considers that the stop period has started when the count value of the number of payouts reaches the predetermined number, and executes at least one of the transmission process of the effect control command and the send process of the payout control command. As a result, the control command can be transmitted without being affected by the noise generated when the game ball is paid out.

(2) Further, in the command transmission process 3, since the effect control command is transmitted in preference to the transmission of the payout control command, the effect control command may be garbled due to the influence of noise caused by the game ball payout. Absent.

<Other embodiments>
(1) In the second and third embodiments described above, the number of payouts that can be paid out by the payout motor 62c being continuously driven is set to five, and a stop period (non-drive period) is set for every five payouts. The payout motor 62c is stopped after being arranged, and a control command is transmitted using the stop period. In other words, a stop period is provided to ensure the timing for transmitting the control command.
However, the stop period is started only when there is a control command to be transmitted, and when there is no control command to be transmitted, control is performed so that game balls are continuously paid out without starting the stop period. You can also

Specifically, in the stage before the stop period is started, the main CPU 112 determines whether or not there is a control command to be transmitted. If it is determined that there is no control command, the main CPU 112 determines the stop period (non-drive period). Is sent to the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 to control the payout device 62 to pay out the game balls continuously without starting the stop period. In addition, one stop signal transmission communication cable for transmitting a stop signal is electrically connected between the main control board 100 and the payout control board 200, and the stop signal transmission communication cable is connected from the main control board 100. A stop signal is transmitted to the payout control board 200 via
If this pachinko machine is used, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the payout efficiency of game balls due to the start of the stop period (non-drive period) of the payout device 62.
In addition, since there is only one stop signal transmission communication cable for transmitting the stop signal, the probability of noise entering the communication cable is minimal compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. Therefore, the main CPU 112 can reliably stop the stop period (non-drive period) because the stop signal is less likely to be affected by noise.
The pachinko machine of the other embodiment (1) corresponds to the pachinko machine according to claim 6 of the present invention.
Even when this control is executed, in order to avoid overheating of the payout motor 62c, it is desirable to provide a downtime as a cooling period when the payout number reaches an upper limit value that allows continuous payout.

(2) Also, the main CPU 112 transmits an interruption signal instructing interruption of the stop period to the sub CPU 212 of the payout control board 200 during the stop period (non-drive period), and the payout device 62 interrupts the stop period. It is also possible to control the game balls to be paid out. For example, when the time taken from the start to end of transmission of the control command by the main CPU 112 is shorter than the stop period, the main CPU 112 transmits an interruption signal to the sub CPU 212 after transmitting the control command. Further, one interruption signal transmission communication cable for transmitting an interruption signal is electrically connected between the main control board 100 and the payout control board 200, and the interruption signal transmission communication cable is connected from the main control board 100. An interruption signal is transmitted to the dispensing control board 200 via
Accordingly, since the payout device 62 can resume paying out the game balls without waiting for the end of the stop period, the payout device 62 avoids a decrease in payout efficiency of the game balls due to continuing the stop period (non-drive period). can do.
In addition, since there is only one interrupt signal transmission communication cable for transmitting the interrupt signal, the probability of noise entering the communication cable is minimal compared to a plurality of communication cables such as a parallel communication cable. Therefore, the interruption signal is less likely to be affected by noise, so the main CPU 112 can reliably interrupt the stop period (non-drive period).
The pachinko machine of the other embodiment (2) corresponds to the pachinko machine according to claim 7 of the present invention.

(3) When the non-driving period starts, a non-driving period start signal indicating the start is transmitted from the sub CPU 212 to the main CPU 112. When the main CPU 112 receives the non-driving period start signal, the payout control command and the effect control It can also be configured to send at least one of the commands.
Specifically, when a stop period is set every time a predetermined number of game balls are paid out from the payout device 62, the sub CPU 212 determines that a game ball is determined based on a detection signal from the payout sensor 62a or 62b. When it is determined that the number has been paid out, a non-driving period start signal is transmitted to the main CPU 112. Then, the main CPU 112 that has received the non-driving period start signal measures the elapsed time since the reception, and when determining that the measured time is within the non-driving period, at least one of the payout control command and the effect control command Send. The predetermined number can be set to an arbitrary number such as one or a plurality.
As described above, the main CPU 112 can transmit the control command when receiving the non-driving period start signal indicating the start of the non-driving period from the sub CPU 212, so that the control is surely performed during the period when the dispensing device 62 is not driven. Commands can be sent.
The pachinko machine of the other embodiment (3) corresponds to the pachinko machine according to claim 3 of the present invention.

(4) It is also possible to target not only all effect control commands but also only specific effect control commands as effect control commands to be transmitted during the period when the payout device 62 is in the non-driven state. For example, in a gaming situation in which a big hit occurs and wins occur frequently, the probability of occurrence of noise is high, so the above-mentioned big winning opening winning designation command (FIG. 4) and a big hit effect instructing display of the big hit effect image A designation command, a number-of-opening display designation command for instructing display of the number of times of opening of the special prize opening opening / closing member 43 are targeted.
Further, a command for notifying a highly urgent situation such as occurrence of a failure at a predetermined location of a pachinko machine, occurrence of an illegal act, or occurrence of an error in a transmitted control command may be targeted.
Thus, by limiting the target command, the processing load on the main CPU 112 and the sub CPU can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in game ball payout efficiency.

(5) In the first embodiment, the payout completion signal or the non-driving period start signal is transmitted from the sub CPU 212 to the main CPU 112, but these signals are transmitted to the effect control board 50, and the effect control board 50 The command received from the main CPU 112 may be discarded before receiving the signal, and the effect control may be executed based on the command received after receiving these signals. When this control is executed, the processing load on the main CPU 112 that receives the signals can be reduced.

(6) In each of the embodiments described above, the case where one control command is transmitted within the non-driving period of the payout device 62 has been described. However, if the control command can be transmitted within the non-driving period, a plurality of control commands are transmitted. May be. According to this control, the transmission efficiency of the control command can be increased.

It is explanatory drawing which looked at the external appearance of the pachinko machine concerning the embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the schematic explanatory drawing which looked at the game board with which the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 was equipped from the front. It is explanatory drawing which shows the main electric structures of the pachinko machine 1 with a block. It is a time chart which shows the transmission / reception timing of a command and a signal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command transmission process which main CPU112 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the payout control processing which sub CPU212 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. It is a time chart which shows the relationship between the transmission timing of the control command in 2nd Embodiment, and the payout pattern of a prize ball. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command transmission process 2 which main CPU112 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the payout control process 2 which sub CPU212 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the command transmission process 3 which main CPU112 performs in 3rd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the back side of a pachinko machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 .. Pachinko machine, 14, 22, 23, 44 ... General prize opening (winning prize),
27 ··· Start opening (winning entrance), 32 · · Production indicator (production device),
50 .. Production control board (production control circuit), 62 .... Dispensing device,
62a, 62b .... Dispensing sensor (detection device),
100..Main control board (main control circuit), 200..Discharge control board (payout control circuit).

Claims (9)

A prize opening in the game area;
A payout device for paying out game balls;
A payout control circuit for driving and controlling the payout device based on a payout control command for instructing payout of game balls;
A directing device for directing;
An effect control circuit that drives and controls the effect device based on an effect control command that instructs execution of a predetermined effect;
A first transmission process for detecting that a game ball has won the winning opening, and transmitting the payout control command to the payout control circuit; and a second transmission process for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control circuit. In a pachinko machine equipped with a main control circuit to execute,
The main control circuit and the payout control circuit include a parallel communication cable for transmitting the payout control command and a single drive stop communication for transmitting a drive stop request signal for requesting the drive stop of the payout device. Is electrically connected with the cable,
The main control circuit includes:
If the payout device is driven when executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes, the drive stop request signal is sent to the payout control circuit via the drive stop communication cable, After stopping driving of the dispensing device, executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes;
The payout control circuit includes:
A pachinko machine that stops driving the payout device when the payout device receives the drive stop request signal during driving. A prize opening in the game area;
A payout device for paying out game balls;
A payout control circuit for driving and controlling the payout device based on a payout control command for instructing payout of game balls;
A directing device for directing;
An effect control circuit that drives and controls the effect device based on an effect control command that instructs execution of a predetermined effect;
A first transmission process for detecting that a game ball has won the winning opening, and transmitting the payout control command to the payout control circuit; and a second transmission process for transmitting the effect control command to the effect control circuit. In a pachinko machine equipped with a main control circuit to execute,
The payout control circuit includes:
Drive control of the dispensing device so as to sandwich a non-driving period that is not driven,
The main control circuit includes:
When the payout device is driven when executing at least one of the first and second transmission processes, at least one of the first and second transmission processes is executed within the non-driving period. A pachinko machine. The payout control circuit includes:
When starting the non-driving period, a non-driving period start signal indicating the start is transmitted to the main control circuit,
The main control circuit includes:
3. The pachinko machine according to claim 2, wherein when the non-driving period start signal is received, at least one of the first and second transmission processes is executed. The payout control circuit includes:
The non-driving period starts when an elapsed time after the payout device starts paying out the game ball reaches a predetermined time;
The main control circuit includes:
The elapsed time from the transmission of the payout control command to the payout control circuit is measured, and when the measured time reaches the predetermined time, it is determined that the non-driving period has started, and the first and second The pachinko machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the transmission processes is executed. A detection device that detects a game ball paid out from the payout device and transmits a detection signal to the main control circuit,
The payout control circuit includes:
The non-driving period starts when the payout device pays out a predetermined number of game balls;
The main control circuit includes:
The number of game balls paid out by the payout device is counted based on the detection signal, and when the count value reaches the predetermined number, it is determined that the non-driving period has started, and the first and first The pachinko machine according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the two transmission processes is executed. The main control circuit and the payout control circuit are electrically connected by one stop signal transmission communication cable for transmitting a stop signal instructing to stop the start of the non-driving period,
The main control circuit includes:
It is determined before the start of the non-driving period whether or not the payout control command and the effect control command to be transmitted by the first and second transmission processes are present. Send to the payout control circuit via a signal transmission communication cable,
The payout control circuit includes:
3. If the stop signal is received before the start of the non-driving period, it is possible to cause the payout device to execute payout of a game ball without starting the non-driving period. The pachinko machine according to any one of claims 5. The main control circuit and the payout control circuit are electrically connected by one interruption signal transmission communication cable for transmitting an interruption signal instructing interruption of the non-driving period,
The main control circuit includes:
When the first and second transmission processes are completed before the non-driving period ends, the interruption signal is transmitted to the payout control circuit via the interruption signal transmission communication cable,
The payout control circuit includes:
3. When the interruption signal is received within the non-driving period, it is possible to cause the paying device to perform paying out of a game ball without waiting for the end of the non-driving period. The pachinko machine according to any one of claims 5. The payout control circuit includes:
When the payout device executes payout of game balls exceeding the maximum continuous payout number, which is the number of game balls that the payout device can continuously pay out, the payout is performed when the payout of the maximum continuous payout number is finished. The payout device executes a next payout after a pause period during which the device is paused for a predetermined time period, and further, the payout device while the payout device is continuously paying out game balls within the range of the maximum continuous payout number. A stop period for stopping the driving of the apparatus is sandwiched as the non-drive period,
The main control circuit includes:
The pachinko machine according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of the first transmission process and the second transmission process is executed within the stop period. The main control circuit includes:
9. The pachinko machine according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second transmission processes is executed within the pause period as the non-driving period.

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