JP2009219790A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine where illegal ball renting operation is found at an early stage even when connected with a ball renting machine which permits optional change of the number of renting balls. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes an operation start processing (RT15) of receiving a BRQ signal from the ball renting machine 22, thereafter primarily setting the number of balls to be outputted of one unit, and starting the ball renting operation, a count processing (RT306) of counting the number of times of carrying out the operation start processing (RT15) in a section where a BRDY signal is received from the ball renting machine 22, and notification processings (RT306, ST78) of outputting an excess signal ERR and carrying out notification operation when a counted result exceeds a reference value TH. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a game medium such as a game ball or game medal, and in particular, in a game machine that uses the same game medium, although having different values, a prize ball operation and a ball lending operation are performed. In addition, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be executed smoothly and can avoid fraud using a ball lending operation.

  For example, a ball game machine that uses a game ball as a game medium is roughly classified into a CR (Card Reader) machine and a cash machine. In the current CR machine, when cash is thrown into the ball lending machine adjacent to the gaming machine and the ball lending switch of the gaming machine is pressed, for example, 500 yen of gaming balls are lent out from the gaming machine. ing. In this specification, the term “rent” is used, but the rental operation and the prize ball operation are exactly the same in that the game ball is paid out from the gaming machine.

  The number of game balls lent by one switch operation is 125 in a normal game machine (hereinafter referred to as a normal machine), but the launch speed of game balls is about 100 per minute. In a state where no prize ball is obtained, 500 yen is consumed in 1.25 minutes, and if it is overlooked by Tsuki, a large amount of money is spent in a game of several hours. .

  Therefore, a simple type of gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a simple machine) that uses a game ball rented for one yen is increasing so as to avoid such a money risk and enjoy a game with peace of mind over a long period of time. . With this simple machine, 500 gaming balls are rented for 500 yen consumption, so that it is possible to secure a gaming time about four times that of a normal machine at the same expense.

  However, since it is cumbersome to separately manufacture a simple machine and the development cost increases, it is assumed that the game machine has the same configuration using the same game ball, and that it depends on the area where the game machine is installed. It is distinguished whether it is a normal machine or a simple machine. Therefore, regardless of whether the gaming machine is a normal machine or a simple machine, the game content is exactly the same, and the value of one gaming ball is simply different. If the gaming machine is a CR machine, the clerk changes the setting value of the ball lending machine arranged adjacent to it and executes a lending operation of 1 yen per simple machine. Like to do.

  For example, in the case where 500 yen is consumed, a ball lending operation will be specifically described. A ball lending machine adjacent to a simple machine corresponds to an operation of turning on a ball lending switch on the simple machine, A total of 500 ball lending operations are instructed. On the other hand, the ball lending machine adjacent to the normal machine instructs a total of 125 ball lending operations to the normal machine in response to the ON operation of the ball lending switch on the normal machine. A command for ball lending operation from a ball lending machine to a gaming machine is realized by, for example, transmission of a BRQ signal, and a predetermined number (for example, a gaming machine that receives one BRQ signal, for example, a normal machine or a simple machine) 25) game balls will be paid out. Therefore, when the ball lending switch is turned ON on the normal machine, the BRQ signal is transmitted from the ball lending machine to the normal machine 5 times, whereas when the same operation is performed on the simple machine, the BRQ is transferred from the ball lending machine to the simple machine. The signal will be transmitted 20 times.

  However, since the conventional gaming machine does not have a function for evaluating the legitimacy of the BRQ signal received from the ball lending machine, for example, when the setting of the ball lending machine is illegally changed, it cannot be detected. There is a problem. That is, a gaming machine connected to an illegally set ball lending machine receives a BRQ signal 20 times each time the ball lending switch is turned on, even though it is a normal machine, and 500 games The ball will be paid out. For a normal machine, 500 gaming balls have a value of 4 × 500 yen, so an unauthorized player can easily obtain illegal profits by simply changing the setting of the ball lending machine. It will be.

  In order to avoid such an abnormal situation, it is first considered to increase the security level of the ball lending machine. However, considering that there are many game halls in which normal machines and simple machines are mixed, it is necessary to have a configuration of a ball lending machine in which the setting of the ball lending machine can be freely changed by an attendant. Therefore, when an attendant takes part in an illegal act, the crime prevention mechanism in the ball lending machine may become meaningless.

  In addition to preventing illegal acts, not only can it be used as a normal machine, but even when used as a simple machine, it is desired to have a configuration that is executed by smoothly switching between a ball lending operation and a prize ball operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine that can detect an illegal ball lending operation at an early stage even when connected to a ball lending machine that can arbitrarily change the number of ball lending. The purpose is to do. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that operates by smoothly switching between a ball lending operation and a prize ball operation, whether used as a normal machine or a simple machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a main control unit that is centrally responsible for game control operations and a first payout operation by driving a payout device based on a control command from the main control unit. On the other hand, the gaming machine is configured to include a sub-control unit that drives the payout device and executes a second payout operation based on a payout permission command and a payout start command received from an external device. Then, after receiving the payout start command from the external device, in the section receiving the payout permission command, the operating means for initially setting the number of payout of one unit and executing the second payout operation, Counting means for counting the number of executions of the operation means, and notification means for outputting an excess signal and executing a notification operation when the count result exceeds a reference value are provided. According to the present invention, an excessive payout operation can be notified by appropriately setting the reference value.

  The present invention is preferably roughly divided into a simple machine with a relatively low value of game media and a normal machine with a relatively high value of game media, but the same game operation using a common game medium The reference value is set to the number of receipts of the payout start command that the simple machine receives but the normal machine does not originally receive. According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect an illegal act in a normal machine by the notification operation.

  Also, the present invention provides two reference values, large and small, and the small reference value is set to the number of times of receiving the payout start command that is not normally received by the normal machine, and the large reference value is normally received by the simple machine. Not set to the number of times the payout start command is received. According to the present invention, since the level of the notification operation according to the large and small reference values can be changed, it is possible to execute an optimal notification operation that does not give the player discomfort.

  It is also preferable that the reference value is configured to be set individually for each gaming machine. When such a configuration is adopted, in particular, a simple machine with a relatively low value of the game medium and a normal machine with a relatively high value of the game medium are roughly divided, but the same using a common game medium. When it is applied to a gaming machine that realizes this gaming operation, it is possible to realize an optimal notification operation according to the type of the simple machine. That is, even if the number of payouts per unit is different for each simple machine, the reference value can be optimally set correspondingly.

  The second payout operation according to the present invention is configured such that an operation status proceeds in relation to a communication process between the sub-control unit and the external device, and the operation status proceeds when receiving the payout permission command. It is preferable that the start of the first payout operation is avoided based on the progressed operation status. In this case, the first payout operation and the second payout operation can be appropriately switched.

  In this case, preferably, after the start is avoided, the confirmation process for confirming the result of the first payout operation that has already been started should be continuously executed. When such a configuration is adopted, the first and second payout operations are switched at the stage where the payout operation is divided, so that the control is smooth and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

  Further, when the second payout operation is executed and one unit of payout is completed in a state where the first payout operation is prohibited, standby means for waiting for the payout command for a predetermined time, and the payout in the standby state When the command is received, the second payout operation is executed to restart one unit of payout operation.On the other hand, when the payout command is not received, the first payout operation is canceled. It is suitable to be configured. Further, if the excess signal is configured to be transmitted to a management computer that centrally manages a plurality of gaming machines, it is possible to optimally cope with fraud.

  According to the present invention described above, an illegal ball lending operation can be detected at an early stage even when connected to a ball lending machine capable of arbitrarily changing the number of ball lending. In addition, the ball lending operation and the winning ball operation are smoothly executed regardless of whether the ball lending operation is used as a normal machine or a simple machine.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall circuit configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine has a power supply board 7 that receives 24 VDC and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, a RAM clear signal CLR, and the like, and a main control board 1 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. An effect control board 2 that executes a lamp effect and an audio effect based on a control command CMD ′ received from the main control board 1, an effect interface board 3 that transmits a signal received from the effect control board 2 to each part, and an effect The liquid crystal control board 4 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD "received from the interface board 3 and the payout motor M based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 1 are used to pay the game ball. The payout control board 5 to be taken out and the launch control board 6 for launching a game ball in response to the player's operation are mainly configured.

  Here, the payout control board 5 is connected to the ball lending machine 22, and the ball lending machine 22 realizes a ball lending operation by the payout control board 5 within the range of the cash inserted here. In order to realize such an operation, the payout control board 5 receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs two control signals EXS and PRDY to the ball lending machine 22. Yes.

  A launch handle 30 is connected to the launch control board 6, and a game ball is launched by intermittently supplying a drive current having a strength VL corresponding to the rotation position to the rotary solenoid SL 1. The ball feed solenoid SL2 is intermittently energized at the same timing, so that the game balls are continuously supplied to the launch position, and the game balls are launched at a speed of about 100 per minute.

  The main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, in this specification, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the circuits mounted on the payout control board 5 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named. It may be called the control part 1, the production control part 2, the liquid crystal control part 4, and the payout control part 5. Note that all or part of the effect control unit 2, the liquid crystal control unit 4, and the payout control unit 5 are sub-control units.

  The main control unit 1 transmits a control command CMD to the payout control unit 5 in one direction, while the payout control unit 5 receives a prize ball count signal indicating a payout operation of a game ball, a payout operation, and a ball lending operation. The status signal CON related to the abnormality is received. The status signal CON includes an excess signal ERR indicating that the number of game balls has been paid out in excess of the reference number (= 125) in one ball lending operation, in addition to the replenishment signal and the full ball signal. ing.

  In the case of this embodiment, the control command CMD is composed of MODE data indicating the type of command and EVENT data for specifying specific contents, each having an 8-bit length. The control command CMD transmitted to the payout control unit 5 is roughly divided into a prize ball number specifying command for instructing the number of game balls to be paid out and an operation specifying command for instructing stop or restart of the payout operation. A prize ball number designation command (for example, 8AxxH) designates the number of prize balls by EVENT data (= xxH). On the other hand, a payout stop command and a payout restart command are prepared as the operation designation commands. Including the following cases, H is a subscript meaning a hexadecimal number.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 are supplied with a backup power supply BU of DC 5V from a power supply board 7. Therefore, even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to the end of business or a power failure, the RAM data in the one-chip microcomputer is retained. In this embodiment, the storage contents of the RAM are designed to be retained for at least several days.

  Further, the power supply board 7 is configured to output a voltage drop signal ABN to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 when the AC power supply 24V is shut off. In this embodiment, the voltage drop signal ABN is supplied to the input port instead of the interrupt terminal of each one-chip microcomputer. The main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 grasp the level drop of the voltage drop signal ABN by the flag sense method, and then save necessary data in the RAM. Therefore, coupled with the operation of the backup power supply BU described above, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 can resume the operation before the power shutoff at the start of business or at the time of recovery from a power failure.

  Furthermore, the power supply board 7 outputs a RAM clear signal CLR indicating an operator's switch operation to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. This switch operation is mainly performed when the power is turned on, but is an operation for erasing the stored contents of the RAM held by the backup power supply BU. Therefore, the control boards 1 and 5 can grasp the presence or absence of the switch operation by the staff by determining the level of the RAM clear signal CLR.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a peripheral circuit of the payout control board 5. As shown in the drawing, the payout control unit 5 not only receives the DC power supply voltage (including the backup power supply BU) from the power supply board 7 but also the RAM clear signal CLR for clearing the RAM of the payout control unit 5 (one-chip microcomputer), A voltage drop signal ABN indicating a voltage drop of the AC power supply and a system reset signal SYS are received.

  The payout control unit 5 is also connected to the ball lending machine 22 and transmits and receives various control signals (BRDY, BRQ, EXS, PRDY) related to the ball lending operation. Here, the BRDY signal is a signal for transmitting from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine that the ball lending operation is being performed. The BRQ signal is a signal for requesting a lending operation for one unit (usually 25) from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine.

  As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, when the BRRQ signal falls in a state where the BRDY signal is at the H level, 25 ball lending operations are started, and when the ball lending operation ends, the BRDY signal is at the L level, Alternatively, when the BRDY signal changes to the L level within a predetermined time after the end of the ball lending operation, the ball lending operation is no longer executed. Therefore, the BRDY signal can be considered as a “ball lending permission command”, and the BRQ signal can be considered as a “ball lending start command”. That is, as long as the BRDY signal is at the H level, the ball lending operation is permitted, and in the case of the embodiment, when the BRQ signal falls within this permitted section, 25 games are responded accordingly. The ball dispensing operation is started.

  On the other hand, the PRDY signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the gaming machine is capable of lending the ball. The EXS signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the lending operation for one unit (normally 25 pieces) has been completed.

  Incidentally, the excess signal ERR is transmitted not only to the main control unit 1 as a part of the status signal CON but also to the hall computer. The payout control unit 5 receives the DC voltage 18V from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs a permission signal CTL to the firing control board 6 on the condition that the voltage value can be normally received, thereby permitting the firing operation. ing.

  Further, the payout control unit 5 is provided with a circuit board having a balance display unit 32a indicating a three-digit numerical value related to the ball lending operation, a ball lending switch 32b, and a return switch 32c. 5 is located between the circuit board and the ball lending machine 22 and relays necessary signals. When this gaming machine functions as a normal machine, every time the ball lending switch 32b is pressed once, the cash deposited by the ball lending machine 22 is consumed by 500 yen, and the display content of the balance display portion 32a. Is reduced to -5 and 125 game balls are paid out. On the other hand, when this gaming machine functions as a simple machine, every time the ball lending switch 32b is pressed, the display content of the balance display portion 32a is decreased by -5 and 500 gaming balls are paid out. Depending on the setting at the ball lending machine 22, as the ball lending operation for the simple machine, for example, the display content of the balance display portion 32a is -2 and 200 pieces are displayed in response to the pressing of the ball lending switch 32b. A game ball can also be paid out.

  In any case, the payout control unit 5 needs to pay out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls accompanying winning of game balls or as rental balls cleared by the ball lending machine 22. Therefore, four types of drive pulse data Φ1 to Φ4 are output to the payout motor M as the stepping motor (unipolar 2-2 phase excitation), and the game balls to be paid out as the payout motor M rotates are changed to the left and right counting switches RSW. , LSW (see FIG. 3A).

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), in this embodiment, the game balls lent out to the gaming machine are paid out to the gaming machine through the same path as the prize balls accompanying the winning of the game balls, Are detected by the common left and right counting switches RSW and LSW. 2A and 5, the signals of the left and right counting switches RSW and LSW are also transmitted to the main control board 1 as part of the status signal CON.

  The payout control unit 5 is supplied with a switch signal for detecting an out-of-supply state or a full ball clogging state. Here, the out-of-supply state means a state in which a game ball supplied from the upstream side of the payout rotating body RO (FIG. 3) is interrupted and a prize ball operation or a ball lending operation is virtually impossible. The full ball clogging state means a state in which the downstream side of the payout rotating body RO is full and no further payout is practically possible.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in any of the above cases, the subsequent rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited (operation prohibited state), and is on standby until the abnormal state is resolved. It should be noted that the out-of-supply state is automatically canceled or is canceled by an operator's operation. Further, the full ball clogging state is canceled by the player's operation. This full ball clogging state may occur not only when winning balls are obtained one after another as in a big hit game, but also during a ball lending operation in a simple machine.

  Since the payout device 43 of the present embodiment includes the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO as main components, the connection relationship between the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO will be described just in case. As shown in FIG. 3A, an intermediate gear 51 is provided between a drive gear 50 provided on the rotation shaft of the payout motor M and a driven gear 52 provided on the payout rotating body RO. The payout rotating body RO is configured to rotate when the two gears mesh with each other. An operation shaft 53 that can be operated by an attendant is projected from the rotation shaft of the payout rotating body RO.

  The gear ratio of the drive gear 50 and the driven gear 52 is set to 1: 2. Therefore, the rotation angle of the payout rotating body RO is ½ times the rotation angle of the payout motor M. In this embodiment, since the drive gear 50 and the driven gear 52 are connected via the intermediate gear 51, the rotation directions of the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO can be matched, and the payout motor M and the payout The arrangement position of the rotator RO can be set relatively freely. Therefore, for example, even when the clerk rotates the operation shaft 53 to eliminate the clogging, it is possible to use a work space that is as large as the diameter of the intermediate gear 51. The payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO rotate in the clockwise direction when viewed from the operation shaft 53 (see FIGS. 3C and 3D).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d), in the present embodiment, the payout rotating body RO is formed with holding grooves at intervals of 120 [deg.] That can hold three game balls, shifted left and right by a half pitch of 60 [deg.]. Has been. Along with the rotation of the payout rotating body RO, the game balls held in the holding grooves are alternately released one by one from the left and right every time the payout rotating body RO rotates 60 °. In this embodiment, since the step angle of the payout motor M is 7.5 °, when the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 that change every 4 mS in normal times are output in 16 steps, the payout motor M rotates 120 °. At this time, it is designed so that one game ball is paid out when the payout rotating body RO is rotated by 60 °.

  FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the payout operation as described above. With the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 that change every 4 mS, the rotational position of the payout rotor RO is stepped in the order of motor position (0) → motor position (1) → motor position (2) → motor position (3). This indicates that the game ball is paid out by repeating this operation.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the internal configuration of the payout control unit 5. As shown, the payout control unit 5 includes an input buffer 10 that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit 1, a first input port 13A that receives various switch signals and control signals CLR and ABN, and a second input port 12. , A third input port 13B, a one-chip microcomputer 14 incorporating a Z80 CPU equivalent product, a decoder 15 for generating a chip select signal of an input / output port, a first output port 16, a second output port 17, and a first A transistor group (open collector) 18 that supplies a drive signal received from the output port 16 to the payout motor M is mainly configured.

  As shown in the figure, the third input port 13B receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 via a photocoupler and an inverter. The first input port 13A is supplied with switch signals from a counting switch, a replenishment detection switch, and a full ball clogging detection switch. In addition, a RAM clear signal CLR and a voltage drop signal ABN, which are control signals from the power supply board 7, are also supplied to the first input port 13A. In this embodiment, the input buffer 10, the first, second and third input ports 12, 13A, 13B are constituted by 74541 equivalent bus buffers, and the decoder is constituted by 74138 equivalents. . The output ports 16 and 17 are 74273 equivalent D-type flip-flops.

  The control command CMD is supplied from the main control board 1 to the second input port 12 via the bus buffer 10, and the main control board 1 is supplied with the strobe signal STB in accordance with the supply of the control command CMD. The The strobe signal STB is supplied to an interrupt terminal (maskable interrupt) of the CPU core. Accordingly, the payout control board 5 starts a reception interrupt routine to acquire a control command CMD.

  From the bit 3 to bit 0 of the first output port 16, drive pulse data of (Φ4, Φ3, Φ2, Φ1) = 0101 → 0110 → 1010 → 1001 → 0101 →. (See FIG. 2 (b)). In addition, an LED drive signal is output to bit 4 of the first output port 16, and the abnormal lamp ER2 is turned on. Note that a clear signal of a watchdog timer circuit (not shown) is output to bit 7 of the first output port 16 every predetermined time.

  From the bit 0 of the second output port 17, an excessive signal ERR transmitted to the hall computer is output. If this is an abnormal level, the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on. Further, the bit 1 and bit 2 of the second output port 17 output a replenishment signal and a full ball clogging signal to the main control unit 1. On the other hand, control signals PRDY and EXS are output from the bit 6 and bit 7 of the second output port 17 to the ball lending machine 22. The control signals PRDY and EXS are transmitted to the ball lending machine 22 via an inverter and a photocoupler.

  6 to 7 are flowcharts for explaining a program executed by the payout control unit 5 shown in FIG. In summary, the operation of the payout control unit 5 is a main routine (FIG. 6A) that starts after power-on and ends with an infinite loop process, and a reception interrupt processing routine that is activated by a strobe signal STB from the main control unit 1. (FIG. 6 (b)) and a timer interrupt routine (FIG. 7 (a)) started every fixed time (2mS).

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the reception interrupt routine, the control command CMD is acquired from the second input port 12 and stored in the command buffer area of the RAM (ST101). EI) is set, and the process ends (ST103).

  Next, the operation content of the main routine (FIG. 6A) will be described. When the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 7 and the system reset signal SYS is supplied, the CPU sets itself to the interrupt disabled state (DI) (ST1), and then initializes each part of the one-chip microcomputer 14. Perform (ST2). This initial setting operation includes initial setting of the stack pointer of the CPU, and the stack pointer points to the bottom of the LIFO type stack area. In this embodiment, the data in the stack area is maintained by the backup power supply BU even after the power supply is cut off, but the stack area is released by the processing in step ST2.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied from the power supply board 7 based on the data acquired from the first input port 13A (ST3). In this embodiment, when the game hall is in operation, especially when the clerk turns on the RAM clear switch of the power supply board 7, the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied. Normally, the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied.

  If the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied, the value of the backup flag BAKFLG stored in step ST237 of the power supply monitoring process (FIG. 7B) is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, next, the same checksum operation as that in step ST238 of the power monitoring process is executed to calculate the sum value (ST5), which is the sum value stored in the RAM area. (ST6). If the sum value calculated in the main routine matches the sum value stored in the power supply monitoring process (ST23), it is considered that the process before power-off can be resumed, so the backup flag BAKFLG is cleared. Later (ST7), the CPU is set to an interrupt enabled state (ST10), and the infinite loop process is repeated.

  When the CPU enters the interrupt enabled state, the periodic processing (ST82 to ST92) shown in FIG. 7A is executed by the subsequent timer interrupt. In the processing up to this point, except for the backup flag BAKFLG, storage in the RAM is performed. Since the contents have not been changed at all, the process before power-off is resumed correctly thereafter.

  On the other hand, (1) as a result of the determination in step ST3, the RAM clear signal CLR is in an ON state, (2) as a result of the determination in step ST4, the backup flag is a value other than 5AH, or (3) step If an abnormality is recognized by the sum check in ST6, the entire RAM area is cleared (ST8).

  Then, after setting the payout retry flag to 5AH (ST9), the CPU is set to the interrupt enabled state (ST10), and the infinite loop process is repeated. Since all the RAM areas are cleared in the process of step ST8, the operation is started from the initial state by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. In addition, since the payout retry flag is set to 5 AH, the first prize ball motion is executed with the motor operation status = 03H.

  Next, the timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. This timer interrupt routine is executed at regular intervals (2 mS) by interrupting the infinite loop processing of the main routine.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the timer interrupt routine of this embodiment includes a data output process (ST92) for rotationally driving the payout motor M and a motor process (ST91) for preparing drive data to be output to the payout motor M. A data input process (ST84) for detecting a game ball paid out by rotation of the payout motor M, a card communication process (ST87) for advancing card operation status in accordance with a communication protocol with the ball lending machine, and data input And a ball lending process (ST88) for managing whether a predetermined number of payout operations have been executed based on the payout detection result of the process. In the prize ball process (ST89), a prize ball operation based on a control command (award ball number designation command) received from the main control unit 1 is realized, but the ball lending process (ST88) is practically exclusive. Is supposed to work.

  The timer interrupt routine will be specifically described below. First, the CPU in the interrupt disabled state (DI) is returned to the interrupt enabled state (EI) (ST82). As a result of this process, the reception interrupt of FIG. 6B is also applied during the timer interrupt process, and the control command CMD from the main control unit 1 is acquired without being read out. In this embodiment, in the infinite loop processing of the main routine, the CPU does not substantially perform any processing, and therefore it is not necessary to save the CPU register at the time of timer interruption. Therefore, at the beginning of the timer interrupt process of FIG. 7A, there is no group of PUSH instructions, and at the end of the timer interrupt process, there is no group of POP instructions.

  When the process of step ST82 is completed, a power supply monitoring process is executed (ST83). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, first, the voltage drop signal ABN is acquired through the first input port 13A (ST230), and it is determined whether it is an abnormal level (ST231). If it is not an abnormal level, the abnormal number counter is cleared to zero and the process ends (ST232).

  On the other hand, if the voltage drop signal ABN is at the abnormal level, the abnormality counter is incremented by 1 (ST233), and it is determined whether the counting result exceeds the upper limit value MAX (ST234). This is because the acquired data from the first input port 13A may be garbled due to the influence of noise or the like, and continuously for a predetermined number of times (for example, the upper limit value MAX = 5). When the abnormal level is maintained, it is determined that the AC power supply is actually shut off.

  As a result of the determination in step ST234, if the count value of the abnormal number counter coincides with the upper limit value MAX, the CPU is first set in an interrupt disabled state in order to prohibit subsequent reception interrupts (ST235). Next, after the abnormality number counter is cleared to zero (ST236), 5AH is set to the backup flag BAKFLG (ST237). Next, the same calculation as in step ST5 of the main routine is executed for the same work area (work area), and the calculation result is stored (ST238). The operation to be executed is typically an 8-bit addition operation. After that, the one-chip microcomputer is set to the RAM access prohibited state (ST239), and the DC power supply voltage is lowered while repeating the infinite loop process.

  Next, the data input process at step ST84 will be described. The data input process is mainly a process for confirming whether or not the game ball is actually paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M. As described above, not only a game ball is paid out by a winning ball operation accompanying a winning or the like, but also a game ball is similarly paid out by a ball lending operation related to the ball lending machine 22.

  In the data input process (ST84), 8-bit data of the first input port 13A is acquired, it is determined whether the signal level has changed by comparison with the previous acquired value, and if a level change is detected, The edge data is stored in the work area EDG in the RAM area. As shown in FIG. 6C, the fact that the level of the switch signal from the count switches LSW and RSW has changed (the switch signal has risen) is stored in the work area EDG. In the work area LVL, the bit inversion data of the switch signals from the counting switches LSW and RSW acquired this time is stored and referred to in the next data input process.

  When the data input process (ST84) is completed in this way, the subtraction process (-1) for various timers of 8 bits or 16 bits is performed (ST85). Note that one unit time of the subtraction timer means 2 mS by executing the infinite loop process every 2 mS.

  When the timer subtraction process is completed, the control command obtained by the reception interrupt process is analyzed (ST86). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the received control command CMD is a prize ball number designation command. When a prize ball number designation command is received, the prize ball number specified by the command is added to the total prize ball counter provided in the work area of the RAM. Note that the value of the total prize ball counter is read and used in the process of step ST26 (FIG. 14) in the prize ball process (ST89).

  Next, a communication process (ST87) with the ball lending machine 22 and a ball lending process (ST88) cleared by the ball lending machine 22 are executed. 8 to 13 are time charts and flowcharts for explaining the details of these processes.

  The specific processing contents of the card communication process (ST14) are managed by the card operation status. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with the value of the card operation status (= 00H to 07H), the BRDY waiting process (RT0), the BRQ waiting process (RT1), the ball lending start waiting process (RT2) ), Ball lending start processing (RT3), ball lending processing (RT4), ball lending end waiting processing (RT5), and communication error processing (RT6) are executed.

<Card operation status = 00H>
In the initial state, the card operation status is 00H, and the BRDY wait process (RT0) shown in FIG. 9B is executed. Specifically, the PRDY flag is set to 5AH, the number counter NUM is set to 00H, and the OVR flag is set to 00H (RT001).

  The PRDY flag prescribes whether or not the H-level control signal PRDY is output to the ball lending machine 22, and when the gaming machine is started normally, the PRDY flag set in the process of step RT001. In the data output process (ST92), the H level control signal PRDY is output based on the value (= 5 AH) (see timing (a) in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, the number counter NUM is a counter that counts the number of times the ball lending machine 22 has output the control signal BRQ in response to the ball lending switch 32b of the gaming machine being pressed once. The gaming machine of this embodiment pays out 25 gaming balls each time it receives the control signal BRQ. Therefore, if 500 yen is consumed by pressing the ball lending switch 32b, each gaming machine has 4 yen. A normal machine operating with a game ball receives five control signals BRQ from the ball lending machine 22. On the other hand, a simple machine operating with one game ball of 1 yen receives 20 control signals BRQ from the ball lending machine 22. Therefore, when the number of times counted by the number counter NUM exceeds 5 or 20, the ball lending is excessive.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an OVR flag that is initially set to 00H is provided (RT001), and when the value of the number counter NUM exceeds 05H, the OVR flag is set to 5AH (RT306 in FIG. 10). Based on the OVR flag set to 5AH, in the data output process (ST92), the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on and an excess signal ERR is transmitted to the main controller 1 and the hall computer. It should be noted that when these alarm operations are executed in a simple machine, it is natural that an attendant or a supervisor of the hall computer ignores them.

  In any case, when the initial processing in step RT001 is completed, the level of the control signal BRDY received from the ball lending machine 22 is determined (RT002), and only when it rises (see timing (b) in FIG. 8). ), The card operation status is set to 01H, and the card timer value is set to an appropriate initial value t1. The initial values t1, t2, t3, and t4 of the card timer and the lower limit value of the card timer value are values that are appropriately determined based on the interface specifications (protocol) between the ball lending machine and the gaming machine.

<Card operation status = 01H>
When the card operation status is changed from 00H to 01H (RT003), the BRQ waiting process (RT1) shown in FIG. 9C is executed. Here, first, the card timer value is determined (RT101), and if it is not zero, it is determined whether both the control signals BRDY and BRQ output from the ball lending machine 22 are at the H level (RT102).

  When both of the control signals BRDY and BRQ become H level (see timing (c) in FIG. 8), it is determined whether or not the card timer value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value (RT103). The operation status is set to 02H, and the card timer value is newly set to the initial value t4 (RT104).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step RT103 that the card timer value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, it is determined that a communication error has occurred, and the card operation status is set to 07H and the card timer value is newly set. The initial value t2 is set (RT105). In this way, when the card operation status is set to 07H, appropriate communication error processing (RT7) is executed thereafter, including the case of passing through other processing.

<Card operation status = 02H or 06H>
When the card operation status is changed from 01H to 02H (RT104) or the card operation status is changed from 05H to 06H (RT505 in FIG. 10C), the ball rental shown in FIG. 9D is started. A waiting process (RT2) is executed. In this ball lending start waiting process, first, the card timer value is determined (RT201), and if it is not zero, it is determined whether the value is less than the lower limit value (RT202).

  If the prize ball flag is zero at this timing (RT203), the card operation status is changed from 02H to 03H, the card timer value is set to the initial value t1, and the EXS flag is set to 5AH (RT204). . The process of step RT204 is a process for notifying the ball lending machine 22 that the ball lending process is started because the control signals BRDY and BRQ are already at the H level at this timing (RT102). Based on the EXS flag set to 5AH, in the subsequent data output process (ST92), the H level control signal EXS is output to the ball lending machine 22 (see timing (d) in FIG. 8). Note that the value of the prize ball flag is determined in the processing of step RT203 in order to smoothly switch between the prize ball operation and the ball lending operation. The method will be specifically described later.

  On the other hand, when time passes without satisfying the conditions of RT202 to RT203 and the value of the card timer becomes zero, the card operation status is changed at the timing when both of the control signals BRDY and BRQ become L level. Return to 00H (RT206).

<Card operation status = 03H>
When the card operation status is changed from 02H to 03H (RT204), a ball lending start process (RT3) shown in FIG. 10A is executed. In this ball lending start process, first, the card timer value is determined (RT301). If it is not zero, it is determined whether the control signal BRDY is at the H level and the control signal BRQ is at the L level ( RT302). If this condition is satisfied (see timing (e) in FIG. 8), it is determined whether the card timer value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value (RT303).

  If the card timer value is less than the lower limit value, the card operation status is set to 04H, and the card timer value is newly set to the initial value t2 (RT304). Further, the number counter NUM is incremented (RT304). This process corresponds to the start of payout of 25 gaming balls since the ball lending machine 22 is confirmed to have lowered the control signal BRQ as a result of the determination in step RT302, and is incremented. The value of the number counter NUM after being played means the number of payouts of 25 game balls per unit.

  Therefore, the value of the incremented number counter NUM is then compared with a reference value TH (for example, 05H) (RT305), and if NUM> TH, the OVR flag is set to 5AH (RT306). As described above, based on the OVR flag set to 5AH, in the data output process (ST92), the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on and the excess signal ERR is output.

  If it is determined in step RT301 that the card timer value is zero, or if it is determined in step RT303 that the card timer value is greater than or equal to the lower limit value, the card timer value is set to the initial value t2. At the same time, the card operation status is set to 07H (RT307).

<Card operation status = 04H>
When the card operation status is changed from 03H to 04H (RT304), the ball lending process (RT4) shown in FIG. 10B is executed. In this ball lending process, when the card timer value is zero and the ball lending flag is 00H, the card operation status is changed to 05H (RT403). In accordance with this, the card timer is set to the initial value t3, and the EXS flag is set to 00H. Based on the EXS flag set to 00H, an L level control signal EXS is output to the ball lending machine 22 in the data output process (ST92) (see timing (f) in FIG. 8).

  The ball lending flag determined in step RT402 is initially set to 5AH at the timing when the ball lending process for 25 pieces is actually started (RT15 in FIG. 11). After passing through a correct value (= A5H) (RT51 in FIG. 13), it is finally returned to 00H (RT18 in FIG. 11). Therefore, in the ball lending process (RT4), the fact that the ball lending flag = 00H is detected means that 25 gaming balls have been paid out, so that the L level control signal EXS is output. The EXS flag is returned to 00H (RT403).

<Card operation status = 05H>
When the card operation status is changed from 04H to 05H (RT403), the ball lending end waiting process (RT5) shown in FIG. 10C is executed. In this ball lending end waiting process, it is determined whether the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the H level (RT502) on the condition that the card timer value is not zero (RT501). Here, the case where the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the H level means that the control signal BRQ that has been at the L level again becomes the H level (timing (c) in FIG. 8). 'reference). In other words, this means that the ball lending machine 22 instructs the gaming machine to execute the payout of 25 gaming balls per unit again.

  Therefore, when BRDY = H level and BRQ = H level, the card operation status is set to 06H and the card timer is set to the initial value t4 (RT505). When the card operation status is set to 06H, the ball lending start waiting process (RT2) shown in FIG. 9D is executed thereafter.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step RT502 is NO, it is next determined whether or not both control signals BRDY and BRQ are at the L level (RT503). Here, when the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the L level, the control signal BRDY that has been at the H level at the start of a series of ball lending operations (see timing (b) in FIG. 8). This means that the signal has returned to the L level (see timing (g) in FIG. 8). In other words, as a result of repeating the payout operation of 25 game balls per unit a plurality of times, a series of ball lending processes in response to one pressing operation of the ball lending switch 23b is completely completed. means.

  Therefore, when BRDY = L level and BRQ = L level, the card operation status is set to the initial state 00H, and the card timer is initialized to zero (RT504). If the card timer becomes zero without executing any card operation status change processing (RT505, RT504), the card operation status is set to 07H and the card timer is set to be a communication error. The initial value t2 is set (RT506). However, since the ball lending machine 22 lowers the BRDY signal after a predetermined time after the last BRQ signal is lowered, usually the processing of step RT504 is executed immediately, and it is not determined that there is a communication abnormality.

  The processing contents according to the card operation status values 00H to 07H have been described above in detail. The state transition diagram of the card operation status is as shown in the lower part of FIG. As shown in the figure, the card operation status changes from 00H → 01H → 02H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 06H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 06H → 03H... 5 or 20 times), and finally, the transition is made from 06H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 00H to finish the ball lending process.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a ball lending process (ST88) executed following the card communication process (ST87). In the ball lending process (ST88), first, a ball lending / prize ball switching process is executed (RT11). The specific contents are as shown in FIG. 12A. First, the switching flag is rewritten to 5AH only when the switching flag is set to 00H (RT30) and the card operation status is 03H or more and less than 07H. (RT33).

  Therefore, once the switching flag is rewritten to 5AH, ball lending start processing (card operation status 03H) → ball lending processing (card operation status 04H) → ball lending end wait processing (card operation status 05H) → sphere As long as the lending start waiting process (card operation status 06H) → the ball lending start process (card operation status 03H) is repeated, the switching flag is maintained at 5AH, and then the ball lending end waiting process (card operation status 05H) to the BRDY waiting process When shifting to (card operation status 00H), the switching flag returns to 00H (see the middle and lower stages in FIG. 8, see FIG. 12B).

  When such a ball lending / prize ball switching process (RT11) is completed, a ball lending detection process is then executed (RT12). Ball lending specifically means payout of game balls, but payout of game balls occurs when the payout motor M rotates due to the data output process (ST92). If a game ball is paid out, the fact is stored as switch edge data in the work area EDG by the data input process (FIG. 7A) in step ST84 (FIG. 6C).

  Therefore, in the ball lending detection process (R12), it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending (game ball payout) based on the data in the work area EDG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, first, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of paying out a game ball based on whether or not the switching flag is 5AH (RT40). If the switching flag = 5 AH, the switch edge data is stored in the C register (RT41). In this embodiment, bit 0 of the switch edge data represents the detection state of the left counting switch, and bit 1 represents the detection state of the right counting switch (see FIG. 5).

  Next, after storing the numerical value 2 in the B register (RT42), the value in the C register is rotated right by 1 bit (RT43). By this rotation processing (Z80 CPU ROTATION instruction), the value of bit 0 of the C register is moved to the carry flag CY. Therefore, when CY = 1, it means that the least significant bit before the execution of the ROTATION instruction is 1, which means that a game ball is detected in the data input process (ST84).

  Therefore, 5AH is set in the payout detection flag in order to store this (RT45). Next, it is determined whether or not the ball lending flag is 5AH (RT46). If the ball lending flag is not equal to 5AH, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH (RT47). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, when the payout operation is started, the ball lending flag is set to 5AH (RT15 in FIG. 11). Therefore, the ball lending flag ≠ 5AH despite the detection of the game ball payout means an abnormal situation in which the game ball has fallen due to its own weight or inertia. Therefore, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH in order to position the payout rotating body RO (RT47).

  However, since the ball lending flag is normally 5AH, it is next determined whether or not the payout remaining number counter is zero (RT48). If not, the payout remaining number counter is decremented (RT49). The payout remaining number counter is a counter for managing the number of balls lending, and is initially set to 25 as a lending unit (RT15 in FIG. 11) at the start of the operation.

  When the value of the remaining counter after decrement becomes zero, the payout motor flag and the ball lending flag are set to A5H (RT51). The payout motor flag has an initial value of 00H at the timing when the payout motor M is stopped, but is set to 5AH at the start timing at which the payout motor M should be driven (RT15 in FIG. 11), and the drive is stopped. It is set to A5H at the present timing (RT51).

  In any case, when the processing of steps RT45 to RT51 is completed, the value of the B register is decremented (RT52), and the same processing is repeated until the value of the B register becomes zero (RT53). Since the B register is initially set to 2 (RT42), the processing of steps RT43 to RT52 is executed twice, and the value of the payout remaining number counter is subtracted according to the detection result of the left and right left counting switches. Will be.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 11, the description of the ball lending process is continued. After the ball lending detection process (RT12) is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the value of the card operation status matches 04H (RT13). Card operation status = 04H means “ball lending”, but the ball lending operation is not actually started, and the card operation status is changed from “ball lending start” to “ball lending” at the beginning. Timing is also included. In such a case, the ball lending flag remains at the initial value of 00H.

  Therefore, when the ball lending flag = 00H, 25 ball lending units are set in the payout remaining number counter and the new payout counter, and 5AH is set in the ball lending flag and the payout motor flag to execute the subroutine processing. (RT15).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step RT14 that the ball lending flag is not equal to 00H, it means that a substantial payout operation (ball lending operation) has already been started. Therefore, in this case, it is determined whether or not the ball lending flag is A5H (RT16). If the ball lending flag = A5H, the ball lending is performed on the condition that both the left and right counting switches are at the OFF level. The flag is returned to 00H (RT18). As described above, the ball lending flag is set to A5H in the process of step RT51 in FIG. 13 when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero. Therefore, when the ball lending flag = A5H, it is confirmed that the game ball has passed the left and right counting switches LSW, RSW, and then returned to 00H in the initial state.

  When the ball lending process (ST88) is completed as described above, the prize ball process (ST89) is then executed. The winning ball process (ST89) is a process similar to the ball lending process (ST88), but is configured to operate alternatively to the ball lending process.

  That is, in the prize ball detection process (ST20) executed at the head of the prize ball process (ST89), first, the value of the switching flag is determined, and if the value is 5AH, the process is finished without doing anything ( ST39 in FIG. 15). As described above, the switching flag is set to 5AH only when the card operation status is 03H or more and less than 07H (see FIG. 12A). In short, the ball lending operation is executed. Is the case. Therefore, at the timing when the ball lending process (ST88) is functioning, the prize ball detection process (ST20) is effectively skipped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the subsequent processing (ST22 to ST34) in the prize ball processing (ST89) also functions only when the card operation status is 00H. That is, if the card operation status is not equal to 00H, the value of the prize ball flag is determined (ST23). If the prize ball flag is A5H, the prize ball flag is cleared and the process is completed (ST24). At the timing when the process (ST88) is functioning, the winning ball process (ST89) is effectively skipped.

  FIG. 16 shows the operation contents of the payout error process (ST90). The payout error process (ST90) includes a retry error detection process (S70), a count switch error detection process (S71), and a replenishment error detection process. (S72) and full ball clogging error detection processing (S73).

  In the retry error detection process (S70), it is determined whether or not a new game ball has been paid out based on the value of the switch edge data of the work area EDG updated in the data input process (ST84) (S701). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the values of bit 0 and bit 1 of the first input port 13A have risen at the time of the current timer interruption. Here, when the payout of the game ball is detected, it means that the clogged state where the game ball is not paid out has been eliminated as a result of the retry process described later. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the game ball has been paid out, all of the retry error flag, the retry error LED flag, and the retry counter are set to 00H, and the process ends (S704).

  On the other hand, when the payout of the game ball has not been detected yet, the processing is finished as long as the value of the retry counter does not exceed the upper limit value MM (for example, 127), and when the value exceeds the upper limit value MM, the retry error flag, the retry error LED All of the flag and the payout retry flag are set to 5AH, and the process ends (S703). Note that the value of the retry counter is updated (+1) in the process of step S33 in the retry process of FIG.

  Since the retry error LED flag is set to 5AH in the process of step S703, the abnormal lamp ER2 indicating the clogged state is turned on in the subsequent data output process (ST92). Further, as long as the value of the retry error flag is 5 AH, the motor drive data is set to 00H in the subsequent motor processing (ST91), and therefore the payout motor M is in the non-driven state (ST92) in the subsequent data output processing (ST92). Free rotation state). Therefore, the clerk who detects the lighting of the abnormal lamp ER2 can relatively freely rotate the operation shaft 53 of the payout rotating body RO, and can easily eliminate the clogged state.

  By the way, in the replenishment error detection process (S72), it is determined whether or not the switch signal to the first input port 13A is at an abnormal level over a predetermined time. The error flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the replenishment error flag is reset to 00H.

  Also, in the full ball clogging error detection process (S73), it is determined whether or not the corresponding switch signal to the first input port 13A is at an abnormal level for a predetermined time, and the abnormal level is continued. The full ball clogging error flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the full ball clogging error flag is reset to 00H. These replenishment error flag and full ball clogging error flag determine whether or not to enter the operation prohibition state in which the rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited (see ST62 in FIG. 17).

  Next, the motor process (ST91) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the motor processing, the contents of the MOOUT address storing the motor drive data are cleared (ST61), and it is determined whether or not the values of various error flags are all 00H (ST62). Here, the error flags to be determined include a retry error flag, a replenishment error flag, and a full ball clogging error flag.

  If all error flags are 00H and no error has occurred, the value of the payout motor flag is subsequently determined (ST63). On the other hand, if any one of the retry error flag, the replenishment error flag, and the full ball clogging error flag is not 00H, or the payout motor flag is = 00H, the motor processing is performed without doing anything. Finish (ST62, ST63). As a result, the motor drive data (contents of the MOOUT address) remains binary 0000, and the payout motor M is not driven even when the data output process (ST92) is executed. Therefore, an operation prohibition state in which the rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited is entered.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST63 that the payout motor flag is not 00H, the motor drive start process (ST65a), the motor drive process (ST65b), and the motor according to the value of the motor operation status at that time After either the stop process (ST65c) or the motor retry process (ST65d) is executed, motor drive data is selected according to the position of the payout motor M determined by these processes and stored in the MOOUT address. (ST66). In this embodiment, the motor position of the payout motor M is managed from 0 to 3, and corresponding to this, there are four types of motor drive data (0101, 0110, 1010, 1001), which are shown in FIG. The payout motor M is stepped forward in order.

  18 to 19 illustrate specific contents of the motor drive start process (ST65a), the motor drive process (ST65b), the motor stop process (ST65c), and the motor retry process (ST65d). Since the motor operation status is 00H in the initial state, the motor driving start process shown in FIG. 18A is executed.

<Motor operation status = 00H>
In the motor drive start process, the value of the payout retry flag is checked (S1). If the payout retry flag is not equal to 5AH, the value N of the new payout counter is multiplied by 16 and stored in the step counter (S2). As described above, in this embodiment, the payout motor M is advanced by 16 steps and rotated by 120 °, thereby rotating the gear-connected payout rotating body RO by 60 ° and paying out one game ball. As a result, a value of 16 × N is set in the step counter as the total number of a series of drive data to be output to the payout motor M. The value N of the new payout counter is the number of ball lending units (= 25) set in the process of step RT15 in FIG. 11 during the ball lending operation. On the other hand, during the prize ball operation, the value is set in the process of step ST31 in FIG. 14 (= 25 or less).

  After the initial value of the step counter is set as described above, the motor operation status is changed to 01H, the motor drive timer is initialized to 2, and the process ends (S3 to S4). The motor drive timer specifies a time interval for outputting drive data to the payout motor M, and the motor drive timer that is initially set to 2 is decremented by 1 in the timer subtraction process (ST85) every 2 mS. In this case, the motor position changes at a time interval of 2 × 2 = 4 mS. Each time the motor drive timer becomes zero, the step counter is decremented by 1 (S12).

  If the motor operation status is 00H and the payout retry flag is 5AH, the motor operation status is changed to 03H (S5). Further, the motor drive timer is set to 125 (S6), and the payout retry flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S7). When the motor operation status is changed to 03H, the retry process is started. However, since the motor drive timer is initially set to 125, thereafter, at a time interval of 1 step 250 mS (= 2 × 125). The dispensing motor M is slowly driven.

<Motor operation status = 01H>
After the motor operation status is set to 01H by the process of step S3 in FIG. 18A, the motor driving process shown in FIG. 18B is executed. Here, first, the value of the motor drive timer is checked (S10), and if it is not zero, the process is terminated without doing anything. Therefore, for example, when the motor drive timer is initially set to 2, the two motor processes (ST91) output the same drive data (ST65b to ST66).

  Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the value of the step counter initially set to 16 × N is determined in the process of step S2 (S11). Is incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S12 to S13). Further, the value of the motor drive timer is initialized to 2 again, and the process ends (S14). Therefore, in the motor driving process of motor operation status = 01H, the payout motor M advances every 4 mS.

  If such a stepping operation is repeated, then the value of the step counter becomes zero. Therefore, in this case, the motor operation status is changed to 02H, and the value of the motor drive timer is initialized to 350 (S15 to S16).

  As described above, the payout for the new payout is completed when the value of the step counter becomes zero in the motor driving process of motor operation status = 01H. However, even during this series of payout operations, there is a possibility that a new control command CMD (award ball number designation command) has been received, and the value of the total award ball number counter is updated by the command analysis process (ST86). In some cases, further payout may be necessary (for example, in the case of a big hit state). In addition, due to a malfunction of the payout rotating body RO, there may be an excess or deficiency in the payout amount N for the new payout.

  If the payout amount is insufficient, the payout remaining number counter is not zero, so the payout motor flag is not changed to A5H and remains 5AH. On the other hand, if the payout motor flag is A5H, the payout remaining number This means that the counter has become zero (see ST47 in FIG. 15). At the time of overpayment in which further payout is made after the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout motor flag is A5H and the payout retry flag is 5AH (see ST45 in FIG. 15).

<Motor operation status = 02H>
Continuing the description based on the above, as shown in FIG. 19A, the motor stop process is executed in a state where the motor operation status is 02H. Here, it is first determined whether or not the value of the payout motor flag is A5H (S20). As described above, if the payout motor flag is A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter has become zero (ST47). In such a case, the motor operation status is changed from 02H to 00H to drive the motor. The timer is set to zero (S25 to S26). Further, the payout motor flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S27).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the payout motor flag is not equal to A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter is not yet zero. Therefore, when the payout motor flag is not ≠ A5H, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S21). Note that when the motor operation status is changed from 01H to 02H, the motor drive timer is initially set to 350 (S16), and here, 700 mS is consumed. Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the motor operation status is changed from 02H to 03H, the motor drive timer is initialized to 125, and the payout detection flag is cleared (S22 to S24).

<Motor operation status = 03H>
As shown in FIG. 19B, when the motor operation status is 03H, first, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S30). Since the motor drive timer is initially set to 125 when the motor operation status is changed to 03H (S6, S23), the time is consumed by 250 mS here. Thereafter, the value of the payout detection flag is checked (S31). The payout detection flag is set to 5 AH when the payout of the game ball is confirmed (ST43 in FIG. 15), and is set to zero when the motor operation status is changed to 03H (S24 in FIG. 19, FIG. 18). S7).

  Therefore, in the motor retry process, the payout detection flag is initially zero so that the motor position is advanced by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S32). In addition, the retry counter is updated by +1, and 125 is set in the motor drive timer (S33 to S34). Therefore, a retry process for updating the drive data every 1 step = 250 mS is executed thereafter.

  In this retry process, the dispensing motor M rotates slowly at a speed 2/125 times that of the normal time. Specifically, as is clear from steps S30 to S34, the dispensing motor M rotates by one step (7.5 °) every 250 mS according to the initial setting value of the motor drive timer, and the dispensing rotation is correspondingly performed. Each time the body RO rotates 3.75 °, the payout of the game ball is checked, and the same operation is repeated until the payout is detected (S31). Note that the payout of the game ball is determined by the process of step RT44 in FIG. 13 or the process of step ST42 in FIG. ).

  Therefore, if the processing in steps S30 to S34 is repeated, the payout detection flag eventually becomes 5AH. In this case, the value of the payout motor flag is checked next (S35). The payout motor flag is set to A5H when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, that is, when a game ball is paid out without a shortage (RT51 in FIG. 13 or ST47 in FIG. 15). Therefore, since the payout motor flag ≠ A5H means that there is a game ball that has not been paid out, a value obtained by multiplying the value of the payout remaining number counter by 16 is stored in the step counter (S36).

  However, in this embodiment, an upper limit value LT of the payout amount after the retry process is provided, and specifically, the upper limit value LT is set to LT <4096 so that 65536> LT × 16. Therefore, even if the payout remaining number counter is limited to a 16-bit length, there is no possibility that the remaining payout counter overflows and the number of winning balls disappears in a big hit state where a large number of winning balls are continuously obtained. Since the upper limit LT of the payout amount is set to the upper limit LT = 4095, the maximum value of the payout remaining number counter is 65520. However, following the process of step S36, the motor operation status is changed from 03H. Change to 01H to clear the retry counter and set 2 to the motor drive timer (S37, S38). As a result of this setting process, the normal motor rotation for updating the drive data every 1 step = 4 mS is started thereafter.

  By the way, when the payout motor flag becomes A5H in the determination in step S35, the motor operation status is changed from 03H to 00H (S39). When the payout is detected (payout detection flag = 5AH) and the payout motor flag is A5H, one game ball is paid out with the motor operation status = 03H, and the payout remaining number counter becomes zero. (See ST47). In other words, it means that the payout for the shortage has been completed, so the motor operation status is changed from 03H to 00H, and then waits until the time when the payout operation is required again. Therefore, all the values of the retry counter, the payout motor flag, and the payout detection flag are set to zero (S40).

  Next, the data output process (ST92) will be described with reference to FIG. In the data output process, first, the motor drive data prepared in the motor process ST91 (specifically, ST66 in FIG. 17) is acquired from the MOOUT address (ST70). Note that the motor drive data is binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001, and when these are output as shown in FIG. 4, the payout motor M rotates. In this embodiment, normally, the rotation time of one step of the payout motor M is set to 4 mS, and the payout rotating body RO is rotated by 60 ° by the output of the data drive data for 16 steps, thereby obtaining one game ball. It is set to pay out. Note that the rotation time of one step of the payout motor M is managed by a motor drive timer, and the rotation time of 4 mS for one step corresponds to two timer interruptions. Is set to 2.

  In any case, if the motor drive data is prepared in the B register by the process of step ST70, it is determined whether the retry error LED flag is set to 5AH (ST71). The retry error LED flag is a flag for lighting the abnormal lamp ER2 (see FIG. 5) when the abnormal state of the payout operation continues for a predetermined time. Therefore, if the retry error LED flag is 5AH, bit4 of the B register is set to 1 (ST72).

  Next, bit 7 of the B register is set to 1 (ST73), and the value of the B register is output to the first output port 16 (ST74). As a result, drive data is output to the payout motor M, and the abnormal lamp ER2 is turned on or off. Also, bit 7 of the B register is output to the watchdog timer. Then, after the time consumption process (ST75), the bit7 is returned to zero and is output again from the first output port 16 (ST76), thereby clearing the watchdog timer to zero. However, if the data output process (ST92) which should be executed every 2 ms is not executed due to the program runaway, the CPU is forcibly reset based on the operation of the watchdog timer circuit.

  In any case, following the processing of step ST76, the OVR flag, the PRDY flag, the EXE flag, the replenishment error flag, and the full ball clogging error flag are referred to, and the data in which the corresponding bit is set is sent to the second output port 17 (ST78). As a result of this operation, an alarm signal ERR, a PRDY signal, and an EXE signal may be output to the hall computer or the ball lending machine 22, and a replenishment signal or a full ball signal may be output to the main control unit 1. . The main control unit 1 that has received the replenishment signal or the full ball clogging signal lights the abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 (see FIG. 21).

  Here, the detection of excessive ball lending will be specifically confirmed. In response to one pressing operation of the ball lending switch 32b, at the timing when the excessive lending operation exceeding 125 (25 × 5 times) is started, in this embodiment, the alarm signal ERR is sent to the hall computer. At the same time, the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on. Therefore, if this gaming machine is a normal machine that operates with a single 4 yen gaming ball, the lighting of this warning lamp ER1 will immediately detect a fraudulent act, and the clerk may respond appropriately. It becomes possible.

  On the other hand, if this gaming machine is a simple machine that is operated with a game ball of 1 yen per piece, an alarm lamp must be displayed in the second half of the ball lending operation even though no trouble has occurred. ER1 is lit. However, since the alarm lamp ER1 is simply turned on, there is no possibility that the player will feel uncomfortable. On the hall computer side, it is sufficient to ignore the excess signal ERR received from the simple machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, the single reference value TH is used to determine whether or not there is excessive ball lending, but the present invention is not limited to such processing. For example, in addition to the first reference value TH1 (for example, 5), based on the number of ball lending units (for example, 500, 300, 200) to be paid out when the ball lending switch 32b is operated with a simple machine, If the second reference value TH2 (for example, 20, 12, 8) is used, an abnormal situation of excessive ball lending can be reliably detected regardless of whether the machine is a normal machine or a simple machine.

  Specifically, as shown in the modification of FIG. 10D, when the number counter NUM exceeds the first reference value TH1, the OVR flag is set to 5AH, and when the reference value TH2 is exceeded, the OVR flag is set. Set to A5H. In the process of step ST77 in FIG. 20, the value of the OVR flag is determined. When the OVR flag = 5 AH, only the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on and the excess signal ERR is transmitted to the hall computer and the main control unit 1. However, in the case where the OVR flag = A5H, in addition to the above-described operation, a notification operation for sounding a warning buzzer is performed. Further, the main control unit 1 transmits a predetermined error signal to the sub-control unit (the effect control unit 2 and the liquid crystal control unit 4) based on the received excess signal ERR, and notifies the error by light emission or character display. It is also suitable.

  For example, the alarm buzzer is arranged in the payout control unit 5, and in this case, a drive signal for the alarm buzzer is supplied from bit 3 of the second output port 17 via a driver. When the number of ball lending units is different for each game hall (for example, 500, 300, 200), a setting switch is provided in the gaming machine to set the second reference value TH2, and this set value Is read immediately after the power is turned on.

  FIG. 26 exemplifies the configuration, and the reference value TH2 read immediately after power-on is written in the RAM area (ST99). This reference value is read at a predetermined timing (see RT 305 ′ in FIG. 10), but the setting switch reading is completed before the game hall starts business and is not read thereafter, so it is set during the game operation. Setting the switch illegally has no effect. When the setting switch is provided, it is also effective to stop the payout operation and the launch operation in addition to the notification operation at the time of the payout operation exceeding the reference value.

  However, if the device configuration is complicated, the possibility of fraud increases accordingly, and in that sense, a device configuration without a setting switch for the second reference value TH2 is safer. In the case of adopting a device configuration not provided with a setting switch, the number of ball lending units of simple machines operating in each game hall is estimated, and based on the number (for example, 200) that seems to be the minimum value. The second reference value TH2 is fixed at 8, for example, and the third reference value TH3 is fixed at 20, for example.

  When the number counter NUM exceeds the second reference value TH2, an excessive ball lending lamp provided separately from the alarm lamp ER1 is turned on. When the number counter NUM exceeds the third reference value TH3, a loud buzzer sound is emitted. Is generated. In a normal machine, the occurrence of an abnormal situation is found by turning on an alarm lamp, and in a simple machine, the occurrence of an abnormal situation is surely found by a buzzer sound generated following the turning on of an excessive ball lending lamp.

  As described above, the timer lending routine shown in FIG. 7A has been mainly described with respect to the ball lending operation. However, for the sake of safety, the description of the award ball processing (ST89) resulting from the control command received from the main control unit 1 will be supplemented. Keep it.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the prize ball process, it is first determined whether or not a prize ball has been detected (ST20). The specific contents of the prize ball detection process (ST20) are as shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the ball lending operation is not in progress, and therefore the switching flag is 00H (see FIG. 12).

  In such a case, the left and right prize ball data (bit 0 and bit 1 of the switch edge data) are acquired in the variable D1, and 2 is set in the B register (ST40). Next, the contents of bit0 of the switch edge data are moved to the carry flag CY by shifting the variable D1 to the right by 1 bit (ST41).

  If CY = 1, it means that the counting switch is ON. However, if CY = 1 is determined in step ST42, the payout detection flag is rewritten to 5AH (ST43), and then the contents of the prize ball flag Is checked (ST44). Until the payout operation is completed, the value of the prize ball flag is 5AH (see ST32 in FIG. 14). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout remaining number counter is zero (ST46).

  As in the case of the ball lending operation, the payout remaining number counter manages the remaining number of game balls to be paid out through the data output process (ST32). At this timing, the payout of the game ball is confirmed by the determination in step ST42. Therefore, if the value of the payout remaining number counter is not zero, the counter value is decremented by -1 (ST48), and the process proceeds to step ST50.

  On the other hand, if the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero as a result of the decrement process (ST48), after setting the payout motor flag and the prize ball flag to A5H (ST47), the process proceeds to step ST50. Note that the payout motor flag and the winning ball flag are set to 5 AH when the value of the new payout counter is added to the payout remaining number counter (ST31 to ST33 in FIG. 14).

  The payout motor flag defines whether the payout motor M is driven or not driven. If the payout motor flag is 5AH or A5H, the motor is driven. It becomes a non-driving state. Here, the motor drive state means that significant drive data (any one of binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001) is output to the first output port 16, and the non-drive state means the first This means that the binary number 0000 is output to the output port 16. When the binary number 0000 is output to the first output port 16, all the open collector type transistor groups 18 are turned off, and the payout motor M is in a free rotation state (see FIG. 5).

  The processes in steps ST41 to ST51 described above are executed twice based on the initial value (= 2) of the B register. Then, after the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout operation is not executed. Therefore, in the determination of step ST42, CY = 1 should not be inherent.

  However, the possibility of overpayment due to the influence of the inertial force of the payout rotating body RO cannot be denied. When such an abnormality occurs, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH to indicate an overpayment state (ST45). This payout retry flag is a flag that is set to 5AH even in step ST9 (FIG. 6) after power-on. If the payout retry flag is 5AH, retry processing (FIG. 19B) is started, and the payout rotating body RO advances at a pitch of 3.75 ° until one game ball is paid out. Accurate alignment processing is realized.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the description of the prize ball processing will be continued. After the above-described prize ball detection processing (ST20), first, the value of the card operation status is checked (ST21). In the case where the card operation status is not equal to 00H, since the ball lending process has already been described, it is assumed here that the card operation status is 00H.

  In this case, the value of the motor operation status is continuously checked (ST22). As described above, the motor operation status defines the operation content in a series of prize ball payout operations, and the motor processing (ST91) executed every 2 mS is any of motor operation status = 00H to 03H. The point executed in this state is as already described.

  If it is determined in the process of step ST22 that the motor operation status is now 01H and it is the timer interrupt timing at which the motor driving process (FIG. 18B) should be executed, the prize ball process is performed without doing anything. Finish. If it is determined that the motor operation status is 03H and the timer interrupt timing at which the motor retry process (FIG. 19B) is to be executed, the value of the winning ball flag is checked (ST23). If it is set to A5H, the prize ball flag is rewritten to 00H and the prize ball processing is finished (ST24).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of step ST22 that the motor operation status is now 02H and the timer interruption timing at which the motor stop process (FIG. 19A) is to be executed, the value of the payout retry flag Is checked (ST25), and if it is set to 5AH, the prize ball processing is finished, and if it is set to a value other than 5AH (= 00H), the process proceeds to step ST26 (ST25).

  If it is determined in the process of step ST22 that the current timer interruption time is the motor operation status = 00H and the timer interruption timing at which the drive start process (FIG. 18A) should be executed, first, the command The value of the total winning ball counter updated in the analysis process (ST86) is acquired in the variable D1 (ST26). If variable D1 is D1 ≠ 0, the maximum value 25 of the new payout number is stored in variable D2, and the value of variable D2 is subtracted from variable D1 (ST28).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the subtraction result is negative (ST29). If negative, the value of the total prize ball counter is stored in the variable D2, and the variable D1 is set to zero (ST30). Thereafter, the value of variable D2 is stored in the new payout counter, and the value of variable D1 is stored in the total prize ball counter (ST31). Note that the value of the new payout counter set in the process of step ST31 is usually any of 5, 10, or 25 (maximum value of the new payout number).

  Subsequently, the value of the payout remaining number counter is stored in the variable D3, and the value of the variable D2 is added to the variable D3. Then, the value of the variable D3 as the addition result is stored in the payout remaining number counter (ST32). As a result of this processing, the total number of winning balls to be paid, which is grasped at this timing, is stored in the payout remaining number counter.

  Thereafter, the prize ball flag and the payout motor flag are set to 5AH (ST33), the motor operation status is set to 00H, and the prize ball processing is completed (ST34). Note that the prize ball flag set to 5AH maintains that value until it is changed to A5H in the process of step ST47 of FIG.

  On the other hand, the payout motor flag set to 5AH is changed to A5H by the process of step ST47 of FIG. 15, and is changed to 00H by the processes of step S27 and step S40 of FIG. That is, the payout motor flag is initially set to 5AH, and then changed to A5H when the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero (ST47), and then changed from motor operation status = 02H to motor operation status = 00H. Alternatively, it is changed to 00H at a timing when the motor operation status is changed from 03H to motor operation status = 00H (S27, S40).

  As is clear from the above operation transition, the payout motor flag is set to 5AH at the start of a series of payout operations, and after that, even though it is changed to A5H, the series of payout operations is completed. When the motor operation status returns to 00H (initial state), it is always 00H. In this embodiment, whether the payout motor M is driven or not driven is managed according to the value of the payout motor flag. If the payout motor flag is A5H or 5AH, the drive state and payout are determined. If the motor flag is 00H, a non-driving state is established (see FIG. 17).

  Further, in this embodiment, a payout remaining number counter is provided in addition to the new payout counter, so that a smooth payout operation can be realized even when returning from an operation prohibited state in which the payout motor M is not driven. For example, when the processing of steps ST26 to ST34 is repeated in the operation prohibited state, the value of the payout remaining number counter is incremented by +25 by the decrement of the total prize ball number counter (ST28, ST31) in a state where no game balls are paid out However (ST32), after returning from the operation prohibition state, the game balls corresponding to the accumulated payout remaining number counter are paid out all at once.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a smooth payout operation is realized by appropriately switching between the ball lending operation and the prize ball operation by the switching flag and the prize ball flag. The priority order of the two lending operations, the ball lending operation and the winning ball operation, will be described below.

  In the initial state after power-on, the card operation status is 00H, but the card communication process (ST87) is executed prior to the prize ball process (ST89) (see FIG. 7). When the level control signal BRDY is received (timing (b) in FIG. 8), the card operation status immediately changes from 00H to 01H (RT003 in FIG. 9).

  After that, until the card operation status returns to 00H, the processing after step ST26 is not executed in the prize ball operation (ST89) (see FIG. 14). Therefore, in this embodiment, in this sense, the ball lending operation has priority over the prize ball operation.

  However, when an H-level control signal BRDY is received during a prize ball operation, the card action status is changed from 00H to 01H, but the switching flag is 00H. ) Is continued (see ST39 in FIG. 15). In the prize ball process (ST89), the prize ball flag is checked (see ST21 → ST23 in FIG. 14), and the prize ball operation is continued until the prize ball flag becomes A5H.

  As described above, the prize ball flag is set to 5AH at the start of the prize ball operation (see ST33 in FIG. 14). After that, when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, it becomes A5H at the timing of step ST47 in FIG. .

  In the present embodiment, as long as no trouble occurs in the gaming machine, the value of the payout remaining number counter is set to the number of prize balls (maximum 25) (see ST30 to ST32 in FIG. 14). Therefore, when the H-level control signal BRDY is received after the start of the prize ball operation, the prize ball flag is changed from A5H to 00H after waiting for the number of prize ball units to be paid out ( In ST24 of FIG. 14, the ball lending operation is started. That is, as shown in FIG. 9D, until the prize ball flag is changed to 00H, since the card operation status does not change from 02H to 03H (RT203), the ball lending operation is waited.

  After the card operation status changes to 03H, the switching flag is set to 5AH (RT33 in FIG. 12), so that even if a control command (prize ball number designation command) is received from the main control unit 1, for example. The prize ball processing is not started. The winning ball process is started when the ball lending process ends and the switching flag returns to 00H.

  In this embodiment, when a full ball clogging error or a replenishment error occurs when the motor operation status is 00H or 02H, every time the value of the total winning ball counter is -25 (see ST28 in FIG. 14). ), The value of the payout remaining number counter is +25 (ST31 to ST32 in FIG. 14), and the value of the payout remaining number counter may exceed 25. However, the value of the payout remaining number counter greatly exceeds 25 when the award ball number designation command is repeatedly received from the main control unit 1, and the ball lending switch 32b is pressed at such timing. There is virtually no problem.

  FIG. 25 is a time chart illustrating the operation contents when the 15 ball number designation commands are received twice during the ball lending operation and when the ball lending switch 32b is pressed during the ball operation. It is. In any case, the unit number of the payout operation is 25, and the operation of a normal machine in which 125 game balls are lent out by consumption of 500 yen is shown.

  Finally, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of this embodiment, and FIG. 22 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. Note that a plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the ball lending machine 22. The ball lending machine 22 receives cash prior to the start of the game, and at the end of the game, discharges a card storing a numerical value corresponding to the balance.

  The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing a game ball for launch. A lower plate 29 communicating with the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are provided at the lower portion of the front frame 24. In this embodiment, the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1 is changed in accordance with the rotation angle of the firing handle 30, and the striking rod 31 is intermittent with a strength corresponding to the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1. The game ball is fired by operating. The game ball on the upper plate 28 is guided to the launch position by the striking rod 31, while the overflowing game ball is automatically guided to the lower plate 29.

  On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for ball lending operation for the ball lending machine 22 is provided. In this operation panel 32, a value of 1/100 of the balance of the ball lending machine 22 is a three-digit number. Are displayed, a ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount (for example, 500 yen), and a return switch 32c pressed at the end of the game. When the return switch 32c is pressed, the card corresponding to the balance is discharged from the ball lending machine 22.

  On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. Further, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 indicating a replenishment state or a full ball clogging state are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. Inside the big winning opening 36, there is a winning area 36b for detecting a winning ball.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 24, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 for holding the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 21) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45 (see FIG. 24).

  Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. Inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the firing handle 30, a firing control board 6 is provided.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the embodiment, a ball game machine has been described, but it is applicable not only to a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball machine, but also to a spinning machine using medals and a spinning machine using game balls. Of course you can.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The peripheral circuit (a) of the payout control board and the operation principle (b) of the stepping motor are illustrated. 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a dispensing device. It is a time chart explaining the payout operation by the payout device. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine (a) of a payout control board, and a reception interruption routine (b). It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption routine (a) and a power supply monitoring process (b). It is a time chart explaining a ball lending process. It is a flowchart explaining a part of card | curd communication process. It is a flowchart explaining another part of card | curd communication process. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending process. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending / prize ball switching process. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a payout error process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor drive start process (a) and a motor drive process (b). It is a flowchart explaining the motor stop process (a) and the motor retry process (b). It is a flowchart explaining a data output process. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a time chart explaining the priority of ball lending operation and prize ball operation. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a change of a main routine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 5 Sub-control part 21 Game machine 22 External equipment 43 Discharge device BRDY Discharge permission instruction | command BRQ Discharge start instruction | command RT15 Operation start means RT306 Count means RT306, ST78 Notification means

Claims (8)

A main control unit that is responsible for game control operations centrally, and a payout permission command received from an external device while driving a payout device and executing a first payout operation based on a control command from the main control unit A gaming machine configured to have a sub-control unit that drives the payout device and executes a second payout operation based on a payout start command;
After receiving the payout start command from the external device, an operation means for initializing a payout number of one unit and executing the second payout operation;
Counting means for counting the number of executions of the operating means in the section receiving the payout permission command;
When the count result exceeds a reference value, the gaming machine is configured to include an informing means for outputting an excess signal and executing an informing operation. Although it is roughly divided into a simple machine with a relatively low value of gaming media and a normal machine with a relatively high value of gaming media, it applies to gaming machines that realize the same gaming operation using a common gaming medium And
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is set to the number of receptions of the payout start command that is received by the simple machine but is not originally received by the normal machine. Two reference values, large and small, are set, and the small reference value is set to the number of receptions of the payout start command that the normal machine does not originally receive,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the large reference value is set to the number of receptions of the payout start command that is not normally received by the simple machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the reference value is configured to be individually settable for each gaming machine. The second payout operation is configured such that an operation status proceeds in connection with a communication process between the sub-control unit and the external device,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the payout permission command is received, the operation status advances, and based on the advanced operation status, the start of the first payout operation is avoided.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein after the start is avoided, a confirmation process for confirming a result of the first payout operation that has already started is continuously executed. In a state where the first payout operation is prohibited, when the second payout operation is executed and one unit of payout is completed, standby means for waiting for reception of the payout start command for a predetermined time;
When the payout start command is received in the standby state, the second payout operation is executed to restart one unit of payout operation. On the other hand, if the payout start command is not received, the first payout operation is prohibited. The gaming machine according to claim 5 or 6, comprising release means for releasing.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the excess signal is transmitted to a management computer that centrally manages a plurality of gaming machines.

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