JP2011019853A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent fraudulent put-out from a ball put-out device due to each of radio waves by continuously monitoring existence of a game ball in a chute, in a game machine including a put-out ball detecting means using a magnetic proximity sensor and a ball put-out device having a driving source. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes: the put-out ball detecting means (77) for detecting the ball put-out from the ball put-out device (70); and upstream side ball existence detecting means (80, 82) for detecting existence of the ball on the upstream side of the ball put-out device. In the game machine, a put-out controller (200) monitors the upstream side ball existence detecting means and the put-out ball detecting means even during the put-out of the ball by the ball put-out device, and stops the put-out of the ball when a ball absence state is detected in the upstream side ball existence detecting means during the put-out of the ball by the ball put-out device or when the put-out ball detecting means does not detects a ball presence state even in the ball presence state of the upstream side ball existence detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is provided on the back side of a game board and includes a ball payout device that pays out a predetermined number of game balls, and in particular, a ball payout device that pays out a ball by driving a drive source. The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a payout ball detecting means for detecting a ball, a payout control device for controlling a ball payout device, and an upstream ball presence / absence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a ball on the upstream side of the ball payout device.

  Conventionally, there is known a pachinko gaming machine provided with a ball payout device which is provided on the back side of a game board and pays out a required number of game balls as prize balls based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition. In such a pachinko gaming machine, the ball payout mechanism guides a game ball in a storage tank provided at the upper part of the back mechanism board by a chute having a gentle inclination, and a vertical hook is connected to the end of the chute. A predetermined number of game balls are paid out by a ball payout device having a drive source disposed in the middle of the basket.

  In a gaming machine equipped with such a ball payout mechanism, when a game ball is started to be paid out by the ball payout device, the payout is made after confirming that there is a ball in the chute. In addition, some game balls remain in the middle of the basket from the chute to the ball payout device, so that there are some which allow the specified number of game balls to be dispensed even when the inside of the chute has no balls ( Patent Document 1).

  The ball payout device further includes a magnetic proximity sensor that detects a change in magnetic flux due to the passage of a metal game ball and detects the game ball. 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine that detects a winning ball or a gaming ball discharged at the time of lending a ball and makes an accurate payout is known.

JP 05-269244 A JP 09-149960 A

  In a gaming machine equipped with a ball payout device that detects and discharges a discharge ball with the proximity sensor as described above, the radio wave that illuminates the vicinity of the ball payout device and causes the game ball to be illegally discharged. In some cases, cheating called goto was performed. Specifically, for example, when the payout ball detection sensor is irradiated with radio waves when the payout condition is satisfied, the ball does not pass even though the game ball passes through the sensor detection unit. The state in which the sensor outputs a signal indicating that is illegally formed.

  In such a case, the ball payout device does not pay out the specified number of balls, and therefore, by repeating the retry operation, the payout is performed one after another. The ball will be discharged illegally. Therefore, in order to prevent such injustice, a technique of providing a shield that blocks radio waves irradiated from the outside has also been proposed (Patent Document 2). However, when it is desired to reliably prevent the ball paying device from being illegal, it is necessary to cover the entire area of the ball paying device with a shield, which increases the size of the preventing device. In addition, if there is a small gap in the shield, there is a possibility that radio waves may be irradiated aiming at the gap, and it is extremely difficult to shield the periphery of the ball payout device without any gap in a gaming machine with many movable parts.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems, and in a gaming machine including a payout ball detecting means using a magnetic proximity sensor and a ball payout device having a drive source, It is an object to constantly monitor the presence / absence of an object and to effectively prevent illegal payout from a ball payout device by radio wave goto.

The invention described in claim 1
A ball payout device for paying out a ball by driving a drive source, a payout control device for controlling the ball payout device, a payout ball detecting means for detecting a ball paid out from the ball payout device, and a winning opening A game control device that detects that a ball has won and transmits a ball payout command to the payout control device based on the detection result, and an upstream ball presence detection that detects the presence or absence of a ball upstream of the ball payout device A gaming machine comprising means,
The payout control device includes:
Even while the ball is being dispensed by the ball dispensing device, the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means and the dispensing ball detecting means are monitored, and the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means is not present during the ball dispensing by the ball dispensing device. An upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring means for stopping the dispensing of a sphere when the state is detected and when the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means does not detect a sphere present state even when the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is in a sphere presence state It is characterized by providing.

  Here, the “upstream side of the ball paying device” may be an entrance of the ball paying device, or may be in the middle of the chute for guiding the ball from the storage tank or at a position such as the chute terminal portion. Further, “when the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means does not detect the presence of a sphere even when the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is in a state of paying out” means that the payout sphere is 1 when a payout operation is performed for one piece. This includes not only the case where no individual balls can be detected, but also the case where no single ball is detected even when a plurality of payout operations are performed. The “upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring means” can be configured by a CPU and a program executed by the CPU, but may be configured by hardware.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if a person who intends to cheat always turns off the paying ball detecting means by radio wave got and tries to pay out a predetermined number of balls or more, the presence or absence of the upstream ball is detected. If the means detects the absence of a ball, and the dispensing ball detection means does not detect the presence of a ball even when the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means is in the presence of a ball during dispensing, the ball dispensing is stopped. It is possible to prevent the ball on the upstream side of the device from being illegally extracted.

The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The payout control device includes:
When the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means is in the presence of a ball and the ball paying device is executing a ball paying operation, the payout ball detecting means cannot detect the payout ball and Retry operation execution means capable of executing a retry operation for performing a payout operation up to a predetermined number of times;
Even during the retry operation, the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is monitored, and even if the retry operation is performed a predetermined number of times while the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is in the presence of a sphere during the retry operation, a predetermined number of times can be obtained. Retry operation stop means for stopping the retry operation when the ball is not paid out,
It is characterized by providing.

  Here, the “payout operation for a predetermined number” means, for example, an angle at which a predetermined number of balls are discharged if the balls are normal even if the balls are not actually paid out in a ball payout device including a sprocket and a motor. Or the operation which rotates a motor only for time is meant. In addition, “when the payout ball cannot be detected by the payout ball detecting means even though the ball payout operation is performed by the ball payout device” means that the payout operation is performed when one payout operation is performed. This includes not only the case where one ball cannot be detected, but also the case where no single ball is detected even when a plurality of payout operations are performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the payout control device includes the retry operation executing means, a person who intends to perform fraud always turns off the payout ball detecting means by radio wave goto etc. and repeats the retry operation. Even if an attempt is made to pay out more than a predetermined number of balls, the retry operation will be stopped if the specified number of balls are not paid out even if the above-mentioned retry operation is performed a predetermined number of times while the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means is in the presence of a ball. It is possible to prevent a large amount of balls from being paid out.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect,
The upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring means includes:
If the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means detects the absence of a sphere during the delivery of the sphere by the sphere dispensing device, the sphere is detected until a predetermined time elapses after the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means detects the presence of the sphere. It is characterized by maintaining the suspension of payout.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, when the distance from the position of the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means to the ball dispensing device is long, the sphere is replenished and the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means detects that there is a sphere. In this case, it is considered that the ball has not reached the ball dispensing device, but the ball dispensing stop is maintained and the dispensing operation is resumed thereafter until a predetermined time has elapsed after the upstream-side ball presence / absence detecting means has entered the ball presence state. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a reliable payout of the ball.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second or third aspect,
The payout control device includes:
When a power failure occurs during the retry operation, backup storage means for storing the number of retry operations is provided, and after the power failure is restored, the retry operation can be executed from the continuation of the retry operation number stored in the backup storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is one of the following.

  Here, the backup storage means may be a memory backed up by a backup power supply, or may be a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, by means of radio wave goto etc., the dispensable ball detecting means is always in the off state, trying to pay out a predetermined number or more of balls by repeating the retry operation, The retry operation is backed up, and after the power failure is restored, the retry operation is executed from the continuation of the retry operation immediately before the occurrence of the power failure, so the retry operation is performed more than the set number of times (for example, 10 times), and the ball may be illegally paid out. There is no.

The invention according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Comprising an abnormal condition notifying means capable of notifying an abnormal condition of the ball dispensing device;
The payout control device includes:
An abnormal state backup storage unit capable of backing up the notification state of the abnormal state notification unit during a power outage is provided, and the upstream sphere presence / absence detection unit is a sphere while the upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring unit is paying out a sphere by the ball dispensing device. When the absence state is detected, the payout of the ball is stopped, the abnormal state is notified by the abnormal state notification unit, and the notification state of the abnormal state notification unit is stored in the abnormal state backup storage unit when a power failure occurs. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a power failure occurs, the notification state of the abnormal state notification means is backed up, so that it is possible to immediately notify that there is an abnormality in the ball dispensing device after the power failure is restored.

The invention according to claim 6 is the gaming machine according to claim 5,
Sphere presence / absence detection means capable of detecting the presence / absence of a sphere further upstream than the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means,
The payout control device includes:
When a power failure occurs, the ball absence state of the ball presence / absence detection means and the state where the payout ball detection means cannot detect a payout ball despite executing a ball payout operation by the ball payout device Backup to abnormal state backup storage means,
It is possible to notify each of the locations where the abnormal state has occurred after power failure recovery.

  Here, when the “upstream sphere presence / absence detection means” is a payout preparation sphere detection sensor, the “sphere presence / absence detection means” is a shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor, and the “upstream sphere presence / absence detection means” is a shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor. In this case, the “ball presence / absence detection means” is a storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify an abnormal location that has occurred at the time of a power failure immediately after the power failure is restored, and to quickly return to the normal state.

The invention according to claim 7 is the gaming machine according to claim 6,
The payout control device includes:
An overflow detecting means capable of detecting that a portion storing the sphere paid out by the sphere dispensing device is filled with the sphere;
An overflow condition notifying means for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the overflow detecting means detects an overflow condition,
The overflow state is regarded as an abnormal state, and backup is performed in the abnormal state backup storage means when a power failure occurs, and the location where the abnormal state has occurred can be notified after the power failure is restored.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify that the portion storing the game balls paid out by the ball paying device is filled with game balls, and an overflow has occurred at the time of a power failure. In such a case, the occurrence of an abnormality can be notified together with the occurrence location when an overflow state is detected after a power failure recovery.

The invention according to claim 8 is the gaming machine according to claim 6 or 7,
A storage tank that is disposed further upstream than the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means and stores the sphere,
A storage tank ball detecting means capable of detecting the storage state of the storage tank ball;
With
The payout control device includes:
The storage tank without a ball is in an abnormal state, backed up in the abnormal state backup storage means when a power failure occurs, and the location where the abnormal state occurs can be notified after the power failure is restored.

  Here, the “upstream sphere presence / absence detection means” may be either a prepared sphere detection sensor or a chute sphere presence / absence detection sensor, or both.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify an abnormal portion that has occurred at the time of a power failure immediately after the power failure is restored, and to quickly return to the normal state.

The invention according to claim 9 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The payout ball detection means is a magnetic proximity sensor,
The ball payout device includes a payout preparation ball presence / absence detection means comprising a magnetic proximity sensor of the same type as the payout ball detection means as the upstream ball presence / absence detection means on the upstream side of the payout mechanism,
The payout control device executes payout control with one of the payout start conditions that the payout preparation ball presence / absence detecting means detects the presence of a ball.

  Here, the “same type magnetic proximity sensor” includes a sensor having no detection hole in addition to a sensor having a detection hole through which a sphere can pass. The “dispensing mechanism” includes a mechanism including a combination of a sprocket having a recess with which a sphere can be engaged on the outer periphery and a motor that rotates the sprocket, and a combination of a stopper and a solenoid that moves the stopper.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the dispensing ball detecting means is always turned off by radio wave goto etc., the dispensing preparation ball presence / absence detecting means comprising the same type of magnetic proximity sensor is also turned off. The payout cannot be started, and the illegal payout of the ball can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, in a gaming machine including a paying ball detecting means using a magnetic proximity sensor and a ball paying device having a drive source, the presence or absence of a game ball in a chute is constantly monitored, and a ball paying device using a radio wave goto It is possible to effectively prevent illegal payments from.

It is the perspective view which looked at the gaming machine of one embodiment of the present invention from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the front frame of the game machine of embodiment. It is a front view which shows the game board which comprises the game machine of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the game machine of embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the ball dispensing mechanism in the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is an enlarged explanatory view showing the configuration of the bent flow path device of the ball payout mechanism in the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the bending | flexion flow path apparatus of the ball paying mechanism in the game machine of embodiment. (A), (B) is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement state of a bending channel apparatus in the case where there is a case where there is no game ball in the ball paying mechanism of embodiment, respectively. (A) is a top view of the bending flow path apparatus in the ball | bowl delivery mechanism of embodiment, (B) is an expansion explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the ball | bowl presence / absence detection member which is the principal part. (A), (B) is the perspective view and sectional drawing which respectively show the structural example of the ball paying-out apparatus in the game machine of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the payout process by the payout control apparatus of the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the retry process in the payout process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the control procedure of the payout process by the payout control apparatus of the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the operation timing of the ball paying device when it is determined that there is no game ball in the chute in the payout process of the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the operation timing of the ball payout device when it is determined that a predetermined number of game balls are not discharged from the payout control device in the payout process of the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the process at the time of the power failure generation by the payout control apparatus of the gaming machine of the embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the operation | movement timing of the ball paying apparatus at the time of the power failure generation | occurrence | production in the game machine of embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the operation timing of the ball paying device when there is no storage tank ball, no shooting ball, and an overflow of the payout ball in the gaming machine of the embodiment. (A), (B) is sectional drawing which shows the 1st Example and 2nd Example of the ball paying-out apparatus used with the game machine of 2nd Embodiment, respectively. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the payout process by the payout control apparatus of the game machine of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the retry process in the payout process of the payout control apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other example control procedure of the payout process by the payout control apparatus of the game machine of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 23 is a time chart showing the operation timing of the ball dispensing device when it is determined in the dispensing process of FIG. 22 that there is no gaming ball on the ball introduction port side of the ball discharging device and when an overflow occurs on the discharging side. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the payout abnormality detection process in the payout control apparatus of the game machine of 3rd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a front frame 11, and the front frame 11 is assembled to a main body frame (outer frame) 12 through a hinge 13 so as to be openable and closable. The game board 14 (see FIG. 3) is stored in a storage portion (not shown) formed on the front side of the front frame 11. A transparent member holding frame 15 that holds a transparent member such as a cover glass that covers the front surface of the game board 14 is attached to the front frame 11.

  In addition, an illuminating device (moving light) 16 having a built-in lamp or the like and a discharge abnormality notification lamp (LED) 17 are provided on the upper part of the transparent member holding frame 15. On the left and right sides of the transparent member holding frame 15 are provided a speaker 18 that emits sound (for example, sound effects) and a decoration device 19 that has a built-in lamp and emits light for decoration.

  At the lower part of the front frame 11, an upper plate 21 for supplying game balls to a not-shown hitting ball launcher, and a game ball paid out from a ball payout device 70 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back side of the gaming machine 10 Is provided with an upper plate ball outlet 22 through which the game flows out, a lower plate 23 for storing game balls paid out in a state in which the upper plate 21 is full, an operation unit 24 of the ball striking device, and the like. Further, an effect button 25 having a built-in operation switch for receiving an operation input from the player is provided on the upper edge of the upper plate 21. The lower plate 23 is provided with a lower plate ball removing mechanism 26 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower plate 23. Further, a key 27 for opening and locking the front frame 11 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 11.

  In the gaming apparatus of this embodiment, when the player rotates the operation unit 24, the hitting ball launching apparatus launches the game ball supplied from the upper plate 21 toward the game area. Further, when the player operates the effect button 25, it is possible to perform an effect in which the player's operation is intervened in the variable display game on the display device (see FIG. 3). Further, on the front surface of the transparent member holding frame 15 above the upper plate 21, a prepaid card is discharged from the ball lending button 28 operated when the player receives a ball lending from an adjacent ball lending machine, and the card unit of the ball lending machine. A discharge button 29 or the like is provided for operation.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the back surface of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front frame 11 is opened.

  A storage tank 31 that stores the game balls before paying out and an external information terminal plate 32 that outputs information to the outside are provided on the upper rear surface of the front frame 11. In addition, a chute 33 having a gentle inclination and guiding the game ball toward one side of the gaming machine is connected to the bottom of the storage tank 31, and the flow down direction of the ball from the horizontal direction is connected to the end of the chute 33. A bent channel device 34 for converting in the vertical direction is connected. A ball payout device 70 having a drive source is disposed at the lower end of the bent flow passage device 34, and a predetermined number of game balls can be paid out by the ball payout device 70.

  Further, on the lower part of the back surface of the front frame 11, a payout control device 200 for controlling the ball payout device 70, a game control device (not shown) (see FIG. 4) and a relay board 38 for electrically connecting the payout control device 200, a game A power supply device 400 that supplies power to the control device 100 (FIG. 4), the payout control device 200, and the like is provided.

  Next, a configuration example of the game board 14 provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a game area 42 is formed on the front side of the game board 14, surrounded by a guide rail 41 and playing a game by a game ball launched by a not-shown hitting device. Yes. A center case 50 is attached to the approximate center of the game area 42.

  Inside the window 51 formed in the center case 50, a display device 52 is provided as a variable display device capable of executing a special figure variable display game that displays a plurality of identification information in a variable manner. Also, on the right side of the center case 50, a notice display device 53 having a built-in light emitting means such as a lamp that performs display for continuous notice in a pre-reading effect performed during the execution of the variable display game is provided in the upper left part of the center case 50. Is a second special variable winning device (second big prize opening) 54 that can be opened and closed in accordance with the result of the second special figure fluctuation display game on the display device 52 and can be converted into a state in which a game ball is not accepted or a state in which it is easy to accept. Is provided. The display device 52 is configured by, for example, a dot matrix type color liquid crystal display, but may be configured by a display such as an organic EL or CRT.

  Below the center case 50, a start winning opening 43 for providing a change start condition of the display device 52 is disposed. Also, below this start winning opening 43, a normal variation winning apparatus 44 equipped with an openable opening / closing member that is normally closed and cannot accept a game ball and has a second starting winning opening therein can be opened and closed. Is arranged. In this embodiment, although not particularly limited, the start winning port 43 and the normal variation winning device 44 are integrally configured.

  Also, below the normal variation winning device 44, an attacker type that can be opened and closed back and forth according to the result of the first special figure variation display game on the display device 52 and can be converted into a state where a game ball is not accepted and a state where it is easily accepted. A special variable winning device (first big winning port) 45 is arranged. Further, in the game area 42, a normal start gate 46 arranged on the left side of the center case 50, a plurality of general winning holes 47, 47,... A hole 48, a windmill as a hitting direction changing member, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), and the like are disposed.

  In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a game is played by launching a game ball (pachinko ball) from a launching device (not shown) toward the game area 42. The launched game balls flow down the game area 42 while changing the rolling direction by direction changing members such as obstacle nails and windmills arranged at various locations in the game area 42, and the normal symbol start gate 46 and the general winning opening 47 The winning prize opening 43, the normal variable prize winning device 44 or the special variable prize winning device 45 is won, or it flows into the outlet 48 provided at the bottom of the game area 42 and is discharged from the game area. Then, when a game ball that has been driven into the game area 42 wins any of the above winning holes, a predetermined number of winning balls corresponding to the respective winning holes are paid out by the ball paying device 70.

  Further, in the present embodiment, on the outside of the game area 42, on the lower right corner of the game board 14, the variable display game corresponding to the first special figure variable display game and the second special figure display game on the display device 52 and the general figure are displayed. There is provided a collective display device 60 for executing a general-purpose variable display game triggered by winning at the start gate 46 at one place.

  The collective display device 60 includes a first special figure fluctuation display section (special figure 1 display) 61 and a second special figure fluctuation display section (special figure 2 display) for a variable display game constituted by segment type liquid crystal displays and the like. ) 62, a variation display unit (general map display) 63 for a normal variation display game composed of two upper and lower LED lamps, and a variation display game similarly composed of two upper and lower LED lamps. A memory display unit 64, 65, 66 (see FIG. 4) for notifying the number of memories and a game state display unit 67 for notifying the occurrence of a big hit or a short time state composed of LED lamps are provided (see FIG. 4). The collective display device 60 is also provided with a decision round display section 68 (see FIG. 4) for displaying the number of rounds at the time of a big hit (number of times of opening / closing the big prize opening).

  A gate switch (a general gate sensor) 46a including a non-contact sensor for detecting a game ball that has passed through the general start gate 46 is provided in the general start gate 46. When the game ball that has been struck inside passes through the normal start gate 46, it is detected by the general gate sensor 46a and a normal variation display game is played. In addition, the normal variation display game cannot be started, for example, the normal variation display game has already been played and the normal variation display game has not been completed, When 44 is converted to the open state and the game ball passes through the general figure start gate 46, the normal figure start memory number is incremented by 1 and the normal figure start is started if the number is less than the upper limit of the general figure start memory number. One memory is stored. In the normal chart start memory, a random number value for hit determination for determining a hit error of the normal figure change display game is stored, and when the random number value for hit determination coincides with the determination value, A specific result mode (specific result) is derived by winning the normal map change display game.

  The usual map fluctuation display game is executed by a fluctuation display unit (common figure display) 63 provided in the collective display device 60. The universal map display 63 is composed of an LED indicating a hit as normal identification information (general map, normal symbol) and an LED indicating a deviation as the normal identification information, and alternately blinking and displaying the two LEDs. Ordinary identification information is displayed in a variable manner, and after a predetermined fluctuation display time has elapsed, one of the LEDs is turned on to display the result. Note that, for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, and the like may be used as the normal identification information, which is displayed by variably displaying for a predetermined time and then stopped. If the stop display of the usual figure change display game is a specific result, it becomes a hit of the ordinary figure, and the opening / closing member of the normal fluctuation winning device 44 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). . Thereby, the game ball can be won in the normal variation winning device 44, and when the winning ball is generated, the second special figure variation display game is executed.

  A special figure 1 start opening sensor 43a is provided inside the first start winning opening 43, and based on the detection of a game ball by the special figure 1 start opening sensor 43a, a first special figure change display game (special change display). The right to start the game is generated. In addition, a special figure 2 start opening sensor 44a is provided inside the normal fluctuation winning device 44, and based on the detection of a game ball by the special figure 12 start opening sensor 44a, a second special figure change display game (special change display) is provided. The start right to start the display game) is generated.

  Further, the right to start the first special figure variation display game is stored as a first start memory (a special figure 1 start memory, a special figure 1 hold number) within a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 4). . The number of the first start memories is displayed on the special figure 1 memory display 64. The right to start the second special figure variation display game is also stored as a second start memory (special figure 2 start memory, special figure 2 holding number) within a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 4). The number of the second start memories is displayed on the special figure 2 memory display 65.

  The first special figure fluctuation display game and the second special figure fluctuation display game are executed by special figure indicators 61 and 62 provided in the collective display device 60, and include a plurality of special identification information (special figures). , Special symbols) are variably displayed, and then a predetermined result mode is stopped and displayed. In addition, a decorative special figure fluctuation display game is executed on the display device 52 of the center case, which displays a plurality of types of identification information (for example, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) corresponding to each special figure fluctuation display game. It has become so. Therefore, the special figure display devices 61 and 62 and the display device 63 form a variable display device for displaying a variable display game.

  As a result of the special figure change display game, when the display form of the special figure displays 61 and 62 becomes a special result form, a special game state (so-called big hit game state) occurs. . Specifically, if there is a winning at the start winning opening 43 or the normal variable winning device 44, a random number lottery is performed when the winning is detected, and if the random number is a winning value, the special display indicator 61 or 62 is used. As a result of the figure variation display game, a specific result mode (special result mode) is derived from the display symbols, and a jackpot state is obtained. Further, the display mode of the display device 52 is also a special result mode corresponding to the display mode of the special figure indicator 61 or 62.

  The display device 52 may use different display devices and different display areas for the first special figure variation display game and the second special figure variation display game. Further, the special-figure display game may be executed only by the display device 52 without providing the special-figure display devices 61 and 62 in the gaming machine. In this embodiment, the second start memory is preferentially digested over the first start memory. If there is a second start memory, the second special figure variation display game is played even if the first start memory is present. It is supposed to be executed.

  When the result mode of the first special figure variation display game becomes a special result mode and a special gaming state occurs, the open / close panel of the special variation winning device 45 is a solenoid (first first prize opening SOL as a driving device). ) 45b is converted from the closed state (a disadvantageous state for the player) to the open state (a state advantageous to the player). When the result mode of the second special figure variation display game becomes the special result mode, the special variation winning device 54 of the center case opens the big winning port by a solenoid (second large winning port SOL) 54b as a driving device. The closed state is converted to the open state. Switches (first big prize opening sensor, second big prize opening sensor) 45a, 54a for detecting a winning ball are arranged inside the big prize opening.

  In the area (display area) where the image on the display screen of the display device 52 can be displayed, a plurality of pieces of identification information (special symbols) and a character that produces a special figure variation display game are displayed. Although there is only one display screen, it can be regarded as having a plurality of (for example, three) variable display areas. In each variable display area, a special symbol assigned as identification information is variablely displayed (variably displayed). A special figure variation display game is played. In addition, an image based on the progress of the game (for example, jackpot display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) is displayed on the display screen.

  Next, a control system provided in a gaming machine including the gaming board 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the gaming machine in this embodiment includes a game control device 100 as a game control means that controls the variable display game performed in the collective display device 60, and the game control device 100. Variations in the payout control device 200 that controls the ball payout device 70 based on the payout command from the player and pays out award balls and the like, and the display device 52 that includes a liquid crystal display device based on the effect control command from the game control device 100 An effect control device 300 that controls the effect of the display game and a power supply device 400 that supplies power to these control devices are provided. The game control device 100 transmits a payout command signal for instructing payout of a predetermined number of balls to the payout control device 200 according to a winning opening when a winning ball is generated in the game area, and controls a change start command, a customer A waiting demonstration command, a fanfare command, a probability information command, an error designation command, and the like are transmitted as an effect control command signal to the effect control device 300 for control. Therefore, the game control device 100 functions as a main control device that controls the entire gaming machine.

  The game control device 100 includes a game one-chip microcomputer 130 having a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and the like, an input / output interface 140, a clock generation circuit 150 that generates a clock signal necessary for the operation of the microcomputer, and the like. A gaming one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a gaming microcomputer) 130 includes an internal CPU 131 having a control unit and a calculation unit for performing calculation control, and for determining hit of a variable display game executed by each variable display unit. Various random values such as a random number for determining a random number, a winning symbol for determining a winning pattern, and a variation pattern random number for determining a variation pattern in a variation display game are also generated.

  The RAM 133 inside the gaming microcomputer 130 has a storage area for storing a game area winning opening, a detection switch ON signal provided in the winning apparatus, a storage area for the various random numbers, and a work area for the CPU 131. Etc. The ROM 132 inside the gaming microcomputer 130 stores gaming control programs and control data, and hit determination for determining the occurrence of each variable display game corresponding to the various random numbers described above. A value, a winning symbol determination value for determining a winning symbol, a variation pattern determination value for determining a variation pattern, and the like are stored. In addition, a hit determination value for various variation display games and variation patterns (variation modes) for various variation display games are also stored.

  In addition, the game control device 100 includes a start winning ball detection switch (special Fig. 1 start port sensor) 43a provided in the start winning port 43 and a start winning ball detection switch provided in the normal variation winning device 44. (Special Figure 2 Start Port Sensor) 44a, Winning Ball Detection Switch (General Gate Gate Sensor) 46a Provided in the General Gate 46, Winning Ball Detection Switch (General Winning Port) Provided in the General Winning Port 47 Sensor) 47a, winning ball detection switch (first big winning hole sensor) 45a provided in special variation winning device 45, and winning ball detection switch (second big winning port) provided in special fluctuation winning device 54 Sensor) 54a and the like are connected. Various signals input from these switches and sensors are supplied to the gaming one-chip microcomputer 130 via the input / output interface 140.

  Further, various control signals and drive signals output from the gaming microcomputer 130 are sent via the input / output interface 140 to the various displays 61 to 68 of the collective display device 60 and the open / close solenoids (ordinary power SOL) of the normal variation winning device 44. ) 44b, the opening / closing solenoid (first big prize opening SOL) 45b of the special variable winning device 45, the opening / closing solenoid (second big winning opening SOL) 54b of the special fluctuation winning device 54, the information output to the management device outside the gaming machine, etc. A signal for this is output to the external information terminal 32. Further, a signal output from the gaming microcomputer 230 to the effect control device 300 is also output via the output interface 140.

  The payout control device 200 includes a game microcomputer 230 having a CPU 231, a ROM 232, a RAM 233, an input / output interface 240, a clock generation circuit 250 that generates a clock signal necessary for the operation of the microcomputer, and the like. The game microcomputer 230 includes a payout ball detection sensor 77 serving as a payout ball detection means in the ball payout device 70, an overflow detection sensor 81 for detecting that the lower plate 23 is full of game balls, and a ball in the chute 33. A detection signal from the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 for detecting the presence / absence of the presence / absence is input via the input / output interface 240.

  Further, the payout control device 200 is connected to the game control device 100 and a card-type ball lending machine 500 called CR Sand, and a payout command signal for winning balls and balls from the game control device 100 and the ball lending machine 500 is used. In response to this, a drive signal for the payout motor 76 in the ball payout device 70 is generated and output to control the payout of a predetermined number of game balls. Further, a detection signal from a storage tank sphere presence / absence detection sensor 83 that detects the presence / absence of a sphere in the storage tank 31 is input to the payout control device 200 via the input / output interface 240. It monitors with the detection signal from 82, etc., and when abnormality, such as absence of a ball | bowl, generate | occur | produces, the abnormal location display LED84 which alert | reports an abnormal location is driven.

  Further, the payout control device 200 monitors the detection signal from the overflow detection sensor 81, and when an overflow is detected, drives the abnormal location display LED 84 and outputs a control signal for the launch control board 85 of the hitting ball launcher to launch the hit ball. It also has a function to stop. For example, a plurality of abnormal part display LEDs 84 are provided corresponding to positions where the detection sensors are provided, respectively, so that the abnormal part can be immediately grasped. The chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 is provided, for example, near the end of the chute 33, and the storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83 is provided, for example, near the outlet of the storage tank 31. The storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83 can be omitted.

  The effect control device 300 includes an arithmetic processing CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and also includes a communication interface (communication I / F) and an input / output interface (input / output I / F). Also, an image ROM that stores images and video data, a VDP (Video Display Processor) as a graphic processor that performs image processing instead of a CPU, a sound ROM that stores sound data, and a sound LSI that controls sound output I have.

  This effect control device 300 is based on the effect control data (various commands, etc.) received from the game control device 100 via the communication interface and the detection signal from the switch in the effect button 25 via the input / output interface. Do control for. Specifically, various control signals output from the CPU are connected via an input / output interface to the liquid crystal display device 52 of the center case 50, the moving light 16 of the front frame of the gaming machine, the decoration device 19, the payout abnormality notification LED 17, It is supplied to and driven by the speaker 18 and the like.

  The power supply device 400 includes a power failure detection circuit 410 that detects the occurrence of a power failure, a backup power source 420 that enables power supply even when the external power supply is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure, and the game control device 100. The RAM 133 and the RWM initialization switch 430 for initializing the backup RWM (read / write memory) such as the RAM 233 provided in the payout control device 200, the power supply monitor LED 440 for displaying the power supply state, and the like are provided, and external power supply is provided. Even if the game stops, power is supplied to the game control device 100, the payout control device 200, and the effect control device 300, and the data stored in the volatile memory of each control device is lost in the event of a power failure. It comes to prevent. In addition, you may comprise so that backup power supply may be supplied also to the production | presentation control apparatus 300. FIG.

  Next, the details of the game ball payout mechanism provided on the back side of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 5 shows an entire game ball payout mechanism provided in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a connection portion between the chute 31 and the ball payout device 70.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an external information terminal plate 32 that outputs information to the outside is provided on the right side of the storage tank 31 that stores the game balls before paying out. Further, the left bottom portion of the storage tank 31 is opened, and a chute 33 as an inclined flow path that has a gentle inclination at the opening and guides a game ball toward one side (right side in the drawing). Is connected to the end side of the chute 33, and an inverted L-shaped bent flow path device 34 for converting the flow direction of the sphere from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction is connected. Further, a ball payout device 70 having a drive source is connected to the lower end of the bent flow passage device 34, and a ball flow down path 36 is connected to the lower end of the ball payout device 70.

  Although not shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of the ball flow down path 36 is bent obliquely downward toward the center of the gaming machine, and the ball flow down path 36 is used to pay out from the ball payout device 70. The gaming balls thus made are configured to be guided to the upper plate 21 and the lower plate 23 on the front side of the gaming machine. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, abnormal location notification LEDs 84a to 84d are arranged along the flow path of the game ball from the storage tank 31 through the ball flow down path 36 to the lower plate. Each of these abnormal location notification LEDs 84a to 84d is provided corresponding to a sphere detection sensor (see FIG. 4) provided in the vicinity thereof. Below the relay board 38 that electrically connects the game control apparatus 100 (see FIG. 4) and the payout control apparatus 200, a relay board for enabling the ball payout control apparatus 200 and the CR sand 500 to be electrically connected. 39 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bent channel device 34 includes slit-like ball clogging holes 342 and 343 formed in the channel side surface member 341, and an operation guide portion 344 of a ball presence / absence detection member (354) described later. In addition, an engaging portion 345 of the ball presence / absence detection member, an engagement hole 346 of the ball presence / absence detection member, and an abnormal location notification LED 84b are provided. Further, at the lower end of the bent channel device 34, a ball paying device locking means 347 for connecting the ball paying device 70 is provided. Reference numeral 348 denotes a wiring locking portion. In this embodiment, the bent channel device 34 has a relatively long horizontal portion. However, it is possible to shorten the horizontal portion and extend the end of the chute 33 to the vicinity of the bent portion accordingly.

  FIG. 7 shows a more detailed configuration of the bent channel device 34. As shown in FIG. 7, the bent flow path device 34 has a cantilever ball breaking weight member 352 that is rotatably attached to a shaft 351, and a substantially L-shape that is attached to the shaft 353. A sphere presence / absence detecting member 354, a sphere extraction bending member 356 attached to the shaft 355, and a sphere extraction operation member 357 having a lower end connected to the sphere extraction bending member 356 and rotating the sphere extraction bending member 356 are provided.

  The sphere presence / absence detection member 354 includes a sphere presence / absence detection member operation unit 354a guided by the operation guide unit 344 and a light shielding unit 354b, and the presence / absence of a shoot ball made of a photo interrupter on the movement locus of the light shielding unit 354b. The detection optical axis of the detection sensor 82 is configured to be positioned. The sphere presence / absence detection member operation unit 354a is provided for manually rotating the sphere presence / absence detection member 354 so as to check whether or not the chute sphere presence / absence detection sensor 82 operates normally.

  The chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 is mounted on a substrate 358 fixed to the upper part of the bent flow path device 34. The substrate 358 is connected to the payout control device 200 by a connector 359 and a lead wire (not shown) mounted on the substrate 358. Can be connected to. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a light passage 354c through which light can pass is formed in the light shielding portion 354b at the tip of the sphere presence / absence detection member 354, and a sphere presence / absence detection is performed on the side wall of the bent channel device 34. An oblong engagement hole 349 for restricting the rotation range of the member 354 is formed, and a pin 354d implanted in the arm portion of the ball presence / absence detection member 354 is engaged with the engagement hole 349. Yes. When the chute 33 is extended to the vicinity of the bent portion, the ball presence / absence detection member 354 and the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 may be provided on the chute.

  Here, operations of the ball presence / absence detection member 354 and the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the light shielding portion 354b is formed with a light passage hole 354c through which light can pass, and in the state where there is no game ball in the bent channel device 34, that is, the chute, a ball presence / absence detection member 354 is in a state where the light shielding portion 354b is lowered (a state where the pin 354d is in contact with the lower end of the engagement hole 349). At this time, since the light passage hole 354c is located below the detection optical axis of the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82, the sensor 82 does not detect light. The payout control apparatus 200 recognizes this state as a state where there is no ball in the chute.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the state where the game ball B is in the bent channel device 34, that is, the chute, the ball presence / absence detecting member 354 is in a state where the light shielding portion 354b is lifted (the pin 354d is engaged with the engagement hole 349). In a state separated from the lower end of the). At this time, the light passage hole 354c is at a position overlapping the detection optical axis of the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82, and the sensor 82 is in a state of detecting light. Then, the signal from the sensor 82 changes, and the payout control device 200 recognizes this state as a state where there is a ball in the chute. Although not understood from FIGS. 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the bent flow path device 34 is configured to be able to guide the game ball with two lanes, and the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 has two lane guide paths. It is provided as a common sensor for the game balls. Hereinafter, this point will be described with reference to FIG.

  9A is a plan view of the bent flow path device 34 of FIG. 7 as viewed from above, and FIG. 9B is an internal view of the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line A in FIG. 9A. The figure which expanded the structure is shown. As shown in FIG. 9B, a central separation wall 341c is formed between the pair of front and rear flow passage side members 341 and 341 of the bent flow passage device 34, and a shaft 353 extends through the central separation wall 341c. And a pair of ball presence / absence detection members 354 and 354 are rotatably mounted around the shaft 353 so as to be positioned on both sides of the central separation wall 341c.

  A light shielding portion 354b having a light passage hole 354c is provided at the tip of the ball presence / absence detecting members 354 and 354. A chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 is disposed so as to intersect with the tip ends of the ball presence / absence detection members 354 and 354. The sensor 82 has a U-shape and is mounted such that the light emitting diode and the photodiode face each other, and the light shielding portion 354b enters and retracts between the light emitting diode and the photodiode. .

  In addition, a through hole similar to the through hole 354c formed in the light shielding portion 354b of the ball presence / absence detecting members 354 and 354 is formed in a portion of the central separation wall 341c that intersects the detection optical axis of the light emitting diode and the photodiode. When both the ball presence / absence detection members 354 and 354 are lifted, the light passage holes 354c at the tips of the ball presence / absence detection members 354 and 354 are aligned with the through holes of the central separation wall 341c to emit light from the light emitting diodes. The emitted light reaches the photodiode and is detected. When at least one of the two guide paths in the bent flow path device 34 is in the absence of a sphere, the tip of the sphere presence / absence detection member 354 on the side without the sphere is lowered, the light emitted from the light emitting diode is blocked, and the photo Since it does not reach the diode, the output signal of the photodiode changes, and the payout control device 200 can detect that there is no ball. In other words, a state in which there is a sphere on both of the two guide paths is detected as a sphere presence state.

  Next, an embodiment of the ball dispensing device 70 connected to the lower end of the bent channel device 34 will be described with reference to FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the ball dispensing device 70, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ball payout device 70 of this embodiment is provided with two ball introduction ports 72a and 72b on the upper surface of the main body case 71, and a part of the game ball is placed on the outer periphery inside the case. A sprocket 73 having a plurality of concave portions (ball holding portions) that can be engaged with each other is rotatably arranged on a horizontal rotating shaft 74, and the game is directed toward the upper portion of the sprocket 73 from the ball introduction ports 72a and 72b. A guide path 75 for guiding the sphere is provided (see FIG. 6). A payout motor 76 is connected to one end of the rotary shaft 74. When the payout motor 76 is rotated, the rotary shaft 74 and the sprocket 73 are rotated so that a predetermined number of game balls can be paid out.

  The guide path 75 is curved from the upper part of the sprocket 73 along its outer peripheral direction, and is formed so as to be directed substantially vertically downward from a position slightly below the side of the sprocket 73. Although it is difficult to understand from the drawing, the guide path 75 is composed of two discharge passages corresponding to the ball introduction ports 72a and 72b up to the top of the sprocket 73, but extends from the side of the sprocket 73 vertically downward. Consists of a single discharge channel. Further, the sprocket 73 is provided across the upper two guide paths 75, and the ball holding portions corresponding to the two guide paths 75 are formed in a state where the phases are shifted by a predetermined angle. Therefore, the sprocket 73 is configured to alternately discharge the held game balls from the upper two guide paths 75 to the lower one guide path 75.

  A non-contact payout ball detection sensor 77 is disposed in a substantially horizontal posture at the lower end of the single guide path 75, that is, at the game ball discharge port. Further, the single guide path 75 is formed with ribs 78 protruding in the middle from the middle of the side walls of the discharge path so that the left and right flow path widths are narrowed in the center. Further, the end of the lead wire drawn out from the payout ball detection sensor 77 and the payout motor 76 is connected to the side portion of the main body case 71, and a connector for enabling electrical connection to the payout control device 200. 79 is provided.

  Here, the payout ball detection sensor 77 used in this embodiment will be described. The payout ball detection sensor 77 used in this embodiment is a non-contact type magnetic proximity sensor that detects a game ball using a phenomenon in which a magnetic field changes when a metal approaches a coil. Specifically, a detection hole through which a game ball can pass is formed in a part of a sensor body shaped like a Domino cage, and a coil is arranged around this detection hole, and connected to the coil inside the body The detected circuit is built in.

  This type of sensor detects the passage of the game ball from the change because the magnetic field of the coil changes and the impedance of the coil changes when the game ball passes through the detection hole. This is the sensor used. However, when a magnetic proximity sensor emits radio waves of a specific frequency, the circuit cannot detect it even though the game ball passes through the detection hole (the magnetic field has not changed due to the input of illegal radio waves). And the control device determines that there is no sphere. For this reason, there is a risk of fraud in which a radio wave is emitted toward the sensor during the payout operation of the ball payout device to discharge more than a specified number of game balls.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the detection signals from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 provided on the upstream side of the ball payout device 70 and the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 are monitored. In addition, it detects fraud in which radio waves are emitted toward the sensor to discharge more than a specified number of game balls, thereby preventing unauthorized payout.

  Next, a game ball payout process executed in the main process of the payout control apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  The payout process in FIG. 11 is performed in response to a prize ball payout command (command) from the game control device 100 or a ball payout payout command (command) from the CR sand (ball lending machine) 500 being sent to the payout control device 200. Executed. The ball payout command (command) includes information for designating the payout ball number. A plurality of ball payout commands (commands) are prepared according to the number of payout balls, and a data table indicating the relationship between the ball payout command and the number of payout balls is stored in the ROM 232 of the payout control device 200. The program may be set so that when the payout command is received, the payout ball number is acquired with reference to the data table.

  When the payout process is started, the payout control device 200 first determines whether or not there is a game ball in the chute by looking at the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 (step S11). Here, if it is determined that there is a game ball in the chute (Yes), a drive signal for rotating the payout motor 76 by an angle necessary to discharge one ball is sent to rotate the payout motor 76 (step S12). . Next, the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 is counted to determine whether or not a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (step S13).

  If it is determined in step S13 that a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (Yes), the payout process ends. When it is determined that a predetermined number of game balls are not discharged (No), it is determined whether or not the motor has rotated to a predetermined angle corresponding to the number of paid-out balls by looking at the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the motor. (Step S14). If it is determined that the motor has not yet rotated by a predetermined angle (No), the process returns to step S11 and the above process is repeated. If it is determined in step S14 that the motor has rotated a predetermined angle (Yes), the next retry process (step S15) is executed. That is, when a predetermined number of balls are not paid out even if the motor rotates by a predetermined angle, the retry process (step S15) is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined at step S11 that there is no game ball in the chute (No) at the start of payout or during payout, the payout control device 200 proceeds to step S16 and stops payout control processing for the ball payout device 70. Abnormality notification processing (step S17) is executed. In the abnormality notification process (step S17), for example, an abnormality location notification LED 84b provided at the end of the chute 33 (bent channel device 34) is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred. Since the abnormal location notification LED 84b in the vicinity of the bent flow path device 34 is turned on, it is easily understood that an abnormality has occurred in the bent flow path device 34, that is, there is no game ball in the chute.

  Accordingly, the determination process in step S11 and the payout stop process in step S16, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as upstream side ball presence / absence monitoring means. In addition, the determination processing in steps S13 and S14 and the retry processing in step S15, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as retry operation execution means. In this embodiment, the payout motor 76 is rotated by a predetermined angle to determine whether or not a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged, and when it is determined that they have not been discharged, a retry process is performed. In such a case, it is also possible to perform a control for notifying the payout abnormality immediately without executing the retry process (FIG. 13).

  According to the payout control as shown in FIG. 11, even if a person who intends to cheat always turns off the payout ball detection sensor as the payout ball detecting means by radio wave, etc. and tries to pay out more than a predetermined number of balls. When the upstream sphere presence / absence detection sensor as the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means detects the absence of a sphere, and when the upstream sphere presence / absence detection sensor is in a sphere presence state during the payout, the dispensing sphere detection sensor detects a sphere presence state. If not, since the ball dispensing is stopped, it is possible to prevent the ball on the upstream side of the ball dispensing device 70 from being illegally extracted.

  In the retry process in step S15, as shown in FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not there is a game ball in the chute by looking at the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 (step S151). If it is determined that there is no game ball in the chute (No), the payout control device 200 proceeds to step S155, stops payout control processing for the ball payout device 70, and executes abnormality notification processing (step S156). . In this abnormality notification process (step S156), for example, an abnormal point notification LED 84b provided at the end of the chute 33 (bent flow path device 34) is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred. Since the abnormal location notification LED 84b of the bent flow path device 34 is turned on, it is easily understood that an abnormality has occurred in the bent flow path device 34, that is, there is no game ball in the chute.

  If it is determined in step S151 that there is a game ball in the chute (Yes), a driving signal for rotating the payout motor 76 by a predetermined angle (a predetermined number) is sent to rotate the payout motor 76 (step S152). Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged by looking at the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 (step S153). If it is determined in step S153 that a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (Yes), steps S154 to S158 are skipped and the payout process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S153 of the retry process that a predetermined number of game balls have not been discharged (No), it is determined whether the motor has rotated 10 times, that is, the number of retries has reached 10 (step S154). If the number of retries is not 10 (No), the process returns to step S151 and the above process is repeated. If it is determined in step S154 that the number of retries has reached 10 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S157 to stop the payout control process for the ball payout device 70, and execute the abnormality notification process (step S158). . Therefore, the determination processing in steps S151 and S153 and the payout stop processing in step S155, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as upstream ball presence / absence monitoring means. In addition, the determination process in step S154 and the payout stop process in step S157, that is, the payout control device 200 serve as retry operation stop means. In the abnormality notification process in step S158, the abnormality location notification LED 84c provided in the vicinity of the ball payout device 70 or in the main body case of the ball payout device 70 is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred.

  Since game balls exist to some extent in the guide path from the location where the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 at the end of the chute 33 (bent flow path device 34) is provided, in the past, Even when the detection signal of the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 is in the absence of a ball, the payout control device 200 pays out a ball. For this reason, when a radio wave is emitted toward the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70, the ball payout control device 200 determines that there is no discharge ball and repeats the retra action to illegally discharge a large number of game balls. There was a risk of being.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the shooting ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 has no ball, the payout operation by the ball payout device 70 is stopped and the payout motor 76 is rotated by a retry operation. When the number of retries reaches 10 times, the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 stops paying out if it determines that the discharged ball is not detected. Since the payout is stopped even if a predetermined number or more balls are to be paid out by repeating the retry operation, the game store suffers by preventing a large amount of game balls from being illegally discharged by the retry operation. Damage can be minimized. Further, since the rotation of the payout motor 76 by the retry operation is allowed up to 10 times, even if a state in which the payout ball detection sensor 77 does not detect the discharged ball due to clogging occurs, it is normal if the retry is repeated 10 times. Since the ball clogging is also eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an error due to the ball clogging, the game being interrupted and the player suffering a disadvantage.

  In addition, a ball clogging eliminating device that applies a vibration or impact to the vicinity of the ball dispensing device 70 to eliminate the ball clogging may be provided so as to positively eliminate the ball clogging. Thereby, it can be avoided that the ball clogging occurs and the payout operation of the ball payout device 70 is frequently stopped to hinder the game. Therefore, the retry operation is not essential, and may be omitted or replaced with another process. In this embodiment, the number of retries is 10. However, the number of retries is arbitrary and may be only one. Further, the retry process may be omitted.

  FIG. 13 shows another example of the payout process by the payout control device for the gaming machine of the present embodiment. In this payout process, instead of the retry process S15 in the flowchart of the payout process in FIG. 11, the payout control process for the ball payout device 70 is stopped (step S18), and the abnormality notification process (step S19) is executed. It is. Even in such a payout process, even if a person who intends to perform fraud always turns off the payout ball detection means by radio wave, etc. and tries to pay out a predetermined number of balls or more, the upstream ball presence detection means When the absence state is detected, and even when the upstream ball presence / absence detection means detects a presence of a ball even when the upstream ball presence / absence detection means does not detect a presence / absence of a ball, the ball dispensing is stopped. It is possible to prevent the side ball from being illegally extracted. Here again, the determination process in step S11 and the payout stop process in step S16, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as upstream ball presence / absence monitoring means. In the abnormality notification process in step S19, the abnormal spot notification LED 84c provided in the ball paying device 70 is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the ball paying device 70.

  FIG. 14 shows the operation timing of the ball payout device 70 when it is determined in step S11 of the payout process in FIG. 11 that there is no game ball in the chute (No). When the payout control device 200 receives a payout command (command) with a game ball in the chute, the payout motor 76 is driven to start payout (timing t1). Then, the detection signal from the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 falls during the payout, and when it is determined that there is no game ball in the chute, the drive of the payout motor 76 is stopped and the payout is stopped (timing t2). . Also, abnormality notification is performed. After that, when the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 falls during the payout due to the replenishment of the game balls or the removal of the ball clogging (timing t3), the payout motor 76 is driven after a predetermined time and the payout is resumed. (Timing t4).

  According to the control according to the timing as described above, when the distance from the position of the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means to the ball dispensing device is long, the sphere is replenished and the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means detects that there is a sphere. At this point, it is possible that the ball has not reached the ball dispensing device, but the ball dispensing stop is maintained until a predetermined time has elapsed after the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means has entered the ball presence state, and then the dispensing operation is performed. By resuming, it is possible to guarantee a certain ball payout.

  FIG. 15 shows the operation timing of the ball payout device 70 when it is determined in step S13 of the payout process in FIG. 11 that a predetermined number of game balls have not been discharged (No). When the payout control device 200 receives a payout command (command) with a game ball in the chute, the payout motor 76 is driven to start payout (timing t11). If the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 of the ball payout device 70 disappears during payout, the drive of the payout motor 76 is stopped (timing t12), and a predetermined number of game balls are discharged by that time. If not, a retry operation is executed (period T1). Thereafter, if a predetermined number of game balls are not discharged even after repeating the retry operation 10 times, an abnormality is notified (timing t13).

  According to the control in accordance with the timing as described above, the dispensing ball detecting means is always turned off by radio wave gotting, etc., and it tries to dispense more than a predetermined number of balls by repeating the retry operation, during which a power failure occurs. However, since the retry operation count is backed up and the retry operation is executed from the continuation of the retry operation immediately before the occurrence of the power failure after the power failure is restored, the retry operation is performed more than the set number of times (in the example, 10 times) and illegally There is no worry about being paid out.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of processing in the payout control device 200 when a power failure occurs.

  The payout control device 200 monitors the power supply voltage or a power failure detection signal from another circuit or device to determine whether or not a power failure has occurred (step S21). If it is determined that a power failure has not occurred (No), the power failure process is temporarily terminated without any action and the process proceeds to another process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that a power failure has occurred (Yes), the payout is stopped even during the payout, and the number of retries and error data (abnormality, number of discharged balls, etc.) are backed up. The data is stored in a memory or a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the power failure process is terminated (steps S22 and S23).

  After the power failure recovery, referring to the backup memory, if the number of retries is 1 to 9, it is determined that the retry is in progress and the retry operation is executed until 10 times. If the number of discharged balls that is less than the predetermined number of discharges is stored in the error data, it is determined that the discharge is in progress and the retry process of FIG. 12 is executed. This enables accurate payout control even when a power failure occurs. Further, when a power failure occurs while notifying the abnormality, it can be immediately notified that there is an abnormality in the ball dispensing device after the power failure is restored. In normal processing, when the number of retries and error data are stored in the memory (RAM) backed up by the backup power source, the processing of moving the memory data in step S23 is unnecessary. .

  FIG. 17 shows the operation timing of the ball dispensing device 70 when a power failure occurs during the retry. When the payout control device 200 receives a payout command (command) with a game ball in the chute, the payout motor 76 is driven to start payout (timing t21). Then, during the payout, when the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 of the ball payout device 70 disappears and the driving of the payout motor 76 is stopped (timing t22), a predetermined number of game balls are not discharged. A retry operation is started (period T2). If a power failure occurs during the retry operation, the operation is stopped. After the power failure is restored, the retry operation is resumed, and if the predetermined number of game balls are not discharged even after 10 times, the abnormality location notification LED 84c notifies the abnormality (timing t23).

  Next, notification (lighting) of other abnormal location notification LEDs 84a, 84b, 84d by the payout control device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The payout control device 200 constantly monitors the detection signal from the storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83, the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82, and the detection signal from the overflow detection sensor 81. Then, for example, at timing t31 in FIG. 18, when the detection signal from the storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83 falls and detects that the storage tank 31 is in a no-ball state, the abnormal location notification LED 84a is turned on. Notify the storage tank ball no error. However, at this time, when the signal from the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 indicates that there is a ball and a ball payout command is received, the payout motor is driven to perform payout (period T3).

  Also, when the payout control device 200 detects that the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 falls and the chute 33 is in a no ball state, as shown at timing t32 in FIG. Turns on and notifies of no shooting ball error. Further, when the payout control device 200 detects that the detection signal from the overflow detection sensor 81 falls and the upper plate 21 and the lower plate 23 are in an overflow state, as shown at a timing t33 in FIG. The LED 84d is turned on to notify an overflow error.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the abnormal location notification LEDs 84 a, 84 b, and 84 d are disposed in the vicinity of the storage tank 31, the bent flow path device 34 (the end of the chute 33), and the relay substrate 38 below the ball dispensing device 70, respectively. Therefore, when one of the LEDs is lit, the store clerk at the amusement store can easily know that an abnormality has occurred and where the abnormality has occurred. Further, when a power failure occurs when such an abnormality occurs, those abnormal states are stored in the backup memory. As a result, it is possible to notify the abnormal location that has occurred at the time of the power failure including the overflow immediately after the power failure is restored, and to quickly return to the normal state.

  In addition, in the timing chart of FIG. 18, before the payout starts, a ball break in the storage tank 31 is detected (timing t30). Even in such a state, a sufficient amount of game balls remain in the flow path from the chute 33 to the ball dispensing device 70, so that the dispensing can be performed. The ball breakage in the storage tank 31 is detected by the storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83 (FIG. 4), the abnormal location notification LED 84a is lit to notify the storage tank ball no error, and the tank ball is sent to the management device or the like. The cut is transmitted and the game ball is supplied to the storage tank. Even if there is a storage tank ball no error, when a power failure occurs, the abnormal state that has occurred at the time of the power failure can be reported immediately after the power failure is restored by storing the abnormal state in the backup memory. It is possible to return to the state.

  Next, a second embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B), separately from the payout ball detection sensor 77 on the discharge port side in the ball payout device 70, the payout preparation is made on the side of the ball introduction ports 72a and 72b. Ball detection sensors 80a and 80b are provided. In FIGS. 19A and 19B, (A) uses a pass-through sensor similar to the payout ball detection sensor 77 as the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b, and (B) shows a payout preparation ball. As the detection sensors 80a and 80b, not a passing type sensor but a flat type magnetic proximity sensor capable of detecting a metal present in parallel in the vicinity of the sensor unit is used. The other configuration is almost the same as that of the ball dispensing device 70 of FIG.

  Next, a game ball payout process executed by the payout control device 200 when the ball payout device 70 of FIG. 19 is used will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The payout process of FIG. 20 is performed in response to a prize ball payout command (command) from the game control device 100 or a ball payout payout command (command) from the CR sand (ball lending machine) 500 being sent to the payout control device 200. Executed.

  When the payout process is started, the payout control device 200 first determines whether or not there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70 by looking at detection signals from the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b (step S30). ). If it is determined that there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball dispensing device 70 (Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the chute by looking at the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 (step S31). . Here, if it is determined that there is a game ball in the chute (Yes), a driving signal for rotating the payout motor 76 by an angle necessary for discharging one ball is sent to rotate the payout motor 76 by a predetermined angle (step) S32). Next, the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 is counted to determine whether or not a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (step S33).

  If it is determined in step S33 that a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (Yes), the payout process is terminated. When it is determined that a predetermined number of game balls have not been discharged (No), it is determined whether or not the motor has rotated to a predetermined angle corresponding to the number of payout balls by looking at the rotation number (rotation angle) of the motor. (Step S34). If it is determined that the motor has not yet rotated by a predetermined angle (No), the process returns to step S11 and the above process is repeated. If it is determined in step S34 that the motor has rotated a predetermined angle (No), the next retry process (step S35) is executed. That is, the retry process (step S35) is executed when a predetermined number of balls are not paid out even when the motor rotates by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the determination process in steps S30 and S31 and the payout stop process in step S66, that is, the payout control device 200, constitute upstream ball presence / absence monitoring means. In addition, the determination processing in steps S33 and S34 and the retry processing in step S35, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as retry operation execution means.

  If it is determined in step S30 that there is no game ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70 (No), the payout control device 200 proceeds to step S36 and stops the payout operation by the ball payout device 70, and then the abnormality notification process. (Step S37) is executed. In the abnormality notification process (step S37) in this case, the abnormality location notification LED 84c provided in the ball payout device 70 is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred. On the other hand, also when it is determined in step S31 that there is no game ball in the chute (No), the payout control device 200 proceeds to step S36 and stops the payout operation by the ball payout device 70, and then the abnormality notification process (step S37) is executed. In this abnormality notification process (step S37), the abnormal location notification LED 84b provided at the end of the chute 33 (bent flow path device 34) is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred.

  In the retry process of step S35, as shown in FIG. 21, first, it is determined whether or not there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70 by looking at detection signals from the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b. (Step S350). When it is determined that there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball dispensing device 70 (Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the chute by looking at the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 (step S351). .

  If it is determined in step S350 or S351 that there is no game ball (No), the payout control device 200 proceeds to step S355, stops payout control processing for the ball payout device 70, and executes abnormality notification processing (step S356). . Note that the notification when the abnormality notification process (step S356) is executed by determining that there is no payout preparation ball in step S350 is a notification of turning on the abnormal point notification LED 84c provided in the ball payout device 70, and in step S351. The notification when the abnormality notification process (step S356) is executed by determining that there is no shoot ball is the notification of lighting the abnormal point notification LED 84b provided in the bent flow path device 34.

  If it is determined in step S351 that there is a game ball in the chute (Yes), a driving signal for rotating the payout motor 76 by a predetermined angle (a predetermined number) is sent to rotate the payout motor 76 (step S352). Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged by looking at the detection signal from the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 (step S353). If it is determined in step S353 that a predetermined number of game balls have been discharged (Yes), steps S354 to S356 are skipped and the payout process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S353 of the retry process that a predetermined number of game balls have not been discharged (No), it is determined whether the motor has rotated 10 times, that is, the number of retries has reached 10 (step S354). If the number of retries is not 10 (No), the process returns to step S350 and the above process is repeated. If it is determined in step S354 that the number of retries has reached 10 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S357, the payout control process for the ball payout device 70 is stopped, and the abnormality notification process (step S358) is executed. . Therefore, the determination process in steps S350 and S352 and the payout stop process in step S355, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as upstream ball presence / absence monitoring means. In addition, the determination process in steps S353 and S354 and the payout stop process in step S357, that is, the payout control device 200, serve as retry operation stop means. In the abnormality notification process in step S358, the abnormality location notification LED 84c provided in the ball payout device 70 is turned on to notify that an abnormality has occurred.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, if the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 has no ball, the payout operation by the ball payout device 70 is stopped and the payout motor 76 is rotated by a retry operation. Even if the number of retries reaches 10, if the payout ball detection sensor 77 in the ball payout device 70 determines that no discharge ball has been detected, the payout is stopped. The damage suffered can be minimized. Further, since the rotation of the payout motor 76 by the retry operation is allowed up to 10 times, even if a state in which the payout ball detection sensor 77 does not detect the discharged ball due to clogging occurs, it is normal if the retry is repeated 10 times. Since the ball clogging is also eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an error due to the ball clogging, the game being interrupted and the player suffering a disadvantage.

  Furthermore, in the ball payout device (FIG. 19) of the present embodiment, since the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b including magnetic proximity sensors are also arranged on the ball introduction port side, an unauthorized person can use a radio wave to When the payout device 70 is irradiated with radio waves so that the payout ball detection sensor 77 serving as the payout ball detection means enters an off state in which no ball is detected, the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b are also in the no-ball state. It becomes. Therefore, even if a ball payout command is input, the payout control device 200 stops driving the payout motor, so that it is possible to prevent game balls from being paid out illegally. In particular, in the ball dispensing device of FIG. 19A, the same type of sensor as the dispensing ball detecting sensor 77 on the discharge side (having the same characteristics and performance) as the dispensing preparation ball detecting sensors 80a and 80b on the ball inlet side. And is arranged in the same direction as the sensor 77, and thus operates in the same manner as the sensor 77 when the radio wave is irradiated toward the ball dispensing device 70, so that fraud can be prevented more reliably. It becomes easy.

  FIG. 22 shows another example of the payout process by the payout control device for the gaming machine of the present embodiment. In this payout process, instead of the retry process S35 in the payout process flowchart of FIG. 20, the payout control process for the ball payout device 70 is stopped (step S38), and the abnormality notification process (step S39) is executed. It is. Even in such a payout process, even if a person who intends to perform fraud always turns off the payout ball detection means by radio wave, etc. and tries to pay out a predetermined number of balls or more, the upstream ball presence detection means When the absence state is detected, and even when the upstream ball presence / absence detection means detects a presence of a ball even when the upstream ball presence / absence detection means does not detect a presence / absence of a ball, the ball dispensing is stopped. It is possible to prevent the side ball from being illegally extracted. Here again, the determination process in steps S30 and S31 and the payout stop process in step S36, that is, the payout control device 200, constitute upstream ball presence / absence monitoring means.

  In FIG. 23, when it is determined in step S30 of the payout process of FIG. 22 that there is no game ball on the ball introduction port side of the ball payout device 70 (No) and when an overflow occurs on the discharge side, the ball payout device 70 The operation timing is shown.

  When the payout control device 200 receives a payout command (command) with a game ball in the chute, the payout motor 76 is driven to start payout (timing t41). When the detection signals from the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b fall during the payout and it is determined that there is no game ball at the ball introduction port of the ball payout device 70 (No), the payout motor 76 is driven. The payout is stopped and the payout is stopped (timing t42). Further, the abnormality is notified by turning on the abnormal part notification LED 84c. Thereafter, when the detection signal from the overflow state detection sensor 81 falls, the abnormality is notified by turning on the abnormality location notification LED 84d (timing t43).

  In the timing chart of FIG. 23, before the payout starts, a ball break in the storage tank 31 is detected (timing t40). Even in such a state, since a certain amount of game balls remain in the flow down to the chute 33 and the ball payout device 70, payout is possible. The out-of-ball state in the storage tank 31 is detected by the storage tank ball presence / absence detection sensor 83 (FIG. 4), the abnormal location notification LED 84a is turned on to notify the storage tank ball no error, and the control device of the replenishing device, etc. The ball out of the tank is transmitted and the game ball is supplied to the storage tank.

  Next, a third embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment uses a ball payout device having the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b described in the second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the payout control device 200 executes a payout abnormality detection process as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, first, it is determined whether or not there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70 by looking at detection signals from the payout preparation ball detection sensors 80a and 80b (step S51). If it is determined that there is a game ball at the entrance of the ball dispensing device 70 (Yes), it is processed as normal detection (step S53).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that there is no game ball at the entrance of the ball dispensing device 70 (No), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the chute by looking at the detection signal from the chute ball presence / absence detection sensor 82 ( Step S52). Here, if it is determined that there is no game ball in the chute (No), it is processed as normal detection (step S53). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that there is a game ball in the chute (Yes), processing such as a payout operation stop and error notification is performed as abnormality detection (step S54).

  According to the payout abnormality detection processing as in the present embodiment, when there is a game ball in the chute and there is no payout preparation ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70, an error occurs and the payout operation stops. Can be prevented. On the other hand, if there is a payout preparation ball at the entrance of the ball payout device 70, an error will not occur regardless of the presence or absence of the ball in the chute. Since the payout operation does not stop when checking whether or not the ball payout device 70 operates normally, the inspection can be performed smoothly. In addition, since there is no error when there is no ball in the chute and there is no prepared ball at the entrance of the ball dispensing device 70, when the power is turned on for the first time at the game store, the power is not supplied to the storage tank. Even if the power is turned on, no error occurs, and it is possible to avoid the sudden notification when the power is turned on and the payout operation being stopped.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the invention but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine has a function in which the payout control device has a function of paying out a ball not only by a ball payout command from the game control device but also by a ball payout command from a CR sand (ball lending machine). The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine having a function of paying out a ball by a ball payout command only from the game control device.

  Further, the ball payout control device can pay out a ball in accordance with a ball payout command based on a player's operation, and a chute ball presence / absence detection sensor as a upstream side ball presence / absence detection means is predetermined from the payout mechanism of the ball payout device When the ball payout control device receives the ball payout command, the ball payout control device starts paying out the ball based on the presence of the ball, and the ball payout The shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor is monitored even during the lending of the sphere by the device, and even if the shoot ball presence / absence detection sensor becomes non-sphere during the lending of the sphere by the ball dispensing device, It is good also as controlling so that payout may be continued.

  According to such a configuration, by providing the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means upstream of a predetermined number of balls from the payout mechanism of the ball payout device, the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means is in a ball-present state at the start of lending of the rented balls. If there is, then it is possible to pay out the balls up to a predetermined number of payouts, so that it is possible to pay out the balls as compared to the case where the upstream side ball presence / absence detecting means is provided and controlled immediately before the payout mechanism of the ball payout device. A lot of room is born, and it is possible to disable the payout of the ball where the cut is just right. That is, it is possible to avoid stopping the payout operation when an odd number of balls are discharged by paying out the rental balls.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, it is comprised so that a ball | bowl may be guide | induced to 2 steps | paragraphs from the chute terminal part to the entrance of a ball delivery apparatus, and it determines with a ball | bowl when there exists a ball | bowl on each of the 2 guide path | routes. However, the present invention is also applied to a ball paying mechanism configured to guide the ball by one line or to determine that there is a ball in one of the two lines. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines in which game balls as game media are lent out by card units, and can also be applied to gaming machines such as arrange ball gaming machines, sparrow ball gaming machines, and slot machines.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine 11 Main body frame 12 Front frame 13 Hinge 14 Game board 15 Transparent member holding frame 16 Illumination unit 21 Upper plate 23 Lower plate 28 Ball lending button 29 Discharge button 31 Storage tank 33 Chute 34 Bending flow path device 42 Game area 43 Start Winning mouth 44 Ordinary variable winning device 45 Special variable winning device 46 Regular symbol starting gate 47 General winning mouth 52 Display device (liquid crystal display device)
70 ball dispensing device 76 dispensing motor 77 dispensing ball detection sensor (dispensing ball detection means)
80 Dispensing preparation sphere detection sensor (upstream sphere presence detection means, dispensing preparation sphere detection means)
81 Overflow detection sensor (overflow detection means)
82 Shooting ball presence / absence detection sensor (upstream sphere presence / absence detection means, sphere presence / absence detection means)
83 Retention tank ball presence / absence detection sensor (retention tank ball detection means)
84 Abnormal part display LED (abnormal state notification means)
100 game control device 200 payout control device (upstream ball presence monitoring means, retry operation execution means, retry operation stop means)
300 Production control device 400 Power supply device

Claims (9)

A ball payout device for paying out a ball by driving a drive source, a payout control device for controlling the ball payout device, a payout ball detecting means for detecting a ball paid out from the ball payout device, and a winning opening A game control device that detects that a ball has won and transmits a ball payout command to the payout control device based on the detection result, and an upstream ball presence detection that detects the presence or absence of a ball upstream of the ball payout device A gaming machine comprising means,
The payout control device includes:
Even while the ball is being dispensed by the ball dispensing device, the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means and the dispensing ball detecting means are monitored, and the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means is not present during the ball dispensing by the ball dispensing device. An upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring means for stopping the dispensing of a sphere when the state is detected and when the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means does not detect a sphere present state even when the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is in a sphere presence state A gaming machine characterized by comprising. The payout control device includes:
When the upstream ball presence / absence detecting means is in the presence of a ball and the ball paying device is executing a ball paying operation, the payout ball detecting means cannot detect the payout ball and Retry operation execution means capable of executing a retry operation for performing a payout operation up to a predetermined number of times;
Even during the retry operation, the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is monitored, and even if the retry operation is performed a predetermined number of times while the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means is in the presence of a sphere during the retry operation, a predetermined number of times can be obtained. Retry operation stop means for stopping the retry operation when the ball is not paid out,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: The upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring means includes:
If the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means detects the absence of a sphere during the delivery of the sphere by the sphere dispensing device, the sphere is detected until a predetermined time elapses after the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means detects the presence of the sphere. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the payout stop is maintained. The payout control device includes:
When a power failure occurs during the retry operation, backup storage means for storing the number of retry operations is provided, and after the power failure is restored, the retry operation can be executed from the continuation of the retry operation number stored in the backup storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is one of the following. Comprising an abnormal condition notifying means capable of notifying an abnormal condition of the ball dispensing device;
The payout control device includes:
An abnormal state backup storage unit capable of backing up the notification state of the abnormal state notification unit during a power outage is provided, and the upstream sphere presence / absence detection unit is a sphere while the upstream sphere presence / absence monitoring unit is paying out a sphere by the ball dispensing device. When the absence state is detected, the payout of the ball is stopped, the abnormal state is notified by the abnormal state notification unit, and the notification state of the abnormal state notification unit is stored in the abnormal state backup storage unit when a power failure occurs. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a game machine. Sphere presence / absence detection means capable of detecting the presence / absence of a sphere further upstream than the upstream sphere presence / absence detection means,
The payout control device includes:
When a power failure occurs, the ball absence state of the ball presence / absence detection means and the state where the payout ball detection means cannot detect a payout ball despite executing a ball payout operation by the ball payout device Backup to abnormal state backup storage means,
The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein each location where the abnormal state occurs can be notified after a power failure recovery. The payout control device includes:
An overflow detecting means capable of detecting that a portion storing the sphere paid out by the sphere dispensing device is filled with the sphere;
An overflow condition notifying means for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the overflow detecting means detects an overflow condition,
The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the overflow state is regarded as an abnormal state, the backup is performed in the abnormal state backup storage means when a power failure occurs, and the location where the abnormal state occurs can be notified after the power failure is restored. . A storage tank that is disposed further upstream than the upstream sphere presence / absence detecting means and stores the sphere,
A storage tank ball detecting means capable of detecting the storage state of the storage tank ball;
With
The payout control device includes:
7. The storage tank having no balls in an abnormal state is backed up in the abnormal state backup storage means when a power failure occurs, and the location where the abnormal state has occurred can be notified after the power failure is restored. 8. The gaming machine according to 7. The payout ball detection means is a magnetic proximity sensor,
The ball payout device includes a payout preparation ball presence / absence detection means comprising a magnetic proximity sensor of the same type as the payout ball detection means as the upstream ball presence / absence detection means on the upstream side of the payout mechanism,
9. The payout control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the payout control device executes payout control with one of the payout start conditions that the payout preparation ball presence / absence detecting means detects a ball presence state. The gaming machine described.

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