JP2011136113A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict fraudulent acts, and ensure secure processing action both in normal and abnormal switch signals in a pinball game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The pinball game machine includes: a first control means (S312-S315: processing route A) to start counting of prescribed timer time set on a winning timer based on ON-edge generation in switch signals of winning detection switches 34a and 35a; a second control means (S321-S324: processing route B) to perform processes associated with operation of the winning detection switches based on OFF-edge generation in the switch signals; and an abnormality determination means (S317-S320: processing route C) to determine that there is an abnormality in a case where no OFF edge is generated in the switch signals until the winning timer finishes counting of the prescribed timer time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a technique that makes it possible to determine the abnormality of a switch signal based on fraud.

  In a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, an illegal member such as a thin plate member called a `` cell plate '' or a wire member such as a wire is invaded from the gap of the game machine, and the winning detection switch is turned ON, There is a concern that unreasonable prize balls will be paid out or that jackpot lottery will occur.

  Generally, when a game ball actually enters a winning means and an ON signal of a winning detection switch is output, the output time (signal duration) is about 20 msec at the longest. On the other hand, in an artificial operation in which an illegal person inserts or removes a cell board etc., the game ball that has entered the winning means is extremely slow compared to the speed at which it passes through the winning detection switch, no matter how short. It takes about several hundred msec. In other words, it is impossible to generate a pseudo signal similar to the proper signal continuation period of the ON signal by the fraudulent act such as insertion / removal of a cell plate or the like. By utilizing the difference in the ON signal duration between the illegal act and the appropriate game, the abnormality of the ON signal of the winning detection switch can be determined.

  Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed a method of determining an abnormality when the ON duration of the winning detection switch exceeds a predetermined time length in a pachinko machine (Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2009-119198 A

  However, in the conventional abnormality determination method, when the winning detection switch is turned on, that is, when an ON edge that is the rising or falling of the signal level occurs, has the winning detection switch been properly operated based on the existence of the ON edge? Judge whether or not. In other words, whether or not the winning detection switch is to be operated is determined without waiting for the arrival of the OFF edge. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to ensure a reliable processing operation both when the switch signal is appropriate and when it is abnormal.

  Especially in the case of abnormalities, the result of the processing executed based on the occurrence of the ON edge is not definitive, and should be canceled if a signal abnormality due to fraud is discovered afterwards. There is a problem that it is difficult to ensure a reliable processing operation.

  For example, as a result of determining that the switch signal is abnormal during the ON continuation period, it may be found that the processing that has been executed at the ON edge is the processing that the user wants to cancel before the OFF edge subsequently occurs. If the already executed process is, for example, a special symbol change started at the ON edge, or the added number of reserved balls already executed, the control state is changed to the original state before the ON edge arrives. Even if it tries to return, it seems that the situation is already difficult. Therefore, it is desired to provide an abnormality determination method capable of invalidating the switch signal itself in which an abnormality is detected without inconvenience.

  The same applies to Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, when ON and OFF of the signal level read every 2 ms are set to logic 1 and logic 0, respectively, the logic inversion processing of the earliest data (oldest data) of the latest three past data And the logical product of the first logically inverted data and all the remaining two data are calculated. When the logical product value is “1”, it means that the signal level is switched from “L” to “H”. When the logical product value is “0”, the signal level has remained “L” or “H” for the past 4 msec, or the signal level has not changed from “H” to “L”. It means that it has switched. For this reason, for example, with respect to a switch signal whose ON period continues for 20 ms or more after rising, a logical product is obtained with respect to a logical value read every 2 ms, and if the logical product value “1” continues 10 times in total, the ON signal is output for 18 msec. Means that there is some abnormality in the input signal. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the continuity and switching of the signal level are grasped based on the value of the logical product and are used to determine whether there is an abnormality. However, the operation of the winning detection switch is performed based on the occurrence of the OFF edge. It has not been determined to be complete. For this reason, for example, when a ball enters a special symbol start port that starts the variation of the special symbol and an ON edge occurs in the switch signal of the corresponding sensor, the ON edge occurs in the special symbol start port sensor signal. If a special symbol variation start process or a process such as adding the number of reserved balls has already been executed, if an abnormality is detected in the switch signal after that, it is difficult to invalidate the switch signal without any inconvenience. turn into.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of solving the above-mentioned problems, suppressing illegal acts, and ensuring a reliable processing operation both when the switch signal is appropriate and when it is abnormal. There is.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) winning means (34, 35, 37, 43) arranged in a game area where game balls flow down;
A winning detection switch (34a, 35a, 37a, 43a) for detecting a game ball that has entered the winning means;
In a ball game machine comprising a control means (20) for comprehensively controlling a game operation by monitoring a switch signal output from the winning detection switch,
The winning detection switch continuously outputs the first level OFF signal during non-detection of the game ball, and continuously outputs the second level ON signal during detection of the game ball,
The control means includes
First control means (S312 to S315: processing route A) for starting counting a predetermined timer time set in the winning timer based on occurrence of an ON edge in the switch signal;
Second control means (S321 to S324: processing route B) for performing processing associated with the operation of the winning detection switch based on the occurrence of an OFF edge in the switch signal;
An abnormality determining means (S317 to S320: processing route C) for determining the presence of an abnormality when an OFF edge is not generated in the switch signal until the winning timer finishes counting the predetermined timer time;
A ball game machine characterized by that.

(2) The winning means includes a symbol start opening (34, 35) arranged in the game area,
The control means includes a lottery means (S334) for performing a lottery by random number lottery, and a symbol management for displaying the result on the display device in a variable manner on the display device (38) according to the lottery result of the lottery means. Means (S209),
The second control means starts the symbol change operation based on the fact that when a game ball enters the symbol start port, an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal output from the winning detection switch of the symbol start port. The bullet ball game machine according to (1), wherein a process to be performed when the condition is satisfied is performed.

(3) When a game ball wins a symbol start opening, the control means temporarily holds execution of the symbol variation operation based on the winning and stores the number of retained balls up to an upper limit value. A holding storage means (RAM 203) for digesting the number of holding balls by one on the condition that it has been established,
In the above (2), the second control means performs a holding addition process (S324) for increasing the number of held balls by 1 as a process to be performed when the start condition of the symbol variation operation is satisfied. The bullet ball game machine described.

  (4) The lottery is based on the fact that when a game ball enters the symbol start opening, an ON edge is generated in the switch signal output from the winning detection switch of the symbol start opening. The bullet ball game machine according to (2) or (3) above, wherein a random number value for symbol lottery for making a winning lottery by means is obtained (S315).

(5) The first control means memorizes that there is a winning at the symbol start opening on the condition that the number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit value when an ON edge is generated in the switch signal (winning confirmation) Flag)
The second control means performs a process to be performed when a start condition is established based on the fact that an OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal in a state in which it is stored that there has been a win.
The bullet ball game machine according to the above (3) or (4), wherein

(6) The ball game machine according to (4), wherein the abnormality determining means clears the symbol random number for symbol lottery acquired by the first control means when determining that there is an abnormality. .

  (7) The predetermined timer time is a sum of an ON signal continuation period from when the player enters the winning means at a normal time until an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal, and a margin time added thereto. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

  (8) The winning means includes a first start port (34) and a second start port (35) having different structures, and when the game ball is in a normal state, the first start port and the second start port are connected to each other. The ball game machine according to (7) above, wherein the predetermined timer time is set to a different value based on a difference in ON signal duration of the switch signal when rolling down .

  (9) The ball game according to any one of (1) to (8) above, further comprising notification means for notifying that when the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality. Machine.

  (10) Abnormality number storage means capable of storing the number of times determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination means, and notification means for notifying that when the number of times determined to be abnormal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number The ball game machine according to any one of (1) to (8), further including:

  According to the present invention, on the condition that it has been confirmed that an OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal of the winning detection switch, the process associated with the operation of the switch is performed. Compared with the case where it performs, reliable processing operation without malfunction can be performed.

It is a perspective view of the front side which shows the external appearance of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the front side of the game board of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main process side main process of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main control side timer interruption process which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the input management process in the main control side timer interruption process based on this invention. It is a timing chart with which it uses for description of the creation method of ON edge data and OFF edge data concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol management process in the main control side timer interruption process based on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the starting port check process in the special symbol management process based on this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the operation example of the start opening check process which concerns on this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example in the case where the number of reserved balls is 4 at the time of ON and the number of reserved balls becomes 3 by the time of OFF in the starting port check processing according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change start process in the special symbol management process based on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change process during the special symbol management process which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change stop process during the special symbol management process which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ball game machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. Outline of configuration: FIGS. 1 and 2>
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The illustrated pachinko gaming machine 1 has a frame-shaped front frame 2 attached to the front surface of a wooden outer frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed, and a game board 3 in a game board storage frame (not shown) attached to the back surface of the front frame 2. And the game area 3a formed on the surface of the game board 3 faces the opening of the front frame 2. The game area 3a is an area surrounded by a ball guide rail 5 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the surface of the game board 3. A glass door frame 6 supporting transparent glass is provided on the front side of the game area 3a.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 also has a front operation panel 7 disposed on the lower side of the glass door frame 6. The front operation panel 7 is provided with an upper tray unit 8, and the upper tray unit 8 is formed with an upper tray 9 for storing discharged game balls. The front operation panel 7 is provided with a ball lending button 11 and a prepaid card discharge button 12 (card return button 12). The upper tray surface portion of the upper tray 9 is provided with a push button type frame effect button 13 that can be operated by turning on the built-in lamp and that can be changed when the built-in lamp is turned on. It has been. The upper tray 9 is provided with a ball removal button 14 for removing the game balls stored in the upper tray 9 below the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  A firing operation handle 15 for operating the firing unit is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 7. Speakers 46 that generate sound effects are provided on both sides of the upper part of the front frame 2 and on the upper side of the firing operation handle 15. Furthermore, a decoration lamp 45 is provided at various locations on the glass door frame 6 to produce a production effect by light decoration.

  Next, the game area 3a of the game board 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the substantially central portion of the game board 3, a variable display of symbols (decorative symbols) by numbers, characters, symbols, etc. is independently performed in three (left, middle, right) display areas. A liquid crystal display device 36 (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) as a possible image display device is provided. Directly below the liquid crystal display device 36, an upper start port 34, which is a first special symbol start port, and a lower start port 35, which is a second special symbol start port, are arranged up and down. Are provided with special symbol start opening sensors 34a and 35a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a winning ball. The lower start opening 35 is provided with a pair of left and right movable wing pieces 47 so that the lower start opening 35 can be opened and closed, and constitutes a so-called tulip-shaped electric accessory (ordinary variable winning device 41).

  A normal symbol start port 37 composed of a gate is disposed on the left side above the upper start port 34, and a normal symbol start port sensor 37a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a passing game ball is disposed.

  Below the lower start opening 35, a special variable prize winning device 42 configured to be openable and closable by an open door 42b for opening and closing the big prize winning opening 40 is disposed, and a large prize winning hole sensor for detecting a winning ball is disposed therein. 40a (refer FIG. 3) is arrange | positioned.

  A total of four general winning ports 43 are arranged on both sides of the special variable winning device 42, and a general winning port sensor 43a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of the game ball is formed in each of them.

  The above-mentioned upper start opening 34 that is the first special symbol start opening, the lower start opening 35 that is the second special symbol start opening, the normal design start opening 37, and the general winning opening 43 are game areas where the game balls flow down. The special symbol starting port sensors 34a and 35a, the normal symbol starting port sensor 37a, and the general winning port sensor 43a provided in the winning means are arranged in the inside, respectively. It is a winning detection switch to detect. These winning detection switches can be constituted by non-contact switches such as photo switches and proximity switches, and contact switches such as micro switches.

  Also, a special symbol display device 38 configured by arranging 7 segments in three digits and a normal symbol display device 39 composed of two LEDs are provided near the upper right edge of the game area 3a. Further, in the game area 3a, there are a center ornament 48, a windmill 44 as a game ball drop direction changing member, a plurality of game nails (not shown), a plurality of light emitting devices (lamp, LED, etc .: not shown), and the like. It is arranged. Further, a lamp display device such as a decorative lamp 45 and an LED device are also provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the game board 3.

  Based on the winning of the game ball in the upper start opening 34 or the lower start opening 35, the main control unit 20 (see FIG. 3) performs a lottery (big hit lottery) related to the big hit by random number lottery. In accordance with the lottery result, the special symbol display device 38 is variably displayed on the special symbol display device 38, a special symbol variation display game (symbol game) is started, and the result is displayed on the special symbol display device 38 after a predetermined time has elapsed. It has become. At this time, the decorative symbols are variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 in a form linked to the special symbol variation display game, and the decorative symbol variation display game is started. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol variation display device 38 is selected by lottery. The result is displayed, and the result is also displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 by a decorative pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 36 constitutes an image display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the image display device, a plasma display (PDP: Plasma Display Panel), an electronic paper display, an organic EL display (OELD: Organic). An electroluminescent display) may be used. The liquid crystal display device 36 displays various effects as images under the control of an effect control unit 24 (see FIG. 3) described later. That is, an effect reflecting the lottery result in the special symbol variation display game, that is, a decorative symbol is variably displayed, and the decorative symbol variation display game is displayed. Production, reach production and background production).

  Therefore, when the result of the special symbol variation display game on the special symbol display device 38 is “big hit”, the result of the decorative symbol variation display game on the liquid crystal display device 36 also reflects “big hit” appears. Is done. The special symbol display device 38 displays a special symbol indicating a big hit in a predetermined display mode (for example, two 7-segment display states of “7”), and the liquid crystal display device 36 displays “ In each of the left, middle, and right display areas, a predetermined display mode (for example, each display area of “left”, “middle”, and “right”) in which the decorative symbols reflect the result of the big hit lottery on the hit effective line. The three decorative symbols are stopped and displayed at “7”, “7”, “7” display state).

  When the big hit is made, the special variable prize winning device solenoid 42a (see FIG. 3) is actuated to open the open door 42b, whereby the big prize opening 40 is controlled to open and close in a predetermined pattern, and the normal gaming state Thus, a special gaming state (big hit game) that is more advantageous to the player occurs. In the big hit game, the open door 42b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds) and the big winning opening 40 is opened, or until the predetermined number (for example, 9) of game balls has won, Is opened, and then a predetermined number of times (for example, maximum 15R (round)) such as the opening door 42b is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) and the special winning opening 40 is closed (round game). It is supposed to be repeated.

  The jackpot game is started after the symbol indicating the jackpot is confirmed and displayed in the symbol variation display game. When the big hit starts, the opening effect by the big hit start fanfare is first performed, and after the opening effect is finished, the round game in which the big winning opening 40 is opened is performed a plurality of times with the predetermined number of rounds as an upper limit. In addition, during a round game, a corresponding round effect is performed. Then, after the specified number of rounds is over, the ending effect by the big hit end fanfare is performed, and the big hit ends.

  In addition, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol start opening 37, the main control unit 20 performs a lottery (an auxiliary lottery) regarding the auxiliary hit by random number lottery. In accordance with the lottery result, the normal symbol represented by the two LEDs 39 is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 39, and the normal symbol variation display game is started. The stop display is made by a combination of lighting or a combination of both lighting. If the result of the normal symbol variation display game on the normal symbol display device 39 is “per assist”, the display part of the normal symbol display device 39 is in a predetermined pattern (for example, both of the two LEDs 39 are lit). Stop display.

  When the auxiliary hit is reached, the normal variation prize winning device solenoid 41a (see FIG. 3) for driving the left and right movable blade pieces 47 is activated, and the movable blade pieces 47 are formed in a reverse “C” shape. The lower start opening 35 is opened or expanded so that the game ball can easily flow in, and an auxiliary game state advantageous to the player (hereinafter referred to as “general power open game”) occurs. In this general electric open game, the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds) and the lower start opening 35 is opened, or a predetermined number (for example, 5). ) Until the game ball has won the normal variation winning device 41 (lower start opening 35), and then the lower start opening 35 is opened, and then the movable wing piece 47 is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). The operation of closing 35 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, once).

  Also, when the game ball wins the lower start opening 35 during the above-mentioned open game, the special symbol variation display game is similarly performed, and the decorative symbol variation display game is performed accordingly. The game balls that have not won the winning holes are discharged from the game area 3a through the out holes 49.

  If there is a detection signal input from the special symbol start port sensor 34a, 35a or the normal symbol start port sensor 37a during the special symbol variation display game or the normal symbol variation display game, Based on the detection signal, start memory (so-called operation hold balls), which is data related to the start right for playing each variation display game, is stored up to a predetermined upper limit, except for those involved during variation display. Then, in order to make the starting memory number clear to the player, it is displayed as an image at an appropriate position of the pachinko gaming machine 1 or on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36. Normally, the variation display game for each start memory is executed and controlled in the order in which the start memories are generated. In this embodiment, as the predetermined upper limit, up to four start memories for special symbols and normal symbols are stored in the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) provided in the main control unit 20, and the variation of the special symbol or normal symbol is determined. Held as a count.

(1-1. Game state after the end of the game)
After each winning game described above is completed, the game state is shifted to a predetermined gaming state based on the winning winning game state and the winning type. The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of types of game states as internal game states (game states managed on the main control board 20 side). Based on the gaming state, it is determined which gaming state to shift to. First, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, functions (means) related to the occurrence of various gaming states will be described.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has a probability variation (hereinafter referred to as “probability variation”) function in which the main control board 20 (main control CPU 201: see FIG. 3) plays a functional part. There are two types, a probability changing function related to a special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol probability changing function”) and a probability changing function related to a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol probability changing function”).

  Special symbol probabilistic function, the lottery probability of hits belonging to big hit type (15R big hit, special 15R big hit) varies from low probability (eg 1/399) to high probability (eg 1 / 39.9) This is a function for generating a jackpot probability variation state (hereinafter referred to as a “hit probability variation state”). In a gaming state in which the special symbol probability changing function is operating, that is, in a big hit probability changing state, the big hit lottery probability is changed to a high probability state with a high probability, and the big hit is likely to occur. Therefore, it can be said that the gaming state expected by the player is a gaming state in which the special symbol probability changing function is operating.

  The normal symbol probability changing function is a function that changes the normal probability (for example, 1/256) from a low probability per assistance to a high probability (for example, 255/256) to generate an auxiliary per probability change state. . In the game state (probability change per assist) in which the normal symbol probability change function is operating, the lottery probability per auxiliary will change to a high probability and the sub-attendance is likely to occur. Thus, an operating rate improvement state is achieved in which the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is improved compared to the normal gaming state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation timing of the normal symbol probability changing function is synchronized with the activation timing of the special symbol short-time function described later, and the termination timing is also synchronized with the termination timing of the special symbol time-shortening function. It has become.

  Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has a function of shortening the variation time (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction”), which is functioned by the main control CPU 271. There are two types of time-shortening functions relating to special symbols (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol time-shortening functions”) and time-shortening functions relating to normal symbols (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol time-shortening functions”).

  The special symbol time reduction function is a function for generating a special symbol time reduction state in which the variation time of the special symbol in the special symbol fluctuation display game is shortened. Under the gaming state in which the special symbol short-time function is activated, the time of one special symbol fluctuation display game (the time from when the special symbol starts to change until it is fixedly displayed) is the average time or losing variation without reach For example, it is shortened from 30 seconds (when the special symbol time reduction function is not activated) to 5 seconds (when the special symbol time reduction function is activated), and the number of big hit lotteries per unit time is improved as compared with the normal gaming state. The lottery count will be improved.

  The normal symbol short-time function is a function for generating a normal symbol short-time state in which the variation time of the normal symbol in the normal symbol variation display game is shortened. Under the gaming state in which the normal symbol time reduction function is activated, the time of one normal symbol fluctuation display game (the time from when the normal symbol starts to change until it is fixedly displayed) is, for example, 10 seconds (normal symbol) The time-saving function is shortened to 1 second (when the special symbol time-saving function is in operation), and a lottery frequency improvement state is achieved in which the number of lotteries per auxiliary time per unit time is higher than in the normal gaming state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation timing of the normal symbol time-shortening function is synchronized with the operation timing of the special symbol time-shortening function, and the termination timing is also synchronized with the termination timing of the special symbol time-shortening function. It has become.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has an open extension function in which the main control board 20 serves as a functional part.

  The open extension function is a function of generating an open extension state in which the movable blade piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 is opened and the number of times of opening is extended. Under a gaming state in which the open extension function is in operation, the open operation period of the movable wing piece 47 is extended from, for example, 0.2 seconds to 1.7 seconds, and the opening / closing frequency is, for example, once (the open extension function is not activated). 2) (when the open extension function is in operation), the operating rate is improved so that the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is higher than that in the normal gaming state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation trigger for the opening extension function is synchronized with the operation trigger for the special symbol short-time function, and the termination trigger is also synchronized with the termination trigger for the special symbol short-time function. ing. Thus, under the gaming state in which the open extension function is in operation, the normal symbol probability changing function and the normal symbol time-shortening function are also in operation, so that a gaming state in which the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is remarkably improved occurs.

  As described above, the operation triggers of the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol shortening function, and the open extension function are synchronized with the operation trigger of the special symbol shortening function. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the gaming state in which the special symbol time reduction function, the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol time reduction function, and the open extension function are referred to as “time reduction state (time reduction medium)”. The gaming state in which the special symbol probability changing function is activated is referred to as “probability changing state (probability changing)”, and the gaming state in which only the special symbol probability changing function is operated is referred to as “latent probability changing state (latent probability changing)”. The state that is not in the middle is referred to as “normal state (during normal state)”.

(1-2. High base gaming state)
In the present embodiment, the functions related to the above normal symbols, that is, the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol short-time function, and the open extension function are synchronized with the operation trigger of the special symbol short-time function, so the three functions are the same. It will work at the moment. However, when attention is paid to the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol time-shortening function, and the open extension function, respectively, when at least one of these functions is activated, the operating rate of the movable blade piece 47 is improved. Since the operating rate is improved and the winning frequency to the lower start opening 35 is increased, the game condition is that the starting condition of the special symbol variation display game for deriving the big win lottery result is higher than the normal gaming state. It will shift to the “high base game state (starting condition improved state)”. As used herein, the “high base gaming state” refers to a gaming state when a function related to a normal symbol is operated as described above, and a function related to a special symbol, that is, a special symbol probability changing function and a special symbol time-saving function. It is different from the gaming state when one of them is activated.

  Focusing on the special symbol related functions individually, when the special symbol probability changing function is activated, a big hit is more likely to occur than the normal gaming state, that is, the winning probability of the big hit lottery is higher than the normal gaming state. When the special symbol short-time function is activated, the special symbol variation display game has a “special symbol short-time gaming state” in which the digestion time of the special symbol variation display game is faster than the normal gaming state. In this respect, it is distinguished from the “high base gaming state” in which the starting condition of the special symbol variation display game is higher than the normal gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the “high base gaming state”, a gaming state provided with an open extension function that significantly improves the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is treated as a “high base gaming state”. The movable wing piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 corresponds to a state in which the open extension function is not provided under the “high base game state” in which the open extension function is provided (in this embodiment, “normal game state”). Compared to (Yes), the player operates in a high base gaming state that is advantageous to the player.

(1-3. Type of jackpot)
Next, jackpot types managed on the main control unit side will be described.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the types of jackpots to be drawn in the special symbol fluctuation display game are “15R non-probable big jackpots” for non-probable big jackpots, “15R probable big jackpots” for “probable big jackpots”, and “2R sudden probable big jackpots”. A big hit (2R sudden hit big hit) and "2R latent probability change big hit" are provided.

  Of the big hit games with these big hits, the 15R non-probable big hit and the 15R probable big hit will have 15 rounds with the maximum number of round games (the number of times the big prize opening 40 is opened). 2 rounds. In addition, for the 2R sudden hit jackpot and the 2R latent hit jackpot, the opening time of the big winning opening 40 during one round game is set shorter than the 15R non-probable jackpot or 15R probability jackpot (for example, 0.5 seconds). ing.

  In addition, after the big hit game is finished, a specific game state corresponding to the big hit is generated. Specifically, a “probability change state” occurs until the next big hit is confirmed (a big hit game is generated) for the 15R probability change big hit and the 2R sudden change big hit, and the latent probability change state remains until the next big hit for the 2R latent probability big hit. The 15R non-probable big hit will have a “short time state” until the special symbol variation display game number of times is over a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) or until the big hit is determined within the predetermined number of times. It is supposed to occur. Here, since the open extension function is given during the probability changing state or the short time state, these gaming states are “high base gaming states”.

  In addition to the above-mentioned big hits, there is provided a “small hit” to which a hit state (small hit game) is given in which the big winning opening 40 is opened and closed twice in the same manner of game operation as in the case of the 2R latent probability variation big hit. is there. In other words, this small hit game is performed in a game operation mode in which it is difficult for the player to identify the difference from the game operation mode during the big hit game due to the 2R latent probability variation big hit.

  Therefore, the game value given to the player during the small hit game is substantially the same as the game value given to the player during the big hit game due to the 2R latent probability change big hit. However, after the small hit game is over, the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is continued as it is, and in this respect, the characteristic is different from the big hit in which the specific gaming state is generated. For example, when the “small hit” is won during the normal gaming state, the gaming state after the end of the small winning game is the normal gaming state that is the gaming state at the time of the small hit winning. Hereinafter, unless otherwise required, the small hits are treated in the same row as one of the big hit types without being distinguished from other big hits.

  When any of the above jackpots is won, a special symbol reflecting the lottery result is displayed as it is for the special symbol in the special symbol display device 38. In other words, the special symbol display device 38 displays a special symbol for notifying a probable variation big hit, a special symbol for notifying a non-probable big hit, or a special symbol notifying that there is a possibility of either a probable big hit or a non-probable big hit. . On the other hand, on the liquid crystal display device 36, even if the selected big hit is a probable big hit, the decorative symbols are not necessarily displayed from the beginning in a pattern in which the probable big hit is clear. Normally, the player enjoys the game while watching the decorative symbol variation display game of the liquid crystal display device 36, so even if the game result is a symbol indicating the non-probable big hit type, the player has a sense of expectation for the probable big hit. Is to leave.

(1-4. Production mode)
Next, the production mode will be described. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a production mode of production related to the current gaming state to be notified, a normal performance mode for notifying that the gaming state is an uncertain change state, and a big hit lottery probability is high. `` Probability change effect production mode '' that makes an effect that definitely informs that it is in a state, `` Time reduction effect mode '' that makes an effect that definitely informs that it is a short time state, A special effect mode is provided, specifically a “probable concealment concealment effect mode” that conceals the current game state and gives the player a sense of expectation of the latent probability change state.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of effect modes are set as described above, and it is possible to go back and forth between the effect modes. Specifically, if the transition destination is in the probability variation state, the transition control is performed to the “probability modification effect mode”. In the normal game state, transition control is performed to either the normal effect mode or the probability variation concealment effect mode (gase) depending on whether or not the small hit flag is established.

<2. Control device: Fig. 3>
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing an outline of a control device that performs gaming machine control in accordance with the progress of the game as described above.

  This control device is centered on a main control unit 20 that controls overall game operations and an effect control unit 24 that receives effect control commands from the main control unit 20 and performs effect control on images, light, and sound. Composed. The effect control unit 24 is connected to a liquid crystal display device 36 as an image display device. In the present specification, the term “production device” widely refers to devices that produce an image, light, sound, or operation of the movable body, such as a liquid crystal display device 36, a lamp, an LED, a sound generator, and a movable body.

  The main control unit 20 is connected to an external concentration terminal board 21 having external terminals for outputting various information from the main control unit 20 to the outside of the gaming machine. Furthermore, a payout control board 29 is connected to the main control unit 20, and a launch control board 28 for controlling the launching device 32 and a game ball payout apparatus 19 are connected to the payout control board 29. Reference numeral 31 denotes a power supply board. The power supply board 31 is connected to an external power supply (not shown), generates a required power supply from an AC voltage (AC24V: main power supply) supplied from a transformer, and is applied to each control board. Supply. In FIG. 3, the power supply route is omitted.

(2-1. Main control unit 20)
The main control unit 20 is equipped with a microprocessor incorporating a main control CPU 201, a main control ROM 202 storing a control program and control data describing a series of gaming machine control procedures, and a main control in which a work area is formed. A RAM 203 is mounted to constitute a one-chip microcomputer. Although not shown, a CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) having a function of generating a pulse output with a constant period and a function of measuring time, and an interrupt controller circuit for giving an interrupt signal to the CPU are provided.

  The main control unit 20 includes a special symbol start port sensor 34 a that detects a winning at the upper start port 34, a special symbol start port sensor 35 a that detects a win at the lower start port 35, and a normal symbol start port 37. An ordinary symbol start opening sensor 37a for detecting passage, a general winning opening sensor 43a for detecting a winning at the general winning opening 43, and a large winning opening sensor 40a for detecting a winning at the large winning opening 40 are connected. The control unit 20 can receive each of these detection signals.

  In addition, the main control unit 20 includes a special symbol display device 38, a normal symbol display device 39, a normal variation winning device solenoid 41a for controlling opening and closing of the movable wing piece 47 of the lower start port 35, and a wide of the large winning port 40. A special variable prize winning device solenoid 42a for controlling opening / closing of the open door 42b is connected, and the main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for controlling each device.

  In addition, the main control unit 20 draws whether it is “big hit” that generates a special gaming state advantageous to the player or “losing” that does not cause this special gaming state, and responds to the success / failure information that is the lottery result. A configuration in which a variation pattern or a stop symbol of a special symbol is determined, and an effect control command including at least the lottery result and the variation pattern or a decoration symbol command based on the determined stop symbol is generated and transmitted to the effect control unit 24 It has become.

  The effect control command from the main control unit 20 is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 by one-way communication. This is to prevent an illegal signal from an external goto action from being input to the main control unit 20 via the effect control unit 24.

(2-2. Production control unit 24)
The effect control unit 24 is equipped with a microprocessor incorporating an effect control CPU 241, an effect control ROM 242 storing a control program describing effect control procedures, effect data, and the like, an effect control RAM 243 in which a work area is formed, It is equipped with. Although not shown, a sound source IC, a CTC, an interrupt controller circuit, and the like are provided. The main roles of the effect control unit 24 are reception of effect control commands from the main control unit 20, effect pattern lottery, control of the liquid crystal display device 36, sound control of the speaker 46, frame lamp / LED light emission control, movable These include body movement control and notification of various errors.

  The effect control unit 24 includes an optical display control unit for the light display device 45a including the decorative lamp 45 and the LED, and an acoustic control unit for the sound generation device 46a including the speaker 46, in order to perform the effect processing for light and sound. ing.

  In addition, in response to the effect control command, the effect control unit 24 draws an effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern, and causes the effect display to be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36.

  The effect control unit 24 is connected to a frame effect button 13 serving as an effect intervention operation means. The frame effect button 13 is a push button that can be operated by the player. When the player participates in the stop button chance game in the special effect mode, or when the player participates in the promotion effect game of the player participation type, etc. And operated by the player.

  The effect control CPU 241 functions as an effect execution control unit that receives an effect control command from the main control CPU 201 and executes and controls various effects.

  In addition, the effect control unit 24 generates a control data necessary for performing display control of the liquid crystal display device 36 and outputs the control data to the VDP, and a liquid crystal control including a program describing an operation procedure of the liquid crystal control CPU. It has a ROM and a liquid crystal control RAM that functions as a work area and a buffer memory.

  The effect control unit 24 includes a video display processor (VDP) that is connected to the liquid crystal control CPU and performs image expansion processing, an image data ROM that stores image data required for image expansion by the VDP, and a VDP. A VRAM or the like for temporarily storing the image data developed by is also provided.

  Information on the gaming state is first required for a special symbol variation pattern based on the result of the jackpot lottery (whether it is a big hit or a loss), the current gaming state, the number of balls held for operation, a decorative symbol to be stopped based on the lottery result, etc. Basic information is transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the effect control unit 24 by an effect control command.

  On the effect control unit 24 side, an effect pattern corresponding to the effect scenario instructed by the effect control command sent from the main control unit 20 is determined by lottery from a number of effect patterns prepared in advance. A control signal instructing execution of the effect pattern is sent from the effect control unit 24 to the liquid crystal display device 36, the sound generator 46a, and the light display device 45a. Thereby, the reproduction of the image on the liquid crystal display device 36 corresponding to the effect pattern, the reproduction of the sound effect corresponding to the effect pattern, and the lighting and blinking drive of the decoration lamp 45 and the LED are realized.

  The production control command is composed of a 1-byte length mode (MODE) and an event (EVENT) of the same 1-byte length. When these pieces of information are transmitted as valid, the mode (MODE) and the event (EVENT) Corresponding to each, a strobe signal is output. That is, when there is a command to be transmitted, the main control CPU 201 sets and outputs mode (MODE) information for transmitting the command to the effect control unit 24, and the first strobe signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from this setting. Is sent. Further, event (EVENT) information is set and output after the elapse of a predetermined time from the transmission of the strobe signal, and the second time of the strobe signal is transmitted after the elapse of the predetermined time from the setting. When the strobe signal is transmitted, the effect control CPU 241 generates an interrupt corresponding to the strobe signal, and receives a command by this interrupt processing. The strobe signal is controlled by the main control CPU 201 to be in an active state for a predetermined period during which the effect control CPU 241 can reliably receive a command.

<3. Processing on the main control side: FIGS. 4 to 14>
Next, processing contents on the main control unit 20 side will be described with reference to FIGS.

(3-1. Main control side main process: FIG. 4)
When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on, a voltage is supplied to each control board by the power supply board 31, and the main control CPU 201 starts the main process on the main control side shown in FIG.

  In the main control side main process, first, a necessary initial setting process before starting the game operation is executed (step S101).

  Next, the state (ON / OFF) of the output signal of the RAM clear switch input through an input port (not shown) is confirmed. If the RAM clear switch is ON (step S102: YES), step S105 is performed. Then, the storage area is cleared as RAM initialization processing. However, if the RAM clear switch is not on (step S102: NO), it is determined whether or not the backup data stored in the backup RAM is valid when the power supply is interrupted next (step S103). When power is restored, the checksum is compared to check whether the backup data is valid.

  If the backup data is valid (step S103: YES), based on the backup data, the stack pointer before the power shutdown is restored, and the game restoration process necessary for starting the game from the processing state at the time of the power shutdown is performed. Execute (step S104), and proceed to step S107. If the backup data is not valid (step S103: NO), the stack pointer designation address is set in the stack pointer, and the RAM is initialized (step S105). With the initialization of the RAM, the RAM clear information is transmitted as an initialization command to each control board (step S106).

  Next, the CTC provided in the CPU is set (step S107). In this process, an initial value corresponding to 4 ms is set in the CTC time constant register so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 4 ms.

  After finishing the processing after the initial power-on in steps S101 to S107, as the normal operation processing (steps S108 to S112), the interrupt prohibition (step S108) and the interrupt permission (step S112) are repeated, In the meantime, various random number update processes are executed (steps S109 to S111).

  As a random number update process, after the process of S step 108, first, a random number value update process for a variation pattern is executed (step S109). In this variation pattern random value update process, the variation pattern random value using the special symbol variation pattern command for lottery is mainly updated.

  Subsequently, in the normal value per-symbol determination initial value random number update process (step S110) for executing the normal value per-symbol determination initial value random number update process (step S110) and the special symbol per-symbol determination initial value random number update process (step S111). , Update the random number used to change the initial value of the random number for normal symbol determination used in the normal symbol variation display game winning / failing lottery (for example, the process of updating the count value of the counter), and determine the initial value random number for special symbol determination In the update process (step S111), a random number used for changing the initial value of the special symbol per-determination random number used for the success / failure lottery of the special symbol variation display game is updated.

(3-2. Main control timer interrupt processing: Fig. 5)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing on the main control side that is activated by interruption every predetermined time (4 ms) in the main processing on the main control side.

  First, the main control CPU 201 executes a saving process (step S201) for saving a register to a predetermined stack area.

  Next, a periodic random number update process for periodically updating the random number related to each variable display game is executed (step S202). In the regular random number update process, various random numbers used for the success / failure lottery of the normal symbol variation display game and the special symbol variation display game are periodically updated.

  Next, a timer management process for managing and controlling a timer used for the game operation is executed (step S203). The timer values of various timers used for game machine control are updated here.

  Next, input management processing is executed (step S204). In this input management process, detection information from various sensors provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is read and stored in a register in itself (not shown). The information detected by the various sensors includes ON / OFF of switch signals output from winning detection switches such as the normal symbol starting port sensor 37a, the big winning port sensor 40a, the special symbol starting port sensors 34a and 35a, and the general winning port sensor 43a. Information.

(3-2-1. Input management processing: FIG. 6)
FIG. 6 shows the input management process. In this input management process, the CPU 201 of the main control unit 20 accesses the input port for the special symbol start port sensors 34a, 35a, and the switch signal output from the special symbol start port sensors 34a, 35a is at the first level (H Whether the ON signal (logical value 1) of level) or the OFF signal (logic value 0) of second level (L level) is read twice (step S221). If the values read twice are different, the reading operation is repeated again to increase the reliability. The read level (logical value) data is set in the level data section provided in the work area of the main control RAM 203 (step S222).

  Next, special figure starting port ON edge data is created, and this special figure starting port ON edge data is set in the ON edge data section provided in the work area of the main control RAM 203 (step S223). Also, special figure starting port OFF edge data is created, and this special figure starting port OFF edge data is set in the OFF edge data section provided in the work area of the main control RAM 203 (step S224).

(3-2-2. ON edge data and OFF edge data: FIG. 7)
Here, how to create the special map start port ON edge data and the special map start port OFF edge data will be described. In FIG. 7, times t <b> 1 to t <b> 7 indicate each time point of the interrupt cycle in which the main control timer interrupt process is performed every 4 ms. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a switch signal (hereinafter referred to as “starter sensor signal”) output from the special symbol starter sensor 34a or 35a, which is a winning detection switch, rises between times t1 and t2 and is turned on. State, and falls between time t5 and t6 and becomes OFF state. In this example, the logical value of the level data read at each time point from time t1 to time t7 and set in the level data portion of the RAM 203 is logic 0 at time t1, logic 1 at time t2 to t5, and time t6 to t7. Logic 0.

  The special chart start-up edge data determines that the software ON edge has occurred when the logical value of the level data changes from “0” to “1”, and the logical value “1” is detected at this ON edge. ”, And a case where there is no change in the logic state in other level data is obtained by setting the logic value to“ 0 ”. In the case of the example in FIG. 7, since the level data that was logic 0 at time t1 changes to logic 1 at time t2, a logic value “1” that means “ON edge” is set at time t2, The special figure starting port ON edge data is stored in the ON edge data portion of the RAM 203 (step S223).

  As for the special figure start-off edge data, it is determined that an OFF edge on the software has occurred by capturing the time point when the logical value of the above level data changes from “1” to “0”, and a logical value “1” is set. The other level data is obtained by setting the logical value “0” when there is no change in the logical state. In the case of the example of FIG. 7, since the level data that was logical 1 at time t5 changes to logical 0 at time t2, a logical value “1” that means “OFF edge” is set at time t6. The special figure starting port OFF edge data is stored in the OFF edge data portion of the RAM 203 (step S224).

  Returning to FIG. 5, error management processing is then executed (step S205). In this error management process, the data read and stored in the input management process is grasped, the switch is checked, and an illegal winning is monitored, the game operation state is monitored, and the abnormality of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is monitored. To do. In this error management process, the ON state of the error notification flag generated in the starting port check process (step S320 in FIG. 9) in the special symbol management process (FIG. 8) to be described later is set to the timer after the next 4 ms. The process which grasps | ascertains at the time of interruption and monitors the abnormality of the switch state of the special symbol start port sensors 34a and 35a is also included. That is, the state of the error notification flag set at the previous main control timer interruption is checked. When it is determined that the error notification flag has been set to the ON state, notification processing regarding illegal winning, for example, transmission of an error notification command to the effect control unit is performed. In response to this error notification command, the effect control unit 24 can provide error notification such as generation of an error sound or blinking of an error display lamp.

  More specifically, in this error management process, at the previous interrupt timing (for example, time t26 in FIG. 10 (B) described later), the switch is performed by step S317 (processing route C) in FIG. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the signal, it is monitored whether the error notification flag is ON or OFF for the error notification flag that may be set to ON in step S320. . Then, the error management process returns the error notification flag to the OFF state when the error notification flag is in the ON state at the present time (time t27 in FIG. 10B). Therefore, the error notification flag is an ON pulse that lasts for an interval of 4 ms as shown in FIG. Then, an error notification command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24, and notifications such as blinking of the decorative lamp 45 of the light display device 45a, sound from the speaker 46 of the sound generation device 46a, screen display on the liquid crystal display device, and the like. Error notification is performed by means. The progress of the game is stopped if necessary. Further, the number of times that the abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality, that is, the number of times that the error notification flag is turned ON is accumulated and stored by the counter as the abnormality number storage means.

  Next, prize ball management processing is executed (step S206). In the prize ball management process, control information (a prize ball payout control command for designating the number of prize balls) for causing the game ball payout device 19 to perform a payout operation is output. Regarding this prize ball payout control, for example, the error notification flag is turned on, or the error number storage means has counted a predetermined number of times, for example, five times as the number of establishment of the error notification flag. As a condition, the output of the payout operation control information may be prohibited.

  Next, normal symbol management processing is executed (step S207). In this normal symbol management process, a lottery determination in the normal symbol variation display game is executed, and the variation pattern of the normal symbol and the stop display mode of the normal symbol are determined based on the lottery result.

  Next, a normal variation winning device management process is executed (step S208). In the normal variation winning device management process, an excitation control signal for solenoid control is transmitted to the normal variation winning device solenoid 41a based on the result of the lottery determination in the normal symbol management processing (step S207), and the movable blade of the normal variation winning device 41 A series of operations of the piece 47 are controlled.

  Next, a special symbol management process is executed (step S209). In this special symbol management process, a big win lottery (big hit determination process) in the special symbol fluctuation display game is executed, and a special symbol fluctuation pattern and a special symbol stop display mode (stop special symbol) are determined based on the lottery result. To do.

(3-3. Special symbol management processing: Fig. 8)
Next, the special symbol management process in step S209 related to the big hit lottery will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol management process. Here, first, a start port check process (step S301) is performed.

  In the start port check process, the number of reserved balls is added and various random numbers are acquired on condition that the number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit.

(3-3-1. Starting port check processing: FIG. 9)
First, it is checked whether or not the number of reserved balls is the maximum (= MAX) four that is the upper limit value (step S311). If the number of balls to be held is the maximum four (step S311: YES), the starting port check process is exited without doing anything.

  When the number of reserved balls is less than the maximum four (≠ MAX) (step S311: NO), the process proceeds to step S312, and it is determined whether or not the logical state of the special figure start port ON edge data is logical one. (Step S312).

  If it is determined in step S312 that the special figure starting port ON edge data is logic 1 (step S312: YES), the processing route A is entered, a predetermined timer time is set in the winning timer, and the winning timer is activated ( In step S313), the winning confirmation flag is turned on (step S314), and various random numbers are acquired (step S315). The various random numbers include the current values of the special symbol lottery random value, the special symbol per-determination random value, the special symbol stop symbol random number, and the variation pattern random number counter, which are obtained numerical values of the RAM 203, respectively. It is stored in the storage area (step S306).

  Here, the “winning timer” is a timer for determining a time length (determination reference time) RT serving as a reference for determining whether or not the start port sensor signal is abnormal. The above-mentioned predetermined timer time set in the discrimination reference time RT, that is, the winning timer, is the ON signal continuation period (for example, 20 ms) from when the ball enters the winning means at normal times until an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal. If the OFF edge of the start sensor signal does not come within this discrimination reference time RT, it is determined that there is an abnormality. However, the discrimination reference time RT as a whole including the margin time is shorter than a known ON signal duration (for example, several hundred ms) until an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal due to insertion / removal of an unauthorized member. It is determined as follows. In the case of this embodiment, the normal ON signal duration of the start sensor signal is considered to be about 20 ms at the longest even though the rolling time of the winning ball is long and short, and further, the ON signal duration based on fraud (for example, Considering that it is necessary to provide a distinct time difference that can be discriminated with respect to (several hundred ms), the value of the discriminating reference time RT is set to 100 ms obtained by adding a margin time to the 20 ms. In other words, the winning timer is set to “25” as the initial setting value when the ON edge that is the rising edge of the start sensor signal occurs, and thereafter, 1 is subtracted every time the main control side timer interrupt process is executed at intervals of 4 ms. The total time is subtracted 25 times and the time is up when 100 ms is counted. If the OFF edge, which is the falling edge of the start port sensor signal, does not come within 100 ms, it is determined that the switch signal is abnormal.

  In addition, the “winning confirmation flag” indicates that when the ON edge of the start sensor signal is additionally generated in the situation where the maximum number of holds is four, the number of holds is three during the ON period of the start sensor signal. This flag is used to ensure that neither the pending addition process nor the error notification is performed by the OFF edge when the OFF edge arrives after that (see FIG. 11). Under the situation where the number of reserves is 4, even if an ON edge of an additional start port sensor signal occurs, the random number value for special symbol lottery is not acquired and the ON edge is treated as invalid, so that the subsequent OFF edge Also, it is necessary not to perform the addition processing of the number of reservations based on. Also, it is necessary to avoid the error notification. Therefore, specifically, before step S317, step S316 for checking whether the winning confirmation flag is in the ON state or the OFF state is placed, and when the winning confirmation flag is in the OFF state, the step S317 is not devised. is doing.

  If it is determined in step S312 that the special figure starting port ON edge data is logic 0 (step S312: NO), the process proceeds to step S316, and it is determined whether or not the winning confirmation flag is ON (step S316). Unless the ON edge of the start sensor signal comes, the processing route A is not entered, and the winning confirmation flag is in the OFF state. Therefore, the determination in step S316 is NO, and the start check process is terminated without doing anything.

  However, when the ON edge of the start port sensor signal comes and the ON period data after the special figure start port ON edge data becomes logic 1, the winning confirmation flag is set to the ON state through the processing route A. Therefore, the determination in step S316 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds from step S316 to step S317, and it is checked whether or not the winning timer has expired (step S317). While the winning timer is operating, that is, measuring 100 ms and not yet timed up (step S317: NO), the process proceeds to step S321, and whether the logic state of the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 1 It is determined whether or not (step S321).

  In the determination in step S321, during the ON period until the OFF edge of the start port sensor signal arrives, the logical state of the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 0, so the determination in step S321 is NO, and the start port The check process is exited and the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  If the OFF edge of the start port sensor signal arrives in the determination in step S321, the logical state of the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 1, so the determination in step S321 is YES and the processing route B is entered. . Then, the winning confirmation flag is returned to OFF (step S322), the value of the winning timer is cleared (step S323), and then the process associated with the operation of the switch is satisfied when the start condition of the symbol variation operation is satisfied. Do what you need to do. In the present embodiment, various setting processes at the time of hold addition, such as a process of adding the number of held balls and a process of sending a hold addition command, are performed (step S324).

  This 1-addition information is a kind of winning information relating to the number of reserved balls, and is stored in the RAM 203. Therefore, when a game ball wins at the symbol start opening, the RAM 203 temporarily suspends execution of the symbol variation operation based on the winning and stores the number of retained balls up to the upper limit value, indicating that the symbol variation operation start condition has been established. It functions as a storage device for storing the number of reserved balls as one condition.

  As is apparent from the above, in the start port check process of FIG. 9, even when a start port sensor signal is generated, at the time when logic 1 is generated in the special view start port ON edge data (step S312: YES). At the time when it is confirmed that logic 1 has been generated in the special drawing start opening OFF edge data (step S321: YES) For the first time, the number of reserved balls is added. However, the acquisition of various random numbers such as a special symbol lottery random value is performed when logic 1 is generated in the special diagram starting port ON edge data (step S312: YES). By doing so, it is possible to meet the request to acquire a random number value for special symbol lottery when the start port sensor signal is ON.

  On the other hand, when an illegal act such as inserting an illegal member into the special symbol start opening sensor 34a, 35a to make it ON is performed, the OFF edge of the start opening sensor signal does not arrive within 100 ms of the winning timer described above. . Therefore, since the determination in step S317 is “timer time = 0” (step S317: YES), the processing route C is entered, the winning confirmation flag is turned off (step S318), and the random number acquired when the start sensor signal is turned on is cleared. After (step S319), an error notification flag is set (step S320).

  According to the present embodiment, the processing associated with the operation of the switch is performed on the condition that it has been confirmed that the OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal of the winning detection switch. As compared with the case of executing, a reliable processing operation without malfunction can be performed.

  Specifically, when it is determined that there is an abnormality when the OFF edge cannot be confirmed before the time of the winning timer is counted, it is determined that there is an abnormality when the length of the ON duration exceeds a predetermined period. Compared to the above, it is possible to easily cope with the abnormality of the switch signal. For example, when an ON edge occurs in a special symbol start sensor signal based on a prize for fraud (illegal prize) under a situation where the number of reserved balls is zero, processing related to a special symbol (such as a big hit lottery or hold) If a process such as addition of the number of balls) is being executed, there is a possibility that a jackpot will be generated due to the illegal winning, and then it is impossible or extremely difficult to cancel this as illegal. However, in the present invention, the processing related to the special symbol is not executed unless an OFF edge occurs in the switch signal of the winning detection switch. Therefore, when it is determined that the switch signal is abnormal before it is turned off, the switch signal is invalidated without any inconvenience. Can be processed as As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not it is an illegal winning with higher accuracy than when determining that there is an abnormality when the length of the ON continuation period exceeds the predetermined period length.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the start opening check process will be described separately for a normal operation and an abnormal operation.

(A) In normal operation (Fig. 10)
10A is a timing chart illustrating the case of normal operation, and FIG. 10B is a timing chart illustrating the case of abnormal operation. In both figures, times t1 to t15 indicate the respective points in the interrupt cycle in which the main control timer interrupt process is performed every 4 ms.

  In the example of the normal operation shown in FIG. 10 (a), the start port sensor signal rises between time t1 and t2 and turns on, and falls between time t5 and t6 and turns off. Therefore, the logical value of the level data read at each point in time t1 to t15 and set in the level data portion of the RAM 203 is logic 0 at time t1, logic 1 at times t2 to t5, and logic 0 at times t6 to t8. , Logic 1 at times t9 to t12, and logic 0 at times t13 to t15. For this reason, the special figure starting port ON edge data is set to logic 1 at times t2 and t13 when the level data changes from logic 0 to logic 1, and is stored in the ON edge data portion of the RAM 203. Also, the special figure start port OFF edge data is set to logic 1 at time t6 when the level data changes from logic 1 to logic 0, and is stored in the OFF edge data portion of the RAM 203.

  If the number of holdings is the maximum of four, the determination in step S311 in FIG. 9 is YES, and the start port check process is exited without doing anything. That is, an operation is performed in which the start port check process is immediately exited without entering the process route A of steps S312 to S315 or the process route B of steps S322 to S324. For this reason, neither the special symbol lottery random number value, the special symbol per-design determining random number value, the special symbol stop symbol random value, or the like, nor the process of adding the number of reserved balls is performed.

  Next, the operation when the current number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit of 4 will be described.

  At time t1, the ON edge of the start sensor signal has not yet arrived, the level data is logic 0, the special figure start opening ON edge data is logic 0, and the special figure start opening OFF edge data is logic 0. Yes. Since the number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit of 4, the determination in step S311 is NO (number of held balls ≠ MAX), and the process proceeds to step S312, where the logical state of the special-design start port ON edge data for the start port sensor signal Is determined (step S312). Since the special figure start port ON edge data is logic 0, the determination in step S312 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S316, where the winning confirmation flag is checked. Since the winning confirmation flag is OFF, the determination in step S316 is YES, and the process proceeds from step S316 to step S317 to check the state of the winning timer. Since the winning timer is not currently operating, the determination in step S317 is NO (winning timer ≠ 0), and the process proceeds to step S321 to determine the logical state of the special figure start port OFF edge data. At time t1, since the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 0, the determination in step S321 is NO, and the start port check process is exited. Eventually, at time t1, which is a period before the ON edge of the start sensor signal arrives, nothing is performed and the start check process is exited, and the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  The operation at the time of interruption at time t2 is as follows. First, step S311 in FIG. 9 is entered. Here, since the case where the number of reserved balls is less than the upper limit of four is handled, the determination in step S311 is NO (the number of held balls ≠ MAX), and the process proceeds to step S312, and the special-purpose start opening ON for the start opening sensor signal. The logical state of the edge data is determined (step S312).

  Since the start port sensor signal rises immediately before time t2 and the level data changes from logic 0 to logic 1 at time t2, the special diagram start port ON edge data is logic 1 at the time t2 interrupt. The start port OFF edge data is in a logic 0 state. Accordingly, the determination in step S312 is YES (special drawing start port ON edge data = logic 1), the processing route A is entered, the determination reference time RT of 100 ms is set as the initial value in the winning timer (step S313), and the winning confirmation flag is set. Is turned ON (step S314), and various random numbers such as a special symbol lottery random value, a special symbol determination random number value, a special symbol stop symbol random number, and a current value of a variation pattern random value counter are acquired (step S315). ).

  From time t3 to t5, the start port sensor signal continues to be in the ON state, the level data is logic 1, the special figure start port ON edge data is logic 0, and the special view start port OFF edge data is logic 0. Has continued.

  Therefore, the determination in step S312 is NO (special drawing start port ON edge data = logic 0), and the process proceeds to step S316. Since the winning confirmation flag is set to ON in step S314, the determination in step S316 is YES (winning confirmation flag = ON), the process proceeds from step S316 to step S317, and it is determined whether or not the winning timer has timed out. To do. Since the winning timer is currently measuring 100 ms, the determination in step S317 is NO (winning timer ≠ 0), and the process proceeds to step S321, where it is determined whether or not the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 1. Since the OFF edge of the start port sensor signal has not yet arrived between times t3 and t5, and the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 0, the determination in step S321 is NO (special view start port OFF edge data). = Logic 0), the start port check process is exited, and the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  The start port sensor signal falls between time t5 and t6, and the level data changes from logic 1 to logic 0 at time t6. Therefore, at the time t6 interrupt, the special drawing start port ON edge data is logic. 0 and the special figure start port OFF edge data is in the logic 1 state.

  Therefore, at time t6, the process proceeds from step S311 to step S312, and it is determined whether or not the special figure start port ON edge data is logic 1 for the start port sensor signal. Since the special figure starting port ON edge data is logic 0, the determination in step S312 is NO (special drawing starting port ON edge data = 0), and the process proceeds from step S312 to step S316, where the winning confirmation flag is ON. It is determined whether or not there is (step S316). Since the winning confirmation flag remains set ON in step S314, the determination in step S316 is YES (winning confirmation flag = ON), the process proceeds from step S316 to step S317, and the winning timer is timed up (winning timer = 0) is checked. The ON period of the start port sensor signal is, for example, about 20 ms, which is shorter than the setting time of the winning timer 100 ms. Therefore, at this time 6, the winning timer is currently measuring 100 ms, and the time is still up. Absent. Therefore, the determination in step S317 is NO (winning timer ≠ 0), and the process proceeds to step S321, in which it is determined whether or not the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 1 (step S321).

  Since the special figure starting port OFF edge data is logic 1 at time t6, the determination in step S321 is YES (special drawing starting port OFF edge data = logic 1), the processing route B is entered, and the winning confirmation flag is returned to OFF. (Step S322), the winning timer is cleared (Step S323). Next, as various setting processes at the time of holding addition, a holding ball number adding process, a holding addition command transmission process, and the like are performed (step S324). Thereafter, the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  After that, at time t9 and t13, as in the above-described times t2 and t6, the special figure starting port ON edge data becomes logic 1, and the special figure starting port OFF edge data becomes logic 1, but it can be seen from FIG. Since the operation is the same as that at times t2 and t6, the description is omitted.

  As described above, only the acquisition of the random number for special symbol lottery is performed at the ON edge on the software of the start port sensor signal, and the addition processing of the number of reserved balls is performed only when the OFF edge of the start port sensor signal is confirmed. Thus, as described below, it can be ensured that neither the acquisition of the special symbol lottery random value nor the hold addition process is performed during an abnormal operation.

(B) In case of abnormal operation (Fig. 10)
FIG. 10B shows an example of an abnormal operation in which the start port sensor signal rises immediately after time t1 and turns on, and then continues on. The start port sensor signal rises between time t1 and time t2, and the level data changes from logic 0 to logic 1. Therefore, at the time of interruption at time t2, the special start port ON edge data is logic 1, The start opening OFF edge data in FIG. However, after that, since the start port sensor signal does not turn off indefinitely, the special figure start port OFF edge data continues to be in the logic 0 state.

  First, the operation at time t2 is the same as in the normal state, and is as follows. That is, since the special chart start opening ON edge data is logic 1, processing flow A is entered from step S312 and the determination reference time RT of 100 ms is set as the initial value in the winning timer (step S313), and the winning confirmation flag is turned ON. (Step S314), various random numbers such as special symbol lottery random numbers are acquired (Step S315).

  The operation at time t3 to t5 is the same as that at the normal time, and is as follows. That is, since the special figure starting port ON edge data is logic 0, the process proceeds from step S312 to step S316, and the state of the winning confirmation flag is confirmed. Since the winning confirmation flag is set to ON in step S314, the process proceeds from step S316 to step S317, and it is checked whether or not the winning timer is up. Since the winning timer is currently measuring 100 ms, the process proceeds to step S321 to determine the logical state of the special figure start port OFF edge data (step S321). Since the special figure start port OFF edge data is logic 0, the process exits step S321 and returns to step S301 in FIG. This operation is repeated at each time point from time t3 to time t5.

  However, the operation after time t6 is different from that at normal time. That is, in the normal state, the start port sensor signal falls immediately after time t5, so that the special figure start port OFF edge data becomes logic 1 at time t6. However, in the case of abnormality shown in this example, the time t6 Thereafter, the special figure start port OFF edge data continues to be in the logic 0 state. Therefore, the operation at the times t3 to t5 described above, that is, the operation of exiting the starting port check process through steps S311, S312, S316, and S321 is continued.

  In the meantime, at time t26, the winning timer finishes counting 100 ms and time is up. Therefore, the determination in step S317 is YES (winning timer = 0) and the processing flow C is entered, the winning confirmation flag is turned OFF (step S318), and the random number acquired when ON is cleared (step S319). A notification flag is set (step S320). When the error notification flag is set, in error management processing (step S205 in FIG. 5), processing such as notification processing related to fraudulent winning (such as transmission of an error notification command to the effect control unit) or game progress stop is performed. Is called.

  Therefore, if an illegal act is attempted to illegally start a symbol game or obtain a prize ball by inserting a metal piece or the like into the special symbol start openings 34a, 35a, the OFF edge of the start opening sensor signal Will not arrive within 100 ms of the above-mentioned winning timer, and based on this fact, it is possible to detect fraud quickly and to report an error.

(C) Action of winning confirmation flag (FIG. 11)
Here, the operation of the winning confirmation flag will be described. FIG. 11 shows an operation in the case where the maximum number of holdings is four when the start port sensor signal is ON and the number of holdings is reduced to three by the subsequent OFF.

  At time t1, since the number of holdings is the maximum of four, the determination in step S311 of FIG. 9 is YES, and the start opening check process is exited without doing anything. That is, an operation is performed in which the start port check process is immediately exited without entering the process route A in steps S312 to S315.

  Next, at time t2, there is a new winning (the fifth winning that exceeds the fourth of the number of held balls by one), and the ON edge of the start sensor signal (logic 1 of ON edge data) arrives. However, since there is no change in the number of holdings at the maximum of 4 at this time, the start port check process is immediately exited from step S311 without entering the process route A of steps S312 to S315. What should be noted in the operation here is that various random numbers are not acquired (step S315) in spite of the arrival of the ON edge of the start port sensor signal.

  At the next time t3, since the maximum number of holds is four, the operation of immediately starting from the start opening check process is similarly performed from step S311.

  Next, at time t4, the reserved number is digested by 1 and reduced to 3. At this time, in the start port check process of FIG. 9, since it is determined in step S311 that the number of reserved balls is not equal to MAX, the process proceeds to step S312. At the time t4, the logic state of the special figure start port ON edge data is logic 0, so the process proceeds from step S312 to step S316, and it is determined whether or not the winning confirmation flag is in the ON state (step S316). Since the fifth start port sensor signal currently being handled does not pass through the processing route A when the ON edge arrives (time t2), the winning confirmation flag is OFF. Therefore, the determination in step S316 is NO (winning confirmation flag = OFF), nothing is done, the start port check process in FIG. 9 is terminated, and the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  Thereafter, at time t6, the OFF edge (logic 1 of the special figure starting port OFF edge data) arrives. At this time, in the start opening check process of FIG. 9, the process goes to step S316 through step S311 and step S312 as described above. However, since the winning confirmation flag is OFF at time t6, the determination in step S316 is performed. Is NO (winning confirmation flag = OFF), nothing is done, the start port check process in FIG. 9 is terminated, and the process returns to step S301 in FIG.

  That is, for the fifth start sensor signal, the random number for special symbol lottery is not acquired when the ON edge arrives (time t2), and the reserved number is also obtained when the OFF edge arrives (time t6). Is not added. This result is consistent with a request to invalidate the fifth start port sensor signal even when the number of the hold is four at the maximum.

  Assuming that there is no state confirmation step (step S316) of the above-described winning confirmation flag, when an OFF edge (logic 1 of the special figure start port OFF edge data) arrives at time t6, as described above, step S311 and After passing through S312, step S317 is reached immediately and it is determined whether or not the winning timer is operating. At this time t6, since the winning timer is not activated (winning timer = 0), processing route C is entered and an error notification flag is set, and processing relating to error notification is performed even though it is a regular winning. It will end up. If the winning timer is in operation (winning timer ≠ 0), the process proceeds to step S321, where the logical state of the special figure starting port OFF edge data is determined. As a result, the processing route B is entered, and the process of adding the reserved number is performed. However, in this embodiment, since the winning confirmation flag is provided as described above, such inconvenience does not occur.

  As described above, in the start opening check process (step S301) of FIG. 8, whether or not a winning ball is detected at the upper start opening 34 or the lower start opening 35 is first determined whether an ON edge of the start opening sensor signal has occurred. If it can be confirmed, a random number for determination per special symbol is acquired (step S315). Next, with respect to the start port sensor signal, it is confirmed whether or not the OFF edge has occurred, and if it can be confirmed, the various processing at the time of holding addition is performed on condition that the number of special symbol operation holding balls is less than 4. This is performed (step S324). These various processes include a process for adding 1 to the number of held balls, a process for transmitting a hold addition command, and the like. This hold addition command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 by distinguishing it as an upper start opening prize command for the upper start opening 34 and as a lower start opening prize command for the lower start opening 35, and the number of operation reserved balls of special symbols is displayed on the liquid crystal display. It is used when displaying on the device 36. If the occurrence of the OFF edge cannot be confirmed, an error notification flag is set and an error command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S302. When the process proceeds to step S302, it is determined whether or not it is “big hit”, and if it is “big hit” (step S302: YES), there is no need to manage special symbols. The process ends, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process in step S209 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that it is not “big hit” (step S302: NO), the processing state indicating the behavior of the special symbol is “special symbol waiting”, “special symbol changing”, “special symbol is stopped” ”In order (step S303, step S305, step S307), and processing corresponding to each processing state is performed if applicable. “Waiting for special symbol” means that the special symbol has not been changed and is waiting for the next change, and “Special symbol changing” means that the special symbol is currently changing. “The special symbol is stopped” indicates that the special symbol has been changed and stopped.

  If the above processing status is waiting for a special symbol, “special symbol variation start processing” is performed. If the special symbol variation is in progress, “special symbol variation processing” is performed. “Processing during suspension” is performed. Hereinafter, the special symbol variation start process, the special symbol variation process, and the special symbol variation stop process will be described in this order.

(3-3-2. Special symbol variation start processing: FIG. 12)
FIG. 12 shows the details of the special symbol variation start process which is shifted to the case where it is determined that the special symbol is waiting in the special symbol management process (FIG. 8) (step S303: YES).

  In the special symbol variation start process of FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not the number of reserved balls (holding storage) for the special symbol is zero (step S331).

  If the number of special symbol actuated balls is zero (step S331: YES), the special symbol is in a standby state and there is no reserved memory, and the fact that it has entered this state is reported to the production control unit 24 side. There is a need. For this reason, in this embodiment, a standby production command is transmitted (step S340).

  However, if the standby effect command is transmitted without condition when the number of special symbol operation reserved balls is zero, the transmission of the standby effect command is repeated at a period of 4 ms while the number of special symbol operation reserved balls is zero. Unnecessary transmission occurs. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the standby effect command has not been transmitted (step S339). If the standby effect command has not been transmitted (step S339: YES), the standby effect command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 (step S340). ) If the standby effect command has already been transmitted (step S339: NO), this special symbol management process is terminated without transmitting the standby effect command to the effect control unit 24.

  Depending on the gaming machine, it is determined whether or not a demonstration display condition for performing a demonstration effect is satisfied. If the demonstration display condition is satisfied, a demonstration display command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, this determination is left to the effect control unit 24, and the special symbol management process is terminated without determining whether the demonstration display condition is satisfied.

  On the other hand, when the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is not zero (step S331: NO), the special symbol operation reservation balls number is decremented by 1 (step S332), and a reservation command corresponding to the decreased number of reservation balls is transmitted (step S333). ). Next, a process of determining whether the random value acquired in step S306 belongs to the jackpot determination value (a jackpot determination process) is executed (step S334). In this determination process, a big hit lottery is performed with a lottery probability corresponding to the gaming state (low probability state, probability variation state).

  Next, a stop symbol (special symbol stop symbol) is selected by lottery based on the determination result of the jackpot in step S334 and the special symbol stop symbol random value acquired in step S306 (step S335). Depending on the special symbol stop symbol drawn in this process, the jackpot mode (for example, how many rounds during the jackpot game will be) and the game state after the jackpot (for example, probability fluctuation, short-time state, open extension etc.) Whether to set) is finally determined.

  Next, a variation pattern setting process is executed (step S336). In this variation pattern setting process, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the stop symbol lottery result in step S335 and the variation pattern random value acquired in step S306, and the variation time corresponding to this variation pattern is further determined. It is determined. Then, the processing state is switched to “special symbol variation” (step S337), and a special symbol variation command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 (step S338). The “special symbol variation command” here includes a “special symbol designation” command and a “decorative symbol display” command in addition to the “special symbol variation pattern” command. Therefore, these effect control commands are transmitted to the effect control unit 24 on the condition that the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied. As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

(3-3-3. Special symbol variation processing: Fig. 13)
FIG. 13 shows the details of the special symbol changing process that shifts to the case where it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the special symbol management process (FIG. 8) (step S305: YES).

  In the special symbol variation processing of FIG. 13, the process waits for the special symbol variation time to elapse (step S351: NO). If the special symbol variation time has not elapsed, the special symbol variation processing is terminated without doing anything (step S351: NO). When the special symbol variation time has elapsed (step S351: YES), the processing state is switched to “special symbol is stopped” (step S352), and a special symbol change command indicating that the variation of the special symbol has ended and stopped is produced. The data is transmitted to the control unit 24 (step S353). As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

(3-3-4. Special symbol change suspension processing: Fig. 14)
FIG. 14 shows the details of the special symbol fluctuation stopping process that is shifted to the case where it is determined that the special symbol is stopped in the special symbol management process (FIG. 8) (step S307: YES).

  In the special symbol variation stop process of FIG. 14, first, the process waits for a certain time to display the stopped symbol on the special symbol display device 38 (step S361: NO). Step S361: YES), it is determined whether or not the stop symbol is a jackpot symbol (Step S362). If it is a big hit symbol (step S362: YES), the processing state is set to "big hit" (step S363) and switched to "special symbol standby" (step S364). If the stop symbol is not a big hit symbol (step S362: NO), the process proceeds to step S364 without performing the process of step S363, and is switched to “waiting for special symbol” (step S364). As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

  Returning to FIG. 5, following the special symbol management process (step S209), the special variable winning device management process is executed (step S210). In the special variable winning device management process, an excitation control signal for solenoid control is transmitted to the special variable winning device solenoid 42a on the basis of the result of the big hit winning lottery in the special symbol management processing (step S209). This is a process of controlling the opening and closing of the big winning opening 40 according to a predetermined pattern and controlling the execution of the game related to the big hit.

  The main control unit (main control CPU) 20 executes the “LED management process” after the special variable winning device management process (step S211). This LED management process is a process of creating output data to the normal symbol display device 39 or the special symbol display device 38 or outputting a control signal based on the data according to the progress of the process.

  Further, the main control unit (main control CPU) 20 sends signals indicating game states such as big hits, special symbol determination, normal symbol determination, winning ball detection at the symbol starting port, etc. An external terminal management process for outputting to the outside of the gaming machine such as a hall computer HC or an island lamp used for management of the gaming island is performed (step S212). As part of this external terminal management process, the main control unit (main control CPU) 20 sets the error notification flag stored in the counter of the abnormality count storage means to the ON state in the error management process (step S205). When the number of times has been read and this has reached a predetermined number of times, for example, five times, it is determined that the possibility of fraudulent winning is extremely high. Information). Of course, the error notification information may be transmitted to the hall computer HC when the error notification flag is turned on once.

  And after performing the process of step S202-step S212 as mentioned above, the contents of a register are restored (step S213) and a timer interruption process is complete | finished. As a result, the processing returns from the interrupt processing routine to the main routine.

  If the main control timer interrupt process occurs again 4 ms later, the error notification flag state is checked in the error management process of step S205. Here, when it is determined that the error notification flag is set to the ON state, notification processing regarding unauthorized winning (such as transmission of an error notification command to the effect control unit) is performed in the error management processing. Upon receiving this error command, the effect control unit 24 can notify an error such as an error sound. In this error management process, not only an error notification but also a process such as a game progress stop is performed as necessary.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, for example, when an ON edge occurs in the start sensor signal between times t1 and t2 in FIG. 10 (A), the ON edge data is logical 1 (software 1) at the interrupt timing at time t2 immediately after the ON edge. Therefore, based on this logic 1 ON edge data, that is, with a slight delay in time from the actual ON edge, a special symbol lottery value, a random number value for special symbol determination, and a special symbol Various random numbers such as stop symbol random values for symbols are obtained. However, if you have a circuit configuration that acquires these random numbers without delaying to the true ON edge that occurs between times t1 and t2 in terms of hardware, this will already be retained in hardware when you win a prize. The random number value may be acquired at any timing of the ON edge and OFF edge on the software of the start port sensor signal that occurs thereafter.

  In the above embodiment, the determination reference time RT for performing the abnormality determination is one type of 100 ms. However, while the upper start port 34 that is the first special symbol start port is a normal winning port, the lower start port 35 that is the second special symbol start port opens and closes the pair of left and right movable wing pieces 47. It is a tulip-shaped electric accessory, and both are different in structure. When the game ball rolls down through the first start port 34 and the second start port 35 under normal conditions, the switch signals output from the special symbol start port sensors 34a and 35a have different ON signal durations. Is recognized. Therefore, a plurality of types of discrimination reference times RT are prepared based on the difference in the ON signal continuation time, and in order to monitor abnormalities in the switch signals of the corresponding special symbol start port sensors 34a, 35a, predetermined prize timers are assigned to the respective winning timers. Different reference values RT may be set as the timer times.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the abnormality of the switch signal of the special symbol start opening sensor 34a, 35a is monitored has been described. However, the switch signal of the normal symbol start opening sensor 37a that detects the game ball passing through the normal symbol start opening 37 is described. This can also be applied to monitoring abnormalities. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, in step S315, the normal symbol lottery random number for starting the normal symbol variation display game is acquired, and in step S324, the number of reserved balls (upper limit of 4) for the normal symbol is set to 1. Hold addition processing to add. As a result, the normal symbol variation display game is started on the condition that it has been confirmed that an OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal of the normal symbol start port sensor 37a. The winning device 41 can be operated. In addition, if the OFF edge cannot be confirmed before the timer time of the winning timer is counted, it can be determined that there is an abnormality, the acquired normal symbol random number is cleared, and the switch signal itself Can be invalidated. For this reason, as in the case of the switch signals of the special symbol start port sensors 34a and 35a, it is possible to ensure a reliable processing operation at both the appropriate time and the abnormal time for the switch signal of the normal symbol start port sensor 37a.

  In addition, the present invention performs processing associated with the operation of the switch on the condition that it has been confirmed that an OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal of the winning detection switch. The present invention can also be applied to monitoring an abnormality of the switch signal of the general winning opening sensor 43a that detects a played game ball.

  In the above embodiment, the error notification flag is set to the ON state in step S420 of the start opening check process, and this error notification flag is automatically returned to the OFF state in the error management process after 4 ms. It can be configured to return to the OFF state after waiting for the release signal.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an error notification flag is set in the start opening check process, and in the error management process, a notification process such as transmitting an error notification command to the effect control unit based on the error notification flag, a game progress stop, etc. However, instead of performing the error management process, a notification process such as transmission of these error notification commands and a process such as a game progress stop are performed in step S320 of the start port check process. May be.

  Similarly, in the above embodiment, when the error notification flag continues for a predetermined number of times in the external terminal management process (step S212), the error notification information to that effect is output to the outside. In step S320, such error notification information may be output to the outside.

  The present invention can be applied to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine.

1 Pachinko machine,
2 Front frame,
3 Game board,
4 outer frame,
5 ball guide rail,
6 Glass door frame,
7 Front operation panel
8 Upper tray unit,
9 Top saucer,
11 Ball rental button,
12 Card return button,
13 Frame production button,
14 Ball release button,
15 Launch control handle,
19 game ball dispensing device,
20 Main control unit,
21 External concentration terminal board,
24 production control unit,
28 Launch control board,
29 payout control board,
31 power supply board,
32 launcher,
34 Special design start (upper start),
34a Special design start sensor,
35 Special design starting port (lower starting port),
35a Special design start sensor,
36 liquid crystal display devices,
37 Normal design starting port,
38 Special symbol display device,
39 Normal symbol display device,
40 Grand Prize Winners,
41 Ordinary variable winning device,
42 Special variable winning device,
43 General prize opening,
43a General prize opening sensor,
44 Windmill,
45 Decorative lamp,
45a optical display device,
46 Speaker,
46a sound generator,
47 Movable wing pieces,
48 Center decoration,
49 Out mouth,
201 main control CPU,
202 main control ROM,
203 main control RAM,
241 Production control CPU,
242 Production control ROM,
243 Production control RAM.

Claims (10)

Winning means arranged in a game area where game balls flow down,
A winning detection switch for detecting a game ball that has entered the winning means;
In a ball game machine comprising a control means for monitoring the switch signal output from the winning detection switch and generally controlling the game operation,
The winning detection switch continuously outputs the first level OFF signal during non-detection of the game ball, and continuously outputs the second level ON signal during detection of the game ball,
The control means includes
First control means for starting time measurement of a predetermined timer time set in the winning timer based on occurrence of an ON edge in the switch signal;
Second control means for performing processing associated with the operation of the switch based on the occurrence of an OFF edge in the switch signal;
An abnormality determining means for determining that there is an abnormality when an OFF edge is not generated in the switch signal before the winning timer finishes counting the predetermined timer time;
A ball game machine characterized by that. The winning means includes a symbol start port arranged in the game area,
The control means further includes lottery means for performing a lottery by random number lottery, and symbol management means for variably displaying symbols on the display device according to the lottery result of the lottery means and displaying the result on the display device. And
The second control means starts the symbol change operation based on the fact that when a game ball enters the symbol start port, an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal output from the winning detection switch of the symbol start port. Do what to do when the condition is met,
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein: The control means, when a game ball wins at the symbol start opening, temporarily holds execution of the symbol variation operation based on the winning and stores the number of retained balls up to an upper limit value, and the symbol variation operation start condition is satisfied Further has a storage means for digesting the number of balls held on condition of
The second control means performs a holding addition process for increasing the number of held balls by 1 as a process to be performed when the starting condition of the symbol variation operation is satisfied.
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein: The first control means is based on the fact that when a game ball enters the symbol start opening, an ON edge is generated in the switch signal output from the winning detection switch of the symbol start opening. Get a random number for symbol lottery to make a lottery,
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that. The first control means stores that there is a winning at the symbol start opening on the condition that when the ON edge is generated in the switch signal, the number of held balls is less than the upper limit value,
The second control means performs a process to be performed when the start condition is satisfied, based on the fact that an OFF edge has occurred in the switch signal in a state where it is stored that there has been a prize.
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that.   The ball game machine according to claim 4, wherein the abnormality determination unit clears the symbol random number for symbol lottery acquired by the first control unit when determining that there is an abnormality.   The predetermined timer time is a sum of an ON signal continuation period from when a ball enters the winning means at a normal time until an OFF edge is generated in the switch signal, and a margin time added thereto. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The winning means includes a first start port and a second start port having different structures,
The predetermined timer time is set to a different value based on the difference in the ON signal duration of the switch signal when the game ball rolls down at the normal time in the first start port and the second start port. Yes,
The bullet ball game machine according to claim 7, wherein:   The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising notification means for notifying that when the abnormality determination means determines that there is an abnormality. An abnormality number storage means capable of storing the number of times determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination means;
The bullet ball game machine according to any one of means 1 to 8, further comprising: a notifying means for notifying that when the number of times determined to be abnormal is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times. .

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