JP2012125630A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which is achieved in the high reliability of the storage management of undischarged winning ball number data, and can more quickly discharge winning balls.SOLUTION: The undischarged winning ball number data themselves are stored in a payout execution remainder counter 213a (payout execution value storage means) in a RAM 213 of at least a discharge control device 200. When a winning ball number is generated by winning, the generation amount is added to the payout execution remainder counter every time, and the generation amount is subtracted from the payout execution remainder counter every time the discharge of the winning balls is detected. When winning ball number information exists in the payout execution remainder counter, a discharge control device sets, as a payout target value, a maximum value under the condition that the value is not larger than the maximum discharge ball number of a ball payout means, and that the value is not larger than a storage value of the payout execution remainder counter, and controls the operation of the ball payout means so that the winning balls of only the amount of the discharge target value may be discharged.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) and relates to a gaming machine in which storage management of undiscarded prize ball number data is realized with high reliability.

Conventional general pachinko machines have a separate configuration (meaning that the board is configured separately) based on the information on the number of prize balls sent from the game control device that controls the progress of the game on the game board surface. The apparatus controls the driving of a ball discharge mechanism (for example, a discharge unit), thereby performing prize ball discharge (or prize ball payout) for supplying a player with a prize ball as a game value.
In other words, a player is required to fire a game ball (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “ball” in some cases) on a game area formed on the game board surface, and that this shot ball has won various winning holes provided in the game area. In order to supply game value to the discharge control device, information on the number of award balls (for example, data of 5 award balls and 10 award balls) is transmitted to the discharge control device. A predetermined number of game balls (that is, prize balls) are discharged to a tray.

  More specifically, in a normal pachinko machine, the number of award balls is made different depending on a plurality of winning holes provided in the gaming area in order to improve the gameability (for example, 5 for winning at the starting winning hole). Individual winning balls, 10 winning balls for winning in other winning holes, etc.), but if there is a winning in any of these winning holes, the game control device must have won first. Is stored as a winning memory while distinguishing the difference in the number of winning balls (for example, when there are two types of winning balls, one is stored and the other is not stored to distinguish both).

  Next, as seen in Patent Document 1, the winning balls are assembled in a safe unit that detects one winning ball and is temporarily stopped by a stopping mechanism provided in the safe unit. One safe ball is detected by the safe sensor and a detection signal (win ball signal) is output.

  When the winning ball signal from the safe sensor is input to the game control device, the aforementioned winning memory is confirmed. For example, when there is a winning memory, the corresponding number of winning balls (for example, five) Is transmitted to the discharge control device, and when there is no winning memory, the number of winning balls information (for example, 10) corresponding to the absence of winning memory is transmitted. On the other hand, in the discharge control device, the winning ball discharge is executed based on the transmitted information on the number of winning balls, and after the winning ball discharge is executed, the stop mechanism of the safe unit is driven to collect the winning balls related to the winning ball discharge. The game is discharged out of the gaming machine, and the winning ball discharging process based on one winning ball is completed. At this time, in the game control device, the discharge control device at a predetermined timing (when transmission of the prize ball number information is completed, when the prize ball discharge processing is started, or when the prize ball discharge processing is completed). It is configured to subtract (erase) the winning memory corresponding to the information on the number of prize balls transmitted to.

JP 2000-14897 A

However, in the above-described conventional common gaming machine, the method for detecting and discharging the winning balls collects all the winning balls in the safe unit and then detects them, and sequentially discharges the winning balls. Because it is configured, the prize ball discharge will be delayed by the amount corresponding to the time of winning, especially when a lot of prizes are concentrated at one time, when the prize ball discharge for all winning balls is completed. May be considerably delayed from the time of winning.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which storage management of undischarged prize ball number data is realized with high reliability.

The gaming machine of this application is
A ball paying means for discharging a game ball as at least a prize ball, a discharge control device for controlling the operation of the ball paying means, and a prize ball detecting means for detecting a prize ball discharged by the ball paying means. In the game machine provided,
Has backup power supply means that can supply backup power in the event of a power failure,
The discharge control device
A payout execution value storage means for storing, as a payout execution value, information on the number of winning balls determined and transmitted based on the winning of a game ball at a winning opening provided on the game board;
A payout execution value adding means for accumulating and adding the received prize ball number information to the payout execution value storage means exceeding the maximum number of single discharged balls of the ball payout means each time the prize ball number information is received; ,
A payout execution value subtracting means for subtracting prize ball number information corresponding to the detected number of prize balls from the payout execution value storage means each time the prize ball detection means detects a prize ball;
The backup power supply means
A gaming machine characterized in that a backup power can be supplied to the payout execution value storage means so that the stored contents of the payout execution value storage means can be maintained during a power failure.

Moreover, as a preferable aspect, for example, as described in claim 2, the discharge control device includes:
When the prize ball number information is present in the payout execution value storage means, the maximum value is paid out under the condition that the ball discharge means is equal to or less than the maximum number of discharged balls at one time and less than the storage value of the payout execution value storage means. A configuration may be provided that includes a payout execution control means that controls the operation of the ball payout means so as to discharge the prize balls corresponding to the payout target value, which is set as a target value.

In the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the data on the number of undischarged prize balls is stored as the payout execution value in the payout execution value storage means of the discharge control device. For this reason, storage management of undiscarded prize ball number data is realized with high reliability. Further, the data in the payout execution value storage means is retained by the backup power supply means even during a power failure. For this reason, since the unpaid prize ball number data is stored and retained even during a power failure, the unpaid prize balls can be reliably discharged with high reliability after the power failure is restored. Therefore, it is possible to prevent with high reliability a situation in which the loss of data of the winning ball number information due to a power failure causes a disadvantage to the player or causes a trouble between the player and the game store.
Moreover, in the gaming machine according to claim 2, when the payout execution control means of the discharge control device has the award ball number information in the payout execution value storage means, it is less than or equal to the maximum number of discharged balls at one time of the ball payout means. In addition, the maximum value under the condition of not more than the stored value of the payout execution value storage means is set as the payout target value, and the operation of the ball payout means is controlled so that the prize balls are discharged by the payout target value. That is, the target value for one prize ball discharge is set as large as possible within the range of the stored value of the payout execution value storage means and the maximum number of discharged balls. For this reason, the largest number of prize balls can be discharged by one prize ball discharge, which can contribute to speeding up of the prize ball discharge. Further, the prize ball is discharged accurately for each payout target value, and the reliability of the prize ball discharge is remarkably increased.

It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a pachinko machine. It is a figure explaining operation related to prize ball discharge. It is a flow chart which shows prize ball discharge related processing of a game control device. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball discharge related process of a discharge control apparatus. It is a figure explaining operation (the 3rd form example) related to prize ball discharge. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball discharge related processing (third embodiment). It is a figure explaining operation (the 4th form example) related to prize ball discharge. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball discharge related process (4th example). It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a discharge unit. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball discharge related process (2nd form example).

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.
The pachinko machine of this embodiment is characterized by a control configuration related to the discharge of game balls (especially prize ball discharge) or a configuration of a ball discharge mechanism, and includes a front configuration including a game board of the pachinko machine and a ball discharge mechanism. The back mechanism other than is not particularly limited. Therefore, illustration and description of those configurations are omitted.
In addition, if the game area on the game board is to play a game using a game ball, for example, it belongs to the so-called “first type”, “second type”, “third type”, or others The model may be an arbitrary configuration.
However, in this embodiment, a configuration example of a control system, which will be described later, is described as belonging to the “first type”. The main configuration (not shown) of the game board surface of the “first type” pachinko machine is, for example, as follows. That is, on the game board surface of this type of pachinko machine, there is an image display device (what is called a special view display device etc.) that displays the identification information (so-called special figure) in a plurality of variable display areas, and a door. A special variable winning device having a large winning opening that is opened and closed, a normal variable winning device that has a pair of left and right opening and closing members, and functions as a special figure starting port (a winning port serving as a starting condition for variable display of the special figure), and A normal symbol display (referred to as “general LED 7” in FIG. 3) that displays a symbol (so-called general symbol), a through-chucker type general symbol start port (a winning port as a start condition for variable display of the normal symbol), and A plurality of general winning awards are provided.

A. Next, the configuration of the discharge unit 15 (ball discharge mechanism) of this embodiment will be described. The discharge unit 15 is provided on the back side of the gaming machine.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the discharge unit 15. The discharge unit 15 includes a game ball channel 30 that is basically formed in the vertical direction so that the game ball flows down due to gravity, a ball payout means 40 that is provided above the game ball channel 30, and the game ball. And a discharge ball detecting means 50 provided at the lower part of the flow path 30. In addition, what is shown with the code | symbol K in FIG. 9 is a game ball.
The game ball flow path 30 is a game ball that is guided from a storage tank (not shown) provided on the back of the game machine by a guide path and flows through the half-end sensor unit and flows down from the upper end side. The portion 31 branches into two, one is a prize ball flow path 32 for passing a game ball discharged as a prize ball, and the other is a loan for passing a game ball discharged as a rental ball. A spherical flow path 33 is formed. The branch portion 31 includes a flow path switching valve 34 (flow path switching means) that can swing to a position where either the prize ball flow path 32 or the rental ball flow path 33 is closed with respect to the upstream side of the game ball flow path 30. ), And the flow path switching valve 34 is driven by the flow path switching valve solenoid 35 and swings to one of the positions, whereby the game ball K discharged to the downstream side of the game ball flow path 30. However, it is configured to pass through either one of the prize ball passage 32 and the ball rental passage 33. Here, the flow path switching valve solenoid 35 is a direct acting type, and the flow path switching valve 34 swings via a lever 35b connected to the output shaft 35a when the output shaft 35a advances and retreats. .
The discharge unit 15 of the present embodiment is a two-row type in which the game ball channel 30 is provided in two rows in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. Corresponding to this, two sets of the switching valve 34 and the like and the discharge ball detecting means 50 and the like are also provided.
In addition, a storage tank (not shown) stores balls before being discharged in advance, and a shortage of balls in the storage tank is detected by a replenishment sensor (not shown). The ball is replenished. The balls in the storage tank are guided by a guide path (not shown) and discharged by the discharge unit 15. It is detected by the half-end sensor (half-end sphere detection switch 14 (shown in FIG. 1)) of the half-end sensor unit whether there is a ball for prize ball discharge or ball lending discharge on the guide path.

The ball payout means 40 transmits two sprockets 41 corresponding to the two rows of game ball flow paths 30, one pulse motor 42 for collectively driving them, and the rotational output of the pulse motor 42 to the sprocket 41. A small gear 43 and a large gear 44, a stop member 45 for preventing inadvertent rotation of the sprocket 41 due to gravity (that is, inadvertent discharge of the game ball K), and a stopper for driving the stop member 45 And a solenoid 46.
The sprocket 41 is disposed so that the outer peripheral portion thereof is partially located in the game ball flow path 30 from the opening 36 provided in the upper part of the game ball flow path 30, and is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. The shaft 47 is rotatably supported. The sprocket 41 is dimensioned so that one game ball K fits between the teeth on the outer periphery (that is, the valley), and the game ball K is always accompanied by the rotation of the sprocket 41. 41 (that is, the game ball K cannot pass through the location of the opening 36 of the game ball channel 30 unless the sprocket 41 rotates). Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the two sprockets 41 are displaced from each other by a half pitch, and discharge the game balls K alternately.
The pulse motor 42 is arranged in parallel with the shaft 47, and rotates the sprocket 41 by a predetermined amount (predetermined angle or predetermined rotation amount) in the counterclockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as discharge direction) in FIG. Is for driving and controlling the operation of discharging a predetermined number downstream. The pulse motor 42 is controlled by a discharge control device 200 described later.

The small gear 43 is rotatably supported on an axis parallel to the shaft 47 (reference number omitted), and meshes with a drive gear (not shown) fixed to the output shaft of the pulse motor 42 on one side, It meshes with the large gear 44 on the side. The large gear 44 is rotatably supported on the same shaft 47 as the sprocket 41 and is integrally connected to the sprocket 41. In this case, two large gears 44 are provided in parallel inside the two sprockets 41, and each meshes with one small gear 43.
The stop member 45 is a movable plate whose upper end side is supported by a support member 47 a having a U-shaped cross section, and is swingable so that the lower end side where the claw 45 a is formed moves forward and backward with respect to the large gear 44. The upper end of the stop member 45 is urged by a tension spring 48, and the direction of the urging force is set to press the claw 45 a against the outer periphery of the large gear 44. Further, when the pawl 45a of the stop member 45 is pressed against the outer periphery of the large gear 44, it engages with the teeth of each large gear 44 to prevent the rotation of each large gear 44 (ie, the rotation of each sprocket 41). Dimensional shape to be.
The stopper solenoid 46 is disposed on the back side of the stop member 45 and is fixed in the support member 47a. When the stopper solenoid 46 is energized, it generates a force that attracts the stop member 45 (a force that retracts from the large gear 44) and is not excited. In this state, the stop member 45 is released. The stopper solenoid 46 is also controlled by a discharge control device 200 described later.

In the ball paying means 40 configured as described above, when the stopper solenoid 46 is operated (excited) under the control of the discharge control device 200, the lower end side of the stop member 45 is swung in the backward direction by the above-mentioned attracting force. The state in which the claw 45a is engaged with the outer periphery of the large gear 44 is released, and the sprocket 41 becomes rotatable. In this rotatable state, the pulse motor 42 is operated by the control of the discharge control device 200 and the sprocket 41 rotates by a predetermined amount in the discharge direction, so that the corresponding number of game balls K are sent downstream. Then, it flows down the game ball channel 30 due to gravity. Further, immediately after the predetermined amount of the game ball K is discharged, the rotation of the pulse motor 42 is stopped by the control of the discharge control device 200, and the stopper solenoid 46 is immediately inactivated (non-excited state). Returned. As a result, the lower end side of the stop member 45 is swung in the forward direction by the urging force of the tension spring 48, and the claw 45a is engaged with the outer periphery of the large gear 44, so that the rotation of the sprocket 41 is prevented and the action of gravity occurs. The malfunction that the game ball K of the amount exceeding the predetermined amount flows down is surely prevented. Even when the game ball is being discharged (that is, during the winning ball discharge or the rental ball discharge), and the operation of the pulse motor 42 and the stopper solenoid 46 is stopped by the power failure process by the discharge control device 200, The action of the stop member 45 described above immediately prevents the game ball K from flowing down.
Next, in this case, the discharged ball detection means 50 includes a prize ball detection sensor 50a (prize ball detection means) for detecting a game ball K (that is, a prize ball) passing through the prize ball flow path 32, and a ball rental flow path. 33, a ball rental detection sensor 50b (ball rental detection means) that detects a game ball K (that is, a ball rental) that passes through 33.
The detection outputs of these sensors 50a and 50b are input to a discharge control device 200 described later, and the detection output of the prize ball detection sensor 50a among these sensors is also input to a game control device 100 described later. Yes. Further, one sensor 50a, 50b is provided for each game ball flow path 30 in correspondence with the number of the game ball flow paths 30, and in FIG. The ball detection sensor 50a is referred to as a first prize ball detection sensor 50a, and the other prize ball detection sensor 50a is referred to as a second prize ball detection sensor 50a.
In the control block diagram (FIG. 1), which will be described later, the upper main body portion provided with the ball payout means 40 in the discharge unit 15 shown in FIG. 9 is referred to as a payout unit 15a. The lower part provided with 50a, 50b, etc. is called the flow path switching unit 15b.

B. Next, the configuration of the control system of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control system. This control system is roughly composed of a game control device 100 and other peripheral devices such as a power supply device 150 and a discharge control device 200.
Here, the game control device 100 is a circuit including a microcomputer, and in this case, is realized by an accessory control unit (not shown) attached to the back surface of the game board. Further, the power supply device 150 is realized by a unit provided on the frame side of the gaming machine, for example. Further, the discharge control device 200 is realized by, for example, a discharge control unit 16 (not shown) provided on the frame side of the gaming machine.
Referring to FIG. 1, a game control apparatus 100 includes a game microcomputer 110 made up of a one-chip microcomputer that performs control of an accessory necessary for a pachinko game, etc., and a clock generation circuit that divides a crystal oscillation frequency to obtain a predetermined clock. (CLK) 101, an input / output interface 102 for inputting and outputting various signals, and a reset pulse width generation circuit 103. The gaming microcomputer 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113, and is manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip.
Here, the CPU 111 of the gaming microcomputer 110 constitutes a prize ball number information transmitting means, a payout request value adding means, and a payout request value subtracting means of the present invention. The RAM 113 (strictly speaking, a payout request remaining counter 113a provided in the RAM 113) corresponds to a payout request value storage means for storing a payout request value according to the present invention.

The input / output interface 102 includes a special figure start sensor (special figure start switch) 51, a general figure start gate sensor (common figure start switch) 52, a continuation sensor (attacker V switch) 53, a count sensor (attacker count switch) 54, Detection signals from the winning sensors (winning opening switches) 1 to N (A1 to AN) are inputted.
Further, the input / output interface 102 includes the aforementioned half-end sensor (half-end ball detection switch) 14 for detecting whether or not there is a game ball for winning ball discharge and rental ball discharge, and a lower plate provided at the lower front of the gaming machine. An overflow sensor (overflow switch) 122 for detecting a full state (excessive storage of a ball) (not shown), a glass frame release sensor for detecting that the glass frame supporting the glass on the front of the gaming machine has been opened (glass frame release) A detection signal from switch 123 is also input. Further, detection signals from the first and second prize ball detection sensors 50 a for detecting the number of prize balls discharged are also input via the relay board 250.
The winning sensors 1 to N (A1 to AN) are sensors for detecting the winning balls that have won the general winning opening, respectively. When there are n general winning openings on the game board, n winning sensors are arranged. The
The special figure start sensor 51 is a sensor that detects a winning ball that has won a prize in the special figure starting opening, and the general figure starting gate sensor 52 receives a winning ball that has won (passed) the normal figure starting opening. The continuation sensor 53 is a sensor that detects a winning ball that has flowed into a continuous winning passage (a passage that passes through a so-called special winning opening) in the special winning opening of the special variation winning device described above. The sensor 54 is a sensor for detecting a winning ball that has flowed into a general winning channel (a channel that does not pass through the special winning port) in the large winning port of the special variation winning device described above.
These sensors 51 to 54 and winning sensors 1 to N (A1 to AN) correspond to winning ball detecting means of the present invention. However, even if a game ball wins (passes) the usual figure start opening, normal prize ball discharge is not executed (the usual figure start opening is usually only for starting the usual figure change). The usual start gate sensor 52 does not correspond to the winning ball detecting means of the present invention. In this embodiment, the normal start gate sensor 52 is excluded from the winning ball detecting means of the present invention.

On the other hand, the input / output interface 102 drives a display control device 131 for controlling a display device body such as an LCD in the image display device described above, a decoration control device 132 for controlling lamps on a game board, and a speaker (not shown). A sound control device 133 for controlling the output of sound effects and the like, the above-described normal symbol display (normal LED) 7, the above-mentioned normal electric accessory solenoid (the general-purpose solenoid) 134 for driving the above-mentioned normal variable winning device, A signal is output to a large prize opening solenoid (attacker solenoid) 135, an external output terminal 136 for a game board, and a test output unit 138 that drive the open / close door of the special variable prize winning device. The input / output interface 102 also outputs a signal of prize ball control information (game value discharge control information) to the discharge control device 200. As the contents of the prize ball control information (game value discharge control information), prize ball number information and discharge condition information are output.
Here, the game board external output terminal 136 is an external information terminal provided on the game board side, from which various signals (for example, jackpot signals) are output to an external management device (not shown). is there. The management device manages gaming machines, island facilities, and the like throughout the hall. Various signals (for example, jackpot signals) are input from the game control device 100 via this terminal, and based on the various signals input. The necessary data for business is processed, and the processed data is displayed on the display or printed as necessary. Further, the configuration is such that information on the number of prize balls discharged detected by the game control device 100 from the detection output of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is appropriately transmitted to the management device via the game board external output terminal 136, for example. It may be. For example, when the game control device 100 detects that ten game balls have been discharged as a prize ball based on the detection output of the prize ball detection sensor 50a, a signal notifying that is sent to the outside for the game board. The configuration may be such that the data is transmitted to the management device via the output terminal 136.
The test output unit 138 is a communication terminal capable of reading information stored in the game control device 100, and is used when checking the state of the game control device 100.

Next, the discharge control device 200 controls the discharge of the game ball by driving the above-described discharge unit 15 based on the prize ball control information (game value discharge control information) input from the game control device 100 (details will be described later). To do). The discharge control device 200 in this case includes a microcomputer 210 including a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213, a clock generation circuit (CLK) 204 that obtains a predetermined clock, and an input / output interface 205. Each element is connected by an address bus, a data bus, a power supply line, or the like. The CPU 211 performs processing necessary for game ball discharge (including prize ball discharge and rental ball discharge), and the ROM 212 stores a program and the like necessary for discharge control.
Here, the CPU 210 of the microcomputer 200 constitutes a payout execution control means, a payout execution value addition means, a payout execution value subtraction means, and a prize ball discharge monitoring means of the present invention. The RAM 213 (strictly speaking, a payout execution remaining counter 213a provided in the RAM 213) corresponds to a payout execution value storage unit that stores a payout execution value of the present invention.

The input / output interface 205 of the discharge control device 200 receives signals from the prepaid card unit (CR sand unit) 2 and the above-described prize ball detection sensor 50a and ball rental detection sensor 50b.
A control signal is output from the input / output interface 205 to the aforementioned pulse motor (ball discharge motor) 42, stopper solenoid 46, and flow path switching valve solenoid (flow path switching solenoid) 35.

Next, the power supply device 150 includes a DC5V generation circuit (logic power supply circuit) 151, a power failure detection circuit 152, and a backflow prevention diode 153.
The DC5V generation circuit 151 is supplied with DC12V from the power supply device 150. The DC5V generation circuit 151 converts DC12V into DC5V and supplies power necessary for the operation of each element such as the CPUs 110 and 210. However, DC5V is supplied from the DC5V generation circuit 151 to the RAMs 113 and 213 through the diode 153 functioning as an irreversible means and through the wirings 154a and 154b and 155a and 155b. Further, DC5V from the DC5V generation circuit 151 is also supplied to a capacitor (super capacitor) 156 disposed inside the power supply device 150. The capacitor 156 is connected to the RAMs 113 and 213 via wirings 154a and 154b and 155a and 155b.
A male / female type connector (not shown) is provided in the middle of the wires 154a, 154b and 155a, 155b, and these wires are connected to the power supply device 150 side and the game control device 100 side or the discharge control device 200 side by the connector. And can be separated.

Here, the capacitor 156 corresponds to the backup power supply means of the present invention, and is charged via the diode 153 during normal operation (non-power failure), and backs up the RAMs 113 and 213 during a power failure. In other words, the capacitor 156 supplies backup power to the RAMs 113 and 213 in order to hold the storage contents of the RAMs 113 and 213 (particularly, the memory area for prize ball data).
As described above, a conventional general pachinko machine has a safe unit that collects all the winning balls in one place, detects them one by one, and holds the winning balls until the paying out of the winning balls is completed. By checking the winning balls held in this safe unit even if there was a power outage, the number of undischarged winning balls could be determined to some extent. However, in the case of the present embodiment, such a safe unit is not provided, and the winning detection is detected for each winning opening as described above. For this purpose, such backup power is supplied. Further, when a backup power source is simply provided in the game control apparatus 100 or the discharge control apparatus 200, illegal prize ball discharge caused by illegally removing the discharge control apparatus 200 and illegally writing prize ball discharge information is performed. Since it is difficult to avoid, a capacitor 156 as a backup power source is provided outside these control devices. In this way, since the backup power supply is cut off when each control device 100 or 200 is removed, such illegal prize ball discharge information cannot be written.

  The power failure detection circuit 152 detects that the power supply to the DC5V generation circuit has been cut off (for example, detected as a power failure when DC32V drops to a predetermined voltage). After outputting the signal, a reset signal is forcibly input to the CPUs 111 and 211 to stop the operation of these CPUs (that is, the operation of each microcomputer). With such a configuration, each CPU is stopped at a voltage at which each CPU can operate normally at the time of a power failure (before it completely goes down), and each CPU becomes unstable due to the power failure, and the RAM 113 or 213. An indefinite value can be prevented from being written to the memory, and the contents stored in each RAM can be securely held.

C. Operation of Control System Next, control processing of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment performed by the above-described control system will be described. Only the process (subroutine) related to winning ball discharge, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described, and the other processes (including the main routine) will be omitted. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main flow of control processing related to prize ball discharge according to the first embodiment.
(A) Prize Ball Data Transmission Control in Game Control Device FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing a process of prize ball data transmission control by the game control device 100 (game microcomputer 110). This process is repeatedly performed, for example, as a subroutine in the main control process (main routine) of the game control apparatus 100, one sequence at each reference time (for example, 4 ms) created by the oscillator 101 in FIG.

When the process is started, in step S1, the output of the winning ball detecting means (the above-mentioned special figure starting sensor 51, winning sensors 1 to N, continuation sensor 53, count sensor 54, etc.) is read, and any winning is detected. It is determined whether or not. If a winning is detected, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not detected, the processing of one sequence is terminated (for example, the process returns to the main routine).
In step S2, the number of winning balls corresponding to the detected winning is determined, and then in step S3, the determined number of winning balls (for example, 5) is stored in the payout request remaining counter 113a (shown in FIG. 2) in the RAM 113. A value (award ball number information) corresponding to any one of 10 pieces, 10 pieces, or 15 pieces) is added as a payout request value.
Next, in step S4, a command including the number of prize balls (prize ball number information) determined in step S2 is transmitted to the discharge control device 200. This command is a part of the above-described prize ball control information (game value discharge control information). The above-described prize ball control information includes the above-described discharge condition information. In this case, the command is transmitted separately from the discharge condition information. However, the command may be transmitted as prize ball control information including information on the discharge conditions. After this step S4, one sequence is completed.
According to the above processing, as shown in FIG. 2, each time a winning is detected, prize ball number information (payout number command) is determined and transmitted to the discharge control device 200. Are cumulatively added as the stored value (payout request value) of the payout request remaining counter 113a which is the payout request value storage means.

(B) Prize Ball Payout Monitoring Control in Game Control Device FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing the process of prize ball payout monitoring control by the game control device 100. This process is also repeatedly performed, for example, one sequence at each reference time as a subroutine in the main control process of the game control apparatus 100.
When the process is started, it is determined in step S11 whether or not there is a remaining number in the payout request remaining counter 113a (that is, whether or not the value is equal to or more than one prize ball), and if there is, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, the process proceeds to step S16.
Next, in step S12, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not, the process proceeds to step S17.
In step S13, the data (payout request value) of the payout request remaining counter 113a is subtracted by the number of detected winning balls (usually detected for one), and one sequence of processing is completed. In the present embodiment, when the data of the payout request remaining counter 113a is zero, even if the process proceeds to this step S13 and there are award balls to be subtracted, the payout request remaining counter 113a. Are not set as negative values accordingly (that is, in this case, they remain zero). However, as a modified example, there may be a mode in which the excess discharge amount can be stored as a negative value, and that amount is subtracted from the subsequent winning portion and adjusted.

On the other hand, in step S17, a prize ball is not detected even though the payout request remaining counter 113a has a value (the prize ball is not ejected even though the prize ball needs to be ejected), so an abnormality determination is performed. In the abnormality determination, for example, an abnormality is determined when a time during which no prize ball is detected exceeds a set value even though the payout request remaining counter 113a has a value. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to step S18, where some signal output or display for notifying the abnormality is performed. For example, a signal indicating this abnormality is output to the management device via the game board external output terminal 136 described above. On the other hand, if it is not determined to be abnormal, the processing of one sequence is terminated. Further, after step S18, the processing of one sequence is finished.
In step S16, abnormality determination is performed based on the presence or absence of prize ball detection. The reason why the process proceeds to step S16 is that the remaining number of the payout request remaining counter 113a is not present, so that it is presumed that the winning ball discharge is normally completed. However, in the case where Mangaichi winning ball detection has been performed in spite of such a state, it is determined that abnormal or illegal winning ball discharge is being executed, and thus it is determined. Specifically, for example, each time the process proceeds to step S16, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. Data of the number of prize balls detected in a specific area (hereinafter referred to as an abnormality determination counter) is cumulatively added. When the value of the abnormality determination counter after the cumulative addition is confirmed each time and becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 16 prize balls), abnormal or illegal prize ball discharge (excess prize ball discharge) Is executed, the process proceeds to step S20. If no winning ball is detected, or if the value of the abnormality determination counter has not reached the predetermined value even if a winning ball is detected, the processing of one sequence is terminated as a normal range. Note that the value of the abnormality determination counter is initialized and returned to zero when the determination in step S11 becomes affirmative, for example.
In step S20, for example, a command is output to the decoration control device 132, and a specific warning lamp or the like on the front side of the gaming machine for notifying that an excessive prize ball discharge error has occurred, for example, the gaming machine is turned on again. Is set to continue to be lit or blinking until one sequence is completed.
In step S16, the following simpler process may be performed. That is, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected, and if detected, the process proceeds to step S20 to perform an abnormal output (for example, lighting of a warning lamp as described above), If it is not detected, one sequence of processing may be terminated assuming that it is completely normal.

According to the above processing, as shown in FIG. 2, each time a winning ball is detected, the winning ball number information corresponding to this winning ball is stored in the payout request remaining counter 113a (payout request value storage means). Subtracted from the withdrawal request value).
Further, if a prize ball is not detected even though there is a payout request value, an abnormality is determined, and in some cases, an output for notifying abnormality is executed (steps S17 and S18).
Further, even when a prize ball is detected even though there is no remaining number in the payout request remaining counter counter 113a (payout request value storage means), an abnormality notification is output in some cases (steps S16 and S20). .

In the process in which the winning ball detection is normally executed and the data of the payout request remaining counter 113a is subtracted (the state where there is a remaining number of payout request remaining counter 113a), the processing of one sequence is completed through step S13. No abnormal output is made (that is, the processing is continued as normal). In addition, even when the remaining number is left in the payout request remaining counter 113a and no winning ball is detected, the determination in step S16 is negative, and no abnormal output is made (that is, the processing is continued as normal).
After the payout request remaining counter 113a has no remaining number, the determination in step S11 is negative, and one sequence is terminated through step S16, so that it is substantially not determined as abnormal in the process of step S16. Nothing is done. This state continues until the above-described step S3 (addition to the payout request remaining counter 113a by winning) is executed.
Note that the processes in steps S17 and S18 and steps S16 and S20 described above are processes for monitoring the normality of prize ball discharge more carefully, and are not necessarily provided. These monitoring processes may be performed on the discharge control device 200 side or may be performed by the management device. Further, such monitoring (for example, confirmation that prize balls are detected even though there is no remaining number in the counter 113a) is executed by an administrator who can see these data by displaying the monitor on the management device, for example. May be.

(C) Data Reception Process of Discharge Control Device Next, a data reception process (interrupt processing) performed by the discharge control device 200 (microcomputer 210) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This process is executed based on an interrupt signal generated by inputting a command of prize ball control information (game value discharge control information) transmitted in the process of the above-described step S4 of the game control apparatus 100. Process.
When the process is started (that is, when the command is input), in step S21, a process of receiving this command is first performed.
Next, in step S22, the award ball number information included in the received command is added as a payout execution value to a payout execution remaining counter 213a (shown in FIG. 2) in the RAM 213.
According to the above processing, as shown in FIG. 2, every time prize ball number information is received, the received prize ball number information is cumulatively added to a payout execution remaining counter 213a which is a payout execution value storage means. .

(D) Prize Ball Discharge Control of Discharge Control Device Next, the prize ball payout control of the discharge control device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed, for example, one sequence at each reference time as a subroutine in the main control process of the discharge control apparatus 200.
When the process is started, in step S31, it is determined whether or not the operation of the motor 42 and the stopper solenoid 46 of the dispensing unit 15a has been completed (that is, whether or not it is in a stopped state). If it is stopped, the process proceeds to step S32. If it is in operation, the process proceeds to step S38. Here, the stopped state means a state in which the rotation of the motor 42 is stopped and the stopper solenoid 46 is not excited (that is, a state where the prize ball discharge is stopped).
Next, in step S32, it is determined whether there is no remaining number of the target value counter 213b (shown in FIG. 2) provided in the RAM 213 (that is, whether the value is less than one prize ball number), If not, the process proceeds to step S33, and if present, the process proceeds to step S41.
In step S41, a signal for notifying abnormality is output. The process proceeds to step S41 in an abnormal state in which there is a remaining number in the target value counter 213b in which the target value for winning ball discharge is set even though the payout unit 15a has stopped discharging the winning ball. Therefore, such a process is performed. Note that this process is a process for monitoring the normality of prize ball discharge more carefully, and is not necessarily provided. For example, instead of this step S41, a step similar to step S82 (FIG. 8) described later may be provided.
After this step S41, the processing of one sequence is finished.

On the other hand, in step S33, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number in the payout execution remaining counter 213a. If there is not, the process of one sequence is terminated, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S34.
Next, in step S34, information on the discharge condition in the prize ball control information transmitted from the game control device 100 (in FIG. 2, what is referred to as a no-ball generation / release command, an overflow generation / release command is shown. ) Is read, and it is determined whether or not the discharge condition is satisfied (whether or not the prize ball is permitted to be dispensed). If it is not permitted, the processing of one sequence is terminated. Proceed to
Next, in step S35, a payout target value that is the target number of winning balls for discharging the winning balls is determined, and this value is set in the target value counter 213b. The payout target value is determined as follows, for example. That is, when the value of the remaining number (payout execution value) of the payout execution remaining counter 213a exceeds the maximum number of discharged balls (for example, 15) of the discharge unit 15, the value of this maximum discharged ball number is set. When the number is less than the maximum number of discharged balls, the remaining number is set. That is, the value is set as large as possible within the range of the maximum number of discharged balls. This is because the largest number of prize balls can be discharged by one prize ball discharge, which can contribute to the speeding up of the prize ball discharge.
Here, the maximum number of discharged balls of the discharge unit 15 is determined from the minimum number of game balls that are estimated to be held in the aforementioned guiding path when the half-end sensor 14 outputs a detection signal. This value is naturally different for each model.

Next, in step S36, the flow path switching valve solenoid 35 of the discharge unit 15 is operated as necessary to set the game ball to pass through the prize ball flow path 32.
Next, in step S37, the stopper solenoid 46 of the ball paying means 40 is operated to release the engaging state of the stop member 45, and the number of winning balls corresponding to the payout target value set in the target value counter 213b is handled. Control for operating the pulse motor 42 by the rotation angle or the rotation amount is started.
Next, in step S38, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S39, and if not, the process of one sequence is terminated.
In step S39 and the subsequent step S40, the data of the payout execution remaining counter 213a and the target value counter 213b are subtracted by the detected number of prize balls (usually detected for one).
After step S40, one sequence of processing is terminated.
In the present embodiment, when the data of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is zero, the payout execution remaining counter 213a is processed even if the process proceeds to step S39 and there are award balls to be subtracted. Are not set as negative values accordingly (that is, in this case, they remain zero). However, as a modified example, there may be a mode in which the excess discharge amount can be stored as a negative value, and that amount is subtracted from the subsequent winning portion and adjusted.

According to the above processing, as shown in FIG. 2, when there is no remaining number in the target value counter 213b (the discharge unit 15 is in a stopped state) and a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (the prize ball number information is If the discharge condition is satisfied, a predetermined payout target value corresponding to the discharge value is set in the target value counter 213b on the premise that the discharge condition is satisfied, and the discharge unit 15 discharges the prize balls corresponding to the payout target value once. The prize ball discharging operation is started (steps S31 to S37). During the operation of the discharge unit 15 (during the prize ball discharge operation), the determination of step S31 is always negative, and the process of step S38 is repeated, and each time a prize ball is detected, step S39, In the process of S40, the value corresponding to the number of prize balls is sequentially subtracted from the payout execution remaining counter 213a (payout execution value storage means) and the target value counter 213b. Next, when the discharge unit 15 is stopped, step S32 and subsequent steps are executed again, and the above operation is repeated each time a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (as long as the remaining number exists).
In addition, when the discharge unit 15 has stopped the prize ball discharge and there is a remaining number in the target value counter 213b, an abnormality notification is performed as described above (step S41).

The gaming machine of the present embodiment described above has the following effects.
(1) In this embodiment, data on the number of undischarged prize balls is stored in both the game control device 100 and the discharge control device 200, and these data are managed so as to be almost always the same numerical value. The In other words, the payout request remaining counter 113a (payout request value storage means) of the game control device 100 and the payout execution remaining counter 213a (payout execution value storage means) of the discharge control device 200 are set as payout request values or payout execution values. The same data of the winning ball number information is almost always stored. This is because the discharge control device 200 has the same prize ball number information that is added to the payout request remaining counter 113a (payout request value storage means) by the transmission function (prize ball number information transmission means) of the game control apparatus 100. It is transmitted almost simultaneously with this addition process, and is immediately added to the payout execution remaining counter 213a (payout execution value storage means) by the addition function (payout execution value addition means) of the discharge control device 200. When a prize ball is detected by the prize ball detection sensor 50a (discharge ball detection means), a subtraction function (payout request value subtraction means) of the game control device and a subtraction function (payout execution value subtraction means) of the discharge control device 200 are detected. This is because the data on the number of prize balls is subtracted from the counters 113a and 213a almost simultaneously.
For this reason, even if there is a failure in one counter (storage means) of manga (for example, when one data is broken due to a power failure or the like), the data of the number of unsold prize balls is confirmed by the other counter, The unsettled prize ball discharge (for example, supplementary prize ball discharge after a power failure) can be reliably performed. Further, the data of each counter (each storage means) is read and compared, for example, by an attendant of a game store as appropriate (for example, these data may be displayed and viewed on a monitor of the management device). By confirming that the data match, it is easy to confirm that the number of unreleased prize balls has been properly stored (or that invalid data has not been written). Can be monitored. Therefore, the storage management of the undiscarded prize ball number data is easier to control and more reliable.

(2) Further, in this embodiment, the value of the payout request remaining counter 113a (stored value of the payout request value storage means) is obtained by the processing of steps S11 and S16 described above (corresponding to the function of the prize ball discharge monitoring means of the present invention). When the winning ball is no longer detected by the winning ball detection sensor 50a (the discharged ball detecting means), it is determined that the discharging of the winning ball has ended normally. For this reason, monitoring of the normal completion of prize ball discharge can be realized easily and with high reliability by simple processing.
(3) Further, in this embodiment, one ball discharge / payout means 40 of one discharge unit 15 can execute prize ball discharge under the control of the discharge control device (payout execution control means). Emission can also be performed. For this reason, there is an effect that the apparatus configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced.
(4) Further, in this embodiment, even when it is necessary to sequentially set the payout target value and operate the ball payout means 40 a plurality of times sequentially by the processing function of step S32 of the discharge control device 200, only the payout target value is obtained. The operation of the ball paying means 40 for discharging the prize balls for the next payout target value is not started until it is confirmed by the change in the stored value of the target value counter 213b that the prize ball has been discharged. For this reason, the prize ball is discharged accurately every payout target value, and the reliability of the prize ball discharge is significantly increased.
However, if the number of prize balls discharged is appropriate as a whole, there is no practical problem, and from the viewpoint of increasing the speed while ensuring the necessary and sufficient reliability, as in the second embodiment to be described later, the amount corresponding to the payout target value A configuration in which the prize ball discharge is not confirmed every time is preferable.
(5) Further, in this embodiment, in the event of a power failure, the RAMs 113 and 213 (payout request values) are stored so that the values of the counters 113a and 213a (stored contents of both the payout request value storage means and the payout execution value storage means) are retained. A capacitor 156 (backup power supply means) capable of supplying backup power is provided in both the storage means and the payout execution value storage means). For this reason, since the unpaid prize ball number data is stored and held by two separate storage means even at the time of a power failure, it is extremely reliable to discharge the unpaid prize balls after the power failure is restored. Can be executed reliably. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a disadvantage for the player or a trouble between the player and the game store due to the loss of the data of the winning ball number information due to the power failure, with extremely high reliability.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
Note that the present embodiment and the following embodiments are characterized in the contents of the control processing related to the prize ball discharge, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus redundant description is omitted.
However, in the first embodiment (and third and fourth embodiments described later), communication between the game control device 100 and the discharge control device 200 is performed from the game control device 100 to the discharge control device 200. In this second embodiment, communication from the discharge control device 200 to the game control device 100 is also performed (configuration in which bidirectional communication is possible). It has become. In this case, specifically, although not shown, the data in the RAM 213 (particularly, the data in the payout execution remaining counter 213a shown in FIG. 2) is sequentially transmitted from the discharge control device 200 to the game control device 100. It has become.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of monitoring the prize ball payout by the game control device 100 in the control process related to the prize ball discharge according to the second embodiment.
In this embodiment, the above-described bidirectional communication is possible, and the processing of FIG. 3B in the first embodiment is changed as shown in FIG. 10 (that is, steps S14, S15, and S19 are added). The other control processing related to the prize ball discharge is the same as in the first embodiment.
In the following, changes (added steps and the like) of the control process related to prize ball discharge will be described.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number in the payout request remaining counter 113a (that is, whether or not the value is less than one prize ball number). If not, the process proceeds to step S15. Exit. The process proceeds to step S14 when the award ball is properly detected and the payout request remaining counter 113a (payout request value storage means) is also properly subtracted. As long as there is a remaining number, no abnormality is judged as normal.

  In step S15, since there is no remaining number in the payout request remaining counter 113a, the payout execution remaining in the RAM 213 which is a storage means for the award ball number information (payout execution value) of the discharge control device 200 is further provided. The value of the counter 213a is read, and it is determined whether the remaining number of this counter is also null. In the case of this embodiment, the value of the payout execution remaining counter 213a of the discharge control device 200 stores the same data as the payout request remaining counter 113a of the game control device 100 (that is, data of prize ball number information). The value of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is also subtracted almost simultaneously according to the prize ball detection in the process of step S39 (FIG. 4) described above. Therefore, when this determination is negative (when there is no remaining number in the payout request remaining counter 113a but there is a remaining number in the payout execution remaining counter 213a), it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and step Proceeding to S19, a signal for notifying the abnormality is output or displayed. After step S19, the processing of one sequence is finished.

Next, in step S16, as described above, abnormality determination is performed based on whether or not a prize ball is detected. In this case, the process proceeds to step S16, because the remaining number of both the counters 113a and 213a is not present, so that it is estimated that the winning ball discharge has been normally completed. However, in the case where Mangaichi prize balls are detected in spite of such a state, it is determined that abnormal or illegal prize ball discharge is being executed. This is determined as described in the description of (b)). For example, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. If it is detected (or if the accumulated number of detections is, for example, 16 or more), the process proceeds to step S20 and an abnormal output (for example, As described above, a process of turning on a warning lamp or the like as an excessive prize ball discharge error) is performed, and if it is not detected, the process of one sequence is terminated assuming that it is completely normal.
According to the above processing, an abnormal state in which the remaining number of one counter 113a (payout request value storage means) has disappeared but the other counter 213a (payout request value storage means) has a remaining number is step S14. , S15 also outputs abnormality notification (step S19). Furthermore, if prize balls are detected even though there is no remaining number in both counters 113a and 213a, an abnormality notification is output in some cases (steps S16 and S20).

  Then, in the process in which the winning ball detection is normally executed and the data of the payout request remaining counter 113a is subtracted (the state where there is the remaining number of the payout request remaining counter 113a), the determination in step S14 becomes negative and an abnormal output is generated. (I.e., processing continues as normal). Also, when both the counters 113a and 213a have no remaining number and no winning ball is detected, the determination in step S16 is negative and no abnormal output is made (that is, the processing is continued as normal). . After both counters 113a and 213a have no remaining numbers, the determination in step S11 is negative, steps S12 to S14 are skipped, and one sequence is completed through steps S15 and S16. Unless it is determined to be abnormal in the process of S16, nothing is executed. This state continues until the above-described step S3 (addition to the payout request remaining counter 113a by winning) is executed.

According to this embodiment, there are the following specific effects.
That is, by comparing the data of each counter (each storage means) and confirming that the data are consistent with each other by the above-described simple processing (steps S14 and S15) of the game control device 100, It is extremely easy and steady to monitor that the data of the number of winning prize balls is properly stored and held (or that illegal data has not been written) as an automatic process that does not require human work. Can be realized.
In this embodiment, the values of the counters 113a and 213a (the payout request value storage means and the payout execution value storage means) are obtained by the processing of steps S14 to S16 described above (corresponding to the function of the prize ball discharge monitoring means of the present invention). When the award ball is not detected by the award ball detection sensor 50a (the above-mentioned discharged ball detection means), the award ball discharge is determined to have ended normally. For this reason, it is possible to easily monitor the normal end of the prize ball discharge with a simple process and to achieve extremely high reliability.
Note that the monitoring processing in steps S14, S15, and S19 described above may be performed on the discharge control device 200 side or may be performed by the management device.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main flow of control processing related to prize ball discharge according to the third embodiment.
(A) Configuration of Payout Execution Value Storage Unit First, the configuration of the payout execution value storage unit will be described. The payout execution value storage means in this case is also the payout execution remaining counter 213a formed in the RAM 213, but the payout execution remaining counter 213a in this case is transmitted from the game control device 100 as shown in FIG. Are divided into an unexecuted counter to which the information on the number of prize balls is cumulatively added and an execution counter to which the value of the unexecuted counter is sequentially shifted and subtraction based on prize ball detection is performed. Note that the sum of the values of the unexecuted counter and the execution counter is the value of the payout execution remaining counter 213a (the payout execution value that is information on the number of unpaid prize balls).
In this embodiment, when the data of the execution counter of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is zero, the process proceeds to step S62 (FIG. 6B) described later and the number of prize balls to be subtracted is determined. Even if it exists, the data of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is not set as a negative value accordingly (that is, in this case, it remains zero).
However, as a modification, there may be a mode in which the excess discharge can be stored as a negative value, and that amount is subtracted from the subsequent discharge and adjusted. In other words, the value of the execution counter may be able to store a negative value in consideration of the case of excessive discharge. In this way, even if the winning ball discharge exceeds the payout target value by one winning ball discharging operation, that amount will be subtracted from the value that will be transferred from the unexecuted counter (added in this case) next time. As a whole, the number of winning balls will be adjusted to an appropriate number.

(B) Prize Ball Discharge Control of Discharge Control Device Next, the prize ball payout control of the discharge control device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed, for example, one sequence at each reference time as a subroutine in the main control process of the discharge control apparatus 200.
When the process is started, in step S51, as in step S31 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the discharge unit 15 is stopped. If it is stopped, the process proceeds to step S52. finish. In other words, if the prize ball is being discharged, no monitoring process is performed, and the state is continued. When one prize ball is discharged, the processes after the next step S52 are executed.
In step S52, whether or not there is a remaining number of the above-mentioned payout execution remaining counter 213a provided in the RAM 213 (remaining number of unexecuted counter and execution counter shown in FIG. 5) (that is, the value is It is determined whether or not the number of prize balls is one or more, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S53, and if not, the process of one sequence is terminated. In other words, if there is no remaining number in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (both the unexecuted counter and the execution counter), the prize ball discharge is not required at all, and the prize ball discharge operation is performed until a value is added to the payout execution remaining counter 213a. Is kept stopped.

On the other hand, in step S53, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining number in the unexecuted counter of the payout execution remaining counter 213a. If there is, the process proceeds to step S54, and if not, the process proceeds to step S55.
Next, in step S54, all the data of the unexecuted counters in the payout execution remaining counter 213a is transferred to the execution counter. That is, all the data of the non-execution counter is subtracted (erased), and all the data is added to the execution counter. In this case, when the value of the execution counter is a negative value, a result obtained by subtracting the negative value from the value of the non-execution counter is set in the execution counter.
Next, in step S55, the discharge condition information (referred to as a no-ball generation / release command and overflow occurrence / release command in FIG. 5) transmitted from the game control device 100 is read, and this discharge condition is satisfied. If it is not permitted, the process of one sequence is terminated, and if it is permitted, the process proceeds to step S56.
Next, in step S56, a payout target value, which is the target number of winning balls for discharging the winning balls, is determined. The payout target value is determined according to the value of the execution counter at that time, as in step S35 (FIG. 4) of the first embodiment.

Next, in step S57, a state is set in which the discharged game ball passes through the prize ball flow path 32 of the discharge unit 15, and in step S38, the stopper solenoid 46 of the ball dispensing means 40 is operated to stop the member. With the 45 engagement state released, control of the discharge operation for operating the pulse motor 42 by the rotation angle or rotation amount corresponding to the number of prize balls for the payout target value determined in step S56 is started.
After step S56, the processing of one sequence is finished.

(C) Prize Ball Dispensing Execution Counter Control of Discharge Control Device Next, prize ball dispensing execution counter control of the discharge control device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is also repeatedly performed, for example, one sequence at each reference time as a subroutine in the main control process of the discharge control apparatus 200.
When the process is started, in step S61, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S62, and if not, the process of one sequence is terminated. To do.
In step S62, the data of the execution counter of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is subtracted by the detected number of prize balls.
After step S62, one sequence of processing is terminated.

6A and 6B, as shown in FIG. 5, there is no remaining number in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (unexecuted counter and execution counter) (the discharge unit 15 is stopped). Then, when a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (that is, the unexecuted counter in the counter) (when the prize ball number information is added), the value of the unexecuted counter in the execution counter in the payout execution remaining counter 213a , The discharge unit 15 determines a predetermined payout target value corresponding to the value of the unexecuted counter, and discharges award balls corresponding to the payout target value. One prize ball discharging operation is started (steps S51 to S58).
During the operation of the discharge unit 15 (during the prize ball discharge operation), the determination in step S51 is always negative, and the prize ball discharge operation is continued.
On the other hand, when the prize ball discharging operation is executed and the prize balls are sequentially detected by the prize ball detection sensor 50a, the processing of steps S61 and S62 is repeated. The minute value is sequentially subtracted from the execution counter of the payout execution remaining counter 213a.
Next, when the discharge unit 15 is stopped, step S52 and subsequent steps are executed again, and the above operation is repeated each time a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a.

In this case, even when the discharge unit 15 has stopped the prize ball discharge, even when there is a remaining number in the execution counter of the payout execution remaining counter 213a, the determination in step S52 becomes affirmative, and after step S55 The process is executed, the payout target value is determined again, and the prize ball discharging operation is executed almost continuously without interruption. In other words, in this embodiment, a configuration in which it is not monitored each time whether or not the discharge of the predetermined payout target value has been achieved for each prize ball discharging operation (determination as in step S32 in FIG. 4B described above). As long as there is a remaining number in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (non-execution counter or execution counter), data is transferred from the non-execution counter to the execution counter as necessary, and the payout is sequentially performed. The target value is determined, and a plurality of prize ball discharging operations are continuously executed.
For this reason, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment described above (strictly, instead of the effect of (4) described above), the following effect is obtained.
(6) That is, even when it is necessary to sequentially set the payout target value and to sequentially operate the ball payout means 40 a plurality of times, without confirming on the way that the prize ball has been discharged by the payout target value, Since the operation of the ball paying means 40 for discharging the prize balls for the next payout target value is executed continuously with the previous operation, the control process is simplified and the load on the control system is reduced. Also, a large amount of prize ball discharge when a large number of winnings are made at the same time is greatly speeded up. Moreover, even in this case, as shown in the processing of the present embodiment (step S52 in FIG. 6A and steps S11 and S16 in FIG. 3B), the prize ball discharge for all the prize ball number information is finally performed. If it is confirmed at the end of the continuous prize ball discharge operation that the process has been completed, the normality of prize ball discharge can be sufficiently monitored.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a main flow of control processing related to prize ball discharge according to the fourth embodiment.
(A) Configuration of Payout Execution Value Storage Unit First, the configuration of the payout execution value storage unit will be described. The payout execution value storage means in this case includes a payout execution remaining counter 213a formed in the RAM 213 and a target value counter 213b. As shown in FIG. 7, the payout execution remaining counter 213a in this case is a counter to which prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 100 is cumulatively added, while the target value counter 213b is used for prize ball detection. It is a counter that performs a corresponding subtraction. The data of the payout execution remaining counter 213a is transferred to the target value counter 213b every time the payout target value is set. As a result, the sum of the values of the payout execution remaining counter 213a and the target value counter 213b is the payout execution value storage means. This is the overall value (payout execution value, which is information on the number of unpaid prize balls).
In this embodiment, when the data of the target value counter 213b is zero, even if there is a prize ball number to be subtracted by proceeding to step S81 (FIG. 8) described later, the payout The data of the remaining execution counter 213a is not set as a negative value accordingly (that is, in this case, it remains zero).
However, as a modification, there may be a mode in which the excess discharge can be stored as a negative value, and that amount is subtracted from the subsequent discharge and adjusted. That is, the value of the target value counter 213b may be capable of storing a negative value in consideration of excessive discharge. In this way, even if the winning ball discharge exceeds the payout target value by one winning ball discharging operation, that amount will be subtracted from the value that will be transferred from the unexecuted counter (added in this case) next time. As a whole, the number of winning balls will be adjusted to an appropriate number.

(B) Prize Ball Discharge Control of Discharge Control Device Next, the prize ball payout control of the discharge control device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is also repeatedly performed, for example, one sequence at each reference time as a subroutine in the main control process of the discharge control apparatus 200.
When the process is started, it is determined in step S71 whether or not the discharge unit 15 is in a stopped state, as in step S31 of FIG. 4B described above. If it is stopped, the process proceeds to step S72. Proceed to step S80.
Next, in steps S72 to S74, processing similar to that in steps S32 to S34 in FIG. However, if the determination result in step S72 is negative (if there is a remaining number in the target value counter 213b), the process proceeds to step S82, and prize balls are discharged by the remaining number in the target value counter 213b. Therefore, the discharge unit 15 is operated with the remaining number as a payout target value. In other words, even if the payout target value at that time is not achieved (the number of prize balls discharged is insufficient) in one prize ball discharge operation, the abnormal process (interruption of the prize ball discharge operation) as in step S41 in FIG. 4 is performed. The prize ball discharging operation corresponding to the shortage is additionally and continuously executed.

Next, in step S75, a payout target value that is the target number of winning balls for discharging the winning balls is determined. The payout target value is determined according to the remaining number of the payout execution remaining counter 213a based on the same concept as in step S35 of FIG.
Next, in step S76, the payout target value determined from the payout execution remaining counter 213a is subtracted, and in step S77, the payout target value is updated and set in the target value counter 213b (the target value counter 213b has a negative value). In this case, the minus value is set to a value obtained by subtracting from the payout target value).
Next, in steps S78 and S79, the operation of the discharge unit 15 for discharging the number of prize balls corresponding to the determined payout target value is performed by performing the same processing as in steps S36 and S37 of FIG. Let it begin.
Next, in step S80, the detection signal of the prize ball detection sensor 50a is read to determine whether or not a prize ball has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S81, and if not, the process of one sequence is terminated.
In step S81, the data of the target value counter 213b is subtracted by the detected number of prize balls.
After step S81, the processing of one sequence is finished.

  According to the above processing of FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 7, when there is no remaining number in the target value counter 213b (the discharge unit 15 is stopped), a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (prize ball) On the premise that the discharge condition is satisfied), a predetermined payout target value corresponding to that is set in the target value counter 213b, and the discharge unit 15 that discharges the prize balls corresponding to the payout target value. One prize ball discharging operation is started (steps S71 to S79). During the operation of the discharge unit 15 (during the prize ball discharge operation), the determination of step S71 is always negative, and the process of step S80 is repeated, and whenever a prize ball is detected, the process of step S81 is performed. In the process, the value corresponding to the number of prize balls is sequentially subtracted from the target value counter 213b. Next, when the discharge unit 15 is stopped, step S72 and subsequent steps are executed again, and the above operation is repeated each time a remaining number is generated in the payout execution remaining counter 213a (as long as the remaining number exists).

In this case, as described above, even though the discharging unit 15 stops discharging the prize ball, even if there is a remaining number in the target value counter 213b, processing such as abnormality notification is not performed, and the remaining number The minute prize ball discharging operation is additionally and continuously performed (step S82).
For this reason, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment described above, the following effect is obtained.
(7) That is, in the case where it is necessary to sequentially set the payout target value and to sequentially operate the ball payout means 40 a plurality of times, it is sequentially confirmed in the middle that the prize ball has been discharged by the payout target value. However (that is, the configuration with step S72), even if the prize ball discharge corresponding to the payout target value is not achieved at this time, the prize ball discharge is not interrupted. Compared to the configuration of the first embodiment, Regardless of the result of one-time prize ball discharge (whether or not the payout target value is achieved or not), a considerably high-speed discharge is possible.

In addition, this invention is not restricted to the aspect of the said example, There can be various deformation | transformation and application. For example, as described above, the processes in steps S17 and S18 and steps S14 to S16, S19, and S20 in FIG. 3B and FIG. 10 are processes for monitoring the normality of prize ball discharge more carefully. Therefore, it is not always necessary to provide it. These monitoring processes may be performed on the discharge control device 200 side or may be performed by the management device. In addition, such monitoring (for example, confirmation of the coincidence of the remaining numbers of both counters 113a and 213a, or confirmation that a winning ball has been detected although there is no remaining number of both counters 113a and 213a) For example, it may be executed by an administrator who can see these data by display on the monitor of the management device.
Further, the processes such as steps S32 and S41 in FIG. 4B and steps S72 and S82 in FIG. 8 are not necessarily provided, and may be deleted depending on circumstances. That is, if the operation reliability of the discharge unit 15 or the like is high, when the operation of the discharge unit 15 is finished (when the determination in step S31 or S71 becomes affirmative), the value of the target value counter 213b is This is because there is no remaining number (zero) as a matter of course or surely.
In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Discharge unit 30 Game ball flow path 31 Branch part 32 Prize ball flow path 33 Ball rental flow path 34 Flow path switching valve (flow path switching means)
40 ball payout means 50 discharged ball detection means 50a prize ball detection sensor (prize ball detection means)
50b Ball rental detection sensor 51 Special figure start sensor (winning ball detection means)
52 Ordinary start gate sensor (winning ball detection means)
53 Continuation sensor (winning ball detection means)
54 Count sensor (winning ball detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game control apparatus 110 Game microcomputer (award ball information transmission means, payout request value addition means, payout request value subtraction means, prize ball discharge monitoring means)
113 RAM (payout request value storage means)
200 Discharge Control Device 210 Microcomputer (Payout execution control means, payout execution value addition means, payout execution value subtraction means, prize ball discharge monitoring means)
213 RAM (payout execution value storage means)
212 Capacitor (backup power supply means)
A1-AN Winning sensor (winning ball detection means)

Claims (2)

A ball paying means for discharging a game ball as at least a prize ball, a discharge control device for controlling the operation of the ball paying means, and a prize ball detecting means for detecting a prize ball discharged by the ball paying means. In the game machine provided,
Has backup power supply means that can supply backup power in the event of a power failure,
The discharge control device
A payout execution value storage means for storing, as a payout execution value, information on the number of winning balls determined and transmitted based on the winning of a game ball at a winning opening provided on the game board;
A payout execution value adding means for accumulating and adding the received prize ball number information to the payout execution value storage means exceeding the maximum number of single discharged balls of the ball payout means each time the prize ball number information is received; ,
A payout execution value subtracting means for subtracting prize ball number information corresponding to the detected number of prize balls from the payout execution value storage means each time the prize ball detection means detects a prize ball;
The backup power supply means
A gaming machine characterized in that a backup power can be supplied to the payout execution value storage means so that the stored contents of the payout execution value storage means can be maintained during a power failure. The discharge control device
When the prize ball number information is present in the payout execution value storage means, the maximum value is paid out under the condition that the ball discharge means is equal to or less than the maximum number of discharged balls at one time and less than the storage value of the payout execution value storage means. 2. The game according to claim 1, further comprising a payout execution control means for controlling the operation of the ball payout means so as to discharge a prize ball corresponding to the payout target value set as a target value. Machine.

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